Parker Visit

My neck was bothering me again after I pulled something playing golf last Monday so I wasn't fit for doing any kind of fun things outdoors. We finally bought some plants to put in pots outside and also got some sunflowers for in the house.

We went to visit Marge, Darren and Parker on the 4th.  He's one month old now.

Off to OG

I left Nadine's around noon on Friday after we skyped with Gerry.  It was such a great visit, can't wait to do it again.  It was Nadine's birthday and I can't remember when we last spent any time together on her birthday, probably not since she was 12 or 13.  

Now I was going to Greta's and Laura was arriving about the same time.  Needless to say, this was a very different type of visit than the one I just had with Nadine.  From laid back and lazy to on the go every minute.  I got there before Beverly got home with the boys.  Myles was at a playdate and Hunter was supposed to have a Kindergarten event at the beach at 4:00 but just a few minutes before that the skies opened up and the rains came.  Laura arrived during the downpour and after Greta got home we did have a lazy evening.  


On Saturday it was entirely different.  In one day we went out on the boat

and then went to Myles piano recital and this is one of the three pieces he did

and then to the Bloomberg Summer Picnic

In my next life I want to work at Bloomberg in NYC.  Not only do they take over all of Randalls Island for their family summer picnic, but an employee gets 2 to 4 terminals on their desk in a beautiful building in New York City, at least in the areas I've seen.

Meeting Luke

Today Nadine and I hung around at home until it was time to go to Emily's.  We were supposed to Skype with Gerry but he forgot that we had a 3 hour time difference since he was in California, so we're going to do it tomorrow.

Nadine on the far side of the pond

Max and goldfish
It was pretty cloudy most of the day and also a lot cooler than yesterday.  We left at 2:00 and Nadine was going to show me her office at Harcum but by the time we got there, Em was already there to pick up Luke from Day Care so we went there instead.  

I don't think I had ever been to a baby day care before where there were all these cribs.  It was nap time and almost everyone was sleeping.  It was so cute to see all these babies.  Em woke up Luke and then we headed to her house.

The house she and Jon have used to be a barn and still has barn wood inside for the beams and in other areas.  They just had their kitchen redone and have a faucet for their kitchen sink that you can just tap and the water turns on and then tap again and it shuts off.  It's very English cottagy from the outside.

Luke opened his presents and we played with him downstairs and upstairs.  He is such a good, happy little boy and didn't have any kind of meltdown the whole time we were together.  When Jon came home we all left to go have dinner at Peace of Pizza. I had a slice of Mediterranean Salad Pizza. "A bed of fresh spinach topped with diced tomatoes, artichokes, red onions, feta cheese, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, oil and vinegar dressing and seasonings"

and then Nadine and I shared a piece of white pizza which is what Luke and Emily were having.

Way over the top as far as richness. "A harmony of crème fraiche, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses seasoned with garlic"
Next it was cookies from Hope's Cookies which is in the same building as the Peace A Pizza and enjoying the sun which finally came out now that it was only a couple of hours until sunset.

Once we got home it was rest time.

Murdock and the back of Max

 Gerry and Max watching TV

Welcome Parker!!

Parker Anthony John Rudy entered the world today.
8 lbs. 6 oz.
19 3/4 in.

Parker - Day 1

 The proud parents - Marge and Darren
and then we all got a chance to hold him

Connor's Graduation

We went to Connor's graduation from McQuaid today.  Congrats Connor.

First we went to dinner at Max's Chophouse and then to the Eastman.

Kaitlyn's Graduation

Friday we drove to Cranberry Township outside of Pittsburgh for granddaughter Kaitlyn's graduation.  Kris outdid herself with the variety of food (before graduation which was at 6:00 PM) and desserts.  I didn't take a picture of the food table but she had all of Kaitlyn's favorites which are also mine.
Let's see how much I can remember, salsa, nacho dip, chips, chicken wing dip, tossed salad, cucumber sandwiches on party pumpernickel, pulled pork, chicken salad sandwiches on Italian bread, veggie tray, watermelon and all homemade.
It was a beautiful day for an outdoor graduation and it only took an hour and getting out of the parking lot wasn't a problem at all.

The Program

Claire and Mark on the other side of the stadium

Kaitlyn walking in

And another

Kaitlyn receives her diploma

Family shot at home

Kaitlyn, Mark and Claire

Claire painted this picture for Kaitlyn
"Sisters by birth . . . friends by choice" 
is written on the painting

Desserts