Play day at Nani Jane's/Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, soon to be fathers! Know that you are loved and are soooooooo important to us. May God bless you today and always!

Friday, Gabrielle spent the day at Nani Jane's. Uncle Daniel and Aunt Rachel were here to play as well. Uncle Daniel bought a Winnie the Pooh bubble maker (battery operated, of course) for Gabrielle. As you can she, she had a blast. We all had such fun. Probably the biggest change is that she is truly loving walking and makes sure she really gets all her miles in before bedtime.

Just a small rendition of Gabrielle showing just how bright she is.

Just say, "Ta-da!" and this is what she does!!!

If she has anything that remotely looks likes or can act like a cell phone and you say "hello", this is what she does!!! A little scary, huh?

Where's your belly???

All in all, this was a fantastic week. We actually were blessed to have ALL the kids in the house at the same time - twice!!!! My heart was so full of joy! Honestly, I think that is my MOST favorite thing IN THE WORLD!!! Love to all this Father's Day!

As you can see, Gabrielle gave her daddy something to remember on Father's Day. Lindsay and Gabrielle went to Mass with Thomas at the cathedral for Father's Day (Thomas does the live broadcase of the Mass in our diocese for the shut ins) and while he was setting up, Lindsay had Gabrielle outside. You can imagine the combination of a baby just learning to walk and LOVING the new found mode of transportation and an uneven sidewalk........YUP, in true Duran style, Gabrielle managed her first royal face plant (I am sure this will NOT be her last!). What you can not see very well in the picture is the "egg" on her forehead. Fortunately, her only cried for about a minute and she was on her way! You can tell by the last picture, she was NOT going to let a little face plant get in her way of Aunt Rachel giving her a ride in the bin that Nani Jane stores her daycare toys. We just call her Gabrielle-in-the-box!!

Until next time...............peace!

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend was a blast. I got a lot of fun projects done - finished making a dress WITH A MATCHING HAT (stinking cute) for Gabrielle, got started on another quilt, and started creating my Christmas cards (don't hate me - I do this every year)! We got to see Gabrielle quite a bit this weekend (even got to spend the night on Sunday night while Mom and Dad had grown up time and date night), which is always a treat. But, I think the most fun was having all the kids and a few of their friends, as well as the other grandparents, over for an impromptu bbq. I suppose the pinnacle of the day was seeing Gabrielle REALLY walking for the first time. What a blessing it was to have all the family their to see it. And now you can too! These are the moments that technology is SOOOOOO wonderful. As usual, I had my camera near by and was able to video the event. Enjoy!

On the rest of the family front, the latest news is that Daniel will be moving August 1st into a beautiful little house. He will be renting and has a great roommate. We're all so happy and excited for him. He's very excited to see his "stuff" after 2+ years in storage. His new place is in Tempe and not very far from here or work. They say location, location, location is everything! He certainly scored in that area. He's also done quite a bit of traveling this year. California, New Orleans, St. Louis and has been really enjoying it. He's started back with teaching private lessons (violin and viola) and enjoys that as well.

The other bit of news is that on September 12 Rachel will be moving to New York. Specifically, working in Times Square and living in Brooklyn. In the usual Rachel style, she's already got a job (with benefits) and an apartment complete with 2 roommates all set and waiting for her arrival. This is one of those love/hate occasions. While, in my heart, I believe she was born to do this and am overflowing with joy and excitement for her, and knowing she will succeed beyond beyond, I (we) will miss her terribly. I've so enjoyed having her in the same city for the last year. It seems we just barely got her nearby (after her being gone for 4 years) and we have to say have a safe trip once again! The upside to this is she has already booked her flight home for Christmas and will be here for a couple of weeks. She's going to sell EVERYTHING (well, just about everything), pack what she can in 3 suitcases and begin her adventure! (Ok, so here's my shameless promotion - she's got quite a bit to sell: car, bedroom set, microwave, really nice desk, 2 couches, a couple of lamps, and probably a bunch of misc stuff - so, if you need/want anything, just let me know. OR, if you know of anyone, again, just let me know! The more she sells, the more $ she has to move with AND the less I have get rid of after she leaves!!!!!

We are all looking forward to Anny's wedding in August and the arrival of the newest grand nephew in September! Congrats to Anny & Brian and Elizabeth and Kevin! I also want to say how excited I am to have another sibling earn their membership card to the grandparent's club. Welcome Chas & Margaret! A little FYI for those who might be interested: Anny & Elizabeth will having their joint/combined bridal/baby shower in St. Louis on Sunday, July 5. It really was the only way/date that both girls to be in St. Louis at the same time. Personally, I think it is a brilliant idea! Anyway, Elizabeth & Kevin are doing the nursery in khakis and greens with monkeys as the theme (how cute is that???) and Anny and Brian are registered at Target and William Sonoma and her colors are platinum and all shades of pink (gorgeous)!!

Daniel and I are for sure flying to St. Louis for the wedding (Daniel is doing the music - so proud of him). Rachel is not sure yet but with her pending move, it's still a little iffy. Anyone else going???

