Welcome Erin Anne

Erin Anne arrived at 11:05 Sept 4, 2008 weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz 18 inches long.
Mother and Daughter are doing well.

Congratulations to Katie and Lee Erin is just beautiful. Makayla is going to be a great sister!!

So Tired

Last Wednesday, Honey, Makayla and I went to Chatham. It was a beautiful day, sunny with a light breeze. Makayla was wonderful in and out of her carriage. She only had one meltdown and that was because I would not let her cross the street alone. Hmmm I think someone is growing up! We walked around everywhere and about 10 minutes from the cottage, out to sleep. I managed to get her in the cottage without waking her and she slept for about another hour. What a beautiful little ladybug! :)

New Clothes for Bridget

As some you you may recall, Bridget was Katie's much loved doll. She has had many surgeries because the cloth that is her body keeps ripping and fraying. Well like the good mother and grandmother that I am, I just keep patching her up.

She used to wear a little white lace gown but the velcro finally gave in and the gown would not stay on any more. Because of that Makayla has had to love and hold a naked doll with funny patches on her body. (I guess the patches come with age because I think I saw some on me too!!! haha)

Well, I saw a doll set to 9.99 the other day. and guess what!!! The clothes fit Bridget!! She looks like a new baby!!! What do you think?

Gay Head Martha's Vineyard

That is me! sitting on the swim platform. After I put my feet in, I decided it was really a little too cold to swim so I just sat there and enjoyed the scenery!!

Makayla at the Beach

I have decided that Makayla is a fish!! She loves the water. I had her life jacket on and she just kept walking into the water until her feet floated!! hehe Honey also introduced her to seaweed. She picked it up and tossed it like a pro. Sorry not pics of her in the water. I was too busy just hanging on to her so she would not go out to sea.

But I do have a few pictures of her at the beach, walking, collecting shells, sleeping...

From then until now

Well, we have been very busy since I last posted, Tom is home from England (first class I may add), we have gone to Block Island for a weekend, I have gone to Dennis (and will return) to visit Honey, and we just returned from a weekend in Falmouth!!

Block Island is just beautiful! 46% of the land is conservation. That stops developers from coming in and building. We fished the first day and got fluke and scupp. I was surprised to find scupp so tasty. It is a white fish and is similar to Cod. Then the next day we hired a taxi and took a tour of the island. Breath takingly beautiful. We fished the next day too and then back to the dock.

We got a slip at the Falmouth Marina. The first day we just walked into town, had lunch, walked around and then just relaxed on the boat. We saw a friend of Gene's and we saw that he had this shade umbrella. It is 6 ft square and covers the back deck of the boat. Since West Marine was just a block away, we got one. Wow, it really helped keep the back deck shady and cooler!!!

We went fishing, boated around some of Martha's Vineyard and anchored for a while. OOOh what a life.

I also bought a new camera, a digital slr. I am still playing around with it and making some great mistakes. I think I will have to take some classes. :)

Makayla today

Katie and Makayla came tonight for dinner. We will have her overnight until after Katie's doctor's appt tomorrow. Grampy was quick to play hide and seek with the new sleeping bag that his mother had sent over for her.

Since she was too busy to eat, Grampy (Papa) decided to give her a treat. Ice cream. the kind that Dad used to eat - the Klondike bars... He carefully cut it into little slivers. Katie had reminded us that Makayla had not eaten her supper so Grampy mixed it with strawberry yogurt!! Such a good guy. Then after Katie left, after a tour of the yard, Grammy and Makayla went to see the horses. After that we went for a walk in the stroller and yes! sleepy time. by the time we got back Makayla was asleep and off to her crib!! Oh so peaceful and angel like!!!!

Stump Remover

Last week end we went out on the boat with Linda and Jerry. We had a great time and saw lots of whales. it was incredible! We also fished for tuna and other fish and can up empty :(

In conversation, Jerry told us to get stump remover for the stumps of the shrubs that Gene cut down.

Well, I bought some on Monday and was very pleased with myself. Tuesday morning Gene asked me if I had read the directions. No. I guess the kind that I bought was to be poured into the stump, wait a few days, add kerosene and then ignite aggghhhh. nooooo. not so close to the house. So I guess I will be bringing it back and getting the liquid that Jerry recommended. Talk about lack of communication!!!! When we come back from Block Island I will get the good stuff.!!!

Tommy is in England

Well, I got an e-mail, and a phone call on Saturday Morning saying that he was safe and sound in England. He will be home on the 18th.

His blog chronicles his first day in England. He writes well!! :)

3 days of Fun

Well, We were fortunate enough t o have Makayla for 3 whole days. Tuesday we went to Hull and went out to eat and to the Merry go round. I have posted all of the pictures on the new site snapfish. I sent you all and email with the link (If you didn't get it, make a comment and I will sent it to you)

Wednesday she got her new glasses. How beautiful. It makes her look like a toddler now. We went to GG's and had a good visit. I really need to bring her over more often so she gets to know her Great Grandmother better.

Then on Thursday, after a 3 hours nap!!! both Makayla and Grammy, We darted off to the Pro Bass Store in Foxboro. She loved it. The Moose, deer, fish!!! The new pink hat.!!!

