Easter 2011

John and Cassie arrived for lunch on Saturday. We spent the afternoon just hanging out and then coloring eggs.

Kate's boyfriend Jeff joined us for dinner and finally got to meet John and Cassie. We ended the evening with a new family game "Smart Ass". So much fun.

We all were up pretty early for our annual Easter egg hunt. Zachary was the winner for the second year in a row. He is an egg finding machine.

John and Cassie headed back home, and the four of us went to the 11:30 service at church. The sun was shining in Fairfield and it actually got up into the 70's. No more cooking for me today...we went out for a delicious Easter brunch at American Joe's.

Getting ready for me to take a picture. Zachary reluctantly checking Kate's teeth for food. That's what brothers are for.

Trying for a healthier dessert option, Zachary brought us to Pinkberry frozen yogurt shoppe in Fairfield. A sweet way to end the day.

Knicks vs. Celtics

I am confused. That's Cassie, but who is that young man in the Celtics jersey? (note the hat)

Happy Knicks fans before Sunday nights game.

My boys

A Great Day

Today is Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week. The kids are up at Johns and Cassie's to attend the Knicks-Celtics game tonight. Jim and I have both had the doldrums lately due to various things going on with us, and we woke up not really wanting to get out of our own way. You know that feeling...stay in your pj's until noon, shut the blinds, put on the TV and watch something senseless. We were in that kind of funky place. But then the sun came out and the sky turned blue and we got ourselves ready to go to church. Did you know that our pastor's message was written today just for me and hundreds of other struggling souls that attend BRCC? You can listen to it here (link to come) stay with it to the end because it is so worth it. I came out of church emotional, but with a lighter heart and soul. I felt like I had been set back down on the right track. Jim pointed the car toward Starbucks and then with hot coffees in hand we drove to St. Mary's by the Sea and parked. St. Mary's is "our" place. Yesterdays storm made Long Island Sound choppy and full of white caps. We could actually hear the waves hitting the rocks. It was so good to hear Jimmy laughing and to laugh right along with him. The rest of the day has been equally as wonderful. I haven't felt this way in such a long time, but today it feels good to be Patti Kyte. Sunny Spring skies. Bridgeport.

So clear that we could see all the way over to Long Island. When John was at Hofstra and we were missing him, Jim and I would park here and look across and imagine what he might be doing at that moment.

Lots of smiles today.

We Have a Winner!

This morning at 9:45, Kate spotted the "First Robin of Spring". Congratulations Kate...winner two years in a row! Just let me know what kind of gift card that you would like.

:)

Wanna hear something? Jim had his physical on Friday. Wanna hear a sweet number? 132. That is Jims new cholesterol number.

Rachel's Place

Our friend Rachel purchased her first home back in November. A beautiful condo in Shelton. On Saturday night Jim and I got to see her new place for the first time and spend some time with the Donovan family.
I have to mention that Rachel is 25 years old and she owns her own home. Amazing!
Jim and I LOVE spending time with the Donovans. I come away with achey cheeks and jaw muscles because I laugh so much.
She had fun snacks and deserts for all of us. She even had fresh fruit and sorbet for Jim. So very thoughtful!
Rach...we love your home and think it is so cool that you are out on your own. We had so much fun! Thanks a big bunch for having us over!


Bob and Jim enjoying the first of 2 basketball games.

There's the cutie pie homeowner! Love her!

I took these with my phone. This one is not great...but I love the three of them on the couch, so ignore the pink flashy thingy.

They like to play games! Remember how I feel about family game playing? This one was fun.

Kelley made me laugh so much with how she read the questions...I could not concentrate on what the answers were. :o)

Such a fun night. So great to be together again!

Uncle Fred

Jim's Uncle Fred passed away recently, and yesterday a good part of our family gathered together for his memorial service in Berlin.

Uncle Fred was married to Jim's Mom's sister Jacqueline. He had 2 children, Leslie and Chris...Jim's first cousins.

