Time to Celebrate

This was the birthday weekend. Nick arrived Friday afternoon and was pretty much settled in by nightfall. WELCOME NICK!!!

John and Cassie arrived by Train on Saturday around 11. Kate and I were there to meet the train and after lunch at Denmo's in Southbury we headed up to a nursery in Woodbury to purchase a Cherry tree for Jim from the kids. Jim loved the significance of planting a tree to commemorate 50 years. So, on Sunday all of the boys dug a huge hole and in went the tree. It was Jimmy's idea of a perfect weekend...his kids all around him, good food, good cake...and plenty of laughter.

Saturday afternoon croquet

Sunday, planting the tree

Nick and Zach break ground

Jim...supervises

Good job boys!

Finally, deep enough!

All done...great job

The tree givers and the birthday boy

CP

I have been talking to my oldest chick this week, discussing the plans for big Jim's birthday. He and Cassie are coming home tomorrow, so he has been on my mind (John). I was looking- poking around the net and saw this quote by the architect of Central Park and thought "cool"...my son is surrounded by God's handiwork everyday.

“It is one of the great purposes of (Central Park) to supply to the hundreds of thousands of tired workers … a specimen of God’s handiwork.”

Guess who's 50?

Who me?

Oh no, say it ain't so!

It can't possibly be me...I am in my prime!

I feel so young...and these ruffly shorts make me feel so spiffy as well!

I could just shoot the person who would say that I am 5o...

I swear, I'm not a day over 19!

50 years ago today this sweety pie made his grand entrance at Bridgeport Hospital. After 3 girls and a long wait... one of the neighbors actually flew a blue baby blanket from their flagpole!

Happy Birthday Jim ! You made it baby...past 39 (which you never thought you would do) and even past 49. Today is a day to celebrate.

Love you so much,

XOXO

Three days! Three days! Three Glorious Days!

It's Saturday morning. The first day of my 3 day breather from work. I am so excited! I have a million things to do and can't wait to get started. My plan for today is to get the spare bedroom ready for Nick. He arrives next weekend. :-) Later on, Jim and I are heading out to get a gift for our mentor couple. Next week is our last meeting with them and we want to get them something to commemorate their commitment to their future marriage and also something to remember us by.
Tomorrow Kelley and her fiancee Andrew are singing together in church...can't wait for that. After church I want to go and get all my annuals and tomato and herbs for my garden. Gotta get them in the ground this weekend.
Hopefully Monday we will go to the parade. I am making Mulligan to celebrate the day. No hot dogs, no hamburgers. Mulligan is a hot sausage and pepper "stew" that we serve on fresh rolls. The original recipe is from my Grandpa Gay. It is really an Italian tasting dish...but he chose an Irish name to make it his own. We all love it!
I am going to try and squeeze in some cleaning and definitely some reading time on the front porch. I am beside myself with excitement!

Weekend fun

Had some fun this weekend. I attended the bridal shower for my sweet friend Kelley. It was so lovely. The best part was the video/slide show made by her sister Rachel. It really got to me and made me think how our children are ours for such a short time. Before we know it they are grown and starting lives of their own. Too soon if you ask me. Yeah...I cried.

Games
Gifts

We were all invited to the first birthday party of our Great Nephew Alex, so Jim drove up to South Hamilton Massachusetts to attend that. Kate and Zach had to work and missed out on all the fun.

What a cutie pie!

I came home from the shower and finally succumbed to the chest cold that has been hovering over me since Thurs. Thank goodness I had Sunday to rest. I cannot take any days off during my probation period.

Jim and the kids took me out to dinner Sunday to celebrate a belated Mothers Day. They surprised me with a Pandora bracelet and charms. I love when the 4 of us can be together. It was a perfect day...rest and no cooking.

Now I am relaxing with Jim in the family room. The perfect way to end a fun weekend. Have a great week everyone!

Random

Right now I am in my pj's snuggled up in my chair with my foof-a doo. My pal, my loyal companion. I am just starting to decompress from a busy weekend and crazy first week at the new job. The washer and dryer have been going non-stop since I got home tonight, still trying to catch up on the laundry...sheets and towels from the weekend.
My Mom had her back surgery today, and she came through just fine. My sister was able to text me throughout the day to keep me updated. Hopefully she will have a speedy recovery and be free from that awful sciatic pain once and for all.
I think everyone has adjusted to my presence at work. I am starting to feel like one of the bunch and there are a few friendly people that make the days less stressful. Oh, I got my first paycheck today and that was exciting and just think I get another one next week. Sweet.
I took the "what's for dinner" icon down. I cannot seem to get that part of the puzzle straight. I had good intentions last week and I think only 2 nights worked out to what I had posted. I am having better luck this week with preparing things in the morning. I will get it together, but it might take me awhile.
So, we are all well. Doing our daily thing and it is working. Have a great week everyone!

Reunion Weekend

This past weekend was the much anticipated Kyte Reunion. Saturday was spent shopping, cooking and laughing. Jim wanted to celebrate his birthday with his sisters so we had a cake Saturday night and spent the evening reminiscing and pouring over the Kyte family history. Sunday the Long Island, and Arizona Kytes arrived. Everyone enjoyed catching up over brunch and looking at old photo's. So much fun to be together again.

Lunch Saturday

Many hands in the kitchen. Jim's sisters...Debbie, Lorraine

and Linda

Birthday boy

Going through the Kyte genealogy. Lorraine and Debbie's husband Tom.

The sibs. Linda, Debbie, Lorraine and Jim.

Lorraine and Al

Linda and Taylor

Jim's Uncle Mitchell. His Dad's brother.

Cousins, Jim's sisters and cousins Cindy and Pam

All the Kyte's

Uncle Mitch and Aunt Jean

The sweetest moment of the day.