Nice Catch Dad!

Salmon! It's what's for dinner.  Today. . .and tomorrow . . .and the day after that. . .and probably the next day too.

Welcome Fall!

We have consumed our first batch of chili, we are sporting fleece, welcome to fall!  The lake is never more beautiful than on a crisp fall morning.  Like glass.  I hate mornings, but it's hard to be grumpy with  a view like this. 

Niagara Falls 2014

En route back from the East Coast we took the northern route through Canada to stop at Niagara Falls.  Few thoughts:

1.) Kids loved Niagara.  Totally worth the effort.

2.)  Why is Canada so much nicer than the US?  As soon as you cross the border into Canada it's better design, nicer drivers, nicer roads- cross back to US and tackiness ensues immediately 

Weze had never been here before and my dad had fond memories of going here as a kid with his family.  All in all it made a 15hr drive home not so bad.

Cape Cod 2014

My aunt Linda has been summering in the Cape for many years.  Last year she took the plunge and purchased a gorgeous beach house a stones throw, and a sandy path away from an amazing beach.

We are all the beneficiaries of her new digs.  Linda is one of the most generous people I have ever met (seriously) and opened her doors to my crazy family to spend the week there after Connecticut.  Nick joined us and after he recovered from the infamous norovirus we had an awesome time exploring The Cape and meeting up with old friends. 

Later in the week Kelly, Linda and Martha arrived.  Kelly is the ONLY person Fisher actively chooses over me.  When Kelly is in the room no one else exists.  He is obsessed.  He had his cousin up at 7am for donut runs, taking him to the potty and fetching milk in sippy cups.  By the end of the week, I think Fisher's obsession with her wore on Kelly, but man it was nice to NOT be his number 1 person for a few days.  I feel your pain Kelly it's exhausting!  We can't wait to see Kelly again soon.  

Enjoying Happy hour on Linda's second floor deck with beautiful ocean views.

We went on a whale watching cruise from Hyannis to the whale sanctuary where we saw a TON of ginormous whales.  It was awesome. Seriously.

The beach. . .

Fisher's favorite buddy

Those two mini people walking are Martha and Linda. . .

Due to work commitments Nick flew home a little earlier than we departed.  On the way to the airport we visited with Ted and Michelle, some of our favorite HBS friends in Cohasset. Their kids are almost the same ages as our children.  Charlotte is 3 days older than Gracie with as much hair!

After the airport we beelined for The Worlds Only Curious George Store in Harvard Square.  Fisher loves George, I love Harvard Square.  It was a win/win.

Connecticut 2014

I took the plunge and packed up two kids in the car and drove 15 hrs. . .alone. . . for our annual east coast summer vacation.  My parents met me along the interstate to help lessen the pain.  It really wasn't so bad.  Thank god for iPads and a baby who loves to sleep and crunch food all over her car seat.  Disgusting.

Plus once we got there it was worth it.  3.5 weeks of salt air is good for the soul. I love living on a lake and being by the BIG lake but I think I'll always be an ocean girl at heart.  It's just not the same.  I like the critters and rocks and swimming without the fear of weird lake vegetation touching my legs or worse getting nipped by a bass fish.  I prefer sharks.  Not really but you get the point.  I want both my kids to know salt water.  It's just different.

Our rental in Branford was basic but well equipped and by that I mean there were more toys at the rental house than my real house.  Plastic toys r us junk everywhere.  The kids loved it and I didn't live in fear of them ruining anything.  Fisher enjoyed manhandling jellyfish and looking for crabs.  I loved daily walks with mom and Lyn Peck with a little Emily served on the side. 

We didn't love the wicked stomach flu that took down Rick, Fisher, John, Emily, Cam, Holly and eventually Nick when he made his appearance late week.  Nick and my dad both have never been so sick.  It was like cruise ship hell on land.

Since I never got sick I managed to snap many a cute picture to try and forget about the whole nori virus thing.  And yes kids are in matching smocked lobster outfits for lobster dinner.

Grams Memorial

We had a beautiful memorial for Gram in July at the New Haven Country Club, because all proper Yankee wasps want to have their final party at the club.

The decor was simple, very mini wedding chic.

  The guests came from near and far to celebrate gram.  John, Cam and Marcus from Vail.  Linda from DC and Martha from Columbus, Emily from LA.  The best part of the day was having all these favorites in one room.

The kids ran around, there was wine.  Really it was perfect.

Afterwards we enjoyed an al fresco dinner at the Owenego club with Jake and his family.  The weather was beautiful and the sunset spectacular.  Gram loved a sunset over Long Island sound more than anything.   It was a fitting end.

Cam, my father and I read short remembrances at the luncheon.  Here is mine:

I consider my grandmother to be one of the greatest influences in my life and I'm privileged to have the opportunity to share my fond memories of the woman we called "Gram" as we honor a life well lived.

In high school my parents grounded me for hosting an unsupervised party.  When I told Gram why I was in trouble, she responded matter of factly . . .

"Next time clean up better"

She spoke the truth. Always.

From tales of her travel adventures, to her signature Teva sandals and button down shirts, Gram had an ageless spunk that made her five grandchildren forget our generational age difference.  She loved each of us unconditionally and cared enough to know us individually. To put it simply, the five of us adored her.

Her influence can be felt in everything I do.

I am an artist because of her. . .

I can teach a room full of 30 Texans how to properly crack a lobster shell because of her. . .

I know in relationships large physical distances can be bridged through intention and effort because of her

I leave presents on pillows for house guests because of her. . .

I knew to marry a man who liked to sing and dance because of her. . .

I can beat most people in a card game of Oh Hell because of her . . .

And

I know what type of mother and grandmother I want to be because of her. . .

Every time I saw Gram I asked her "what was the best time of your life".  Like clockwork she gave 1 of 2 responses.  either- summers spent at camp, riding horses and sneaking across the lake to see grandpa John or the early years on Dogwood Road when my mother and Jake were young, singing and dancing at neighborhood parties. 

I last saw Gram in March.  During this visit i asked her my usual question- "what was your favorite time"- expecting the same response, but hoping to learn something new about her life, clearly slipping away with each passing day.   

She responded to my question with a simple answer.  "today is my best day". I looked around the assisted living center and dreary late Winter sky confused. 

I reminded her of Dogwood Rd and of summer camp, but She remained firm.   Summer camp and Dogwood rd were great times, but other wonderful events came after those early days.

Her life was full from beginning to end.  The best time of her life was not made of one event or season, but rather a snowball of memories forming a giant blizzard of warmth in her setting sun.

As the sun sets on your day today.

  

Go for a swim, play a hand of cards, paint a picture, don't take a nap, tell someone you love about your favorite time and remember that Gram's favorite time was today.  She lived each day full of love and  leaves a legacy of gratitude.