Pomp and Circumstance

(Its a looooong one) & (click on any of the photos to see bigger)

Our first major of the event this summer was last week- Pat's graduation from the USMMA in Kings Point, NY. It was Cecilia's first airplane ride, and we almost missed the first one! For some reason the alarm didn't go off, or we slept through it. Thank goodness my mom called us at 5:30am (we were planning on being on the road at 5:30am). We rushed out of the house and managed to make it to the gate just in time to board the plane. I was so glad that my grandparents were flying with us too. They were life savers and got us breakfast and coffee that morning. Cecilia did great on her first flight. She was social with any one who looked in her general direction- waving, smiling, and making all sorts of new friends. My brother Petey made the suggestion of getting her suckers for the pressure change on the way down. They worked like a charm!! I would highly recommend this strategy to anyone traveling with a little one that can't pop their own ears yet. She didn't want any more water, and she didn't want to nurse, but, Dum Dums- yes please!!
We arrived at the campus after picking up a pack n' play from Babies Away. We were fortunate enough to be able to rent campers and stay on the campus. This was great especially for Cecilia. We didn't have to worry about getting back to a hotel for naps, or bedtime. We were also able to have food readily available and didn't have to eat out all the time.
We attended two awards ceremonies for Pat on Thursday and Friday. He received an athletic award for the sailing team, and he also received an academic award for an engineering essay that he wrote.

Friday morning, the regiment raised the BIG flag at Colors. It took 26 flag bearers to raise it! What a sight to see! They did it with such precision and respect.
The weather was gorgeous! Cecilia got to go swimming several times. And we were all able to go out on Pat's sail boat for a sunset cruise on the Long Island Sound. Cecilia did so well, even though it was bed time.

Saturday morning brought the first round of real "pomp and circumstance" with the change of command ceremony. This involves the current 4th classmen (freshmen) becoming 3rd classmen (sophomores), etc. until the 1st classmen (Seniors) are dismissed from the regiment. The ceremony involved a intricate sword passing from one regimental commander to the next, and then as soon as the 1st classmen were dismissed they all booked it from the oval at the top of campus to the pool and jumped in in full uniform!

Saturday evening was the June Ball. By this time we had a full crowd with us. My Aunt Jenny, Uncle Pete and Aunt Marguerite, and all of my brothers were finally in attendance. We got all gussied up and headed out to a local Italian Restaurant. We all enjoyed the company, and the food was NY Italian!! Cecilia did pretty well considering that it was beyond bed time by the time we finally got our food. She was a champ and stuck it out though. When we got back to campus C went straight to bed and we all went and danced the night away. It felt like we were in a scene from a movie- perhaps a Great Gatsby party even. The men were all in Military Dress Uniforms or suits, and some in tuxedos. The women were all dressed to the nines. The lighting was done with a string of large bulbs and light posts. There was a fountain in the pool lit up from under the water. There was a band and a DJ alternating sets of music. The entire event took place just above the docks on the water with Manhattan twinkling in the distance. We had a ball, and it was so romantic (in the novel kind of way).

Here are my brothers competing for the Popeye award:

Sunday brought us Father's Day- Jon's First, and my Grandparents 51st Wedding Anniversary. After church we headed into Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty up close and personal. After a train ride and then a subway ride we arrived at Battery Park. It was so HOT!! When we got to Liberty Island I was struggling to make Cecilia comfortable for a nap in the sling, but it was only magnifying the heat. I was trying to stay calm and enjoy the amazing place that we were in, but I was starting to get frustrated with not being able to soothe my baby. We got inside the base of the Statue and into the museum, C was still fussy and wanting to sleep. Jon decided to take her for a bit in the sling, and with in 5 minuets she was asleep- I guess she just wanted to be with her Daddy on Father's Day. She missed the rest of the tour, but I enjoyed it. We got to go all the way to the base of the Statue and look up under her skirt to see the structure that holds her up. It was very cool to be that close to such and iconic figure. By the time we got back outside, Cecilia had woken up from her short nap and was ready for a photo shoot with the statue.


Sunday night we were able to sneak away after Cecilia went to bed and go out for sushi with my grandparents. OMG! Seriously the best sushi I have every had. AND it was all you can eat for $20!!! It was such a treat to have a date and spend time with Ma and Pa on their anniversary.

Monday was the Main Event:: GRADUATION!!!! I've been to several graduations before, and none were like this one. The pomp and circumstance of the military academy graduation were great to witness. In addition to an amazing speaker: Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the tradition of walking across the stage to receive your diploma, each of the graduates took an oath to the military service that they are now an officer of. The majority of the Graduates, including Pat, will be in the Naval Reserve for the next 6 years. However, of the 198 graduates, 65 of them are going in to active duty service in one of the five military branches. Each of these graduates took an oath to that branch of service. I also loved the very end of the ceremony when they gave three cheers (Hip Hip Hooray!) and threw their hats. Cecilia was not as entertained with the event. Fortunately for her, there was a little boy that was also just as entertained, and they got to play with each other. After the ceremony Pat had Sarah and my parents put his new shoulder boards on him to show that he is now an Ensign.

Overall it was a very successful trip. We enjoyed being together with family, celebrating Pat's accomplishment, and relaxing. Cecilia did great on the airplanes, and she was a great traveler in general. She was definitely whooped by the time we got home though- this is her on the shuttle from the terminal to the parking lot.
Congrats Uncle Pat! We love you!

