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I've added Tom's photos and a video to Lily's Gymnastics. Check 'em out.

Photo story of our trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival

Photos by Tom Here we are, outside the Jefferson Memorial. Tom is taking the photo, therefore he is not in it.

This was a tough shot to get due to the great number of people actually using the path I was standing on.

Tom and I with one of the trees. Did you know the trees were a gift to the US from Japan in 1912?


Jen, Jay and the kids posing in front of the Washington Monument.



They ran ahead then laid down just over a hill, hiding. We were all set to react properly when they scared us, but they never did!

It was windy, so Lily was hiding from it.

Newlyweds. Aren't they cute?

Close-up of cherry blossoms growing on the trunk of one of the trees.

Jen, Jay and the kids at the Memorial Fountain. There were signs about every six feet across the front of the fountain, asking people to respect the peace of the area and not to throw coins in the fountain. Guess what we saw people doing?

Weekend

For a so-called 'retired' couple, we manage to keep pretty busy. Tom has been spending a little time each weekday volunteering with the theatre group at his old high school--which he really seems to be enjoying. On Saturday, we both joined Jen's ServeFest Project. Jen was in charge of the Family Affair portion of the Fest, which was aimed at service projects that small children can do. It was really nice, and very well organized. The Cafe at the church was the workspace, set up with different stations dedicated to each project. There were Fun Bags for hospitalized children--a bag filled with activities that could be done while in bed; there were bookmarks for the missions to use as gifts--they were very creative and made with inkpads, fingerprints and a pen and completed with a bible verse sticker in several languages; then there was a station for making Thank You Notes for Heroes--like firefighters, police, and military; another place for making Hero Trail Mix; potted plants for the local senior center; hygiene bags for the homeless; and laundry detergent for Tabitha's House. Each child was given a 'Passport' when they signed in, which had a section to be marked off for each station, so they could keep track of what they had completed. It also provided a sense of accomplishment when the passport was completely filled in. The kids were really cute. Some were shy and held back a bit, others zipped right through each work station and came back to do more. Jen delivered the plants to the senior center that afternoon, and they were very well received. The rest of the completed items will be delivered during the week.

After that, Tom and I headed into town to pick up his package for the "Believe in Tomorrow Port to Fort 6K Run" that Tom participated in with our friend Jacque. Jacque was running her very first race ever at the suggestion and request of a friend from high school whose daughter is facing a catastrophic illness. The race is a fund-raiser, and Jacque really did a great job raising money and completing the run. While we were at the shop picking up the package, Tom suggested I call Jacque to see if she wanted us to get her packet for her. Since she was coming from another state and headed to her Uncle's palce, it was easier for her if we picked it up and got it to her the morning of the race. We went to Mass on Saturday evening to free up Sunday morning for the event.

Bright and early Sunday, we headed to the Baltimore Museum of Industry for the start of the race. We met Jacque and the rest of the team there. Since I wasn't running, I was the 'holder' for the team--I held anything people didn't need to carry. I was also waiting at the finish line with Jacque's camera and got a couple of pictures of her coming across the finish. Tom called me when they were a few minutes out, which was helpful but I was already there, just in case. Jacque finished faster than she has ever run that distance before and she was quite pleased with that. We hung out for the after party and awards ceremony, then headed over to Fort McHenry and met Gina, a college friend of Jacque's who teaches drama at a local school. Jacque wanted Tom and Gina to meet, as they share a love for theatre and might be able to help each other from time to time.

Once we got home, Tom got a phone call from Jen--she had found the patio set she wanted (which was supposed to be her Christmas and birthday gift for 2008) and asked if he and his truck were available to bring it home. So off we went to the home store. While we were at Jen and Jay's, Tom helped Jay assemble the furniture. The kids needed some of Jay's attention, too, as they wanted to run through the sprinkler and then use the water slide. The water slide took a bit more effort that originally thought, but Jay got it set up and the kids had a blast! I had a great time watching them.

Today, Tom is off helping his brother build a wall, helping his mother clean screens (I think), and working for the school. I guess I should be a good wife and get the house in better order....

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, Dear T.J.!
Happy Birthday to you-ou-ouuuuuuu!

Today we celebrate our son, who completed our little family when he joined us in 1980 while we were living at the Air Foce Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Jenny loved her little brother from the very beginning. While they had their moments growing up, like all brothers and sisters, they are still pretty close as adults.

Happy birthday, son. We hope your day is wonderful!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday, dear Jenny!

Happy Birthday to you-ouuuuuuuuuu!

Our darling daughter was born to us this day thirty-two years ago. We were so happy to welcome her to our world--she made a loving couple into a family, and we were all the better for it. We have always been very proud of our Jenny, and are pleased to wish her happiness today and always. We love you, Daughter. We hope your thirty-third year is your best yet!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Dad's 80th Birthday Party

Just a sampling of photos from the festivities~

"Look, quick!"

I'm starting my day as usual, sitting on the sofa in the family room with my back to the window and checking email. Tom comes over to kiss me. He stops mid pucker and says "Look! Quick!" as his eyes are trained on the window behind me. I turn and spot -- very close -- a very bedraggled fox! It was soaked from the rain, sniffing through the pachysandra under the window. At one point, we both thought he was going to put his paws on the windowsill and look into the room! He didn't, but he was that close. He continued along his way, sniffing everything as he passed.

It was good to see 'our' fox again. We assume it is the same one that has been passing through our property since we moved in, even though we haven't seen him in a long time. Tom says he wondered if the rabid fox that was killed in our county was this one (scary thought) but it seems our little guy is safe. Just very wet.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

80 years! Sounds like a long time, but to us, Dad is just Dad. He's always been there for us, be it coming home from a business trip in time for each of his five children's birthday celebrations or taking us crabbing in Kent Narrows. Dad is the mainstay of our family, and we relish the opportunity to wish him a wonderful and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Tom and I are headed over to Mom and Dad's later this evening to take him a token gift and offer him our best for his birthday.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our mother--who raised five children with strong family values and an almost innate sense of tradition. Mom is the creator of Cookie Day, the beginning of our Christmas traditions, birthday traditions, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day and Easter traditions.