The Family Album

HAYES BAPTISM!

Now this is suppose to be all about Hayes- well as a matter of fact this first part is all about Hayes- Hayes' Baptism. But Big Sis Reeder upstaged the little man even at his moment on stage.
Since I had a camera at the baptism, I sort of got the job of digitally recording this blessed event. But baptisms do take a little time and since Clint and Marianne were pretty busy with Hayes, Reeder noted that she was somewhat free to explore this building. And so she explored, Hayes was baptised, and I just took pictures.

Hayes was appropriately baptised while Mom & Dad assisted. But Reeder did do a little exploring.

It is very, very exciting to sit in the chair of the PRIEST during your little brother's Baptism.

Or maybe just loiter by the piano....

But playing in the Baptism Font was the most exciting!

And in fact was so exciting that cousin Eden decided to join the fun! And why not, after all her Mom & Dad were the God Parents and certainly had obligations to participate. And since cousin Reeder was free to explore, why not her??

And those candles all flickering were awfully tempting.

And Look- The Baptismal Candle- Now that is exciting!

As for Hayes- well he was charming- smiling- interested-

and I might add very well behaved. Think he thought the whole thing was just the way to spend a Sunday afternoon being surrounded by more people who want to hold him- and Hayes is most comfortable in the arms of one or another! And God Parents Uncle Steven and Aunt Elizabeth, and Mom and Dad were appropriately behaved as well!

Daddy Clint and Hayes!

And Grama Max makes three!

But this whole weekend was a weekend about family, and we certainly did get a good dose of family. There is nothing like a wedding or a new baby or a baptism to bring a family together. The rest of this blog is mostly a pictorial overview of the weekend of family. Hope you enjoy it.

Lucas and The Captain both showed up, although we expected neither, and Great was in heaven seeing these two grandchildren who are among her favorites (not that Great would ever admit to having favorites).

Cousins that almost never see each other got time to talk and laugh and get better acquainted.

And second cousins got together to play and giggle (What are they doing in the street??)

And Grama Max got to see her new granddaughter Samantha and play with Taylor.

And more cousins and 2nd cousins

And the niece that shares my passion for photography and introduced me to blogs...

Mother and Son!

Mother and Son!

And who would have thought that tubs of melting ice could be so much fun with a just a few big spoons. I do believe all the 2 years olds (and there were 4 at this particular party) chased more than a couple of ice cubes.

Grama Gay got introduced to Sharon and they hit it off great, or maybe it was just that the sangria was really good.

Anthony does love his daddy. When Sarah was in town the whole week before the party, she would talk to Shawn on the phone and then let Anthony listen to the phone. Anthony sure knows his daddy's voice.

Great got to hold her newest great granddaughter.

And the youngest and oldest hands of our family!

Matthew shows off his skills with babies. At least this one wasn't one of his sick patients.

Uncle Fouad and Aunt Mary are always part of our family.


Holding babies is always a favorite pass time for this Grama.

and for Aunt Boo.



And the uncles.

The sisters even had a great time even without the sangria.



Of course the dogs are part of the family. Too bad we didn't get any good pictures of Semper. The old guy is hanging in there.

Even Uncle Michael got into the baby holding game.







Feeding the fish with Grandpa Don! Always a highlight of any day!


Petting the Lampe's rabbit!

And of course we went to the park!



Father and Son!

Aunt Boo is still holding her new nephew Hayes!

Still a loving couple after all these years!

A Mother's undivided attention???


Loving siblings!

THE THINKER!

Grama Gay always has a magic touch with the babies!



Do you think our little mischievous Reeder notices the babies are crying? (I vote yes!)


I think she is going to follow in the footsteps of her Grama Max!


Cookies with sprinkles leave a memory in ones mouth!

I do believe that Eden likes to visit the bakery with her Grama Max! And Grama Max can't wait to take Eden and all of her grandbabies to the bakery! In fact there is nothing in this world that warms the heart so much as family coming home. So until next time just remember I am loving you- and remembering our special time together.

