Spring 2010

HAPPY EASTER

and Happy Spring!

Weekend in Michigan

Keith and I just had a wonderful weekend in Michigan. We spent two nights at Bishop-Brighton Bed and Breakfast in Wyandotte. We had one day at the Henry Ford Estate and went on the Ford Factory Tour. We had lunch at the Pool room on the Estate, and dinner at Gregorio's on Biddle in Wyandotte. Saturday we spent the entire day at the Henry Ford Museum, enjoying an Oscar Mayer dog for lunch and then dinner at Portofino's in Wyandotte. What a delightful weekend we had!!! Today, Father's Day, we drove over to Brighton and met Elliott, Kim, and Landon for a Father's Day lunch. What fun to see our grandson. Then back home to see Alex.
All in all, it was a 10 out of 10 for a birthday/father's day weekend that can't be beat!!!

May wedding in Austin

Summer is almost here. We had a great visit in Austin the end of May with the Swisher families, celebrating Chuck and Kristin's wedding. Also have a new niece - Piper, 5 years old. We had a girl's night in while the boys went to the Oasis - here we all are.

Landon had a blast - swimming, meeting new uncles, aunts, and cousins - didn't know there were so many Swishers/Richards/Kopelmans/McGregors.

I'm back!!!

Here is it February and I haven't made a new post, as my daughter reminded me yesterday.
January was a month full of snow here in Cleveland, and even into February. Work has been very busy for me - new customer service program to help put together, but something I am excited about. Keith and I attempted to get to Wisconsin - made it to Chicago, but Keith's little cold turned into something much bigger, so after a great visit with Carol and Bill, we turned around the next morning and came home. Midge and Lewis really didn't need the germs. We will try again soon.
I haven't seen Landon since the very end of December, so am looking to go north in spite of snow some time in the next few weeks- as you can see by his picture, he is hard to resist!

Becky was here yesterday for a baby shower for a friend, so we got to see her. She was able to drive up and back in the same day, so we know how blessed we are to be so close after all those years she had in Seattle.

December 2008

What a month!
I babysat Landon for a week - what a joy and privilege. We had a great time. At the end of the week, on December 14, Landon was christened and we were all there.

I left Michigan for Austin to be with my mom and brothers and my father for his last hours. It was so special to be with him, memories I will cherish always. Ike died on December 15, leaving a legacy of five children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, and Landon, his great-grandchild. The memorial service was a wonderful celebration of his life with Leon Bates, Emerson Jones, Ernie Harper, and Paul Culp from Allied all speaking. I read letters from Chuck, Earl, and myself. We also had his Stephen minister and Hospice chaplain speak. All of us learned something about Dad we didn't know before. A reception was held at the family restaurant, La Morada, of course. Where else? It was wonderful to see friends from so many years ago and to share memories. Mom is doing as well as can be expected. We are all there for her and look forward to many years with her.
I returned home December 22 with Alex. We found a Christmas tree on Dec 23 and it is beautiful. Roni and Becky came up from Columbus on Dec 24 to celebrate Christmas with us. Christmas Eve service at Bay United Methodist Church was great - just what I needed. We had a great Christmas. Alex and I then drove to Michigan to have Christmas with Elliott, Kim, and Landon on Saturday. It was a busy, family-filled month full of a sad goodbye and joyful new beginnings.

Looking forward to a wonderful 2009!

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year with the newest member of our family joining his grandparents and a great-grandmother for one of our favorite holidays. We had nine of us at the table, and Landon right beside us. Alex was home from college to watch his brother wear the OSU shirt on Friday after their bet on the Michigan-OSU game last week. Jane spent the day with us and enjoyed her great-grandson as well as her two grandsons. Three of the Darrahs made it - Chuck, Linda and Erin - we missed Elizabeth who was in Chicago due to her work schedule. Becky and Roni were in the Poconos with Roni's mom, Sarah was in Atlanta with her boyfriend's family, and Ian was in Wisconsin with his mother's family. All were missed. Keith and I remembered how we had 56 for Thanksgiving dinner 11 years ago the day before our wedding. Wish we could have had all of you here again - you were missed. We had a delicious dinner - two turkeys this year - one traditional oven style and the other brined and smoked on the grill. The turkey burritos the next day were delicious with the smoked turkey.
Thanksgiving is a time to pause and remember what we are thankful for - and we have much to be thankful for in this home.

Becky and Roni visited this weekend for the wedding of Pam and Joe. Keith and I also attended the wedding and had a great time. It is so wonderful to have them close enough to come for a weekend. We look forward to many, many more to come. Oscar enjoyed his best friend, Buddy who lives next door - it is fun to watch them run around and play together.

Last weekend Bob and Kathy visited from Virginia. We had a great time - we took a train ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad down to Peninsula where we had lunch at the Winking Lizard. It was a beautiful day. The next day we toured the new Euclid Avenue downtown Cleveland, ending up at the West Side Market. After working hard, Keith and Bob were able to fix our stereo system and as Becky said, we are now in the 21st century! We relaxed by playing Apples to Apples and Dominoes. What a fun weekend.