Family Pictures - Year of 2005
Suzy's Birthday
THE GANG"S ALL HERE for the last birthday during Suzy's Senior year.
AND A HUFF...and a PUFF...and, ahhhhh, what was my wish again?!
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SUZY AND ALEX all gussyed up for a Valentine's Evening dinner!
*****
Mom's B'Day Night Out on the Town - Sat. March 5th
The Olney Theatre
SUZY SHOWED off the program for the play "St. Joan." Nobody liked it but Guy, because it was too historical...and sad.
...ALSO THE seats were dead last due to a knucklehead move by Guy who put the wrong date down when ordering the tickets.
Duhhhhhhhhhhhhh...
THE FOOD afterwards was good at the Olney Ale House, despite the disagreeable look on Mom's face.
*****
International Night - Gaithersburg H.S. - March 11th
THE CAST of characters.....
SUZY WITH HER back to the camera...and high heel shoes.
*****
A Day At The Circus - March 19th - Baltimore
THE PATRIOTIC ELEPHANT displayed the colors for the National Anthem - a fine setting there in Baltimore.
THIS CLOWN WAS the star of the show getting people to bop others over the head, play crazy instruments and hide people and make them turn up somewhere else.
THE CHINESE ACROBATS were exciting.
THE HALFTIME parade was colorful, to say the least
THE DUAL RINGLEADERS stole the show, as did the guy in the hamster cage, the clowns who ate upside down on top of the roof, the tightrope walker with no safety net, and the lion tamer who put his head into a lion's mouth.
LUNCH IN THE INNER HARBOR at Phillips was delicious and a wonderful way to end a fine day.
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Easter Weekend at the Beach
RIGHT ON THE left of Dianne was a condo we looked at...Price...$700 G's!!
SHOPPING WAS THE "WORD" for mom here at the outlet mall.
WHILE A TRIP to West Ocean city and the docks was for Guy.
LOOKING AT POTENTIAL homes, we checked this small bungalow on the water - $400 G's!
AFTER THAT, naturally, we had to stop off at Seacrets. A great place. Here Dianne shows off the Jamacaiin bobsled.
THE WEBCAM for Ocean City is right over Dianne's right shoulder. This is the view everyone gets of the boardwalk.
*****
Ocean City Trip - Memorial Day 2005
THE FIRST time for the new dog - Snickers. Already tearing up everything.
GLAMOR SHOT of the two girls.....
NOT SO glamorous with the old man.
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Suzy's Senior Prom - Unforgettable!
THE BEGINNING - the opening picture of the night.
THE BEAUTIFUL COUPLES. "We may never walk this way again...."
SURF CITY here we come...two girls for every guy!
THE BOUTONNIERE was pinned on with pinnache!!
AS WAS the Corsage on the princess!
CHARLIE'S ANGELS have nothing on these gorgeous gals!
THE RIDE HAS ARRIVED!!!! What a night ahead!
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SUZY'S GRADUATION!!!! June 8th
THE BAND'S all here. There was also a nice piece sung by a graduating senior.
SUZY POSED with her diploma. Well Done!!
ALEX GOT his, as well.
COULD THERE BE a future in the WH for this budding little star?
THE GANG, definately was all here, and then it was on to lunch at the Old Ebbott Grill, and from there...to the future and beyond.
*****
Summer Vacation in Ocean City
HERE COMES....The ATTITUDE!!!!
BAKING IN the sun. Not for the old man..head be too bald, man.
DID GET A picture with mama, though, looking fine.
AND THE reason for the attitude...rain, rain..and more rain. They kept on falling on our heads.
Putt Putt, anyone. The overall champ?...the old man.
*****
The Malvern, Pa. Retreat - July 15th - 17th
THE GROUNDS to Malvern were sweet repose. The Chapel was in the building to the left.
ALMOST LIKE a monk's room. It added to the ambiance...restful and tranquil.
SO PEACEFUL, even the little baby deer showed up for attendance.
*****
Cliff's Party and Family Get Together- Sat. July 23rd
ERIC TOOKE charge before the battle of Middle Earth began!
THEN OUT CAME the phaser cannons!
UNCLE MIKE DISHED out the clams and raw oysters..and don't forget the beer!
DIANNE LOOKED lovely, as always. Not too good with a volleyball, though.
