Mom, Peter and Amanda came to visit and to go to the Lilac Festival!
Friday night, had Bob's mom over, Anna, and her boyfriend Ralph. The two mothers finally got to meet each other !
It was a really nice evening. Enjoyed some wine, and home made cake later on. Mom and Anna shared Italian stories, Ralph and Peter shared golf stories and we all learned a lot about each other. Lots of history and traditions there.
Got a picture of everyone in the living room. Thanks Bob for the wide angle lens - never would have gotten everyone in without it.
(also, merged myself in using Photoshop ! - pretty crafty!)
Sam (Bob's brother on the left), Ralph, Anna, Me, Amanda, Bob, mom, Peter - and Buddy in the middle

Everyone left (except Amanda - staying with us) around midnight - so wonderful to have everyone together.
Saturday morning Lilac Festival - crafts, crafts, and oh yeah, more crafts.
Bob's thinking he should be at garage sales right now gathering up junk for Ebay - but look at this pretty cheese platter.
Mom and Peter are deciding back and forth which one to take home, and Amanda is sneaking in for a piece of the action!
:)

Taking a break after lunch - lots of walking

Amanda and I enjoying a fruity drink (could only handle a few sips - really sweet)

More walking, and more pictures - Bob and Amanda graciously letting me snap away


Mom and Peter too

The pansy bed

Perfect timing - just before the rain came, ready to head out - and left for dinner...
Unfortunately, the Daisy Flour Mill has closed its' doors...so we headed to another historic choice, Richardsons Canal House - right on the Erie canal. Really really old, with coutry flair!
Delicious food.
Sam (bob's brother) joined us too - great time - he's found his match with Amanda - he's and instigator, and Amanda doesn't hesitate to put him in his place - Go Amanda!
:)

After dinner, mom and peter went back to their hotel....myself, sam, amanda, and bob hung out at our place.
A bet transpired over the difference between a
Swiss Cake roll, and a Ho Ho.
Sam, needing to prove his point, made a 7-11 run with amanda to prove it.
20 minutes later, they're back with a bag of Little Debbie cakes...lol.

Sam ended up being right - Ho Ho's ARE the same as Swiss Cake Rolls...doh!


Left in the morning with Amanda to meet mom and peter for breakfast.
Got a picture of us on the lawn before she left.


Met mom and peter for Breakfast Sunday. Took them to the Coal Tower in Schoen Place - along the canal.
Got a quick picture, and they were on their way.
Loved having you all to visit !!
Next time it's the Corn Hill Festival!
:)

Saturday, May 7th
Nazareth College of Rochester
Bachelor of Arts - English degree
Cum Laude!!!
Congratulations Shannon!!!!
So anxious to see her before the ceremony. Waited outside with her mom to get a picture of her as they walked the grauduating class into the tent

After the ceremony - a very relieved Shannon joined us for some pictures. Her whole family was there from Canada, and Colorado! I did'nt want to stress her out by taking tons of family pictures, so I let her mom do that. She was very very excited - as were all of them. It's been a long road, with so much in between. We're all so happy for her that she made it through with flying colors! I know at many times I took my schooling for granted. We really are so young right of of highschool that it's difficult to appreciate it. Shannon worked really hard, and made the most of every minute.

We met up for dinner at Lindbergers. It was the perfect place for having a long table of family and friends, and burgers for dinner! Casual, comfortable, and wonderful.
Marcia made a heartfelt speech; I cried when Shannon came around to hug thanks to everyone after she whispered her friendship into my ear; and to bring everyone's emotional spirits back up -there was a table of Cheesy Eddies !
mmmmmmm .....
We finished up, and then headed into the city for some cocktails. Her long time friends Steve and Cheryl joined Bob and I and we hung outside the Krown. Great night, better conversation, and toasts to our graduate.
To my dear friend Shannon - to all her tomorrows

Today, May 4th, is Bob's 33rd Bday!
Brought dinner home for Bob and I to celebrate -
Sinbads. Healthy and good. Split a charbroiled chicken pita, and chicken with romaine salad...tahini dressing for Bob, Greek dressing for me. Also got some falafel, and hummus.
mmmmm.

