Growing up

On Sunday Soren's mom was holding him and he looked like he had doubled in size!  The good news is he's growing like a weed.  The bad news is he's moving to California.  I'll miss watching him grow up.

R.S. Closing Social

Tonight was our R.S. Closing Social (even though we don't "close") and "bon voyage" gathering for the women that are moving from the ward this summer.  The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious (pulled pork sandwiches, salads, watermelon and cupcakes), the decorations were perfect, and it was great to be with all these wonderful women.

Emmett's cousin Tyson

Sister's sweet bump

My favorite photo of Emmett today

Emmett rides in a fire truck

Firefighter Brian made special arrangements for Emmett to ride in a fire truck today!  It was fun to be with a bunch of LaPierres and share this special day with Emmett (and take over 400 photos).  He liked the flashing red lights, toy fire truck and otter pops the best!

Memorial Day

Arlington National Cemetery - photo taken May 4, 2012.

My RS moment

I wasn't really a fan of sitting in front in Relief Society (since I'm the RSP).  But I remember my friend Julie, a former RSP, saying that when you sit in front you can see all the women and how nice that was (so I do it).

There is a lovely woman in our ward who joined the church last summer.  She's solid and strong and a dear friend.  She is vision impaired and uses braille scriptures, lesson manuals and hymnbooks.  When we started singing the opening song in Relief Society today I noticed she didn't have her hymnbooks (two large notebooks) so I got them out of the closet for her.  During the closing song I looked over and she was singing and smiling and I was filled with the spirit watching her.  Towards the end of the song she closed the notebook and sang the last few lines:

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord
Over mountain or plain or sea;
I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;
I'll be what you want me to be.

As soon as the closing prayer was said, I went right over to her as she was putting her hymnbooks in the closet and told her how touched I was watching her sing, especially at the end of the song.  I was crying and bumbling over my words and she reached out and hugged me and said, "I'm so happy."

Good friends going home

Wonderful missionaries

The Jorgensens are Temple missionaries who are nearing their time to return to Washington State.  They gave fantastic talks today.  Word on the street is they'll be back.

Perfect dinner plans

You go to Kelly's at Revere Beach when it's 82 degrees at 9:00pm and you're looking for somewhere to have dinner.  This bag is a "large" order of onion rings.

The only downside to the evening was the parking ticket.  Who knew you couldn't park along Revere Beach Blvd. after 10:00pm (and who knew to look at the sign?!?).

Wilson Farms

Busy day.  Errands, antiquing, hanging out with good friends.  A quick stop at Wilson Farms to get some flowers (more gerbera daisies).  These patriotic flowers caught my eye.

Carolyn's bump

Un prankster

The airline allowed only ONE bag for free so Adrienne carried a duffle bag with clothes, toiletries and a book.  Her bag seemed heavy as she made her way from one gate to the next during her layover in South Carolina.  Imagine her surprise when she opened it and found a can of black beans. Her brother Ian, back in town, snuck it in her bag.  


We used the can of beans to make a California Pizza Kitchen chicken salad:


cooked chicken cut into little pieces (I use a rotisserie chicken)
2 cans black beans (1 can from Adrie's duffle bag)
2 cans white shoe peg corn
2 avocados, cut into pieces
2-3 tomatoes (I use cherry tomatoes and cut them in half)
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
shredded cheese
ranch dressing


Mix everything together and chill.  When you're ready to serve, add crushed tortilla chips and BBQ sauce.

Sometimes...

...if the line isn't too long, I'll get a breakfast sandwich at the Dunkin' Donuts in the subway station.  Today I got one and when I turned to walk away and there were TWENTY ONE people in line behind me!

I miss her

Being aunt Ellen

Tonight when I dropped Adrienne off at the airport (after pizza at Santarpio's) she handed me a note she had written today (she took her journal over to the cemetery next to my building).  My favorite parts of the letter are:

Thank you for the exquisite cuisine, the horribly depressing cinema, the fun sewing projects, letting me read and relax, and for enduring "What to Expect When You're Expecting".  I love when I get to see you and I love that you keep my dad's spirit alive in me.

This weekend was different -- she was the only person staying at my house unlike year's past, so we spent the whole 4 days together.

Adrienne's a gem and I love being her aunt.

Looking good

Happy Birthday, Sweet P!

Kimballs: a must

Adrie's 8th Ride

Ride for Research 2012

After 22 minutes of bike riding ("training") I went into today's ride thinking I'd go as far as I could and then I'd stop and get a ride back to where we started and our cars were parked.  I went about halfway with some complaining and as we approached one of the road crew vehicles my friend asked if they'd give me a ride back to the start.  I felt like I could go father and decided to keep going.  The Ride was not easy.  I'm old.  I didn't get much sleep last night.  And I'm not in good shape.  About 2 miles from the end I looked to my left and there was a road crew truck right next to me.  The guy asked if I was OK and said they'd toss my bike in the truck and give me a ride to the finish.  I declined their offer.  I thought of Adrienne's first bike ride.  And Robes.  And I kept riding.  A few times I choked back tears and chanted "Robes, Robes, Robes" as I went up the hills. I finished the 25 mile ride in a bit over 3 hours.  I'll admit, it felt good to finish the whole 25 miles (once I was done).  We had a smaller than usual team this year (Brian, Adrienne, me and Rick) but we had a really good time.  Thanks to them for continuing the tradition of PATTON'S ARMY.

If you'd like to donate to the National Brain Tumor Society, you can until the end of July.

Gerbera daisies

I bought some gerbera daisies today to share with friends.  There were enough leftover for me to enjoy some.

My banner

I helped my friend make a banner a few days ago and it was SEW easy I decided to make one for my big window today (while Rider #1 is napping).

Rider #1 has arrived

We're gradually getting ready for Sunday.  Read about Adrienne's first Ride.

Outside Emmett's window

Read about the Dana-Farber tradition here.

Hockfield Day

Today was a community picnic complete with fried chicken (word was there was 2 tons!), salads, cotton candy, ice cream, popcorn, and snow cones.  Oh, and a FLASH MOB!  The weather was perfect and it's always nice to get outside and enjoy a party!

Note: did you notice the MIT balloon?!?

More traffic photography

(Massachusetts Institute of) Technology

He's recording the president elect's remarks.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

This is one of my favorite photos of my dad.  He's 81 today!

I can find something to photograph...

...even in Cape Cod traffic!

My mom

This is my mom pregnant with her first baby, my older brother Robert.  Now that I look at it and notice her flower, I wonder if this was her first Mother's Day (he was born May 21st).

A few moms

Lady Ragnar

Dinner in Newport

I had dinner tonight in Newport with two good buddies.  Adam is in officer training in Newport and Tadd is working in Newport for part of the summer.  We enjoyed delicious Thai food and lots of laughs

One last Ragnar post (I promise)