Ric has been extremely busy with work. His latest assignment is going to be a huge one - a brand new (and big) fire station here in the City of Mesa. It will be very challenging and he is really looking forward to it. It should last for several months and is yet another really big feather in his cap. He also has a trip planned in June - back to Cali for 4/5 days - back to the yacht that he so enjoyed last October. He assures me that he will NOT have another "accident" that will require any more surgery. I've been praying - A LOT!!!

As usual, you can see - there's never a dull moment in the Duran household. I don't think I would have it any other way!!! Until next time..................

We have a theme.............

We were blessed to have Gabrielle the entire weekend. Lindsay was in California at a huge DECCA Conference/convention with 5 of her students and Thomas had to work. A side note: congratulations Lindsay, of the 2 of her students that were on the competition side of the conference one placed in the top 20 and the other placed in the top 8...............and this was out of 1500 kids competing. Awesome job Lindsay (and congrats to your students as well). She was very happy considering she teaches at a relatively small school in the, what a lot of people of consider, obscure little town of Queen Creek, Arizona. Anyway, Gabrielle was her usual busy, happy little girl. But, as you can see, over the last couple of months a theme has developed. She LOVES being UNDER things..........tables, chairs, end tables, her tent. Who needs toys when you can let her play under something. We had a blast with her and are so thankful that Thomas and Lindsay give us these opportunities to spend time with her.

Gabrielle's 1st Birthday!

Front door complete with name, mailbox, and pickett fence.

Well........here it is!!! The "girly fort" I made for Gabrielle's 1st birthday! It goes over a cardtable. It was a big hit with all the kids so I'm thrilled to know that she will get several years of fun out of this. I think Mom and Dad were happy as well - they realized just how easy it will be to set up AND put away and store!

Our day was truly wonderful and blessed. We went to Thomas and Lindsay's house for the party. Our hearts were so filled with joy as we witnessed the love for Thomas, Lindsay and Gabrielle through the many, many family and friends that joined in their celebration! Gabrielle had all her aunts, 3 of her cousins from the McCulla side as well as the grandparents and one great grandmother. And from the Duran side, she had Great Aunt Jenny, Great Uncle David, Aunt Rachel, cousins Christina and, of course, Grandpa Ric and Nani Jane. Thanks so much for coming and celebrating! As you can see from the pictures - fun was had by all and Thomas and Lindsay were so welcoming and threw a great party! It is so much fun (and a true blessing) to see your children healthy and happy. It was also a lot of fun going to the party having done minimal work! Enjoy the pictures..........

Pretty flowers


Notice the two dogs - just like Costco and Macy, their black and chocolate labs


Yes, the 10 apples can be "picked" and placed in the basket below


Peek-a-boo....hello everyone!


Grandpa Ric and Papa McCulla


Grandpa Ric


Papa McCulla


Great Grandma Dora McCulla


Cousin Christina Duran & Aunt Rachel


My 1st birthday

Opening gifts

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you......

I think I want the pink one

Yum

Enough of this "dainty" stuff - give me that cake!

That's better - yummo

Ahhhhhhhhh.....there's nothing like a milk chaser!

Easter, 2009

We had a most blessed Triduum and Easter. We started with Holy Thursday Mass celebrating the institution of the priesthood, service, and the Eucharist. Of course, Good Friday next with THE most incredible proclamation of the Passion - completely sung by our music ministers with our own Daniel humbling proclaiming the part of Jesus. It absolutely brought tears to the eyes of many. Then Saturday night we participated in the Easter Vigil - one of my most favorite Masses of the year. Although it's much longer than regular Sunday Mass, it overflows with Sacrament, ritual, and tradition. A total emcompassing of what church is. Again, we're just so proud of Daniel and all the liturgy staff and musicians at our parish. I'm not sure the experience that you are enveloped with can be found anywhere else. How blessed we are to have this kind of community right in our own backyard. Sunday morning my family gathered at my sister Bobbi's home for our traditional Easter brunch. Thanks Bobbi for hosting all these many years. It's always wonderful and I know that Mark and you work very hard. It shows and is greatly appreciated. Love ya bunches. We were especially blessed this year. Jenny is doing so well after her breast cancer surgery that she was there and looking absolutely fantastic. Also, we warmly welcome Emily Kempe into our Catholic faith. Emily was received into the church Saturday night at the Newman Center. Thanks Em for reminding us just how important (and alive) our faith is. It's not what we do - it's who we are! Later that afternoon, the Duran Clan traveled to the McCulla home (Gabrielle's other grandparents - Thomas' in-laws) and joined them for Easter dinner - and what a feast it was. It was especially nice because Daniel was finally done with work and was able to join us as well. So, we had all the "little chicks" gathered in the nest. How I have so come to treasure and cherish these moments. Of course, the McCulla family was most gracious, welcomed us warmly, and stuffed us to the gills. It was great being with them again. It had been a very long time, several surgeries (Rachel, Ric, Dusty, etc.) since we'd been able to get together with them. Thanks for being such good in-laws to Thomas and friends to us. We all got home around 7 p.m.ish and promptly fell into bed. A good, very good weekend all around!

Easter basket from Nani Jane & Grandpa Ric