Mail Order Glasses Guys

Same style, different colors: just for fun!

Twin Hug Slap Laugh

The twins having a happy moment recently:

The Three Brothers

Everybody is home for a little while anyway. There's something about having all three fledglings back in the nest again however briefly...says Mama Bird with a contented little chirp!  That really is all I wanted for Christmas. ~♡♫♡♡~

Personal Best

I love the sport of Cross Country Running (more commonly referred to as X-C.) It's like life, both solitary and communal. You're a member of a team but you are also running your own race. I'm so happy two of my boys have gotten into it. Our area's District Championships were held last Friday and son H did a wonderful job, finishing high overall but more importantly, achieving his own personal best! We are all really proud of H's hard work, talent and dedication!

Here comes the thundering horde!

Fleet feet flying past

Me being a typical X-C mom, hugging the ropes...

Proud Dad congratulating H!

Cooling down with teammates

Coach was pleased with H's performance!

It was a great day! Congratulations H!

Sixteen and Six Foot Three!

My baby turned sixteen today (and I don't mean the cat!) I can hardly believe it. Happy Birthday honey! xoxoxox....

First Race of the Season!

Belmont Plateau was looking its best!

That's my guy! (I'm holding his glasses.)

Coming up the hill...

Dramatic skies as they cross the ridge...

Spreading out

The Hay Bale at the finish...H's long legs made it no obstacle

A good start and a strong finish! Well done!

The entire team did well overall...a happy day!

KITTEN DELIVERY!

YEOWR!

So, friends of ours had a kitten emergency. They adopted a cat from a shelter, and although this shelter requires that the cats they give out be neutered or spayed before they will relinquish the cat, and in fact they make the adopting people pay for this process...someone at the shelter or vet's office made a mistake. My friends payed to adopt a spayed cat, especially important as they wanted an indoor/outdoor cat. The cat became pregnant about 5 minutes after they got it home. Oh dear!

The cat had five kittens, too, and well, son H begged and begged and we caved. Today was Kitten Delivery Day!

Smiles and tears from the nice family giving the kitty to us...

H gets to know his new pet a little

"Whatchu lookin' at?"  Attitude already at 10 weeks...!

Learning how to hold a squirming kitten...not as easy as you'd think! But fun. :-)

Happy Sad

Oldest son Peter left home today. He's taking a gap year before starting college, and has a job and apartment lined up on the other side of the country, in the Bay Area.We have family there, thank goodness or I think I would be completely beside myself instead of only half beside myself.  It's hard to explain the feeling: perhaps a mixture of happiness, pride, shock and utter desolation.

Last few moments at home!

At the airport, almost gone...sob! Smiling though.

Edward Hopper, Sun in an Empty Room , 1963

Peter's High School Graduation

Waiting to process

The actual moment

Everyone looks so happy!

Jubilation at the close of the ceremony!

The graduate and his proud family

Family After-Party...three generations of Downs men

Sports Awards!

Okay, brag alert! Stop reading now if you've had enough proud parent posts to last you a bit. ;-)

Last night was Peter's Sports Award Banquet at his high school. As a graduating senior and captain of the X-C team as well as a state-qualifier we knew he was going to receive a commendation.

But we were absolutely taken by surprise when Peter won a scholarship  in addition to the award we expected!

We are all so proud of him (younger brother hamming it up with his illustrious bro!)

We raced a big thunderstorm home after the ceremonies.

Peter paying tribute to the Gods of Thunder! :-)

Senior Prom 2012

The elegant young couple

Wrist casts are being worn this year

At the pre-prom gathering

Old friends

Line-up of beauty

Handsome dominoes

Proud parents