Then finally off home with Mommy!!! yeah. I was in bed by 7:30pm :)

New View

Well it has only been about 10 years since I bought shutters, but Gene but them up today. It changes the whole character of the house!! He has removed the big shrubs and we are going to put on a porch to the front of the house. Now I will not have to stand at the front door to watch the street:) I hope to get 2 white rockers and Makayla and I can sit and wave to the people going by.

Summertime phenomenon

Every summer since I can remember the skin on the bottom of my big toe splits and gets what I liken to hang nail except it is not around the nail. It is on the bottom of my toes. Sometimes the skin flap gets caught on the sheets at night and hurts. What do I do about this? Well, I cut the skin flap as short as I can, cream my feet and then..... put on shoes and socks ( yuck) Shoes and socks in the summer just seems wrong.

I think this happens because I go barefoot or just wear flip flops. It is somewhat painful. Maybe I should get some little white sneakers like I used to wear. Well, I guess it is worth a try.

I would show you a picture but it may be too much to handle!! :)

First Graduating Class

Well, I just got a letter from Linda Furlong. They are looking for people that graduated with us from St Francis to have a reunion in October. She has already found about half but still cannot find others. I think that this would be a blast!!

An evening social has been planned for Friday Oct 3 at the Marriot in Quincy and a Mass and Open House at the school on Saturday.

New Shoes

Did I mention that I have new shoes? They are similar to crocs except the have straps and look like maryjanes. They are great water shoes because they will not slip off in the water. Plus they look cute!!

The Great Adventures of the Kayak Girls

Lat Saturday, some friends and I went kayaking on the Green Harbor River. It is also the Daniel Webster Bird Sanctuary. First we had to carry the kayaks down a steep slope. Then Fran had to teach me to get in, balance and schooch into the water. The schooching part was fine it was just the getting in and balancing part that was a little tricky :)

I was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. We saw osprey, blue herons, hawks...

It was very hot but there was a little breeze to keep us cool. At times the water depth was only about 3 feet but it was murky and there was lot of alge or muck as I called it. We did see a footbridge so this area can be seen on foot. There really is no access to this river except from where we launched, but it was peaceful and quiet. I loved it and hope to do it again


http://picasaweb.google.com/deborahcollins26/KayakingPics

New Stroller

After the last time Gene and I went to Plymouth with Makayla, we vowed never to go without a stroller. Well the old one didn't fold so I bought a new one and she loves it.

Back to Plymouth we went and Grampa got her a Popsicle. (he really wanted ice cream but they didn't have any) Makayla was content with the drippy mess and I got a few shots. Then the battery died so I didn't get any shots of her in the water. She loved it! Picked up shells, and rocks.

Great day!

My Hats

The subject of my number of hats came up the other day. We were meeting some friends in Boston and Bob (the friend) said to his brother in law ( whom I have never met) Just look for a woman wearing something with pink, white, and oh ya a hat. I don't know which one but it will be straw, blue or white.

I must admit that I was looking at them this morning and I DO have a variety of hats. A straw one with red, white and blue ribbon. (Mom bought me that at Marina Bay) A white front brim, a blue straw front brim and my French laundry hat. Oh and I almost forgot- (pause for effect) My RED HAT with the purple flower that Katie bought for me.

If you play your cards right, I will show them to you on Sunday!!!

Biker Dude!

Did I sign up for this?

Gene's brother in law has a brand new 1 yr old Harley. He is unable to ride right now and needed to get some miles on it for the next check up and to keep it in the warrentee.

So Gene offered to ride the miles!

Flowers

I talked to Mom this morning and she wanted more. I guess it is like reading a great book and then you come to the end! :) I told her that my next blog was going to be about my feet but I will save that for another time. (great topic though)

Well, I have done some work in the back yard with the flowers and moved the bird feeders so I could see them better. I have to figure out what to put on the pole so the squirrels can't eat all of the bird feed. I have nothing against them, it is just that they are hogs, well squirrel hogs! They eat all of the feed. I will get them their own food soon but there is just no talking to them. Everytime I try to tell them their turn is coming, they run away. Hmmph

Did I mention the Flamingos? I think they blend very well with the pink flowers! :)

Fish anyone?

Did I mention that I can catch fish? How about a 37 inch striper and a 33 inch cod? Oh and Gene caught one too!

Some 4th pictures

News & Information?

Hello Group

I am trying my hand at this. It seems kind of fun! Yes I need a life! Oh but I do and I want to share. :) I hope to keep everyone up to date with the fam, and fam up to date. ( I crack me up)

Just an FYI, we are having a cookout here on Sunday around 2pm. rain or shine.

Enora and Sean will be on from Texas.

I plan on having hamburg and hot dogs, satay chicken, mac salad, tossed salad, spinach squares, maybe crab meat squares, and hmmm I haven't decided what else. I am going to buy the ingredients for Cosmos, fresca. water and....

We watched Makayla today and last night. Oh my she is adorable. When she wants to get up she says " hold you?" how cute.

Gene and I also had a great time over the 4th of July. After seeing the Constitution turn around and the fireworks we stayed in Boston for the next 3 nights. We had a great view, saw British soldiers, Minutemen/minutepeople, and generally some weird people.