Seadogs

First Seadogs game of the season. The 'dogs tied it in the bottom of the ninth and then won in the 12th. Beautiful sunny day (yes, you can get sunburn in April...).

Mike had his first baseball game today. He's playng catcher this year and really likes it.

Pictures of Emily

I've updated a photo album of Emily that I started a couple years ago. She is still just as photogenic as ever and I added a bunch of pictures from the last couple years. Those eyes will still melt your heart like butter...

Happy Easter

Easter was great, I hope you had a great weekend too. We had lots of family here, which is what makes holidays great. Chris' Dad and his friend Katie came from NY; Janet, Larry, and Andy came, along with Trish, who had never seen our house; and Jack and his girlfriend Jen also came for the weekend.

We had lots of fun playing cards, going bowling, hanging out at the house. Easter morning Chris made an incredible brunch that had us all so full all we could do was lounge around the rest of the day, and it was very relaxing.

Monday the kids were on school vacation, so Bob and Katie took them for the day swimming at the hotel and to the movies.

The family is growing!

So the true highlight on our Florida vacation came from my little brother Keith. If you know me I am not good at keeping secrets but I did good this time. Keith announced that he and Cameron are expecting a baby!!!! Yippeee! I am so excited. I think I freaked them both out by crying and screaming for joy at the same time.

Last summer Keith and I had a chat about his future and he basically assured me that there would not be a wife and children in his future. He seemed pretty adament about it so I backed off with my interragation and reminded myself that it was his life and I needed to respect his choices.

But boy is it great when mistakes happen! I could not be happier for them. Cameron and her daughter Hannah (age 5 - same age as Emily) are going to be moving in with Keith and hopefully will bring some warmth to the bachelor pad. Maybe a few pots and pans, some dishes, a nice throw on the back of the leather couch, stuff like that...

We met Hannah and Cameron at Christmas this past year and truly enjoyed their company. They flew in to Portland on Christmas day and spent a few days playing in the snow and just hanging out with us. It was very obvious that Cameron and Keith are not only a good looking couple but they they seem really good for each other. We really like Cameron and Hannah and we can tell that they just adore Keith. He has always been so great with our kids and he is going to make a great dad to Hannah and the baby. As his sister, I think he is not only a cool guy but has turned out to be a very caring, loving, thoughtful man, that will make him an excellent dad and husband. (I hear they will get married... maybe after the baby.) I think this is a lot of change for both of them so the wedding can wait!

I wish mom was here for this because I am sure that she too would love Cameron. I can't believe that she is missing out on "two" more grandchildren. From the way she loved Mike and Emily ~ I can just imagine the glowing smile and loving gleam in her eyes for Keith and his new family! I am sure she is so proud of you, Keith!

So welcome to Cameron and Hannah! & we can't wait to meet the baby.

GO BRUINS

Michael and I saw a Bruins game today. They lost in overtime to the New York Rangers - disappointing since they came back to tie it to send it to OT. But, we had great seats, good food, an exciting atmosphere (even though the Bruins are prectically out of the playoff race). We took the train from Portland (the Downeaster). A little longer than driving, but no traffic, no tolls, no parking, and I took a nap both ways - can't beat it. Michael and I played an hour-and-a-half game of War on the way down. We even had time before the game to walk to Faneuil Hall and have lunch in Quincy Market. It was both of our first Bruins game and we will remember it for a long time.

No Little League This Year

Michael didn't make the Cal Ripken league. Out of 39 9-yr-olds who tried out, they only selected 6 for Cal Ripken (It's 9-12 yr-olds). He's fine with that - he'll probably play more in the minor league anyway, and be with more friends from his grade.

Little League Tryouts

Michael had Cal Ripken (Little League) tryouts today. I'll let you know when we find out the results. The last week, with the nice weather, he's been practicing in the back yard until dark almost every night. If he doesn't make it, it won't be from lack of effort.

Speaking of baseball, pretty promising way for the Red Sox to start the season, huh?

Red Sox @ Phillies

I went to Philadelphia this weekend with 3 friends from the neighborhood. The trip was ostensibly to see the Red Sox play the Phillies in a preseason game, but we all enjoyed some time away. The stadium was fantastic, the weather was good (despite a brief rain delay), and you can't beat the experience of watching a ball game with the guys with a cheesesteak in one hand and a beer in the other. We also sampled the Philly nightlife, visiting several Irish pubs and dinner at a great Cuban restaurant. It was a nice little trip.