Great-Grandpa

Happy-Go-Lucky, Contagious Smiler, Active, Outdoorsy, Brave, Loving, Courageous, Funny, Bird-Lover, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa.  These all describe Walter May, my grandpa, and Gia's great-grandpa who began resting peacefully on February 23rd after a very long battle with lung cancer.

Grandpa was a goof.  He loved having fun with us grandkids and Gia, and I hear he was the same way with his five daughters.  Once, he saved my life on one of our crabbing trips in New Jersey, and he and I went tandem on a SkyCoaster when I was in college!  Ryan loved 'Walt' (everyone did), and we were so thankful that he and Grandma came to Key West for our wedding.  I have so many great memories.

I wish that Gia could have had more time with her Great-Grandpa, but I am so thankful for the time that they did have together.  I feel like he just lit up when they were together, and I know how much she enjoyed their teasing back and forth.  We love you, Gramps, and miss you dearly.

Fashionista

Rachel + Kitchen = Disaster

Do you remember a year ago when I scorched off a few layers of skin on my thigh trying to hard boil eggs?  How about when I filled a container full of Goldfish only to send them flying across the kitchen, or the Amish Friendship bread that sunk in the middle or the batch that I screwed up before even getting to the baking instructions?  Well, Ryan said it well, "After a small house fire and six hours, I think she nailed it.  Right?"

My Cake Balls

Lea and Patti's Cake Balls

The "small fire" was in reference to ranch/dill pretzels I made (and burned), and the "six hours" was actually about 24 when you take into the account to cake balls I had to finish dipping in chocolate the following day because I ran out of time.  The cake balls were actually delicious - just close your eyes while you eat them ;)

Mmm!

This Is What Democracy Looks Like!

Yes, I went to Madison on Thursday.  The sound bites I'm thinking of are: amazing, lasting-impression, importance of politics, sights and sounds etched in my brain...  I can't put them into sentences that will do my feelings or experience in Madison any justice.  Let's just hope Gia views this as a rough patch in history and not a horrific, political landmark when she can understand.

This was followed with thousands of people singing the National Anthem together.  Powerful!

Valentine's Day

Gianna looked adorable on Valentine's Day if I do say so myself (thanks for the outfit Uba).  She brought cupcakes to share with her friends at day care.  Gia didn't feel the love though when Tricia denied her a second cupcake, so she threw a fit in protest.  Gianna made a valentine holder and received numerous yummy treats.

Ryan surprised me with Lena, one of our sitters for Gia, dinner at Kate's Pizza Amore, and mint chocolate chip ice cream from The Pearl.  Both the pizza and ice cream were delicious.  For not being big Valentine's Day celebrators, we truly had a perfect evening.

Cuddle Time

Gianna has been more cuddly lately than Ryan and I ever remember. We LOVE it!

Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone