Richard, Elaine, and Griffin Visit Saturday 2017

My uncle Richard, aunt Elaine, and cousin Griffin visited on Saturday. Griffin is now attending Sarah Lawrence so Richard and Elaine were able to visit him at school in Bronxville and then drive up. Mom was more tired during the visit than she's been and was pretty quiet, then finally she said goodbye and excused herself to rest in bed.

James, mom, me, Miranda, Elaine, Richard, Griffin

Mom, Richard, and Griffin

Chatting

After they left, Bob took the kids outside to play. He brought them these cool wooden planes that they love. 

Flying planes

Confused about aerodynamics

Trying to catch it.

Griffin's High School Graduation 2016

My cousin Griffin graduated from George Stevens Academy in Maine! Congratulations cousin! You'll always be a little 5 year old with Legos in my mind. Haha. Off to college in the fall!

Aunt Elaine, Griffin, and Uncle Richard

Cape Cod- June 2015

The kids were extremely excited to go to the Cape. Specifically, James was very excited to go see Grandma and his "best friend" Ellen. Miranda didn't totally understand what was going on, but she knows that suitcases mean someone is going somewhere, so she decided to spend the entire day sitting in the suitcase so that no one could leave without her. In an act of solidarity, James joined her.

M and J's reaction to a suitcase.

I wish Miranda's enthusiasm had carried over to the actual car ride though. She cried so much in one leg of the trip that we had to pull over to pacify her. And then she thanked us like this:

Smart ass.

But at last we made it! This was a big trip because my mom also joined us, and together we went to Truro for my Grandmother Catherine's very belated memorial service. She passed away in December, but the family agreed it was best to do the service over the summer. We had a full Catholic mass, I did the eulogy, and her other three grandkids Graham, Rachel, and Griffin did some bible readings. Afterwards we went to the cemetery to place her in the family plot with Grandpa Jim, and Uncle Kevin.

Our contingent before we left for Truro

Grandma Catherine's family: Maura, Rachel, Graham, me Richard, mom, Elaine and Griffin

That took the better part of Saturday but we had until Monday at dinner to enjoy the Cape. Aunt Nesie, Aunt Mary, and Great Great-grandma Ruth babysat for us, we had lunch with my mom, hiking with Kevin's mom, and the kids spent lots of time at the pond.

Aunt Nesie showing Miranda how to pet Harry

Aunt Mary snuggling the kids

Great Grandma Ruth attacks with a teddy bear!

A little quality time with Nana on the deck

Hiking with Grandma

Lots of time at the pond on different days:

James and Ellen sitting on the water (adorable)

Miranda rocking her new bathing suit

Drying off at the pond

We also got to visit with Uncle Steve, Uncle Chris, and a few of Grandma's friends on the Cape. And James got to play with Ellen every day we were there. A very busy trip!

Uncle Chris entertaining Miranda

Miranda, James, and Ellen playing with Grandma's mini iPad

Playing doctor