Family Reunion

I have a somewhat multi-faceted family, part of whom I haven't met or in the least, haven't seen since I was 10 years old. Some of these family members live right near me and others live as far as California and beyond. A wedding of one such cousin brought many back to the Northshore, so my aunt and I organized a bit of a reunion this past weekend. When I was younger, I remember going to these reunions fairly often and meeting people who claimed I looked just like my dad and told me stories of long ago and things my father probably wouldn't have voluntarily shared. This time I was able to really meet my family members and put faces with the names I've heard so many times over the years. It was so wonderful for me to see so many generations together and see family still so close after all these years.

Generation 1: Uncle George, Nana, Gramps, & Auntie Peggy
Generation 2: Dad & his cousins
Generation 3 & 4: The Cousins's Kids & Grandkids
The Guys
The Gals
My dad, me, & our cousin Leann
The Trouble-Makers of the Fam: Leann, Dad, George, & Monica

Happy Birthday Lang!

Langley turned 27 this month, and our house became the place to be again. It's really nice having everyone together, & I'm really thankful that we were lucky enough to find a house with the space for our friends to come & visit.

New York, New York

Every year, my eighth graders go on a class trip. For at least the past four years that I've been teaching, we've gone to New York City. I am lucky enough to chaperone this trip each year. In just 3 short days, we visit the Museum of Natural History, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Madame Tousead's Wax Museum, South Street Seaport, Ground Zero, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, NBC Studios, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Irish Hunger Memorial, the African Burial Ground Memorial, Winter Garden, Chinatown, Mars 2112, Hard Rock Cafe, and see The Lion King on Broadway. It's a busy, busy three days, & I spend most of the time running around & the rest of the time missing home. I work with a great group of people who all attended this year's trip with me & here we are at Top of the Rock.