Borough of Trees

While we were away in California, a freak storm passed over our area and much damage was inflicted. Several large trees were uprooted around town. In our case, part of the railing on our deck was damaged as well as some parts to the siding of the house. Just last year we had had the tree trimmed, but I guess you never can tell which branch is going to snap. Another branch fell across the fence of two of our neighbors. On the other side, a neighbor's garage now has a large whole in the roof as a branch plunged straight down. His insurance says repair will cost $6500! Wayne's dad has made a temporary fix to our railing and I suppose we should do something about our siding, but only after our basement is finished!


Driving along the streets, there were great piles of branches in front of nearly every other house. It was quite a sight to behold when getting back from Cali.

Uncle Andrew's Graduation

Posted by Carol:

Graduation ceremonies are often crowded messes that last one speech and many names too long. So we were anxious about whether Julia would last through my brother's high school graduation. With the help of Moon Sand (a new form of play doh), a lollipop and a bottomless bag of potato chips, Julia behaved very well. And against my expecations, she enjoyed the reading of the names. She'd say, "Rebecca again? Ha ha ha." Then she just started laughing at names like a crazy person.

I'm not sure what Julia thinks graduation is, but she knows that it is a celebration involving special caps and dresses (gowns) and lots of lots of names. So I guess she has a pretty fair understanding. She's just missing the part about fifteen more years of daycare and school before she can attend her own high school graduation.

Cousins on The ABCs

Julia loves her cousins, Lorenzo and Joaquin. Sometimes, there is brutal violence. Always forgiveness. Sometimes there's just sweetness.