Summer Review 2009

Last time we posted, we were anticipating the summer.

Evidence of an eventful, albeit cooler, time.



May included Lucia's 3rd ballet recital and Gary continuing

to prepare for Tito J's bachelor concert. Simon was really

starting to get around and Lijah was getting ready for his sister

to be home for the summer.





June was highlighted by Lucia finishing Kindergarten, Tito J's

wedding and festivities, Ninang Aileen & Ninong Rey's wedding

and Chicagoland fun, and Daddy with the 3 duendes at home.

I didn't expect the kids to play as much with each other. There

was still fighting and several occasions of banishment to rooms,

but the children enjoyed each other, even Simon.







July logged the most mileage (over 2500) due to an east coast trip

to see the Mathew Family in DE, Simon's Ninang Sr. Marita in NY

City, one of the largest Our Lady of Guadalupe statues in the

world and Samuel's baptism. I still have images of that priest raising

Samuel before the altar and cross, as if to offer him as a living sacrifice

to our Lord. Powerful.



Not as many beach days as last year in Cheboygan, but we were still

able to make time for the splashin' and sand.





August began with a princess tea party celebrating Lucia's 6th birthday.

Our 'finest' china, 2 treasure hunts and dancing with bubble wands were

highlights.







We then had our Upper Room retreat with J, Jayvee, Kimmie & Ryan.

A great time to bond with those wonderful souls. Still miss all of them.





I started back up recording songs I've written with Eric and Mad over the

past decade or so. It's wonderful to know my children and Godchildren will

hear these songs long after I'm gone.



Sr. Marita came back to MI for a family visit so we got to see her again!

Wonderful service in honor of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.





There were a few long call stretches for Mad, the longest I believe for 6

straight days! She was a trooper, and the kids were quite gracious (for the

most part:)