Thoughts on Turning 65

Sue on June 2, 2012, her 65th birthday!!

Arriving at 65 seems to be a milestone or a pinnacle, worthy of reflection or at least some sort of stock taking.  Here goes:

Full Name:  Susan Virginia Beers Connolly St.Pierre  (whew!)

Height:  Still 5'3" 

Weight:  It says 120 on my drivers license and I am sticking with that.

Hair color:  Taupe

Eye color:  Still murky hazel, not the clear green my mother's became as she got older.

BP:  124/78  (with yoga breathing)

1 son (Kit)

2 stepchildren (Susie, Bobby)

3 in law children (Jessica, Tetsu, Katie)

4 grandchildren (Kelan & Beckett, Gus & Mia) 

6 grandchildren  (two more due in November)

Fondest hope: that they will all stick by me as I get even more annoying because I can't hear or remember who they are.  Until then,  I count them among my dearest blessings.

Dearest blessing: Bob.  Somehow we found new love together 25 years ago, and life has been a joyful adventure ever since.  I cannot say it any better.

Next big event:  Bob's 65th birthday on August 1.  Then he will stop bothering me with comments about being married to an older woman.  

Favorite activities:  Golf, Hiking, Skiing, Yoga, Walking with friends literally and figuratively, staying connected with all the people who have followed me through the changes I have needed to make.

So here I am at somehow turning 65.  Healthy, Smiling, Grateful.  

Namaste

Happy 4th Birthday Gus!!

As though things weren't exciting enough around here, we also celebrated Gus' 4th birthday.

Mom's first beer after a long time

Happy Mother's Day!!  

It has been a very special day for us with the arrival of Mia Diane Inada at her new home. She was born May 9th weighing in at 7 lbs, 11 oz, and 20 inches in length. She is as cute as a button and is getting plenty of doting affection from all of us. As grandparents, our job has been to transport Gus to his school and the hospital to see his parents and his sister. It has been a pleasure to share all this with him.

We first met Mia on May 10th

She was pretty sleepy in the beginning

This is a yawn, not a screech

Grandma is trying to wake her up

Mom and daughter Mia

Dad and Gus admiring Gus' new sister

Here she is, looking at the world. What a great Mother's Day present!!

Easter in Boulder

March was busy here with lots of visitors wanting to escape the long northern winters.  Rick Grossman came down for the Accenture Tournament.  Patrick and Frances McWilliams joined us for some golf and Sue's sister came to check out the desert.  We also enjoyed dinner with some first cousins,  Linda and Don Wenzel from Sue's side and Velma Troy and David Allen from Bob's.  Then we headed back to Breck for some Spring skiing and stopped by Boulder for the Easter holiday.  How fun to share the excitement of Spring with Kelan and Beckett.

We hadn't dyed eggs for 30 years!!

Very steady hand!!

Kelan just loves these projects!! 

The Connolly Family

How did they get them to hold still??

Mom and Dad look pretty good now that they get some occasional sleep.

Kelan cuddles into the bunny while Beckett is still not sure.

The end of a great day.  Happy Easter!!

Kelan and Beckett update

Bob and I recently traveled to Boulder to have some time with Kit and Jess and Kelan and Beckett.  The boys are so much fun these days, ready for all kinds of activities.  Here we are swinging and skating, but we also put together a puzzle and admired all their new Xmas toys.  They are a handful but loving and cute as all get out!!

Our favorite hangout at the playground

Getting ready to try the skating rink

Beckett is relying on me to hold him up.  This was very trusting.

Kelan really has the hang of it.

The Connolly Family

Beckett is having trouble with that right foot.

He will be skating circles around us soon!!

Gus visits Tucson ( and his parents too)

Gus had a return visit to Tucson this month.  He has become an expert in desert cacti from a book called The Cactus Hotel.  It was fun to reintroduce him to all the wonders of the desert.

Gus surveys the construction on our street.

Checking out a prickly pear.

With grandpa and a huuuuge Saguaro.

Gus with a smaller Saguaro which is probably older than he is by a lot.

Mommy and Daddy 

With Grandma and Grandpa

Fun in the pool with Daddy

Mommy and baby sister look on.

He also loves trains, and Tucson has a great Train Museum

All the guys on the golf course.

A boot from a Saguaro at the Desert Museum.   A boot is a room for birds in The Cactus Hotel.