A Dark Farewell to the Brown Bunch

June and July have whizzed by without a post…in part due to travels and additional nap days for moi, and partly because my work schedule has become chaotic (and sparse) and my 2012 Resolution to keep on top of the blog was via dedication to Friday afternoon updates during work.  Oh well.  Life changes, like it or not.

One other life change I did not like about June was the move of my dear friend, Anna.  The Brown Bunch, as we affectionately call them, moved to the precious town of Peachtree City, GA to be within 2 hours driving of their families.  Obviously I understand that decision all too well, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it!  Anna & Brad with precious Hudson & Mary Bradford will be missed by Cville, and FPC Preschool, too.  Anna has been a great friend and I will dearly miss seeing her regularly at Book Club, Girls' Night Out and Preschool. 

We got to celebrate one last dinner out...in the dark!  Tucked away in the middle room of the Silver Thatch Inn, we had NO idea about the massive storm that brewed outside until the lights flickered.  Michael was in DC with Aaron, so I immediately texted the sitter where flashlights were since we lose power when the wind changes direction (even though our lines are underground!).  We finished dessert by candlelight, then emerged from the restaurant to find debris and limbs littering the parking lot.  As we worked our way home, trees were down everywhere.  I had to take an alternate route since the entrance to our neighborhood was blocked by a massive tree.  Power lines were dangling in people's yards.  Branches fell off trees right in front of me.  Thankfully, my sitter was our neighbor and when they started calling for tornadoes, her Dad came over to help her if/when she needed to get the kids up and take them to the basement.  Again, in the middle room of the restaurant with no windows, we had NO idea this was going on!  48 hours without power ensued.  Try entertaining two small children in 100 degree with no AC, no refrigerator, no pools and no TV.  They were trooped, but poor little Miss Margaret was SO red and sweaty.  Come Sunday afternoon, we packed and headed to the mountains a little early for the 4th.  I hated to leave Molly in the cool, unfinished basement with our sitter, but thankfully, we would get power back within 12 hours. 

Self cell phone shot in the pitch blackness of the dark neighborhood.

Baltimore - Father's Day & Grandma's 70th!

The Tall Ships and Blue Angels were scheduled to be in Baltimore Father's Day weekend, so we decided to celebrate Susan's 70th (since she had been in Florida for her actual birthday in February).  Her dear friend, Joan, came up from Lewisburg, WVA.  It was great to see her again.  I had just met her at our wedding, and then enjoyed a wonderful weekend at her beautiful home in October when we drove over to surprise Susan in Lewisburg.  BUT, she had spent nearly 5 days with Andrew and Margaret at our house helping Susan a year ago when we were in Israel.  So the kids have become quite fond of her.  Since Joan's youngest grandchild is now 5, I think she enjoys the little ones, too.

The weekend was jammed packed.  Upon our arrival Thursday, we took care of business first.  Andrew took the crab trap out with Grandma to plunge it off
of the dock. 

Then it was time to play.  Thursday night, we took Andrew to an Orioles' game.  It was his first professional game and my first Orioles' game.  The highlight, of course, was the pre-grame hot dog.  He lasted about an hour, mostly because of Daddy's brilliant idea to play "I Spy". 

Friday was the big outing to the Inner Harbor.  The "Tall Ships" from all over the world that tour all over the world were in town for "Sailabration", celebrating the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, before moving on to Boston for the 4th of July.  We drove near downtown, then took zig-zagging water taxis to eventually land in the Inner Harbor.  The water taxi rides were probably the highlight for the kids (that, and the ships that had Pirate Flags on them!), but I can't blame them.  It was a beautiful day on the water. 

Margaret snuggling up with Joan as Andrew eyes the "shark" painted on the front of the submarine in the Harbor.

First close up of a Tall Ship, complete with dinosaur paddle boats in the foreground.

Margaret enjoying some sweet talking from Joan

Massive flag - the dozens of smaller flags on the ships represent all of the Harbors where they have docked.

 

The submarine emerging just in front of the spectacular Baltimore Aquarium.

Joan, Susan, and two happy kiddos:)

The coolest Daddy and submarine ever!

Random boat in the Harbor...not too shabby.

Steve, Clare, Maddie and Ellie came over Friday night for crabs, of which there are never pictures since it's such a mess.  Andrew has grown to LOVE crabs, which delights us, but it's just that much more to pick!

Checking on the crab trap with Maddie, Ellie and Clare...sporting the favorite PINK life jacket.

Bring on the watermelon, Summertime!

Maddie about to set sail

 

About to set the sailboat off for an evening cruise.

Ellie spitting seeds

Sportin' the one and only favorite PINK life jacket. At least he never objected to wearing it!

Margaret's first Hobie ride with Daddy!

What a good little passenger:)

The new dock that Duke built actually works on the old lift system!

Hot tubs make great baby pools!

Saturday afternoon was Susan's 70th birthday celebrating at Carson's Restaurant nearby.  It was the perfect setting, delicious food, and a great turn out.

Andrew with Ian (5), Ward's youngest grandson

Here comes Margaret!

Jim & Joan

Two happy girls

The Cousins' Table

Andrew working Joan for more food after Mom said "No more potatoe chips!". 

Innocent Ellie

Outside the restaurant

Back on the River, super-Dad took an early morning swim with everyone on Father's Day...probably trying to earn his presents later:)

In goes Margaret....

...cackling the whole way!

Happy Crew!

 And here she goes off of the new dock!

Now Molly's turn, finally, after waiting FOUR long years for access out of the water!

  

Her parting dive.  Not bad!