How do you wrap this gift?

 

 

It's been a while since I talked about Mark's family, but today I am so excited, I can't wait to tell you about it.

 

This is Mark's sister, Debra:

 

 

 

 She's married to Mark

 

 

and they had three lovely kids, this is Stephen, Sarah and Lauren... 

 

 

 

Of course, that was a long time ago...

 

Those kids grew up,

they were such a lovely family...

 

 

 

But you know, things can't stay the same forever...

eventually the kids all went to college

and then found true love...

 

 

Lots of cool stories there,

but for today, let's talk about...

 

Sarah and Tom!

 

 

Last year, Sarah and Tom were doing some early Christmas shopping.  What could they get Debra and Mark, who have EVERYTHING?

 

They thought and thought and thought...and finally came up with the gift to end all gifts...

A thumb-sucking grandson!

 

 

Now you can't just go out and get one, you have to order it...and wait...

 

 

 

and wait...

 

 

 

and take advantage of some perks...

 

 

And wait a little more...

 

 

 

And finally....it was time...

 

 

To keep on waiting!

 

It didn't take long, honestly!

 

And on Friday, December 7, 2012,

 

Gino Thomas

entered the world...

 

He was

6 lbs, 11oz; 18 3/4 inches long,

a tiny little thing that added so much love and hope to his family!

 

He was welcomed by his parents...

 

 

His aunt, Dr. Lauren, couldn't stay away...

 

Uncle Stephen was amazed...

 

 

Grandpa was in awe...

 

 

 Grandma glowed...

 

 

And Gino Thomas just looked handsome and aloof...

 

 

He's home now, and all is well...

 

 

 

See what can happen when  two people fall in love?

 

 

Mark and Debbie, you started it!

 

Welcome to the world, Baby Gino!

It takes sooo little...

A few weeks ago, Andy, Tony and I went out for dinner.  On our way home, Tony got a call from their friend, Tom, who said he had a cell phone cover for Tony.  Before I could say a word, we were on our way to Tom's house.

As I sat outside of Tom's house...

I got bored and started playing with my camera.  I focused on a bike on the back of Jon's car, in front of me...

Just then, Andy, Tony, Jon and Tom came out and spotted this...

A tricycle in the neighbor's trash!  Before I knew it, the tricycle was in Jon's car and we were headed for the parking garage in town...

The guys were so excited!  They couldn't wait to take turns riding on the trike...

Tom pulled out his skate board, Jon got on the trike...

Next it was Andy's turn on the trike...

There he goes!!!

Everyone has to get in the act...Here comes Tom....

Whoopsie!

Tony?  Aren't you going to go?

They just kept going...GO!  GO! Andy!!!!

 

Of course, they can't be happy to just ride taking turns...

Let's ride tandem?

A triple?

What?  They won't fit?  Hey, someone bring that skate board!

I think they've got it!

Ahhhhh, it's cold, it's late and it's time to go home.  Time to retire the trike....

Good night Jon, good night, Tom!

Tell me again, the difference between men and boys? I'm not suure I can tell. 

Yes, I am blessed!  Now YOU go out and be a blessing to someone.

See you soon,

Love,

Jan

Black and white...

I guess a lot of you haven't heard, last October I got a new (to me) car:  a 1992 VW Cabriolet:

It was time to replace the old mini van that made me look like a soccer grandmother. Mark and the boys had tons of suggestions for practical and useful cars.  This may sound selfish but I wanted a car that was MINE, not one that the guys would grab when they wanted to carry bikes or 2x4s or dogs.

With Mark's blessing, I went on a (5 minute) car hunt.  It was love at first sight.  I named her Bre.

Normally I drive 3 to 4 thousand miles a year.  Between October '10 and April '11, I drove 2000, most with the top down.  Sometimes Mark acted as my co-pilot, but almost every sunny day with temps above freezing, I bundled up in winter coat, scarves, mittens and took a topless ride.

Everyone that saw her said she was the perfect car for me.

The other day one of the boys' friends, Tom, sent me a text asking if I would be home, that he was bringing his new (to him) car up for me to see:

 Road trip anyone?