Thursday is the 100th anniversary of my father's birth. The family moved from New York City (Sunnyside, Queens) to the suburbs in New Jersey as I was starting my senior year of high school. The older of my two sisters and I commuted back into the city to the schools we had attended, then went off to St. Louis. (She went to Washington University.)
As the four siblings grew up, we always returned to Ridgewood for the Fourth of July holiday and dad's birthday. My younger sister and her husband stayed there and built a large house. Even though my father died 16 years ago, we continue to get together at Sue's almost every Christmas and July 4. We like each other. Dad started a holiday dining tradition of steak and lobster. It's still going on.
Above, niece Cate and newly announced fiance Grant share a smooch with some encouragement from my brother, John. The couple are both entering the MBA program at the University of Chicago in September.
Below: - my sister Sue's daughters, Kelly and Lauren, with a difference in attitude. Lauren will return for her junior year at Virginia Tech in a few weeks and Kelly will enter as a freshman.
- lobster duty with brother-in-law Mel, chairman of the psych department at Penn State, with Grant and brother-in-law Rob, who has a large commercial real estate business.
- niece Stephanie with her parents, my brother, John, newly appointed director of North American operations for the French conglomerate St. Gobain, and his wife Pam, a neurosurgery OR nurse.
- Stephanie with Sue's dog Chi Chi.
- a taste of what's to come.
Oh, and happy birthday, America. I'll be shooting Ridgewood's traditional Fourth of July parade today and the town's huge fireworks show tonight.
As the four siblings grew up, we always returned to Ridgewood for the Fourth of July holiday and dad's birthday. My younger sister and her husband stayed there and built a large house. Even though my father died 16 years ago, we continue to get together at Sue's almost every Christmas and July 4. We like each other. Dad started a holiday dining tradition of steak and lobster. It's still going on.
Above, niece Cate and newly announced fiance Grant share a smooch with some encouragement from my brother, John. The couple are both entering the MBA program at the University of Chicago in September.
Below: - my sister Sue's daughters, Kelly and Lauren, with a difference in attitude. Lauren will return for her junior year at Virginia Tech in a few weeks and Kelly will enter as a freshman.
- lobster duty with brother-in-law Mel, chairman of the psych department at Penn State, with Grant and brother-in-law Rob, who has a large commercial real estate business.
- niece Stephanie with her parents, my brother, John, newly appointed director of North American operations for the French conglomerate St. Gobain, and his wife Pam, a neurosurgery OR nurse.
- Stephanie with Sue's dog Chi Chi.
- a taste of what's to come.
Oh, and happy birthday, America. I'll be shooting Ridgewood's traditional Fourth of July parade today and the town's huge fireworks show tonight.
10 comments:
Hummm le homard donne envie ;o)) une tres belle serie de photos de familles, et vive les TRADITIONS.
Je te souhaite un bon 4 juillet
Lovely series of family photos and information. Love the crab cracking at the end! All this warms the cockles of my heart. Enjoy!!
Happy Independence Day to my friends across the pond.
Chrissy
http://mancunianwave.blogspot.com
Fab family photos Bob, very happy fourth of July to you all.
What fun Bob, happy 4th! We're doing pulled pork here in CT.
Save me some Lobsta! Looks like a wonderful time. And ya, I know there were no lobsters left. hahaha
Thanks for your family story and the nice photos. Wonderful, that you come together each year.
The last picture is great and so yummy.
Love the Lobster idea for a picnic. And yes, very yummy!
Your family has some great traditions. I like the top photo.
Wow, those lobsters are HUGE! It's great meeting your family online. :)
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