South Africa

For anyone who doesn't know, we are heading to South Africa over break. We will be in Stanger, a town near Durban. We leave on Tuesday the 16th and get back on the 26th. The trip is being organized through The Circle of Love Foundation. One of the students in Owen's class, her parent's started this medical missions foundation and organized a trip to coordinate with our break. We are not exactly sure of what we will be doing over there, but it will include a medical clinic, visiting the squatters camps, along with other things. We will also be going on a game drive to Hluhluwe Game Park, where there are supposed to be the "Big Five," lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. We're pretty excited about everything, it should be a great trip and an amazing experience. We have a new camera which will hopefully capture our time there, and maybe some of the "5" ;) let's hope! Look for a post trip update in early September once we're back and caught up. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers throughout this time, especially for safety over everything. 

Brunetti Wedding

Congratulations to two of my favorite people, it was a wonderful day, thank you for having me be a part of it, love to you both!

The main reason for my trip home was for Michelle and Evan's wedding. It was a wonderful day, full of fun and love. I was so thankful to be able to be a part of their day. Michelle was a beautiful, classic bride and Evan looked great, and both were so happy. They had both the ceremony and reception at the Simsbury Inn which worked out very well. It was 105* that day so we all appreciated staying in one place, inside. The Inn had many nice backdrops for pictures and I am excited to see their professional pictures. I have a few pictures from my camera, and a few borrowed from other peoples. The first few are from the rehersal dinner at the Brunetti's house, I brought back little island outfits for my "nephews" which they loved. Then a few pictures from the wedding. Well enjoy the pictures.

Aidan, age 5

Connor, age 3

Now they match Owen!

Getting ready

The Beautiful Bride

"Sisters"

My brother, Jared

Family

Summer in the States

Chihuly

I just returned to the island after spending most of July in Connecticut (hence the lack of posts lately). I had a wonderful trip and was a little sad to head back to the island, although I was happy to be with Owen again. The weather was amazing, I spent the entire first day back outside. We had a cookout with the neighbors, I went to the town fireworks with one of my neighbors, then we had a bonfire on the street. It was the perfect adjustment back to life in the states. I did a lot of shopping for things we needed back on island. It was a little overwhelming to drive and shop with so many choices and people. It took a few days to get used to it all again. Aside from spending the first week shopping, I went to Misquamicut (my childhood beach) with my Dad, spent a lot of time with the rest of my family, hung out with some friends, got a few doctors appointments out of the way, and had a relaxing vacation. The next week was Michelle and Evan's wedding, details in the next posting. And my final week at home was more time with the family and relaxing. Overall it was a great trip home, though it went by way too quickly. Here are just a couple highlights.

Chihuly Art Exhibit at MFA Boston

Family Lake House

Landgren House (much different than the snowy pictures from the Christmas post)

"Pod 1"

AUC (red roofs)

Mullet Bay (our beach)