THE GRAVEYARD of dead crabs. They may be gone, but not forgotten.
GETTING EXCITED for the cruise to New England the following day! Wow!!
*****
Trip To Mt. Vernon - Sat. July 30th
AFTER A lengthy drive, ( missing traffic, however, the trip back made up for it, having to follow the beltway all the way around from the other side ), the scenery was worth it with Dianne posing before the venerable mansion of George Washington.
NOT TO BE OUTDONE, Guy had his picture taken with the mighty Potomac at his back. The trees in front were purposely left there by George Washington so he could see deer and other wildlife from his dining room and porch.
A FINE tour of the Potomac river highlighted the day with history lessons in Indian tribes along the banks and battles between British marines in the War of 1812 and the fort opposite
Mt. Vernon.
IN THE MID 80's range, these goats took refuge in the shade of this split rail fence.
The gentle resting place of the father of our nation, George Washington and his wife, Mary.
*****
The Nationals vs The Padres - Aug. 6th - RFK Stadium
THE VIEW FROM our seats was tremendous, all for $15 per ticket. Scalpers, of course.
".........ANDDD HERREEEE's the windup..........!"
"...ANDDDDDDD, it's Strike Three!!! You're Out!!"
OBVIOUSLY, SO WAS the whole team. This wound out to be the final score. 3 - 2. Great time, though!
- Cathy's Visit - Aug 18th - 21st -
A GREAT FAMILY meal was had at Clyde's Restaurant. The bill was enough to make one smile in the face of the abyss - over $200!!
THE TWO SISTERS back together again. The visit was peaceful and easy going. Lots of talk about the two families. Lots of congratulations.
-Labor Day in OC, Sep. 2,3 &4-
FOR AN ANNIVERSARY present, Dianne received this blender ( already stuffed inside by this big bruiser ). No way the old man gona carry that thing with his bad back!
NOW THIS IS more like it. Dinner at the Embers with an entre of a creamy drink!
TALK ABOUT crab dip. This was the best ever!
HOW 'BOUT this glamor shot of this bathing beauty!! Ohhh, La, La!
THE SETTING SUN. On the way out of town towards home. Spectacular!
- Cable Set-Up Finally!! -
FINALLY the old man breaks down and here Eric is setting up the cable in bedroom. Well done in Suzy's room, too.
- Final Summer Visit To OC - Sep. 16th - 18th -
Beautiful sunshine all weekend long. Beach conditions extraordinary. Temperatures wonderful. Only one thing....VROOM....VROOM went the motorcycles. Also,here Guy simmers down after a triple overtime victory of Miami over Clemson.
* * * *
- Spectacular Fall Weekend - Nov 4th - 6th -
SPECTACULAR WEATHER greated us as we hit the beach around 11 am. Warm breezes, sunshine. Wonderful!
THE SEA layed down, as well. Lots of surfers looking for that perfect wave.
DIANNE WAS SEEN here picking up deer corn to feed the hungry animals during the harsh months ahead. Guy discovered just why Walmart was so enormously successful. Great stuff, great prices.
DIANNE PEEKED UP at the sky at military jets racing across this rose pastel-colored sky.
.......AND HERE WAS the best deal of the day! $16 for all you could eat crabs at Higgins. Marc and his family showed up a bit after this picture, but departed when little Lucy got a bit cranky.
...BUTTT, THE BEST was yet to come! A genuine southern whoopin'on some Hokie ass! Have a nice day!
* * * *
Mom's Birthday - Nov. 11th Trip
THE DAY BEFORE her birthday, the boys took Mom out to dinner at Chicago's restaurant. Good talk and about 50 different beer selections controled the evening.
MARC, DAVID and Guy the next day, Friday took a trip to Clearwater beach. Beautiful.....and...
...IS THIS Margeritaville or what. Beach in the background...
DAVID SHOWED us a good time with dinner and a movie right in the theatre. We saw "The Wedding Crashers."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!" 81 years old and going strong!
Saturday, Guy and Marc went scuba diving. Here Marc tries on his gear.
BLUE WATER, but bad viz due to the prevailing winds caused the bottom to be churned up. Still, it was great to get "down under" again
* * * *
Thanksgiving Day
THE WHOLE FAMILY, save for the Florida contingent, made it for the feast of roast beast.
HAVE SOME WINE said Marc to Eric..try it, you'll like it!