*A special thank you to my Grandma, Mom, and Aunt Marguerite for sharing their photos with me.*

Petey is back from Ethiopia

My Mom, Cecilia and I picked up Pete from the airport when he got back from his mission trip from Ethiopia. He had an amazing time, and learned so much about himself while he was there. I am so proud of him and what a mature, caring, giving, and loving person he has become. He went with an intent to start a farming operation on an orphanage. God had a different plan for him though. When he arrived, it was easy to see that others had already provided the orphanage with all of the tools that they needed to start a huge farm. They had a dairy farm, chickens, bee hives, and acres and acres of crops. Petey was still able to provide so much for them. With the money he had raised he was able to buy them fertilizer for half of the year, and several more bee hives. He was also able to play with the kids and provide companionship, smiles, and education to all of the kids. He taught an English class too. He talked to my Mom and I for over 4 hours after we picked him up, and it was so inspiring to listen too him. He kept a journal during the trip, and he read us his last entry. It was so moving and it brought me to tears. I wonder if he would let me have a copy (yes it was that good!)?

In the Construction Zone

First, I have to say that my husband is the best. He has been working so hard and I know that he is exhausted by this point. I am so lucky to have a Man that is capable of home projects. I appreciate his hard work in making our home more "ours".

He has done a wonderful job on our main bathroom remodel project. A few weeks back we decided that since we were going replace the windows, we might as well go ahead and remodel the entire bathroom (why not- right?!?). We decided to do this in stages. Phase 1 & 2 are complete. This involved taking down the ugly tile walls, replacing them with drywall and new paint. We (by we, I mean Jon) also replaced the sink faucet, mirror, and light fixture. it feels like a brand new bathroom already, and we love it!!

Yes, we're still here...

I know it has been a while since I posted anything (actually I swear I wrote a blog on June 14, but it has mysteriously disappeared). I have a reason, we've been really busy- really. Which only means that I have a lot to blog about, and I am really behind. So, a goal for the week is to get caught up. Be warned- lots of words and pics coming. Here is the teaser:

Bathroom Remodel Phase 1
Petey's trip to Africa
Bathroom Remodel Phase 2
Pat's Graduation in NY
St. Joseph's Catholic Church Dedication
Nick's MS Bike Ride
Probably something about Cecilia too, because she is growing so much.

I have to get these blogs done because next weekend we are at it again: The new windows are going in!!! So now that I've told all of you my goal, I'm trusting that you will hold me accountable ;)

Oh, Brother!

I have to give a major shout out to my little brothers. Yes, they are all taller than I, but they are all still my little bro's and they are all amazing and inspirational. Take note:

Peter (Petey to me): Age 18, currently studying Agricultural Education and Animal Science at NJC. He left for Ethiopia yesterday for a second mission trip with IMR. He is going to an orphanage with about 200 kids. He has raised over $3000 over the past year to purchase livestock and chickens and building materials. He is going to teach the kids how to raise these animals so they can start to provide for themselves and learn a trade. I find his mission so inspiring and incredible, because he is not only going to do something for these kids, but he is going to teach them so that they can make a better life for themselves after he is gone. I am amazed by his desire and drive to do this. I am so proud of him for following his heart and doing something so life changing for so many people.

Pat: Age 22, almost a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Today, Pat rang the bell! He has been testing all week for his US Coast Guard 3rd Engineer License. It was comprised of 7 tests, the last of them was taken this morning, and the results were posted this afternoon. He passed (of course), and as the tradition states, he got to ring the bell to signify his completion of studying and passing at USMMA. His fiancee, Sarah, took this video, we were also able to watch him live from a web cam that was set up. Congrats Pat!!! We can't wait to see you for your graduation in a few weeks. I am so proud of you!

Nick: Age 24. Nick is riding in the Bike MS ride in a few weeks. He will be riding 175 miles to raise money and awareness for MS. If you are inspired to contribute you can click here to donate. He has been training for the ride, and I know that his passion and dedication will get him to the end. His bum will be numb, but his spirits will be high. Thank you for doing this, Nick. I know that it means so much to so many people.

(Nick, I need a new picture of you and Cecilia. Come on over sometime ;))

I am so proud of all of my brothers. They are all so inspirational to me. Thanks for being wonderful brothers, uncles, and friends to me! I am so blessed and lucky to have such wonderful siblings. I love you all!

Long Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains at my parents house. The weather could not have been more perfect. We didn't do a whole lot, which was great! Jon assumed the role of the F.I.T.S. (Family IT Support) and helped my parents with all of their computer needs. This included printer/scanner/fax hook-up, operating system updates, and software installation. It's a good thing that he doesn't charge them ;)

My Mom and I were able to go on a walk all three days we were there. Gosh, it was so beautiful! I enjoyed having so much time with my Mom. It was great to have the time to talk with out interruption.

On Saturday we went to the Fire Department for a free burger and to see the trucks. C was not very impressed. Although, she loved being with her Pops and Grandma. She got to have some outside time on the deck, and enjoyed a beverage with Pops. And, Grandma gave her new kitchen gadgets to play with.

We saw the church and all the progress that has been made. It is getting so close to being finished! The dedication Mass is scheduled for June 25th. It's looking GREAT Dad! Keep up the good work!

The Great Ma, and the Great Pa joined us for dinner on Monday night. It was great to share a meal with them, and Cecilia loved seeing them.