It was a touching service. I learned a bit about Fred's life, the part that took place before I came into the Kyte/Alexander family.

Al got up and gave a synopsis of Uncle Fred's life, and then Danny got up and read several passages from scripture. It was a sweet and personal touch to the service. We sang "TheOldRuggedCross" and "InTheGarden" , which made Jim and I cry.

The morning proved to be a mix of sad and glad. Remembering Uncle Fred...sad. Seeing his 15 month old Grandson Wyatt race around the church hall after lunch, giggling his head off...glad. Hearing the organist play a song that was played many years ago at Fred and Jackie's wedding...sad. Hearing Jackie yell out to Leslie "bring my Grandson over here by me" ...glad. Learning that Uncle Fred loved maple walnut ice cream, and seeing Chris's face crumble when the pastor said that...sad. Family gathered together to share a meal and memories...glad.

Goodbye Uncle Fred.

This is how we know that Winter is becoming a distant memory. Jim's Mom's ceramic egg is on the piano filled with Cadbury Mini-Eggs and....

Peeps are back in town!

Sunday Dinner with Nick and Bre

We had the most wonderful evening last night.
Nick and Bre invited us, along with their pastor and his wife for dinner. It just so happens that their pastor and his wife are long time friends of ours… Rich and Heidi.
It was our first visit to their apartment, so needless to say Jim and I were very excited to see their place. They live in the old Warnaco building (right near UB and Seaside Park) that has been converted into the coolest condos. Exposed brick, original wood floors, old mixed with new made it quite striking.
Nick and Bre prepared a delicious meal! They started us off with hummus and pita, and a roasted garlic baguette with olive oil for dipping. The main course was apricot bubbly chicken, rice, sautéed green beans with almonds and cranberries and fluffy rolls. We finished off with a dark chocolate cake with creamy vanilla icing and ripe fresh blueberries and strawberries. I just have to say that Bre had emailed me prior to last night to inquire about Jim’s new dietary regime. She melts my heart. First of all it is quite an undertaking to have a dinner party for your peers, but to entertain folks that are your parents age could add a bit more pressure. Then to throw dietary limitations into the mix would throw most people over the edge. The apartment was beautifully decorated, the candlelit table was set with all of their pretty things and Nick and Bre were so welcoming and relaxed. You would think that that have been having dinner parties for years
It was a perfect evening.
Our hosts

We laughed and laughed!

Jim and Rich joined Nick in the kitchen while he cleaned up from dinner.

Getting ready to leave. Still laughing.

Arrival

This is Madelynn Ella, born March 10. Her debut makes our friends Bob and Karen, Grandparents. Pretty exciting stuff.

We went to visit the little family yesterday at the hospital. It was not appropriate to take a picture cause little miss Maddie was catching some artificial rays in just her diaper to clear up a bit of jaundice.

I stole this picture from Facebook and I have no shame in doing this. I mean the incredible cuteness overrides any sensibility that I may have.

Congratulations to the Bekka and Cliff, Meme and Papi, Auntie Kelley and Rachel and Uncle Andrew!

Just What I Needed

The winter has not seemed long to me, just full of snow and short dark days. I really craved a family fix and some fun. I got a bit of both yesterday.

My niece Amy is getting married in May and yesterday was her bridal shower. Her sister Nicole hosted us all at her beautiful home in Sharon, MA. It was a great party. She got some beautiful things and it was fun to watch her open everything. The best part was being with our family, sitting next to my Mom, seeing John and Cassie. It was a great day!



Our first stop. Jim still loves his D&D, but is fast becoming a Starbucks convert. The bags are full of mugs that he is hunting down for a full set of 8.

My chauffeur. I took these pictures with my new phone, not the greatest but really convenient.

The happy bride to be

Cutie cousins! Nicky, Amy, Kate and Cassie

The groom's mother made the cakes.

Sisters. Nicole, Amy, Kelly and Meg

A sweet way to end the day!