Roller Coaster Loving Cousins

Yara, Maria, Bridget & Annelise, August 2008, Michigan Adventure

Yesterday, John & I had the opportunity to take our 2 nieces from Venzuela to Michigan Adventure with our girls. We soon noticed that these 4 girl cousins with the same last name are fearless when it comes to roller coasters. We did them over and over again. When John, Maria & I rode the Thunder Hawk, their newest ride where your legs dangle and you see them several times up against the blue sky during the ride, I couldn't help but think how much trust we put in the roller coaster people and the mechanical devices that hold us in against the forces of gravity which are always there. When we rode the corkscrew, John & I were in the car ahead of them, so we could run ahead and get some photos of them during the ride.




After several hours on the roller coasters, we hit the water parks. I found my happy spot, as Sharon would say, on the Lazy River. But then I went and ruined it when we rode a couple of stomach churners - the Tilt-a-Whirl and something I only remember as the Barf Boat.

Flash Back Friday 83

Happiness is a pink cast and a big sister, Petoskey, 2000

Blooms in August

I didn't mean for anyone to think yesterday that my peonies were still blooming. I just said that reading the poem made me think of them. In real time, our garden is for the most part past its prime. That's why I was thrilled yesterday when Maria asked me if I could take some photos of her for her "school pictures", our record of her as a Junior in High School. I was a little tired to go out on location, so we stayed in our own yard, and Maria, with her bright outfit from Spain, was blooming enough.

Flash Back Friday 82

Maria, December 1993

Big Sandbox

Last weekend, nephew Brian was so intoxicated by the beauty of the sand and water that he fell over the sand dune cliff.



Maria, Bridget, and Uncle John were dispatched to help him up. I calmly stood by to take photos.



Not to worry - John rescued him and it made for some good photographs.

Pontoonicating

Last weekend, when we were up at Big Platte Lake, we filed like little old people onto Paul & Susan's new pontoon boat. It was fun!! I am getting old!! Our oh-so-clever John coined the term pontoonificating for that thing you do when you ride a pontoon boat.


Maria


Edward


John


Paul................................. Susan


Edward & Brian

O'Hare Nellie Reunion

Maria & Bridget reunited after a month

Maria World Traveler

Maria & Alejandra in Segovia, Spain

Maria flew into Chicago O'Hare this past Wednesday from Madrid by way of Philadelphia. She successfully navigated customs and getting her GIANT suitcase re-checked alone. I was so excited to talk to her on the cell phone when she landed in the United States. It went like this:

Me: Maria, you've done something I've never done - traveled internationally alone.

John(grabbing the cell phone from me): Maria, you've done something I've never done - traveled alone internationally alone in flip flops.

Har har, he's so funny.

Flash Back Friday 79

Edward, Maria & the new baby, 1995

Flash Back Friday 78

Another Maria Flash Back, 7 weeks old, 1992

*Batismal gown created by the Queen Mother

The Word from Spain

Bridget, Maria & Alejandra last summer

We have called Maria a few times this week and talked to her briefly to know that she is doing well. We received an email from Alejandra's mom with an update and it sounds like all is well. They have been to Simancas, a middle age village near Valladolid where they live and Madrid, have played tennis and gone to a teen disco. This weekend, they are going to the rocky northern coast of Spain and will visit one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world in Leon on their way back. I thought about getting in her suitcase, but Maria said it was full of things she needed. Oh well, I can't wait to see the pictures!

Off to Spain!

John & I spent the 4th of July taking Maria to O'Hare airport in Chicago where she boarded a plane to Madrid. She is spending the month of July with her friend Alejandra who stayed at our house last July.

The suspense was building throughout the morning as we brought her to the gate. John went over each detail of the trip thouroughly so she would know what to expect.

While we waited, we got her one last American ice cream. She eats tons of ice cream which seems surprising when you look at her - where does it go? Anyway, I was cheering her on while she ate it and she posed with me one last time for this month.

She called us when she made her connection in Philadelphia and again at about 2 AM when she landed safely in Madrid. You can e-mail her at omiscool at comcast dot net. She hasn't been able to e-mail us yet and I keep thinking that is something she could do during siesta. It's probably a good thing that she is occupied.

How to Jump Waves With Your Sister

Maria & Bridget, OBX, 2008

Cape Hatteras Misadventure

One day last week when we were at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, John and Maria set out on a small adventure to Cape Hatteras to see the famed lighthouse. As you can see, Maria was quite pleased to see it and pose in front of it.

As John was fiddling with the camera (pulling a Judy), Maria grew tired and began to rest on the lighthouse. Suddenly, it tipped over.

