Finalmente! This is a photo we've all been waiting a long time to see...

Check out the bling, y'all! Richie and Gabriella got engaged!!!

He took his good ole time, but damn the boy did it right. This was the idyllic setting -- Gabriella's most special place in the world, a Fantasy Island-like resort in the Phillipines called El Nido. At night, under a full moon, and with a ring that contained her grandmother's diamond, Richie popped the question. And oddly enough, she said YES! Gabriella calling folks with the good news.
Richie doing the same. The way Richie announced the news to us was wonderful. Everyone in our family received a postcard from Richie with a cute photo of the two of them and a headline that read, "Finalmente!" (Spanish for finally) On the back he wrote, "By the time you receive this postcard I will have asked Gabriella to marry me. Let's hope she says yes." Of course, we all screamed and wept happy tears. And wept some more. Then more screaming. Gabriella has been a part of our family for many years now, but it still bowled us over to hear the happy news.
I dunno. There's just something about Gabriella that makes me think she'll fit in perfectly with our family.
This is what Gabriella's family in the Phillipines cooked for a party.

And in this way, our two families are exactly alike.

Richie and Gabriella with her parents.

Richie and a slithery friend enjoying a floating market outside Bangkok.

Some exotic treats.
A sign in Bangkok. She can't figure out why she doesn't get more American business.
Catching some Z's on the 24-hour journey home.

The happy betrothed couple.

Holding Down The Fort

While I was away, my folks came to visit to help Todd with the youngins. They kept the Nonnos plenty busy.

Here's the Nonnos on the train at Wheaton Regional Park.

And enjoying the merry-go-round. Nonno accompanies Henry's ballad.Nonna loves her two little ones equally. Loretta AND Beaker.

Beaker's hair is tasty!
Enjoying the National Arboretum.
I knew my parents would enjoy the National Arboretum, but I had no idea how much. There were 440 acres and we never left the herb garden! My parents were shouting to one another, "Vieja! Veni! There's 12 kinds of basil here! Do you know how much pesto I could make out of this?!" "Viejo! Mira esta planta! Why can't we grow rosamaria like this at home?! Smell this pepper plant!" And so on, and so on. It was like taking me to the People Magazine Museum if there were one. (wait...is there?)
My father teaching the next generation to have a green thumb.
(it skips a generation, you know)
When we got into the car after leaving the Arboretum, I got a whiff of air that was decidely fragrant. I said, "Pa. You didn't take any PLANTS from the Arboretum, did you? You're not allowed to do that."
"Oh no. No no. No way."
When we got home, he put ALL HIS CUTTINGS into this Coke bottle. Nice centerpiece, huh? I made him empty his pockets and he laughed and put DOZENS of seeds, and tiny plants onto the table. I am expecting a knock on our door from the National Park Police any moment now.
Side by side chubby cheeks!

"I love you Nonno."

Visiting The City That Never Sleeps.
Two weeks ago, I got the chance to do a really big, fun freelance project. I flew to New York City for two days to produce a radio campaign I'd written for Clean Air New York, a program run by the NY Department of Transportation. It was the biggest project I've worked on since I've had children, and it was my first time away from the both of them. So...it was a big step, to be sure and I was a little scared. But I went and it was fabulous. Todd and my folks took care of the little ones.

Here's me and the crew interviewing New Yorkers in Grand Central Station. We wound up recording over 6 hours of footage.
Meanwhile back at the hotel...

This is me and Trish trying to decide which outfit Estela might like best. She tried on 6 before we left for dinner.After dinner, my sisters and I accidentally wandered onto a film set. Typical New York. Some people get drunk and dial. Me...I get drunk and go grocery shopping. That's a "magic wand" I found on the street in my hand.
Le Sorelle DiFranco

She Ain't Heavy...She's My Daughter. Squishin' Papa...Thinking about crawling at the Murrays' house.
"Why yes, I am ready for my close-up Mr. Spielberg."

Star Spangled Babies

Girl Pfeiffer
Boy Pfeiffer Girl and Boy Pfeiffer.

The photo of Loretta is the one that tipped me off that our date stamp is a day off. Oops.

A Fishy StoryOn Independence Day, our friend Wing, who's an expert fisherman, took Todd and Henry out on a fishing expedition. This was Henry's first time angling. The boys rented a rowboat from Fletcher's Boathouse and hit the Potomac.Here, Henry lectures Wing on the advantages of using a graphite crankbait rod with a 17-pound line and pistol grip handle.
Worms also help.
Success! Henry and Todd caught four sunfish!

Lamont Plaza Festival

Last Sunday there was a big festival at the plaza a few steps away from our house. The festivities were in support of Hear Mt. Pleasant, an organization that is trying to bring live music back to the establishments of Mt. Pleasant Street. There was plenty of live music and activities including face painting.

Here Henry begins his transformation.
Nearly there...

(click on the photo to see hardware store in the distance)
Rowwwwwwwwwwwwwrr! Check out the Henry-lioncub.Our friends Garrett and Jillian were on the scene --

Garret flashing his pearly whites and Jillian flashing her halo.
AND FREAKIN HENRY ROLLINS WAS THERE!!!! Yes, that's him bent at the waist talking to the little girl. I totally started losing it when I saw him. Became blathering fangirl. He grew up in D.C., and he and his childhood friend Ian MacKaye (yes THAT Ian MacKaye who started Fugazi and lives in my hood!!!) are still close, so that's why he was there. If you don't know who Henry Rollins is...go here. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/41701/more-than-one-story-out-there-an-interview-with-henry-rollins/

Loretta didn't really care so much WHO was there. She was busy dreaming about being trapped in the Entenmann's Factory. Again.

Weekend Weirdness

Dontcha' just want to squeeze her?

She sure loves a cold keg. Hey, why should she have to wait 'til college?

And speaking of college...my dear friend and college roommate Tina came to visit this weekend. Here she is talking on her "shell phone" to Henry who is talking on his "seahorse phone."
Tina shares a laugh with Loretta Lou.

Showering The CandiasLast weekend, Todd and I and two other couples hosted a bebe shower for Rob and Jess Candia. Their bouncing baby boy arrives in August.Here is Jessica, the radiant mama to be. And here's Rob, the dorky father to be.
And speaking of dorky, check out the matching guayabera shirts on these two. Very nice.

To see some extraordinarily beautiful photos of the shower, visit Amanda's site by cutting and pasting this link into your browser. http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandabryce
Go to pages two and three to see her excellent snapshots.

Be sure to leave a comment and pay her a compliment or five.