Baby Who?

Here is a picture of the man I love! It could be one of four incredible men in my life! Who do you think it is?

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Family in Florida

     Florida Family

We had a lovely time with family in Florida.  We have the best family one could ask for down there!  The Pompano area is scattered with Aunts and Uncles, Great Aunts and Great Uncles, and then of course, our amazing Grandpa.  It was time well spent with Grandpa, Great Aunt Sylvia, Great Aunt Ruthie, Flo who is Grandpa's friend and companion, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Barry, Great Aunt Rozzie, and Great Uncle Hy. And just think, to our own kids, the Greats become Great, Greats!!!  Grandpa plays the sax and clarinet. Hy plays the piano. So we had a little shin dig with old time music. The kids played with Aunt Rozzy while Aaron and I caught up with our family.  Well, it's actually Aaron's family, by blood, but since I have no "seasoned" relatives of my own, I feel just as much a part of this group as Aaron does.  Sierra was at a fun age where she would go to everyone and not cry.  A couple months later and I'm not so sure how that would have worked out. Elley was able to give a recital of her latest pieces. 

Heading into Grandpa's condo is an adventure.  Not only is it a trip into the 70's with its decor and style, it is filled with stamps.  Grandpa is a stamp dealer and has boxes and boxes of stamps he trades and sells.  His dining room table is FILLED with pictures of his family, but I'd have to say our family stands out among the crowd.  My mother-in-law, Grandpa's daughter, Karen is faithful to send lots of pictures.  I think she is proud of her grandkids.  Just a guess!  ;o)  So nevermind trying to eat at the table.  It's sole purpose is to display... well..., ummm.... US!!!!  My kids like the fact that they can find little lizards, sometimes, inside Grandpa's sunroom.  That's a Florida thing that we Marylanders don't ever experience up here.  I like the big newspaper book with old newspapers from Grandpa's earlier days.  I photographed the open book with all of my kids' hands + Grandpa's hand laid upon it.  It's my effort to be artistic.  Not so sure I pulled it off, but it makes me happy anyway. 

Our trips to Florida are always fulfilling.  We just love seeing our family and are grateful to have them.  I hope that our children remember them and learn to appreciate how fortunate they are to have so much history wrapped up in their stories...  History of the last century and all its advances, history of the holocaust and all its tradgedies, and finally, history of their lineage and where they came from.  We are blessed to have them!!!!

We were able so spend some time with friends in our June trip to Florida. Hence, the extra child sucking her thumb. The pool was hot.

Buddies

Buddies in the making!

Chubby Jokes Cheeks

Remember as a kid, squeezing your cheeks together and telling "chubby jokes"? Well, this is my sly technique used to cheer up my kids when they are feeling down, grumpy, or are injured in some way. It always makes them laugh. When we are in the doctor's office for a visit, I always try to do it just before I know the doctor is about to walk in so they can't stop laughing and laugh even harder b/c they know it's not time to laugh. What can I say? I grew up with disfunctional humor in my family!!! So pictured above is Sam (2) giving Sierra (6 months) the chubby joke cheeks. Once again, Sorry Sierra.