Trip to....The Cincinnati Zoo

Well it was HOT, REAL HOT. And HUMID, REAL HUMID. And of course it took three cars to hold all the babies (the days when all you needed were spaces for the behinds of the adults- and then you tucked the kiddos in the corners- on laps, on the floor. Just about anywhere. Those days seem almost like admitting to some deep dark secret sin. No car seats, no seat belts. But those days are history- and it was three cars of us to the zoo. On the day did I mention was HOT and HUMID. But we got there. And I guess the second thing that ought to be mentioned is that we had only had one map- and that was controlled by our Marine Captain. I do feel safe- he successfully evaded the enemy (those pesky animals- go figure) so I do believe I saw less wild life than at home with the chipmunks, squirrels and birds- now there is wild life. And I was carrying the baby- Baby Hayes- so I didn't often have the opportunity to take pictures- so I have the most pitiful pictures- which of course I feel obliged to share.

So this picture proves that we did see at least one animal- not over the top on the wild side- but an animal. And Sarah is smiling- look carefully- don't see much of that in the pics to come.

Anthony was all dressed in his Reds outfit- and was a good sport the entire morning.

No exactly the time of his life....

But it got a bit better, Maybe?

And we did see some animals- can tell by the forward stares...


And we did stop to eat...


And there was a Merry-Go-Round....

With Deseree, Clint and Reeder...
Now I know what you're thinking- wonder why she picked these pictures- well these were the best- of not many- the happiest- Oh Well....

Did I mention that Don was working?

Trip to.....Chicago

Amber moved to Chicago just a few weeks ago. She will begin graduate study at Loyola in pubic history this fall. But why Chicago you ask? Well- Amber fell in love with Chicago (much like my relationship with San Fran) when she visited it the first time for an 8th grade school trip. She is off to a great start.
A trip to see Amber was just too tempting to pass up- So I drove over from Cincinnati (need I mention that Don was working) to pick her up and bring her back to Cincinnati for the BIG PARTY!
And first on the agenda was a trip to IKEA and TARGET- to finish out the necessities for Amber's first apartment.

As you can see we were very successful!
Amber lives in a great neighborhood- and on our drive to her apartment we passed the ballpark during a game.
Amber lives just a short walk from Wrigley Field- how about that for all of you baseball lovers!

After the shopping- highly successful shopping I might add again- we were off to dinner. We went to a vegetarian restaurant- the first all vegetarian restaurant I've ever visited.

Imagine my surprise when I read in one of my food magazines (I must admit I can't keep track of which one)- that this Veggie Diner in Chicago is one of the best- and one of the best in the country.

And of course we were celebrating the beginning of this new chapter in Amber's life!

For breakfast we were off to a restaurant called Ann Sather- AMAZING!

I do now know that they do have the BEST CINNAMON ROLLS!
And from here we took a walk through her neighborhood- shops, restaurants, coffee shops. Rather like San Fran- just not as many yoga studios!
And then to the lake!

Amber lives just a very short walk to the lake- so after breakfast we took our walk to the water. What a wonderful place to spend a morning!
Finally returning to Amber's apartment to leave for the trip to Cinti.

Did I mention that Don was working?

Trip to.....The Bakery

One of my very favorite things to do with grandchildren is take the walk from our home to the Wyoming Pastry Shop (the very same bakery that made the glorious chocolate on chocolate wedding cake for Sharon and Matthew's Party). So when you come to visit Grama Max you can expect a walk and a cookie!

And as you can see- we had quite a group for this bakery trip. Sarah, Deseree and Anthony were spending the week and then there was Marianne, Reeder and Hayes and also Elizabeth and her daughter Eden (Elizabeth is Marianne's sister- Eden- and Elizabeth and Eden call me Grama Max as well- and I get a warm feeling in my very core when I hear them call me by my most favorite name).
And we took over the place- with a crowd as large as ours there just isn't much room for anyone else!
And then there is the clean up- before the return walk home- Reeder is helping Eden- it's quite amazing how messy cookies can be!

By the way-do I need to mention that Don was working?!