Party for 40 second part

Nevlin is the fourth generation of both my and Cam's family. He was very lucky to be able to meet one maternal grandmother, Babci & see Busha again. Here are the four generations. He also got to meet his Cam's Ggpa (Cam's mom's father) who you will see in a later post.

What party would be complete without a puppy! Here's my cousin Jim's newest family addition.

Many of my dad's first cousins were able to join us to celebrate the wedding from a few decades ago. All of these people are related through their mothers, who were the 5 snoop sisters.

Nev even had a little play buddy for part of the afternoon. He doesn't exactly play "with" his friends yet, but at least he is trying to learn how to share and get along, most of the time.

Those glasses remained a hit, even after the festivities.

NEXT POST: 200th!!! That one will be a throw back to some of our earliest posts, just about C & E! Stayed tuned.

40 year party

My parents celebrated 40 yrs of being married in Sept of this year and we surprised them with a party while I was home with Cam & Nev. It turned out to be a great time, with lots of food of course. 

Nevlin was able to recover and maintain control over all of the balls available. He even scored a turn with Busha's glasses.

A photo that my parents took 40 years ago on their wedding day was similar to this shot. I was about as close to an official photographer as they ever had!

This was the bridal party from those many years ago. Still looking pretty good!

Cleve-berg family time

Most evenings, ok all evenings, concluded in story time. Nevlin had the choice of several different voices and stories. Some nights he even got to have two different people read to him at the same time. 

He also got to spend some QT with cousins like Jess. Teach me chop sticks please!

Lots of good food and hearty laughs with all the cuzes at Cioci's new place over some chicken paprikash.

There was even time for a bowling night out with friends. Here's Cam about to roll a spare. Knock 'em down partner!

Nevlin had a play date with my high school friend Moc's daughter and son. Here is Lauren and Nev sharing some sand play. It was a fun sunny day to share with friends. 

Zoo & Aquarium

We went to the Cleveland zoo and were able to act a bit younger than we generally get to do. Many of my family have listened out of these ears...they can be donkey ears, or kangaroo ears or you decide.

We all headed to the zoo, my parents, grandmother, Cam, Nev & I and took turns pulling or pushing or carrying the snacks. Cam was in charge of the camera. 

Not sure if you've noticed over the few years, but I am obsessed with cutouts. I'm going to create an entire photo album of them one of these days, once I'm finished collecting. 

Lucky for us, we found another cutout at the Cleveland Aquarium. It was Captain Nemo and the sea monster he befriended.

The aquarium had many fresh and exotic fish. Nevlin got to pet a turtle, which he was quite fascinated with but unsure to touch. There also was a walk-through tunnel where sea creatures were both next to you and above you.

The best was when the octopus decided to move from one side of the tank over your head to the other. He was particularly busy opening plastic jars full of treats put into the tank by the staff.

Next up: the family in Ohio and then a P-A-R-T-Y!

Head "West" young man

We basically went so far west that we went around the world to get to Ohio. Driving downtown back home in Cleveland, I got to see some of the old familiar sites, like the theatre. 

 And a new one in the same neighborhood, this gorgeous chandelier.

The market is always one of my go-to places in the home town and it never disappoints. Nevlin enjoyed the sights and sounds and of course all the food. Here he is enjoying a kabinosa or smokee.

There were lots of things to try, so we went twice while we were in Cleveland. This used to be near my brother's high school and also Gram's house. Tat was having a blast showing Nevlin around. Sweet butter, yum.

They opened up the balcony area where you can look at everything from above. It was virtually impossible to grab a great photo of all three of us, especially when Nev is so obsessed with balls and distracted by the smallest of things. More Cleveland family posts to come.

Back to the U. S. ....A

It was time to head back to the US to show Nevlin off to all the relatives. Besides, it was the last chance we had to grab a free ticket for him. We risked having no (paid) seat for him over 6 flights, which generally worked out. Nev was very good, considering the massive distances and time changes. A few tears, yes, but he adjusted to the time change way faster than we did.

Anyway, off to some pictures. First stop, LA, and Liz's family the Froneks.

Visiting Tammi's hairdressing salon. Don't you just love puppy's cut? That's Nat on the left, she turned 16 just this past September.

 

We went to the Saturday markets and found someone selling fountains. Considering how hot it was, Nev loved putting his hand in the stream and getting all wet.

A bunch of us went to Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach. Can you see the tip of the peninsula in the far distance? That is where we walked to and back. PHEW, we were tired!

 There were lots of little inlets like this.

The tip has gotten closer...but still not yet there. A pause to capture all the muscles.