Happy 100th Birthday, Aunt Faye

My great Aunt Faye turned 100 on Sept. 10. She is my grandma DeVillars sister (the only living sibling) and lives out in a nursing home in western PA where I grew up. We love Aunt Faye and her children and their children. It was certainly an honor to travel out to help her celebrate her birthday at a party on Sept. 14. My sister from Texas flew up to Philly and traveled with us to our dad's who then drove us out to western PA. We stayed overnight and spent some time with our sister who lives out there. Us sisters hadn't been all together in over 5 years. We saw so many relatives we hadn't seen in such a long time.

We also got to see our Aunt Jo from Ohio -- our deceased mother's only sibling. Four of her five children and their spouses came too for a picnic. My Texas sister hadn't seen Aunt Jo in about 25 years. It was a very full and jammed packed weekend in western PA. The trip back home that same day was difficult and long, but we enjoyed our time together talking. It was definitely a trip we will remember for a long time.

Is it really fall?

I can't move onto fall until I wrap up summer. In August, we spent a wonderful week in Stone Harbor, NJ. We had a perfect week of weather and fun. One person missing in this picture is my sister Donna who was taking the picture. She wasn't able to go last year and was sorely missed so we all loved having her again this year. She adds so much! We ate good thanks to the young cooks. We took the girls to the Cape May Zoo which was fun too. We enjoy the beach and pool equally and are glad to have both. Our one dinner out was in Somer's Point at the Crab Trap which was super and well worth the wait to get in. It is sad to see our relaxing summer come to an end but we cherish the memories and look forward to next year!

Summer's end

I am glad to have gotten to the beach three times this year -- Wildwood with my sister, Ocean City with Bethany and Phil, and then Stone Harbor with all the family. Ocean City was very relaxing. Bethany and I enjoyed sitting on the beach reading in the morning and then walking the boardwalk and shopping. We went back to the place we were staying in Somers Point for lunch and then relax some more playing games or more shopping while we waited for Phil to get off work. We went to a movie one night and saw Wall-E. The weather was nice. We found a new love -- Shriver's gelato. I think the coconut or pistachio were my favorite flavors. It definitely hit the spot and kept us coming back for more :)

Phillies and 4th of July

Fourth of July in Philly at a Phillies vs. NY Mets game -- complete with hot dogs, water ice, soft pretzels, Philly Cheesesteaks, warm summer evening with family and friends and the Phillies WON! Was a wonderful day!

Drummer Boy

Back in July, we attended a worship concert at our son's church where my youngest son was the drummer. Since he usually plays a guitar, it was different seeing him playing the drums. As a young boy, he always wanted to have a set of drums and would love to twirl sticks in his hand like he would if he was playing. He was a natural and even had his own fan club. It was a nice evening.

Wildwood 2008

I went to North Wildwood, NJ with my sister, my niece and her friend for a few days the end of June. The weather was nice and we enjoyed relaxing by the pool or on the beach. We also enjoyed walking the boardwalk and getting our ice cream. We always ride the surrey and attempt the big ramp at the end of the boardwalk. I always enjoy my long talks with my sister. She is a dear friend. Ya Ya Sisterhood!

Longwood Gardens 2008

As promised, here are some of my favorite pictures from our day trip to Longwood Gardens -- with my two sisters, Donna and Debbie, when Debbie was visiting from Texas. Even though she had once lived here, she had never been there. We had such a lovely day. I had almost 150 pictures so you can imagine that it was difficult to pick only a few.

I am Back

Sorry to have been gone for a while. In late April, we had a surprise 30th birthday party for my oldest, Jon, down at a Wings lacrosse game. It included some of his friends and co-workers plus family. I think he was truly surprised much to his wife, Melody's delight. Then on his actual birthday, May 2, we had a small dinner party at our house. Can't believe he is 30.

In mid-April, Dave and I took the girls to the circus down at the Spectrum which was a lot of fun! I think we all agreed the elephants were our favorite.

Memorial day weekend was spent by a bunch of us going up to my dad's in Williamsport, PA to spend a time of camping in his back yard and doing work around the outside of his house. Boy did he have a list of jobs for us. We all worked hard and got a lot done but there were some things we didn't get done. My sister came from Texas to spend some time with us and go up with us to help. The girls found a caterpillar naming him Bob and a frog naming him Stanley. They were hard workers too.

