More Fun In Arizona

While Richie and Gabriella's wedding was the main event of our Arizona travel, we went out a week early so we could spend time with Todd's wonderful cousins, the Churchills. Above, Henry and Loretta out enjoying a morning rowboat ride.Holding the coozie (an Arizona necessity) is Todd's Aunt Ellen and in red is Todd's cousin Alane. Alane and her husband Mark very graciously hosted us at their fab home for the week. It couldn't have been more comfortable or fun. Here's Eric and Nicko, who were messing with Alex about whether or not they would hold the boat steady so she could get in.

Todd's Uncle Bill and Grill Master Mark (his official hip hop name when he raps on the mic). Todd's cousin Paul the forest firefighter. He was good enough to stop by straight from the airport after a 3-week stint fighting fires in the Oregon forest. Sporting glasses is Todd's beautiful cousin Jackie, and on the left Sharon, a dear family friend and a kindred funky-mama spirit.

Can you spot the Washingtonians? From left, Alex, Jackie, Henry, Todd, Nicko, and Todd's Aunt Jean.

Thumbs up from Todd's cousin, Mark.

Jackie just about made Henry's life when she gave him Nicko's old Spiderman costume.

Mark and his special air-conditioned shorts, (a must in the Arizona heat).We also met up with my friend Jennifer, a cherished friend of mine from Cleveland advertising days. Above, Loretta plays with Jen's sweet daughters Alex and Maya.
Me and Jen, a friend I think the world of.
Here's Jen's husband Ron grinning for the camera. Ron and Jen up and relocated to AZ without knowing a soul, really. They started their own ad agency in Cleveland which they transported to Arizona, and now it -- and they -- are flourishing. I wish I had some pictures of their back yard and town. It was Wile E. Coyote territory for sure. An area with a real rugged beauty and sense of place. I hope this is the first of many reunions between our families.

Richie and Gabriella Wed

After a whirlwind courtship (10 years), Richie and Gabriella decided to throw caution to the wind and get married. Happily, they invited us along to Phoenix to join in on the fun!

I call this one, "Herding Cats."

Why yes, there WAS an actual brilliant rainbow that came out moments after their ceremony. They had to pay EXTRA for that. My dapper son, the 1920's banker.

This was taken SECONDS after we arrived at the Desert Botanical Garden. Todd said, "Take it quick! Before they get dirty!!!" Good call.

Tricia holding Phoebe Field, the youngest and most adorable wedding guest. My old man planting one on my beak. We were enjoying the prickly pear margaritas the bride and groom thoughtfully provided to everyone immediately following the ceremony.
These are Gabriella's parents Garthanne and Eddy. They are shown above at one of the MANY incredible events they planned. I told them they should go into professional wedding planning. Both of them are so creative. You should have seen the myriad special touches the wedding and pre-wedding events had. My favorite was the deLUSCIOUS Dim Sum they hosted at their house the day after the wedding. Beyond wonderful.
My mom and pop transcended a lot to be at the wedding. My father WALKED DOWN THE AISLE UNASSISTED. For those of you following the story of his knee replacement surgery, you know what a miracle that was. We were all very emotional and grateful that day for many reasons, and that was
surely one of them.
Wild girl dancing at the wedding.

The Intrusos!! Sam, Todd and Tim hold a beautiful Gabriella aloft.

If you like, you can see (hundreds) more wedding pix at http://picasaweb.google.com/Adrianadifranco

They're in Arizona Part 1 and Part 2.

Thank you to Tricia and Sam, the real shutterbugs of the family, from whom I stole most of these pictures.

Happy Birthday Nonno!

This year was something of a subdued birthday for my father, as he spent it in a rehab clinic trying to rehabilitate his knee after surgery. The kids tried their best to send him some love and good cheer.

Breslins Descend On DC...

Little Miss Sarah Breslin came to town this summer to visit her Uncle Tom. She and my kids wasted no time in becoming fast friends.

Luckily, the Zoo had their misters on that day and we just ran the kids through them to clean off.

Henry and Loretta making spaghetti sauce -- a DiFranco tradition that apparently skips a generation.

Exploring Rock Creek.

Here, Loretta prepares to do major damage to some sports car across the creek.

Scouting Out North Carolina

So a few months after we made the decision to move to Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina, we decided it might be a good idea to visit it for the first time. (true)

This is us at at Pullen Park, a super-cool city park in Raleigh. We were joined there by our wonderful DC friends Peter, Farrar, and Miles and Porter who coincidentally happened to be visiting NC family at the time.

Why yes, we are posing with a statue of Andy Griffith and Opey Taylor. Andy is a proud NC native son and has done a lot for the state over the years.

Our kids doing some boating while Farrar and Peter look on.

When pigs fly!!

Farrar introduced us to the yummy local tradition of LocoPops. They're made in the Mexican tradition of paletas and come in unusual flavors like mojito, mango chile and plum black pepper. Loco!
Peter and Farrar on her mom's front porch in Durham. In this photo, Farrar has decided not to speak to Peter until he shaves. ;)

Not only did P&F show us around the area, they even TOOK OUR KIDS OFF OUR HANDS for a few hours so we could look around in peace. Above, the boys concoct some major magic in a special cauldron found in the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Showering Richie & Gabriella

In August, our clan got together in Cleveland to throw a big ol' wedding shower for Richie and Gabo. (photos are wonky because they're from Estela's camera and were compressed in the sending)

My mother, the shower mastermind and hostess with the mostest.Richie carrying in the first of 231 gifts.

We were enjoying each other's company immensely. Loretta was enjoying that roll immensely. "I love brunch!!"
Tricia kept the troops entertained with a "relationship quiz" to see who knew the most about the engaged couple. I had no idea they had their first kiss in my parent's basement!!! In front of the stuffed deer head, no less! Scandalous.

Rosetta and Mary Lou sharing a laugh.

Lora holding little Miss Phoebe. Now what could this be? I gotta' say, these two were the most gracious, entertaining and poised couple I've ever seen at a shower. They hit just the right tone.
Stealing a smooch.

Not everyone found the shower enthralling. These pretty boxes contained the shower bonbonniere, a stainless steel toothpick dispenser, (toothpicks are oft-used tools in Italian homes). The line on the box reads "True Love Is Easy To Pick Out." Love that line. Go Trish!

The biggest surprise of the shower came at the very end when my father made an unannounced appearance. He was a week post knee-replacement surgery and until this moment had been horizontal. There was a great cheer and sustained applause when he walked into the reception hall. It really meant a lot to all of us that he made it there.

My Kind Of Town... Chicago is... In August, a hardware trade show was just the excuse we needed to visit our beloved Chicago friends Aaron, Becky, and Anya.

We had even more fun this visit than the last, which is saying something.

The pix above are from the now infamous photo booth we have a tradition of visiting at the wonderful Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park. (click them to enlarge)

Anya, Henry and Loretta really enjoyed frolicking at the beach a few blocks away from Aaron and Becky's place.

They are all good eggs and definitely "coconuttos" a term of endearment Henry has coined.