First day on the job at Quantico

John said their job today was to dig trench 7' deep in search of a particular pipe....they found it.

St. Augustine quote

Without God, I can't, and
Without me, God won't.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!

Today, on this lovely feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, let us thank the Blessed Mother for her intercession, love and protection and beg her to enkindle in our hearts fervent love for Jesus and the grace to always do His holy Will!

Mary, Help of Christians, draw us close to Jesus!
Mary, Help of Christians, protect our children and godchildren!
Mary, Help of Christians, defend us in the day of battle!
Thank you, good Mother, for the graces you have so generously obtained for our family!
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!

a thought...

"How to win friends and influence people" by Andrew Carnegie was referenced by Father John Hardon, in a talk that Nonie recently listened to.

Father Hardon said, "In contrast to the Carnegie book, "How to win friends and influence people", Jesus could have written a book entitled: "How to Make Enemies and Irritate People" (another name for the Gospels!). All that Jesus did was to tell the truth, and if you want to make "friends" in this world, it won't be by telling them the Truth."

The gospel message of purity, modesty, openness to life is an irritant to our society, and in just these areas we must proclaim the gospel....from the rooftops!

cute exchange

The other day, Teresa and I were at Falcon's Landing to enjoy a visit with Nonie and Nano and Betty. As we were about to begin eating lunch, Teresa complimented Nano on the beautiful salad he had assembled, saying it was beautiful enough to be put in a magazine layout. Nonie said, "Oh, yes, he is a good cook; in fact, truth to tell, he does most all the cooking!" and Nano said, "A woman who is beautiful should not have to do any cooking!" Now how's that for a great example of Swedish charm?!

Two new summer blogs

Jeanne and Peter have begun blogging--what next?!

They are both taking up the 100 species challenge for this summer, and can write up plant and animal life that they find and identify. Jeanne's blog is http://jtkspecies.blogspot.com/ and Peter's blog can be found at http://pbjspecies.blogspot.com/

Colonial Beach fun!

Yesterday Laura, Peter and I met Christine and the boys for a day of amazing fun at Colonial Beach. We met at McDonalds about 10:15 in the morning and then caravaned to the beach where we set up umbrellas and chairs, coolers, towels and blankets and then settled down for a lovely afternoon. The weather was sunny and a bit cool with the breeze off of the water. We saw several osprey nests and watched nearby fishermen pulling in several large fish. The boys made sand castles and swam, used driftwood for flotation and just had a great afternoon. Laura and I enjoyed the company of the lovely and gracious Christine. After several hours, we returned to McDonalds (the clerk said, "I see you are back!") and after getting ice cream we went on to the sea glass beach, which provided lots of rocks for the boys to throw into the river, while Christine and I strolled up and down the beach. We discussed our summer plans and hope to meet often over the summer! The day ended with that sweet melancholy, as all good things in this life must end! But Thanks Be to God for His Goodness! It was a blessed and wonderful day!

What happens when Jeanne is teased

Congratulations, Graduate!

"A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that "individuality" is the key to success." Robert Purvis



Laura's graduation was last Friday, May 15th. Ken and I and Teresa and Laura attended Lu's graduation which was held in the Patriot Center at GMU. Afterwards we went to lunch at the Sweet Water Tavern, during which Teresa enjoyed a mango martini and Laura an apple martini!

We are so proud of Laura's hard work and graduating magnum cum laude, with a major in Communications and a minor in English and all the prerequisites for the nursing program. What a wonderful accomplishment, Laura!

grandma's visit and mission accomplished!

Thanks to Grandma look at this beautiful dress!!!!

What a beautiful time we had, during a visit that went by all too quickly. Thank you dear Mom for making the trip, and working so hard on the sewing. And thank you Grandpa for sending us your dear Sue for a whole week. Everyone who has seen the dress at Seton has raved about it, and I'm sure it will look amazing on stage. It was a fantastic team effort. Honestly we could not have done it without you! And what a treasured time to have and visit and work side by side through the week.....with brief side trips to the the thrift stores of course! hehe! Thank you Mom! You are amazing and wonderful to come up and spend the week with us. It was a blessed time!

first day Seton

First day for Seton--the senior and the "sevvie"--After a year of home school.....do you think she is ready? ;-)

Family Pictures

This great sequence of pictures really captures the fun we had!!!!!! Thanks be to God! We loved, loved, loved having Grandma and Grandpa in Virginia!!!!

Harpers Ferry, continued

After a tour of the town (and gift shop :-) we went to the bank of the Shenandoah River, which was a lovely respite from the heat of the day.

Harpers Ferry, contined

Kenny caught this cute sequence of Tee and Mimi taking a picture on Tee's cell phone and then checking out the results.

"Them's fightin' words"

Harpers Ferry

What an absolutely AWESOME time we had at Harpers Ferry. First, some pictures of the town, of which I can only say: Wow this is such a pretty place!

Happy birthday Grandma and Mimi

On August third, after a day spent visiting Byron and Alex in Culpepper, we had a joint birthday celebration for Grandma and Mimi at which we enjoyed key lime pie and fresh strawberries.

And, after the party, Mimi entertained everyone with several songs on the karaoke machine. Here are a couple of pictures she might use for her debut album. :o) Enjoy!

Happy sweet 17th! May God bless you and always be your heart's desire!!!

George Washington's Birthplace Picnic

On August first, the fam headed to Geo Washington's birthplace for a lovely picnic. Here are some of the best pictures of the day.

We had a wonderful picnic, and we were the only ones at the park! After lunch we headed for the beach, where on Grandpa found a wheat penny, and Peter found a really beautiful piece of blue sea glass.

Colonial Beach was our next destination, for McD's ice cream sundaes all around, and then back we headed to Manassas, after a truly wonderful day!

Teresa's birthday Down Under

Here are some pictures of the fam fam at the Outback whilst celebrating daughter #1's birthday. Unfortunately, daughter #3 did not grace us with her presence! However, the rest of us were still able to eat most of the blooming onion and cheese fries (recently voted the most unhealthy food in the United States).

wrought iron

Isn't this an amazing bakers rack? We found it at Nonie's store at Falcons Landing for only $25. It weighs at least 100 pounds. Mimi and I held each side, and Nano braced the back and Nonie steadied the front and we labored to the elevator and down to the parking garage, where we had the van waiting.....

From there it was easy to just tip it into the van, and Mimi took care of the rest, sliding it all the way inside. It's gorgeous and completely indestructible!

Wild America

Kenny, intrepid animal hunter, invested $60.00 in a trap to capture a large groundhog that has taken up residence under the shed. This groundhog has enjoyed the plums and apples that are so abundant under the trees in the backyard and up til now has consistently avoided going near the trap. However, this doesn't mean that Ken hasn't caught anything, no, in one week's time Kenny has caught and released 2 baby groundhogs and one large possum! And today, with the help of Buddy (canine head of ranch security), who drove mama groundhog into the trap, the mission was accomplished! This was a happy day for both man and dog, both of whom had been eyeing that critter for several weeks.

Happy 24th Birthday, Teresa!!!!

How did it happen?

Where did the time go?

once just a newborn-

Now gal on the go!

God bless you, Teresa, today and always!

We love you and are so proud of you!!!

Happy Birthday, Tee!