Mandarin Tigers

My grandson, Gabe, played in a regional Pop Warner football championship game this morning in Orlando. Mary Jo, Joe, Allan and I traveled over there to see him play in this important game!
What an impressive team! Better than Florida State! I was so proud.

My daughter brought the baby along, Hope enjoyed Kristin's feather boa in the team's colors.

She sat in my lap the entire last quarter mugging for the camera and playing with a noise maker.

Posing with Poppy!

Although they lost by only 2 points, they played their hearts out! The coach peps them up at the end of the game. I hear they are planning a fantastic team party to celebrate going all the way!

The family that plays together, stays together! Good job , Lewis family. Wait' til next year!

Thanksgiving 2010

Eighteen family members and special guests celebrated Thanksgiving 2010 at Matt and Jessie
Cillian's home. Banquet tables were set up in the great room and beautifully decorated with golden tablecloths and napkins, flickering votive candles and mini flower arrangements. Soft classical music played in the background.


Chef Matt prepared the main dish – roasted turkey. So good! Honey baked ham was also on the menu. Everyone brought a dish – from salads to mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls. So many good things to choose from. Desserts also!


My sister, Mary Jo and her grandson, Joey. He loved seeing everyone after his nap!

Mom and my sister Lois. Mom is proud of her high school reunion tee shirt.

Our lovely hostess, Jessie, and her mom, Nancy. Jessie's two sisters and niece were also invited.



Joey ate like a champ and we all agreed it was a very delicious meal! Leftovers were divided up, family stories were told around the table, and my brother-in-law, Joe, even volunteered to do the dishes. Of course, we were using fancy paper plates.

Thank you Matt and Jessie for hosting a successful family event! We had a great time!

October 24

Even though it's October, there is still plenty of beach weather in Florida. October 24 is our wedding anniversary. And our favorite Florida place is the beach.

So we packed up our chairs and a yummy picnic supper and headed out to Pass-A-Grille Beach.
It was a warm but delightful evening.

I found some cool shells and we sat and toasted the sunset. And feasted on chicken and cold salads and chips and wine.



We topped it off with some gourmet red velvet cupcakes!

A perfect sunset!

Pops in the Park

One of our favorite annual St. Pete events occurred this past Saturday in Vinoy Park. The Florida Orchestra performs each fall along the waterfront downtown to thousands of picnicking families. Including us!

Allan was in charge of packing the basket and this year wine and cheese, Cuban sandwiches, fresh veggies, and chocolate chip cookies were gobbled up while listening to the beautiful music.

The concert always ends with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and, of course, FIREWORKS! Please pardon my camera – the batteries died just as the light show started! So no pictures of the fireworks.

This is by far the best free show in town! Plan on joining us next year!

Cheers!

A perfect moonlit night

The Florida Orchestra

Blessing the Animals

Monday, October 4th, is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of animals. The families of St. Raphael's were invited to bring their pets for a special blessing by Deacon Jim. We gathered earlier this evening by the school sports field for special readings, holy water blessings and prayers. Everyone had a good time.

McGee looking around at all the other dogs!


Mom brought Socks!


Deacon Jim meets McGee and Socks

Family Tree

My Granddaughter, Grace, has a school project exploring family trees. Over dinner last night, I asked for names and dates from my parents and wrote everything down. Here is what I learned:

I, Niki Yennie, am the oldest for four children born to Mary Catherine Kearney and Eugene Vern Yennie. I was born on March 19,1953. John Vern was born on August 14, 1954. Lois Gene was born on December 2, 1955, and Mary Josephine (Mary Jo) was born on December 19, 1956. We are all still alive.

My mother was born on Feb.2 1932 and my father was born on June 8. 1929. They are both still living.

On my mother's side- her mother was Otillia Kampe. She was born on August 24, 1905. She died on December 7, 1976. Her father, Paw John ( John William Kearney) was born on September 15, 1904 and died on October 6, 1997. She had no siblings.

Otillia's mother was Kate Slocombe and her father was William Kampe. Born in mid 1870's and he died young (1913) and Kate lived until early 1950's. Otillia had 4 brothers and 1 sister.

John's mother was Catherine Sweeney (from Ireland) and his father was Michael Kearney ( from South Shields, England). They both died in mid 1950's. John had 2 brothers and 4 sisters.

On my father's side - His mother was Norma Meisenheimer. She was born on September 26, 1908 and she died on Feb.11, 1995. His father was Vern Edward Yennie. Not much is known as he left the family when Eugene was 7 years old. His sister was Lois. She only lived 4 years.

Norma's mother was Albertina Zastrow and her father was Henry Meisenheimer. Tina was born on Oct. 25, 1885 and died on March 5, 1949. Henry was born on Nov. 30, 1882 and died on August 2, 1958. Norma had 2 brothers and 4 sisters.
Nothing is known about Vern Edward's family.

McGee is 5!

McGee celebrates his birthday on August 1st because that is the day we adopted him from the rescue home. His favorite thing is going to PetsMart and picking out a new toy. He's absolutely into this and knows where he is as soon as we pull up into the parking lot. This year he picked out a soft, squeaky monkey to add to his toybox. Happy Birthday, McGee!

New Look!

okay,I have not fallen off the planet. And since I was forced to change the look of my blog, I figured I might as well write a new post.

Since it's summertime, it's HOT. And rainy. I do manage to get outside three times each day to walk McGee, but we spend most of our time inside in the ac. People was still buying new furniture,so work is busy. Allan is still selling his books and playing on his computer. We have sort of settled into a summertime routine.

I look forward to Sundays. We have two new priests at St. Raphael's. We get to catch up on the news with other family members and friends. I am taking Holy Communion to an elderly couple at the Masonic home after Mass.

We are looking at beach property. Something with maybe a retail space attached so Allan can sell his books. Found something at Pass-A-Grille Beach -- just not sure yet. It's just too hot to think about moving!