Not to fear. Maria picked it up and put it back in place. No one even noticed.

Oh, and then, on the way back from the Cape, John got a $170 traffic ticket for passing in the right lane. This was the real misadventure.

Walking on the Beach

Maria, June 2006

When the Queen Mother was here for Edward's graduation, she presented Maria with a very special birthday present. Below you can see her watercolor interpretation of the photo above. This is something I think she will treasure for years to come!


Maria with watercolor by Grandma, May 2008

Happy Memorial Day

Waiting for the parade (actually 4th of July last year)

Phantom of the Opera

The following is a very dramatic orchestral rendition of the Phantom of the Opera with some very dramatic close-ups of Edward and Maria.


South Christian High School Symphonic Orchestra, May 2008

Brother & Sister Strings

Last evening, Edward & Maria played in their laaaast orchestra concert together, so I lined them up for the pose. The orchestra played 3 pieces and then the symphonic orchestra played 2 more. One of these was an arrangement of music from Phantom of the Opera and the grand finale of Edward's high school orchestra career? Russian Sailor Dance. It was actually a cool piece which contained an outstanding cello part! I took this nice photo of Edward and his cello buddies Liz & Marie looking at their conductor.

At the end, the symphonic orchestra got a standing O. I asked Edward and Maria how that felt. Maria said, "Don't they always do that?" and Edward said he didn't notice.

Masterpieces of Nature

Maria & Friends, photo by Trudy

The Davids

With 2 teenage girls here in our house, the evening revolves around American Idol 2 or 3 nights a week. If they can't be home, it must be recorded! Bridget is an actual American Idol Encyclopedia. Her favorites are the Davids.

Bonding

This afternoon, I thought it would be good for the girls to go on my walk with me, so we walked to a place for root beer floats. We had a good time.

Fiddler Under My Roof

Maria, March 2007

Maria is Officially 16

The 3 dears sitting in church Sunday morning


Maria glowing during the singing of Happy Birthday

Maria had a good day yesterday. After being greeted in the morning with a "larpy birthday" from her big brother, she was busy with church, a TEC meeting and a friend's profession of faith. At night, she graced us with her presence and we went to the Olive Garden. She is almost ready to get her driver's license - after a few more hours behind the wheel, segment 2 of driver's ed, and some parallel parking practice. The question is, are we ready for the parallel parking practice?

Happy Sweet Sixteen!

Maria, 4th birthday, 1996

Today, we are celebrating Maria's 16th birthday. Maria was born on her Aunt Andrea's birthday so we are also applauding Andrea's birthday in spirit from afar. John loves to tell how Maria would blow her bangs instead of her candles when she was young. I'm not sure yet what celebration the day will bring since Maria will be spending the afternoon with friends. We can party tonight!

Flash Back Friday 63

Little girls and kitties and stickers and . . . broken arms. What's not to smile about?
August 2000

This morning, I picked up Bridget from school because she wasn't feeling well. She told me she managed to get the highest score on a practice quiz on the bones in science that morning to her surprise. I told her it was because of our broken bones and she agreed. She decided after studying the bones, it didn't sound bad to be a nurse anymore. I have been telling her she should think about it since it suits her kind and caring personality.

Maria Fiddled

March 2008

Super Hero Photo Challenge

Last Friday on Shutter Sisters, the Super Hero challenge, which takes place every other week, was to share a photo with the subject's eyes closed. Usually when the subject closes his or her eyes, you consider it a throw-away, or delete it, but sometimes, it shows an extra special intimacy between the subjects or trust of the photographer. I love this photo taken of Maria & Bridget in January. I was even going to frame it, but Bridget didn't like that idea. We'll see.

Greener Pastures

Watercolor by Maria

Today in church, Pastor Amy talked about shepherds. At the end, we read Psalm 23 and were given the opportunity to pray silently about the phrases in that chapter. I was thinking about how God lets us rest in the green pastures and how His goodness follows us always. When we got home, Maria showed me the painting above which she just finished - a good reminder of very green pastures. Durning Bible times, the pastures weren't nearly so lush which makes the verse even more meaningful. If we follow Him, He leads us to what we need even if we are going through more arid times. I especially love the last verse - how His goodness follows us or pursues us always.

Close to You

Last weekend when we went my mom & dad's house in Ohio for the wedding, we saw their new baby grand piano. I thought it was a bit unusual that they got this piano when neither of them really play that much, but even a novice like Maria made a beautiful sound from this instrument. Yes, that's me, swaying in the mirror, sorry.


Another video brought to you by Bridget.