Uncle Connie

Sweet Uncle Connie passed away on August 10th.  He was 95 years young.  Connie was an exceptional man. He welcomed me into the family from day one. Every time I saw him he would give me a big hug, tell me how pretty I was and tell me how lucky I was to have Danny and how lucky Danny was to have me.  Every conversation we had he would always offer up a piece of advice and end with telling me that family was the most important thing. Connie was one of the most loving souls I have ever met. He will be missed.  

Birthday Weekend in Ogunquit

We spent the past few days up in Maine. Friday we were in York for the day...

Had some fun in this old arcade...

Nubble Lighthouse for ice cream...

Kimmy and I always have some good belly laughs when we're together...

Kimmy and Paula got a cake for both Julia and I...

It was so good!! 

My nephew Zach is a talented musician and played some of Schindler's List for us by ear...

Then Julia and Gianna had a try...it didn't quite sound like Zack though...

Flowers are everywhere in Ogunquit...it's just so beautiful everywhere you look...

College Tours #5 & #6

I'm still plugging away at the college tours with Gianna.  Here's what we have so far...

1. Sacred Heart University - She really liked it! Very pricey so we'll just have to wait and see on that one.

2. Florida Gulf Coast - She liked it but you need SAT scores and she's not taking them plus she thought the campus was too spread out. 

3. University of Tampa - She really liked it! We did too! 

4. URI - She hated it!! Haha! I did too! Too old and run down. 

5. Bridgewater State University - She really liked it!  Me too! My alma mater but I didn't remember any of it! I guess it was way too long ago. I loved that they keep it updated for a state university with new buildings and updating dorms, classrooms and furniture. I was very impressed!  I think it would be a smart choice for her to go there. It's much more affordable than private colleges and a great school with a ton of majors to chose from.  And they have a good dance team : )  

6. Roger Williams University - Glad we looked at it because I've always wanted to see it. It's a very pretty campus with nice buildings and lots of interesting majors (a really cool marine biology building and business management building), but the freshman dorm we saw was horrific.  I don't know what it was but we both were not blown away.  For some reason, it just didn't seem like a good fit for her.  

Also...

UNH - She tagged along for a tour with Julia a few years ago and really didn't like it. (Now she says she'll apply.) 

Endicott - She likes it but it's a bit too small for her plus she really needs to do her own thing. 

I'm really running out of ideas since I saw a lot of other colleges with Julia that I know won't be a fit for Gianna.  So here's what else I'm thinking...

Quinnipiac - we'll tour there soon because they have the program she's interested in

And that's it. That's all I got. They all have Health Science majors and competitive dance teams.  So let's hope we hit the nail on the head with one of these! 

Nicholas turns 21

Well...he's officially legal. Not just 18 official but 21 official.  Yikes!  We went to Hibachi last night to celebrate...

He'll always be my little boy...

We were talking about all he can do now that he's 21 and he goes "I think I'll smoke cigarettes in my bedroom"...hahahaha...he kills me with his sense of humor...

He's off to University of Louisville next week to start college full time!  He's been doing great with his on-line college courses these past two years since graduating high school...all A's!!  This coming year will be a huge growing experience for him regardless of how it turns out.  I'm just so excited for him to give full time college a try!! Go Nicholas! 

Gianna's senior pictures

They came out so good!  I love them all!

Behind the scenes

Gianna had her senior pictures taken in Duxbury yesterday. Literally seems like yesterday we were there for Julia. What a gorgeous day it was...except it was really windy by the water which was a bit of a bummer.  I've only seen a few pictures so far and they're beautiful. I'm excited to see them all!  She's a beauty for sure. 

Here are my lame behind the scenes pictures with my phone camera...

Sunday Funday

We went to Cisco Brewers on Sunday with some friends.  It was a new place for us and it was great!  Gorgeous day by the ocean with a live band and good food.  We'll go back again for sure!