2017-12-03 - Sunday - Stephanie's birthday

We went to Greenville on Sunday to celebrate Stephanie's birthday a few days early. Karen go her a gluten-free, dairy-free cake and it was delicious.

First, we went out for a nice dinner, then back to Stephanie and Brett's apartment for cake.

All too soon it was time to hop back in the car and head home.

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2016-06-24 - Friday - My birthday

On Friday we went to Rusty's Deli for a quick burger so we still had time to make it to the movies. We saw Finding Dory and really enjoyed it.

On the way out of Rusty's I noticed the cloud formation. It looked like a mushroom cloud in the distance and was quite dramatic.

Boom.

Stephanie and Meredith got this for me.
I will finally get to see the whole series.

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2016-03-29 - Tuesday - Eva's Birthday

Tuesday we celebrated Eva's birthday a day early. We had a nice dinner and then shared her great pound cake from a local bakery.

Earlier in the day we took Karen's dad for a haircut and I was amused at the grammatical error rendered in neon. It's also painted on the window.

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2015-04-21 - Tuesday - Many things

Tuesday was my father-in-law's birthday. He turned 86 and we all wish him the best and many more. I pulled this photo from my sister-in-law's Facebook post since they are in PA. We were there in spirit, anyway.

John Pellow on his 86th birthday.

The cankerworms have done a number on our maple trees. The leaves look like doilies and I hope the tree can recover. I've got to remember to band the trees in the fall.

I went to Clayworks and made a lidded pot.

I don't make lids too often, but when I do they go on top of the pot. :8^)

And that's all there is to say about that.

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2014-07-13 - Sunday - Meredith's birthday

Sunday was Meredith's birthday and she came home for a visit.  Stephanie came home too and it was nice having a full house for a few days.  Binkley sure liked having the girls here.  I cooked a couple of meals for the whole family for a change and even baked a lemon cake (not the one pictured below).

All too soon Stephanie had to get back for work and Meredith had to leave a few days later.  Life went back to what is now normal, but it was a nice glimpse of the way it used to be around here.

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July 13 - Meredith's Birthday

Friday was Meredith's birthday and Stephanie made her cupcakes.  Her friends at the barn celebrated with her during the day and we had a family celebration after supper.  Happy Birthday Meredith!

These kids grow up so fast.

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June 24 - Beach walk

Sunday was my birthday and Karen bought a delicious cake for me from the bakery downtown.  After we all had our cake several of us went for a long walk on the beach.

The sky over the sea was beautiful, with puffy clouds.

The land side with the setting sun was beautiful too, but a whole different story.

Rich, Scott, Meredith, and Karen.

We saw more ghost crabs this year than any other so far.  Everywhere we walked they were either diving back in their holes or running madly across the sand.  I'm always amazed at how fast they run.  Wikipedia says that the scientific name is Ocypode which is derived from the Greek roots "ocy-" meaning "fast" and "podos" meaning "foot".  I concur.

Sitting still for a moment.

On the way back we found a mermaid someone had made in the sand.  She had sea grass hair and shells on her tail.  She was beautiful, but due to the low light, I couldn't get all her details in one photo.

Almost home.

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2010-11-03 Wednesday - Joe's Birthday Celebration

Wednesday we had quite a celebration for Joe's birthday.  Melissa brought in some pizzas, cupcakes and several libations for us all to enjoy.  We all wished Joe a very happy birthday and enjoyed our time together.  I've said it many times:  We have great people at Clayworks and we have a lot of fun.

Celebratin'.

The four horsemen of something...

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2009-12-06 Sunday - Stephanie's Birthday

We celebrated Stephanie's birthday on Sunday with a small cake and just us.  She requested dinner at Sonic Drive-In and then we came back to the house for cake and gifts.  She will have a party some time in January since her friends are always busy this time of year.  December birthdays are a challenge.

Stephanie loves chocolate cake.

(Who doesn't?)

Birthday girl with smiling hard.

A lava lamp was one of her gifts.

Binkley was eying that cake.

Saturday - night

Saturday night we went out for some barbecue at Elliot's to celebrate Karen's birthday on Sunday. My parents stopped in for the night on their way home from Florida and some friends met us at the restaurant to surprise Karen.

Lisa, Daniel, Christopher (looking pensive) and Tom.

Karen, Jet, Jennie, Lindsey, Cathi (hiding), and Matthew.

My parents, John and Pat.
(Stephanie has turned her back on the camera.)

The many moods of Stephanie

Saturday was Stephanie's birthday and she and Meredith had signed up for Santa's Bag. It's an event where little kids are led by "elves" through a low cost shopping excursion for their relatives. Our kids went through it when they were younger and now they the elves helping other children. It completes a nice circle.

Stephanie and Laura.

Stephanie and Amanda.

That's one forlorn elf.

Meredith and Stephanie.

Still in the same room.

After our annual excursion to Tony Roma's (Stephanie's favorite, right after Taco Bell), we came home to a Carvel ice cream cake and Kung Fu Panda.