Cousins

We ALMOST had another complete family gathering. The idea was to celebrate Valerie's birthday, but a work trip came up for Val, so we ended up having a family get-together without her (and Nick - school work called!) We certainly missed them! Meredith made us an awesome dinner and the cousins provided entertainment. Naturally, the babies tended to capture the photographer's eye. They are just so irresistible!


Budding musicians!



Gabbie was showing us how she can walk (with Grandma's help).



Gabbie just loves Lydie's head. This time she found her ears...


Nature is just so interesting.


Aunt Laura & Lydie


Aunt Meredith & Lydia


Proud Grandma with her girls. Boy, are they getting to be armfuls!


Like father, like son. The men and their dogs.

Lydia's Baptism

If only the weather would have cooperated... Then the whole clan would have celebrated the day with us. Unfortunately, a snow/ice storm hit us just as Lydia was to be baptized. Thankfully, Mom & Dad and Meredith came up the night before and were able to share this special event. The others were here in spirit and prayer (and pounds of pretzels! Thanks, Val!) Enjoy the photos.
















Lydia wore the Christening gown that her grandma made. Her daddy wore it as well as her aunts and cousin. What an awesome testimony of faith through the generations. God is faithful!

Together Again

We all gathered this weekend (for the first time since Thanksgiving) for a surprise birthday party for Meredith. We had a blast! With 2 babies and 3 dogs we were thoroughly entertained. We went downtown for the Ice Fest and by the time we got home we had almost turned into one of the ice sculptures - it was so cold! Despite the chill, warm hearts abounded...



Check out the cousins!


Gabbie decided Lydie might taste good!



Ice Fest


Happy Birthday, Mere!



Dad & the Dogs (Guinness, Mabel, & Buddy)

Mark, Liz, & Lydia

With the addition of Lydia in October, our household has evolved. As we entered parenthood, we embraced the challenges and opportunities for growth and learning in a much different arena than we were used to! She keeps us on our toes. We praise God for the miracle of her life and the countless blessings and abounding joy she brings.

Mark continues to work at the Chambersburg Hospital as an Occupational Therapist. He's enjoying the additional leadership opportunities he has - being a preceptor to new employees as well as a mentor to students. He especially likes when he's the "charge" therapist on weekends - you can see where this is heading! Rotating throughout the hospital has kept his clinical skills sharp. His basement project is coming along (after many months!). By the time he's finished his precious "man-space" for watching the Giants may have morphed into a playroom!

After 5 years working as an OT in the skilled nursing center we've decided for me to transiton to a PRN status and so I may stay at home with Lyd-kid. These days I'm called in on an "as needed" basis help to keep my hand in the professional world. My days are busy with "strollercize" at the YMCA, "mom's group," church activities, photographing Lydia (and subsequently keeping LA Camera in business) and cleaning up "spit-up" :).

Guinney-boy is enjoying the company during the day - he maintains his post lounging on our bed. He loves his walks, rides, and romps with his cousin, Sophie. We maintain our stance that he is the best dog ever - certainly a key part of our family.

Laura & Nick

[Above: Nick & Laura with Mabel]

Nick graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science (Systems Engineering) in May 2002. He is now pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University (estimated graduation Summer 2008). He has worked for SAIC since September 2004 and currently works as a Project Manager.

Laura graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (HR) in May 2003. She has worked in the Human Resources field since 2004.

Nick enjoys watching any UVA sports & cooking while Laura enjoys houseback-riding & scrapbooking. Together they have fun playing in the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA) and No Adult Kickball Isn't Dumb (NAKID) leagues, working on their house, traveling, and photography.

Meredith

[Above: Meredith (left) & Laura at Laura's bridal shower. Meredith was her maid of honor.]

Meredith recently moved to a 3 bed, 2 bath townhouse in Pasadena, MD

She is currently working at CACI and has been with same office for about 8 years (although under different organizational names as a result of 3 different acquisitions).

When she's not working, she is involved with Toastmasters, Women in Technology, and Social Sports of Bethesda (where she plays touch football, softball or volleyball depending on the season). Meredith is also taking a couple of classes on the side.

She continues to enjoy baking at mom & dad's and playing with her neices.

Mom & Dad

[Above: Dad and Mom with Mark at Laura's wedding]

Dad (Bob) retired in 2006 after a career as an engineer. Now he's absolutely going to the dogs! In addition to training Mabel, he thinks working with a vet would be interesting.

Mom (Martha) also retired in 2006 after way too many years with her job. She figured Bob needed her at home. Now she has time to do all the volunteering for which there was no time before. Lunches with friends are another pleasant perk.

Rather timid at the time of her rescue, Mabel has evolved,as Dad says, into a 45 lb. bundle of energy, a fearless chaser of all creatures four-footed and winged, who looks like a little soldier when she snaps to begging position and has decided that she is just the right size to be a lap dog.

Both Mom and Dad think it's great to own their own lives. Down with alarm clocks! They've rediscovered the theater, movies, and books. Mabel insists that they get exercise with long walks daily. Thinking of relocating, they haven't found the right community just yet, but North Carolina is somewhere in the top 15.

They're also planning to hula in Hawaii and meander up to Michigan. Somehow they're trying to figure out where to have a family vacation when all the family can come.

Life is exciting.