AND THE HAPPY COUPLE sail on.
SUZY WAS a tremendous help with everything, here dishing out desert.
- Thanksgiving Weekend -
ON A COLD evening, Dianne and Snickers stood before the downtown Festival of Lights by the inlet.
ONE OF MANY beautiful exhibits. The ride uptown was even more spectacular, as was the line to get on the Santa Train. The dinner at Bull on the Beach on 90th St. more then made up for any inconvenience. A very Nice affair.
OF COURSE there was shopping to do over the weekend....
.....AND FOOTBALL! Maryland didn't make out so good against NC State...
..BUT MIAMI took the field with a victory over Virginia - not pretty but a victory, anyway.
BACK AT HOME on Sunday, the setting up for Christmas season began.
- Ford's Theatre - Sat. Dec 10th - "A Christmas Carol" -
WHAT A MAGNIFICENT performance. Everybody gave it a standing ovation.
A SOLEMN REMINDER of what actually took place in this Presidential box in April,1865.
AFTER THE THEATRE, it was off to a fine meal and drinks at the Old Ebott Grill, naturally, and then home by metro with a short layover at the White House. Unfortunately, no White House tours this year.
Christmas Season
Family Christmas Day
THE DAY STARTED off with Santa's helper guarding the goodies...
...FOLLOWED BY Stephen checking out the goods.....
...THEN ERIC AND MOM popped open the presents........
...FOLLOWED BY Susan who helped immeasurably throughout this whole season.
Marc's House Christmas Dinner
A 10 SECOND time delay got this beautiful shot..
..WHICH WAS followed by Marc and Francesca. Wonderful dinner, young lady!
...DIANNE, YOU COULD TELL was pleased by the comraderie..
...AND CANDY was as gregarious as always, and just as charming...
...BUT THE DAY REALLY belonged to the Sugar Plums, Santa's Helpers and Little Lucy!
West Side Story - The Lyric Theatre - Dec.27th
A COLD BRISK night in Baltimore greeted us as we entered the beautiful Lyric Opera House. Thanks!, Marc.
SPECTACULAR ARTWORK adorned all the walls inside.
DIANNE held up the playbill...
..WHILE ALL OF US in the audience waited breathlessly for the performance. No one was disappointed!
A Night in Ocean City - Dec. 28th
WONDERFUL COLORS in this festical of lights.
SNICKERS DECIDED the football game between Nebraska and Michigan was boring......
....IN REALITY, the game came down to the final second when a Michigan team, needing a TD to win, ran the ball after a kickoff all the way to the Nebraska 19 yard line. Whew!!!
New Year's Eve Season!
A PORTANT OF things to come. The flight out of Dulles was canceled after we had woken up at 3:30 am just to get there by 5 am. The next flight was at 8 am.
......WHICH TOOK us to Chicago for a 3 hour layover.....
...BEFORE WE finally landed in Atlanta. A $35 cab ride got us to the Sheraton where a refrigerator with beer and refreshments awaited.
THEN IT was off to the pep rally for dinner and great fun!!
WHICH INCLUDED the Band of the Hour!
AT THE GEORGIADOME we were introduced to the flying cow, and flying cusswords from rednecks, along with flying beer.
THE MAIN ATTRACTION GOT started when QB Kyle Wright drove the Canes down for a field goal.......
.......WHICH FIND the Canes then tied after the 1st QTR at 3 apiece.....
....ONLY TO FIND themselves in a hole at 20 - 3 vs LSU....and 40 - 3 at the final gun!! What a horror!
THAT DID NOT prevent us from buying a formerly $25 T-shirt for $5 after the game. Here Dianne exhibited the goods before this beautiful downtown Atlanta park, with X-mas trees and multi-colored lights. Atlanta was spectacular. LSU fans were great, too. We had some marvelous chats with many of them and they were all gracious.
THEN CAME Saturday morning annndddddd.....more waiting in the Atlanta terminal where we saw many soldiers heading back to Iraq. We wished them all good luck!!! WAITING EVEN took place when we touched down at Dulles....a whole hour on the tarmac waiting for a place to debark. Still, the whole experience was exciting and worth it all.
And this was waiting in the paper for us. Oh well, we'll get'em next year
LATER THAT EVENING, it was to the Zaffos' house for HAPPY NEW YEAR.....2006!!!!
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