Roommates

Cute pics of Gianna and her roommate...

Mae

Gianna's middle name is Mae after my Nana...

My Nana would have adored Gianna. I'm sure she's looking over her from heaven... 

Grampy, Nana & Mama

First Football Game

Gianna had her first football game of her senior year today. They have new uniforms and they're so pretty! The rhinestones sparkle in the sun : )  I can tell she's so happy to be back at school with all her roommates, teammates and friends. Endicott is her happy place for sure! 

Sidelines...

 

Halftime...

New Hobby

Kerry got me into watercolor. It's so fun and relaxing. I love the book Julia got me for my birthday. Here are a few that I've done recently...

I'm still learning but I'm pretty proud of myself. I think my artist Mama is smiling at me from heaven : ) 

KoKo is 18

I got the biggest laugh from this email I got today from the vet. Do you think Koko knows my name is "Dineen"?  

My boy is 18 years old this month. Well...actually we have no clue of his exact age or birthday because he was a stray (estimated to be about a year old)...BUT I do know we adopted him on September 17, 2009 and his given birthday by the vet is today September 1st. So Happy Birthday to my old man!

In human years that's approximately 88 years old : ) 

I'm still laughing over this email...referring to me by my first name like he would know that and "sweetened with A treat"...more like 50 treats a day for this old man who literally plants himself next to the treat cabinet...

Dear Koko,

We have a very special occasion to celebrate... It's time to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We hope all birthday wishes come true and that your big day can be sweetened with a treat. Thank you for letting us be a part of your healthcare team! We hope you have a special day filled with fun and love from Dineen.

When you miss me most

 When you feel you are without me, close your eyes. 

Float down beneath your skin, retreat within. 

I am the blood that flows.

I am the courage in your gut that grows. 

I am the chamber in your heart that feels like home. 

I am the seed from which your life was proudly grown. 

Only my body has flown. 

But me, I dwell still within your bones. 

My voice and all the good I've ever known, is yours to own. 

When you feel you are without me, listen close. 

I whisper louder, when you miss me most. 

by Donna Ashworth

(My bridal shower 1993...ignore the belt)

Yup and Yup

Julia's Birthday

This gorgeous birthday girl turned 24 this year...

I think I say this every year but I don't know anyone who loves their birthday as much as Julia! Her friend Ava, who was her co-captain and one of her very best friends at Endicott, is in town staying with us for the weekend. So she joined us for the birthday dinner at Izumi and then cake, ice cream and presents on the porch...

This year I got Julia a bag from LLBean, two books, a candle, the new Moroccan Oil perfume and a gift card to TJMaxx...her favorite place to shop these days. Julia is busy working the night shift in Med-Surg. She's looking forward to coming off nights soon maybe doing something a little different. She's learning so much and "saving her pennies" as my Nana would say by living at home. She has a new boyfriend too...

HAPPY BIRTHAY JULIA!! You are so loved by so many!! I hope this year is a fabulous one!!!

Senior Year move in

Well, today was the very last time we have to do a college move in. Gianna starts her senior year at Endicott! I'm very excited for her. She's in the same dorm that Julia was in her senior year but Gianna is in a quad...and thankfully on the first floor right by the door! That made for a super easy move in. 

She's rooming with the same girls as last year. This dorm is so much nicer than last year. They have a full kitchen with a much larger living room and bedrooms. There's a big closet in the hallway and they have their own washer and dryer. So nice! The only thing she liked better about last years dorm is that they were in the middle of campus. This year they're further away from everything so there will be a lot more walking. I hope it's not too cold or snowy this winter. 

After move in we had our first dance team family luncheon of the season. This is year SIX for us so we've got it down. Go Gulls!

Gianna used this HUGE bag to put ALL her clothes in. Yes convenient but so heavy!  You should have seen us trying to move that thing...

Her other roommate isn't on the dance team so she'll move in later...

The perks of going to a college right on the ocean...