Road Trip to Alameda

February 6, 2017

 We spent this last weekend with David and Carrie and Freya up in Alameda.  The kids were at Bill's house for the weekend, and since it's the calm before the storm of track season (and OhMyGoodnessIt'sSeniorYearGradFestivities season for Danielle), we took advantage of the time to take a quick road trip.  When we arrived Friday night, we spent hours just talking and catching up.  I adore how we are able to fall in and pick up with absolute ease no matter how long it is between our visits.  Saturday we took in lunch at a lovely restaurant on the water, took a scenic drive thorough several neighborhoods to check out unique houses and architecture, and then had a quiet afternoon.  Saturday evening was a magical, musical, festive one, the four of us cooking and laughing and dancing in the kitchen before dinner.  It felt like our own little version of The Big Chill (minus the funeral, of course).  I'm telling you, it was the way meals are supposed to be made and enjoyed--among friends, with love.  Sunday, naturally, we took in the Superbowl (or as I like to call it, the commercials and half-time show, enveloped by a football side show).  We stayed as late as we could, knowing that I'd have to get up early to go to work the next morning.  Too, too soon, we had to get on the road.  I hope it's not long before we get back up there again.

Five? Five!

 May 10, 2012

We got to attend a little family birthday party for Miss Freya at Giuseppe Gallo's.  I can't believe this sweet little girl is five years old already, or as she says, "I'm a whole hand!"

Freya, lovin' on cousin Momo.

Krepp Family Christmas

December 29, 2011

Have I mentioned how much I love these people? The kids spent Christmas Eve at their dad's house this year, so Doug and I were flying solo. Our lovely extended family invited us to join them for their annual get-together, and we had just a great time. Our besties David and Carrie didn't even know we were going to be there until earlier in the day--we were so excited to get to see them for Christmas! Food, family, friends--seriously, the best kind of way to celebrate Christmas.Mama Carol's beautiful grandkids--Shanda, Marlo, Mike, Morgan, and Freya
Cheryl with Miss Marlo
We got Morgan, Marlo, and Freya huggable stuffed animals for Christmas. Cheryl stole a little hug from Marlo's bear: )
Freya and her moosie.
Momo hugs her teddy.
Auntie Carrie with Morgan
Dave with two pretty special girls.
Too bad these girls don't like the camera at all....
I just love Freya's candy cane outfit! The two girls chased each other in circles around the living room non-stop. I can't believe they didn't just drop after awhile, but they were still going strong even after most of the adults were ready to call it quits. Oh, the magical power of Christmas!
Doug and me
Two of my favorite boys--David and Doug
Too adorable!

Happy Birthday, Gary Martin

November 14, 2011

After-hours birthday party for Gary Martin at Giuseppe Gallo's!
David and Doug
Cheryl, workin' the bar.
Valerie and Carrie
Adorable cousins, Freya and Morgan
Love the Krepp family!

A bundle of adorableness--puppy and baby! (Miss Marlo)

Miss Freya is Four

May 29, 2011

Miss Freya celebrated her fourth birthday a week ago. David and Carrie brought her into town for a family celebration at Blackbeard's. There was birthday cake, singing, and lots of playing, even for the big kids--rides, bumper boats, race cars, and a ropes course. (Honestly, I think the big kids had at LEAST as much fun as the little ones!) I'm so happy we got to share in Miss Freya's birthday this year--she has a special place in our hearts.

Celebrating the Fourth

July 14, 2010

Usually I celebrate the Fourth of July with all of the kids even when they are scheduled to be with their dad, since he's not much for parties or fireworks. I was planning to pick up the kids early in the afternoon, but Bree got invited to watch fireworks at the stadium with some girlfriends so she opted out of the family thing. I get that, though--a teen's gotta have her space and her friend time. On top of that, though, the kids' dad called and told me Nicholas wasn't feeling well at all and should probably just stay home and get some sleep. Poor kid--no fireworks for him! That left Danielle, who was still all about getting to see some fireworks with us. We picked her up and headed over to the Krepp's house, where we spent the evening with Paul, Carol, David, Carrie, and Freya. Before the fireworks, Danielle and Freya did a little swimming. David and Doug got the light show going while the rest of us ooohed and ahhhhed in admiration. Paul also let me borrow his tripod so that I could play around with some of the settings on my new camera, including the 'fireworks' setting--very cool! It was a lovely, low-key family get-together: )