None other than home made Tirimisu for dessert!

One of Bob's favorites...
Presents!
As the topper, friend Sean at work had some extra cd-r's - they are RED on the recordable side. Very cool. Gave a few to Bob.
Also, on the way home, stopped to rent Star Wars
Battlefront XBox game - Bob's brother Sam is coming over to hang out - so I thought that would be fun for them to play.
:)
His main gift was an iPod arm band - so he can run with it now...

He was very happy to have that...lol...he put everything together and started jogging around the dining room table to practice...lol..goof.
:)
Happy Bday Bob...!!
*************************
Thursday 5/5/05
"Surprise" Party for Bob at Lux
Stories coming
Creative quick last minute wrapping of Bob's present from Sue - a bar napkin, dum dum lolly, stir straws, and a pink umbrella!
:)

Set everything up before Bob got there...

Eventually surprised Bob with his cake...

The cake looks, and was AMAZING - from the
Little Bakery

Group shot

I LOVE that Sue was able to come - and on a school night too! Thank you Sue - that really meant so much to Bob and I both...
:)

Bob's bud from work, Tom - stories to come


Bob's birthday at Anna's

Saturday morning-afternoon - attended a workshop through GRPP (Greater Rochester Professional Photographers).
Amazing experience. Got to meet with area photographers to go over my portfolio, learn tricks of the trade, the business aspect, and met a lot of interesting, talented people. So glad I attended. Met Bob after in Fairport (where the workshop was) and had dinner together. Said our "I'll miss you's" and Buds and I headed East to Albany. Arrived at dad's around 10:30.
Whenever I head home, and dad isn't there to greet me, he has a note on the table - so cute.
He had some treats for Buddy too! Buddy bath, Buddy bar (soap) Buddy snacks...etc. They all had the name "Buddy" on them - really sweet!


Dad came in from that night's play around midnight. We hugged our tired hellos, and then I lit a cupcake candle for him to celebrate his birthday! mmm cupcakes.
:)

Then I gave him his present before we went to bed.
I had framed a newspaper article he'd sent me a few months ago - a write up about him specifically, and his involvement in Clifton Park as a playwrite and an actor. Go dad!


Next a.m. after dad took Buddy for a long walk, we headed to our usual Clifton Park diner for breakfast. I got to see his new car in the daylight!

stylin'
We caught up on what's been going on - dad talked about the play - it's so great to see his excited expressions when he talks about it.
:)
Once home, he packed up, and headed to Saratoga to get ready for the stage. I took Buds for another walk, and eventually headed out too.
It's so exciting seeing my dad on stage. I'm so proud of him.

He's playing a doctor there talking to Scout.
Got a shot of the cast after - he's over in front on the left

and then headed back to Congratulate him!

Got to meet some of the cast members backstage, and hear stories about dad - everyone says how funny he is
:)
Headed home, and then Mickie dropped by to say hi to dad...gave a good pettin' to buds, and then we headed out to meet Carrie for dinner.
Wonderful to see them again. It's going to be about 3 months 'til I see them again - for Carrie's wedding celebration weekend. (It's not a bachelorette, or shower - it's a simple celebration of the wedding announcement with friends)
:)
Care showed me her ring - it was beautiful. So sparkly! So Carrie.

Got a quick shot of us before we left

See you guys soon - the time will fly.
Back home, and to bed.
Took dad in the morning to breakfast -
Cracker Barrel. The diner just wouldn't do as a celebration breakfast after the play.
Had a wonderful visit. Headed home, packed up, and got a picture of us before I left.
We took like 5 trying to get it right, we were cracking up how they kept coming out...lol.
Here's our last attempt

Bye dad!