'Grand' band

Manny and Miranda keeping the beat with Katie on a sunny, fun Saturday morning.

Hayden and Brooklyn

Family Picture

They are WAY TOO cute!!!

The new girls, my great-nieces, born last spring into our family

Devon

Brooklyn

Another new baby in the family! Finally getting these pictures up of little Danae - firstborn daughter of my nephew Andrew and his girl Kat.

This is the cake our 14 year old granddaughter baked for her own birthday. It was SO delicious with a creamy layer of pudding in the middle and all topped off with fresh strawberries dipped in silky white chocolate.

Father's Day 2007

My father, Stanley, 1914 - 2003

Dad left us very suddenly on August 11, 2003. We were shocked and deeply saddened.

The last conversation Dad and I had was about peanut butter cookies for he had come across a recipe on the back of the peanut butter jar which required only 3 ingredients. He was so excited about cooking up a batch that he wanted me to have the recipe too. Sadly, I never found out if he did, and whenever the topic of peanut butter cookies arises I am reminded of our conversation that day and his enthusiasm for such a humble treat.

My dad taught us to be honest and to have integrity. He taught us to keep our word and stick with it when the going gets tough. He taught us that people always matter more than things. And he taught us to appreciate the world around us and the beauty of nature.

He was a loving and generous man who is remembered for his service in his community, his love and compassion for people, his steadfast devotion to his wife of 66 years and their children, and his life-long passion for gardening.

He continues to live on in our hearts.

A tribute to my mother on Mother's Day

My mother left her earthly home in 2003. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever known; so sweet and gentle, loving and kind, and I'm so thankful she was mine.

She had 5 children and endured all our childish antics with the utmost of patience - no matter what we did she loved us all the same. She had 19 grandchildren and gave lovingly and generously to each and every one.

We miss her terribly but take solace in the fact that the day will come when we will be together once again.

I came accross this little poem which, I'm convinced, must have been written about her...

WONDERFUL MOTHER

God made a wonderful mother,

A mother who never grows old;

He made her smile of the sunshine,

And He molded her heart of pure gold;

In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,

In her cheeks fair roses you see;

God made a wonderful mother,

And He gave that dear mother to me.

(by Pat O'Reilly)

My mother's favourite song