Moonlight Chapters - The Kids Are Alright

Our summer has been occupied with an assortment of home projects that are now nearing completion, and this writer is happy to say "job well done" to Evangeline. Our new look inside reflects her tastes and inspiration. I love coming home, and just being in our home. I trust Evangeline will soon post some pictures on her home staging, design, and decorating website listed on the right hand margin of this blog.

We’ve also kept active with our outdoor exploits, but the real highlights for us this spring and summer were the graduation of daughter Stephanie; return home from Egypt of daughter Nikki; the first birthday of our daughter Christina's son, and our grandson, Alexander; and daughter Elaina’s wedding to her fine young man Patrick (aka "Paddy") Egan.

Stephanie completed her degree in Public Health at UMASS, Lowell, and was very fortunate to move into a job immediately after graduation. Our family learned long ago the value of internship. She picked a great field with lots of opportunity for growth in the future. Her job allows her to work with younger people by providing various workshops in personal health, but she also finds time to stay involved with her personal interest in theater. Maybe someday we’ll see her at the MRT.

 One whole month of having Nikki home was wonderful. We had time to get to the beach, ride bikes together, go out for dinner, and just hang around to shoot the breeze. She made the best of the time home, and even traveled into Boston and Manhattan to visit college friends and stay a little while with them to catch up. The girl has no problem with travel that's for sure.

Alexander is the first born of our oldest daughter Christina and our son-in-law Alaa. They came up all the way from New Jersey, so Ya Ya and Papou hosted a birthday party in his honor. Some of Christina's high school friends came by with their babies. It looked like we had a nursery going on. The Big Boy is growing, and it won't be long before we introduce him to skiing and biking! There's a bet here that he'll also turn out to be a water baby, and if we're right we'll show him free diving too…. if Mom and Dad don't get too nervous with the idea. We had the chance to take him to the beach during his birthday week, and he looked like he’s going to take to the water just fine.

Nikki and Alexander







 





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Elaina’s wedding was beautiful. The venue was held at the Zukas Farm was Spencer, Mass. They could not have picked a better place for beauty and uniqueness. Think of an estate for the equestrian set. Rolling fields of lush green surround a main event hall constructed of amber beams and alabaster walls, complimented by polished blond hardwood floors. The inviting bar along the back wall from the entrance is cleverly segregated, but not closed off, from the main seating area by a magnificent stone fireplace. The hall gives way to a large, snow white tent permanently erected above a veranda behind the hall overlooking a pond with cascading fountain in the center. The veranda can be accessed from several multi-paned double doors to one side of the main area or down an adjoining hall. To the right of the tent and set further back into the verdant landscape around the pond is a gazebo decorated with vines and low lighting. It became a THE place to hang out, cool off, and share cigars after the post-ceremony dinner, and more than a few dances. The staff did a great job decorating the tent with strings of tiny white and blue lights overhead, and this touch only enhanced the ambiance established by the soft orange sun descending through the cumulus on a perfect night for a 5:30 PM ceremony. Our cousin Peter Alexis performed the nuptials with the grace, wisdom and humor he is so loved for in our family, and with a very moving tribute to his aunt and Elaina’s much loved Godmother, Queena Traggis.

 

For the record, the Bride and Groom looked smashing. Elaina has been sharing pictures of the wedding on her FB account for all to enjoy. 

The opportunity to spend time with our new in-laws included and extended weekend to visit Portland, Maine with them and the newlyweds. A great idea made all the more fun with folks who are a delight to be with and share happy times. We hope to return the favor and visit them next year in Ireland.