Congrats Anne!

Anne is a proud member of the Class of 2008! Her graduation party was held in Toledo on Saturday with the ceremony on Sunday. She's heading to Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, where she wants to continue her studies in journalism. Among other high school activities, she was the editor of her award-winning school newspaper.


Anne with her proud parents (Tom, Jen, Paul, Mindy)



Anne with Schuyler and her cousins Carly, Sarah and Evan.





Dave, Lois and Ann enjoy the festivities.


Dave & Dee
were Anne's
"nannies" - Dave when Anne was just a baby, then Dee took over for the next 17 and a half years!

A future member of the Class of 2024???

June 1 - A Beautiful Day for a Freighter

June 1 was a beautiful day in Cleveland, perfect weather for watching a tugboat pull a long freighter down the Cuyahoga River toward Lake Erie. Here you'll see the freighter Calumet get pulled (backwards) past a drawbridge. First...a look at one of the towers of the drawbridge. The bridge lifts a section of roadway high into the air to give the freighter clear passage. View of the Calumet as it passes under the bridge. The tug pulling the Calumet continues downriver. Ahead, the Goodtime III, a sight seeing vessel, turns to get out of the way and head downriver with the advancing freighter following close behind.
Here's a video of the event. You'll hear some noises--the bridge creaking as it moves up, wind and the bridge's bell. Click/drag the red dot to fast forward.

The Merry Month of May!

May saw many special events. As we welcome June 2008, we salute the special events of May!

Mother's Day celebration at Chez Francois in Vermillion.


Construction began on the remodeling of Carly's rental property on Brayton Avenue in Tremont. The first photo (taken from the rear) shows how the roof has been cut out to make room for an upward expansion to include two bedrooms. The second shows the first floor stripped and ready for a makeover.



Jim poses at the corner of Starkweather and Thurman while he and Barb walked in Tremont enjoying a beautiful Sunday morning. The lot he is on was once owned by his great grandfather, Cornelius Michael O'Sullivan. The house which once stood on the property is where Jim's Dad, Cornelius J. Pearce, was born in 1910. The Orthodox cathedral in the background was built a few years later.
New townhomes in Tremont, near the cathedral and just around the corner from Carly's house.
Anne strikes a pose in her senior prom evening gown.


Barb poses with two of her homeroom students at the Lakewood High School senior prom.
LHS prom attendees enjoy the chocolate fountain.
Michaela waits for Granddad to come read her a book.

Enjoy Spring and Conserve!

The word is out that Carly has been seen scooting around town this Spring. Sure enough, she paused long enough for this picture to show how she's enjoying Spring AND conserving energy at the same time. Wow!

Signs of Spring

Here are some signs of Spring found recently.
The weeping cherry in the backyard sprouts beautiful blossoms.
Patti, John and Barb make their first visit in 2008 to Jacobs, er, Progressive Field.
Barb and Jim fly a kite.


Barb and Carly took this picture at Amelia Island Plantation, site of their Spring fling.

First Melanie Visits, then Ice and Snow!

Melanie was in town recently for two baby showers. We enjoyed a wonderful visit with her!

Nature must have been inspired for next we were visited by an ice storm and then, today, a huge snowstorm. Wow!

Carly and Melanie strike a pose at Pier W.
Those aren't raindrops on the branches. That's ice!
Evidence of today's huge snowfall.
Jim attempts to measure the new snow...more than a foot!
Our house looks like a scene out of Dr. Zhivago.

Jim's Recent Trip To New York

Jim spent most of this past week in New York where he provided childcare services for Michaela and visited with Jeff and Lexi, Melanie and Mo, Nicole, and Dennis and Alice. Time with Michaela was very special indeed! Included were the following activities:
* Delightful visit to the Long Island Children's Museum.
* Parent/Child Workshop with Lexi and Michaela at the Rockville Centre Public Library.
* Lap-sit Storytime at the Oceanside Public Library.
* Outdoor walks including one to a nearby park to visit geese, ducks and one crane.
* Granddad and Michaela making faces at each other, among other funny things.

All in all, it was a fantastic visit!

Michaela and Mom open a Valentine's Day gift from GB and Granddad. Michaela loves the gift AND the card. Special thanks to GB.

At the Long Island Children's Museum.
Michaela discovers construction equipment. Could Coast to Coast Equipment, working with Carly and Tiffany, be in Michaela's future?
Working on the lobster boat.
Preparing to make giant bubbles.
The bubble wand fits nicely over the head.
A pause in the action.
A day in the life of Michaela. From throwing footballs to checking on sleeping Puppet, Ms. M leads an active life!
At the Rockville Centre Library.
See Melanie's Store.
On the way back to Cleveland I stopped in Paramus NJ to see Melanie's store. Here it is just prior to opening for business.