Where did June go?

Tuck yourself in..................this is a  long one.

We picked up Lauren and Grandma Neider at the airport on June 4th.  Boy has the month gone fast.  The Fresno Crowleys flew in the next day and we all went to the beach on Saturday, the 5th of June.  We stayed in Corolla at Whalehead Beach for a week of fun and relaxation.  Wow -- it was like heaven.

I don't know how much Grandma Neider paid the guy, but he took her all the way to the car.

Jeremy had to go back to CA on the 12th, but the family stayed another week.  I posted many of the pics in the slide show and more at the bottom of the blog. 

We had such a fun week at the beach.  Everyone in the Crowley Family was able to be at the beach for the entire week.  This hasn't happened for many years.  We are now 16 in number.  Grandma Neider came with for the week and is still visiting with us in Culpeper.  We stayed at Whalehead Beach for the first time on the Outer Banks.  We didn't know if we would love it, but we did.  We were within walking distance of the Corolla Light House.  My niece, Whitney Hopkins visited the Outer Banks for the first time.  Her family stayed in Nags Head, but came up Monday night for grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and fun.  The kids played so well together in the pool.  Loved it.
My week was so wonderful.  Restful -- relaxing -- getting to see the Fresno Crowleys for the week.  What a treat.  The girls cooked fabulous meals.  Melanie made shredded beef Chimi's for our first night.  Wow.  They were a big hit.  Of course Andrew stopped at Carlos O'Kellys for chips and salsa for the meal.  What a feast.
Gabe made us her homemade Lasagne -- A Crowley Favorite -- with her homemade sauce, and now our new tradition is to have watermelon and corn on the cob.  So delicious.  Gabe had this with her family.
Shelly made Italian Farfalle with sausage for us one night.  Ymmmmmm.  We were spoiled.  It's fun to cook fun stuff at the beach.

Then my night......................I asked Matt if he would make us grilled pizza.  He did.................so so good.  I made four batches of pizza dough and away we went.  Matt made his Asian chicken with alfredo pizza.  I can't describe how good it is.  We also let everyone choose their own pizza.  Shelly wanted barbeque chicken, Melanie wanted Hawaiian pizza.  Gabe and I wanted margarita pizza with basil and tomato.  Fresh mozarella of course.  Then for the not so brave -- we made pepperoni.  They were so worth the work.  Thanks Matt.........

We came home from the beach rejuvenated and tired, but on Monday morning up we were to take a train ride from Culpeper to Manassas -- then on to Bull Run.  On Thursday Grandpa took the boys to see the dinosaur tracks at Luck Stone while the girls went to Relief Society for some fun with our Summer Bucket List.  Gabe presented and we had a blast.................More pics will be posted on the next blog with more of June.  We have loved every minute of being with the family.  Good times.

No one has cuter grandkids................

Matt and Emery

Grandma Donna, Jeremy, Matt, Andrea, Tim, Whitney

Jeremy and Tanner

Jeremy and Emery

Emmy

The girls - chillin

Charlotte, Jocelyn, Andrea, Lauren

I think we were sneaking red licorice.

Andrew and Audrey

It doesn't get any better.

Then my bright idea was to get a great casual picture of the kids in the back yard.  I had scheduled a professional photo shoot but the schedule didn't work out.  So...............like herding cats, we tried to get picture.  Here is the result.  We have many good ones of everyone, but never in the same picture.  So we will be moving heads until we get one that is acceptable............I thought a tea party would be fun for them and we could just shoot how darling they are.  They all had coordinating clothes and what could go wrong?

So I am looking for something like this with beautiful expressions.  I'm sure Rich will be able to make it happen .

Jocelyn's Blessing

Jocelyn Crowley

It has taken forever to get this blog finished for Jocelyn's blessing.  It was about one month ago.  Melanie's parents flew in and stayed for four days with us.  We had a really fun time with them.  So.......

What a great day for a blessing for such a sweet little girl.  Her daddy gave her a beautiful blessing and standing with him were Uncle Ken, Cousin Drew, Grandpa Rich, Daddy Andrew, Uncle Matthew, Grandpa Baker, Friend Jason Brown and Friend Justin Blank. 

Andrew, Audrey, Jocelyn and Melanie

                                           Andrew and Justin.........yes, I think they are holding hands.  Ha Ha

I took the little kids upstairs for a couple of games during the lunch to give the parents a break.  Aren't they adorable.  Lottie, Audrey, Sienna, Logan and Cole.                      

Melanie, Erin and Cole Brown

Kara (our neice), Rich and Melanie

Melanie's mother, Carrielee Baker and Jocelyn

Drew (married to Kara) with Jocelyn and Gabe with Nathan

Blessing days are always such a special time for the family.  It gives us a wonderful reason to celebrate a new member of the family.  We are so happy to have such special spirits come to the Crowley Family.  We love each one.  Our grandchildren have wonderful and dedicated parents.  It so joyful to watch them work hard to be good parents.                                                                                            

Blessings

Nathan Matthew Crowley

Two baby blessings in one month. What a joy and a very real blessing. Nathan was blessed the first of the month and Jocelyn was blessed this week. They couldn't be any cuter. We took lots of pictures, but none of the babies. Too much fun going on. Gabe got some cute ones of Nathan and we are dressing Jocelyn back up to get some good pictures.

Lunch at Matt and Gabe's in honor of Nathan.                                                           

 

Shannon Crowley with Nathan

Three cute Crowley Women

Kara, Shannon with Nathan and Gabe

Kara and Shannon

Jordan must have something on Matt

Our beautiful Nathan

This Nathan is such a beautiful and special little guy.  Needless to say, we are crazy about him.  He looks just like his sister Lottie.                                                                                                           

Our Week

Rich is our anchor in the Crowley Family.  His birthday was this week and the family came together for the party.  Gabe made the cake and there were smiles everywhere.

Celebration!  Rich's.  His favorite angel food cake and his request for porcupine meatballs was the menu.  We topped it off with Heath Bar ice cream.  Wow so good. 

He asked Charlotte and Audrey to help blow out the candles.

Don't ask about the blue candle.  It had a purpose, but now I can't remember what it was. 

That's some fun babies in the background.  Gabe with Nathan, Andrew with Jocelyn.  Andrew and Matt are trying to get Nathan to smile.   Melanie is  cleaning up the counter.  Thanks Mel.                                                                                           

Then I started to plant the flower boxes on the deck.  I have to admit they are so cute.  Here is the model for the new deck furnitre from Pier One.  That fab guy Rich.  So fun.

I put these planters together to save the $35 each at Lowes.  I figured I could do them for half that.  I did indeed, but spent $78 more because I found three colors of beautiful iris and shasta daises.  Oh Oh.

Melanie's parents are here staying with all of us.  The baby blessing is tomorrow so hence the flowers needed to be done for the blessing lunch.  Audrey is in little girl heaven.  Once she figured out that she had two sets of Grand parents she was so happy.  My next blog will be the fantastic blessing of two babies in one month in the Crowley Family.