Childhood Connections

Addison Marie

What a blessing to have been graced with childhood friendships that continue to this day.  This past weekend some of the "Songbird" crew (the street that the Buzzelli/Streus's grew up on) got together in Indy to welcome the latest addition to our two families:  baby Addie, less than two weeks old.  How sweet is she?  There was one interesting thing that happened during the visit.  Lucy started crying out of the blue, two different times-- once when I was holding Addie and once when I was hugging Izzy (who is only 3 weeks older than Lucy).  When we put it together, it made me a little sad.  I think for Lucy, seeing her Mama show affection to another child must have tapped into her vulnerabilities and feelings of security.   But all and all, it was a great visit.  I can only hope that all of our girls will be able to have the same kind of long-term, authentic friendships like the ones that their Mom's started on Songbird Lane 30+ years ago.

Lucy, Abby and Emma

Izzy

Angie (Addie's mom) and Jon (Addie's Uncle) 

One nice surprise to end the Labor Day weekend was cousin Lindsay coming back from Indy with us for a sleepover.  We love having Lindsay here; Lucy eats her up!  Thanks for the great visit Lindsay Lou!

Lindsay and Lucy having fun reading!

   

Cathedral Gardens

Earlier this week, Lucy and I had a lovely visit with our friend Mary.  We went to morning mass at my old church (where Brian and I got married).  Afterward, we walked through the gardens where our wedding photos were taken.  How sweet is our girl with her rosary in hand?

Thanks to Mary for a great visit and for sharing her cat Boats with us! (Lucy loves cats!)

Celebrations!

Grammy and Papa decided to travel from Indy for an over-nighter this past weekend.  The occasion?  Their 44th wedding anniversary and my dad's 75th birthday.   How blessed are we that they come to us for these special events!  Lucy got some quality time with Grammy and Papa and we all thoroughly enjoyed the visit.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Love Abounds in Attica

We had a wonderful time this past weekend in Western New York for the annual Barnes' Family Reunion.  Since Brian comes from such a big family, it was a time for many relatives to meet Lucy for the first time.   What a joy-filled and special occasion it was!  As some of you may know, the reunion isn't just a one day event.  No, No...the Barnes know how to do it up right!  It starts off Friday night at the Legion for the fish fry.  Saturday is the all-day "official" reunion at the Attica Park.  Sunday everyone gathers at Brian's parent's house for another day of eating, drinking, singing, talking and laughing.  The weather could not have been more perfect, marked by low humidity, cool evenings with bonfires, and even a need for jeans sometimes during the day. Western New York in August is fabulous!   Brian's folks live on a 100+ acre farm, so Lucy loved going on golf cart rides to explore the farm, or just hanging out with the cousins, the cows or the barn cats.  Thanks to the entire Barnes' clan for showing Lucy so much love. I married into one fantastic family! 
(Note:  Sorry for the abundance of posted photos... I took 160, so it was hard to narrow them down!)

Lucy with her cousin Colleen... they become BFF's this weekend. 

Aunt Maureen, Aunt Bridgey and Tom

 The first official Walter Barnes family photo that includes Lucy!

Brian, Lucy  and Aunt Bridgey

Aunt Bridgey having fun with Lucy at the park.

Lucy with cousin Colleen...cooling off at the pool.

Lucy and Grandma Barnes

Lucy loved hanging out on the swings with cousins Will, Izzie (her other BFF's for the weekend) and Colleen.

Colleen and Lucy

More cousins.....

Lucy loved exploring the farm.  Thanks to Izzie for taking my camera and capturing such great photos!

Uncle Timmy, Aunt Pebbie, Aunt Bridgey and Joe

Lucy with cousin Claire

Cousins Macayla and Brandon

exploring the farm...

Brian and Uncle Timmy

Uncle Mark and Aunt Maureen

Cousins Kathleen and Bernie with Aunt MaryAnne

Hanging out with Aunt Bridgey and Dada on the swing...

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Bridgey

Aquatic Adventure

Yesterday, Lucy and I had an enjoyable morning out at the Newport Aquarium.  She loved it and was running all over the place squeaking and clapping....her excitement was too cute!  Her favorite, it seemed, was the jellyfish.  I took a particular fascination with the sharks.  You can see from the photo how close we got to them.  We met another Lucy while there, also from China.  She was "5 and 3/4'ers" she told me.  Her dad and I enjoyed a lovely talk about our girls and their home country.

Even though it was a scorching hot day, Lucy and I enjoyed a walk on the riverfront after our Aquarium excursion.  She loved watching the boats go by.  Life is good!

More Visitors!

Lucy had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa Barnes this week.   They hadn't seen her since February so it was fun for them to see her walking and talking.  Lucy has a big week coming up, as we will be heading home (that is, Brian's home in Western NY/Buffalo area) for the annual Barnes' reunion.  We are all so excited as Lucy is going to get to meet a lot of her family for the first time.  Photos to follow next week....

The pictures below were taken this morning by Brian.  We have absolutely perfect weather this weekend (low 80s, no humidity) so Lucy and Dada took full advantage, having fun together on the back deck....