Catching Up June

It has been since little Tulia Beesley was born that I wrote.  I miss doing so, and have no real excuse.  I thought though that even if it is only to reflect on my amazingly full life, I really wanted to get some pictures and thoughts down for my family.  So here goes.  I know it is sad to some that my photographic life seems to be dominated by birds, but I am sure lucky in that sense as well.

 

 upon our return from the Biggest Week, Brig and I were pretty excited to share our birding with the rest of the family, and had (yes had) to watch The Big Year with everyone.  Anders got really excited, and so Brig and I took he and cousin Wyatt down to Herinck's Cove for a little dawn birding!

We got a list of 15 in a couple of hours, including the Veery, shown above and below.



The Gray Catbird



A very striking little Chestnut Sided Warbler



And perhaps as beautiful from the back as any bird on the planet, the Blue Jay, found only in the eastern US.



Upon our return to Scholls, it was time for the Semi-Annual Piano recital for Paula's students.  This was the first one to be held at the Lodge, and it was really a great setting.  Even though the 130 year old Steinway we shipped out from Vermont was not everything we hoped it would be, it was and is perfect for the Lodge, and was a great piano for the recital students.  Paula looks good at it doesn't she!



So does little Jacob, as did all the great students!

 

 Paula made each of the students a certificate to show their completion of the program for the year. 



 Of her 16 students, 12 are grandchildren!  The oldest of the student-grandchildren Lyann Pham (who is becoming quite an accomplished pianist and even composer), presented Grandma with a bouquet of flowers.  In Grandma's arms is Dorthy, certainly a future piano student!

 

 Speaking of the Lodge, it has been a really busy summer.  It looks great and has been the site of some very fun family reunions, wedding gatherings and even a funeral gathering for a family who lost a dad.  Paula is really enjoying the experience of working with the brides, grandparents and others who are experiencing the special spirit of the "farm". 



 

 

 The other big event in June was a Wright family gathering in Yosemite National Park in California.  Uncle Ty had rented a house with a pool that was the primary gathering place for meals etc.  From there we explored the park and just enjoyed each others company. 



Fun in the Pool



And Out!



Some like Jasmine were pretty excited to be there.



While others were just chillin, like Weston and CC.



Not much in the way of birds, but I did get this shot of a Brewer's Blackbird.



This valley, formed by a glacier moving downstream is full of beautiful scenery. 










From high in the mountains above the valley were some amazing views, including of the famous Half Dome!







One of the main activities in Yosemite is rock climbing.  The famous rock face El Capitan is one of the most famous in the world.  Our own Tucker even had some of the family on the rock!



To look up at the face of El Cap is nothing short of breathtaking.  Here with the Tiet and Ty Pham family in the foreground is a shot of the whole rock.



Even from a great distance it really appears imposing.



With scopes and long lenses, we were even able to see people sleeping on the side of the rock face.  Imagine hauling all that gear up the mountain.



One of the highlight activities in the park is rafting the Merced river.  Of course the Vial boys had to organize a mega rafting trip that proved to be a real hit!

From the launch point





To the last man in (Spencer what's up?)



It was definitely an experience.  I am not quite sure that the Do family had enough to wear however!



Folks were chillin'



Executing full speed ramming action



And generally having a great time.



Nothing quite like a family reunion.

Well so much for a June update.  Life is full, I just need to make sure that my camera is along to get it recorded!

D-Day and a New Baby!

On June 6, 1944, 160,000 American, British and Free French troops participated in the largest land invasion ever executed.  Landing on the shores of Normandy after crossing the English Channel from England, this famous battle changed the history of all of western civilization.

June 6, 2012 found our daughter Alicia up at dawn to make her appointment to be induced for baby number two.  The appointment for 5 am was postponed to noon, then cancelled, then rescheduled for 6 pm.  We are now here at 8 pm, and so is the pitocin!  In the military D-Day is the traditional term for the go date, and for Alicia and her very large tummy, this was truly a D-Day!!!!

 Ok, this is the grandchild countdown.  Hai Lien and Kyle have 2, Kasandra (20) and Teresa (19), and 2 boys Jacob (5) and Jayden (1).  Hoa   and Thuy  have 4, Lyann (16), Vivian (14), Dillan (10) and Mia (5). Tiet   and Ty  have 3, Diana (15), Taylor (10) and Tyler (8).  Cuong   and Linh have 2, Kayla (14) and Regan (6).  Nic  and Hailey have 4, Kennedy (11), Sierra (7), Ava and Bree (twins 6).  Chuong  and Liyan have 3, Eva (10), Victor (8) and Felix (5).  Chi (not one who lived with us, but sister of  Cuong, Choung and Chinh) and Diep have 2, Sarah (12) and Alvin (5) whom we are now happily counting among our grandchildren as well.  Michelle and Brig have 3, Anders (7), Madeline (5) and Edmund (3).  Thuan and Hien have 2 son's, Carl (9), and Ken (1).  Chinh  and Tammy have 2 boys, Ethan (8) and Galvin (5).  Chris and Kenni have 2, Zuri (2) and Dot (1), and the primary subject of this post Alicia and Tucker  have Weston (2) and NOW...(born on June 7).........  Tulia Paula, 7 lbs 15 oz. and 21 inches and CUTE!!!!!!!!!!  Bringing the grand total to 33!

Six pm and it is the dreaded IV!



7 pm and everything seems perfect!



8 pm and the hook up.  Pitocin is a drug that induces and increases contractions. 



And increase contractions it did!



So for the next few hours we had the roller coaster of contractions sprinkled with relaxation.





She had a great cheering section, and as Nine and Ten PM came and went, progress came slowly.







Finally about Ten-thirty, the troops were getting a bit tired, and began to thin out.





By about 11:30 Alicia was beginning to feel it, but just not enough progress was being made.  She made the very good decision to have an epidural about midnight, and it made all the difference.







By two am, everyone, including Alicia was getting some rest, and anticipating the big event.





At a little after three am, the very cool Dr. Baptiste came in with her amazing smile and announced that it was showtime!



By shortly before 4, all of the prep had been done, and Alicia was excited, and between contractions observing how much she was looking forward to meeting her child.  Remember that no one knew the sex of this baby until birth.



At 3:54, the first big push occurred. 



And by 3:56 am, we all got to meet her.  Took Tucker about 3 tries to figure out the plumbing, and the nurse still asked about a minute later if we were working with blue or pink!





These moments with Mom, Dad and baby are not to be missed.  I sure appreciate Tucker and Alicia being willing to share them with us.







Tulia is a name gifted to Tucker and Alicia from her friends at Sowers of Hope in Bukavu, DRC.  This is the school for orphans of the violence which bled over from Rwanda a decade ago and still results in many who would have nowhere if not for schools like this.  The name means peace and serenity.  I am not too sure about that name, as she seems a lot like Alicia, but I really think it is cool that they were given this gift. This one is clearly strong, confident and aware.  I can't wait to get to know her.



Tucker is a great Dad, and it was again fun to see him doing the first bath.



She really does seem to be perfect in every way.



Aunt Shadra



Paula



And I



Were all really blessed to have had the opportunity to share this special event.