We enjoyed Debbie's PA visit and was sad to see her leave on June 2 to go back to Texas. But looking forward to her coming later in the year for another visit. My sister and I took a day off from work and took Deb to Longwood Gardens for a day. It was a beautiful sunny day and the flowers and plants were magnificent! I will post pictures on my next post. I will try to post more often during the summer. So until the next time. . .

Bethany's Birthday

Today is my daughter's birthday. She is very special. Some of the things I love about her are:

She plays the piano beautifully. I enjoy hearing her play and miss hearing it on a daily basis like when she was young and living at home.

She is a good cook. She didn't learn from me but has had many great influences in her life in the culinary arts.

She is a conscientious teacher. She cares about her students and listens to them. She loves math and has a mathematical mind. She is a hard worker.

She is a loving wife to Phil and is always asking don't you think Phil is the greatest. Phil is her best friend.

She has a contagious laugh. Her smile lights up the room.

She is a great daughter. I enjoy shopping with her and going to Panera Bread!

She is a true and loyal friend not only to me but also to others.

I could go on and on, but she is probably wishing I would stop.

I wish her a very happy birthday. She has brought much joy into our lives and I thank God every day for her.

Where did March go? Some March highlights

I can't believe where March went. I love March Madness so was busy with basketball in most of my free time so that is where the time went I suppose.

We did celebrate our youngest granddaughter, Lydia's, 4th birthday on March 16 by attending her church and having a church luncheon afterwards. She loved her Dora and High School Musical gifts. She even counts in spanish.

• I also spent a day shopping with my daughter while she had off from her teaching on spring break.


• My car died and after a couple of jump starts had to give in and get a new battery.


• Spent a Saturday with my granddaughters playing games, Barbie, and reading. Naomi wanted Grandma to show her how to do a cartwheel. Can you believe that? I tried but. . .


• Attended a Sixers game with our son Jon


• Went to a concert to hear the Genevans (Bethany and Phil's college)


• Went to the Morris Arboretum with my sister to get a feel of spring.


• Easter dinner at Bethany and Phil's.


• Attended a memorial service for our dear friend Thelma VanTil who passed away at age 80.


• Play at Phil-Mont, Miracle Worker


• Started our taxes


• Our youngest son started a new job at Hatfield Meat Packing as a electronic technician. He is very excited about this new job and all the great benefits plus it is only 3 minutes from his home.


• My sister and I are enjoying our weekly Salsa dancing lessons. Trying to get that hip action down.

I will close with a few more pictures from our Lydia birthday celebration!

Fun in the sun!

My sister and I had a wonderful time on our cruise in the western caribbean. Trying to decide which picture to post was difficult since we have so many. This was taken in Tulum, Mexico from the Myan Ruins. I think this was my favorite excursion. Of course, there were so many things we loved about our trip. We had perfect weather, met so many nice people, got spoiled being waited on and eating such good food. The variety of seafood, fresh fruits, desserts, need I go on was excellent. We kept saying what day is it and is this really winter? We learned how to do about 4 country line dances. There was about 105 people in our "sea is for country" group that went on the cruise and every night we gathered in the Starquest lounge for our 2 hrs of line dancing. There was so much to do on the ship and the staff were funny and did an excellent job. We have a funny video of us going up the Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. I needed the proof that I actually did it. Well I am still getting caught up so hope to post more often but then it is almost March Madness and you know I love my college hoops so will see. . .

Still busy but alive!

I need to post a quick note to let my faithful readers know that I am alive but still busy. My work was closed today for Martin Luther King day so I thought I would get a lot done. However, we felt we needed to attend the funeral of our daughter-in-law, Melody's, uncle. Since their family was very close we knew Uncle Bob too since he was at many family functions and lived across the street from Jon and Mel. David and I did get our Christmas decorations put away plus I sorted through all my clothes to pack for my cruise! Yes, I am leaving this Saturday with my sister Donna. We fly to Ft. Lauderdale, FL and catch our ship on Sunday traveling to Key West, Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and then back to Florida on Feb. 2. We have much pre-reading and planning to do so that has kept me busy plus making sure my work was done. It is weird packing summer things when we are having such a cold spell. I keep wanting to pack lots of sweaters and socks. So will close this for now but will try to post some pictures of our island adventures soon after I get back.