Monday, August 9, 2010

Ice cream castles in the air

I had the most wonderful time over the weekend. I say it was wonderful because I spent it with my family, some of whom I hadn’t seen for awhile.

My sisters and other family members travelled from as far as California and Florida to attend my twin brother’s 50th birthday party which was held in NJ at the home of my brother Pete and his wife, Pat. It was to be a surprise for Pete’s twin, Steve, and you may remember me posting a little about him earlier this year when he was diagnosed with a serious illness. (He is doing ok and is almost at the end of his chemo treatments.)

It’s late as I write this, and I’ve been working on photos since I’ve gotten home, trying to get an album done for them. These are some of my favorites that I’ll quickly share with you.

DSC_0047 copy 2

My niece, Samantha, created this unique cake that’s designed to look like poker chips. Sam is very sorry (not) that she kicked all the guys butts in poker Saturday night.

DSC_0095 copy 2

My brother Steve, completely overwhelmed at having realized everyone was here to see him. This is my niece, Melanie who came from far far away to be here with all of us. She is tons of fun.

DSC_0121 copy 2

Melanie’s mom, my beautiful sister Judy with her husband, Rick. We love Rick.

DSC_0242 copy 2

My brother, Pete. (Steve’s twin). I do hope you’re taking notes on all these names.

DSC_0280 copy 2

Whenever someone says, "let’s take some family photos", I secretly cringe inside. I do this because it’s like herding cats to get them all together. But it’s fun, too. I like taking shots in between the staged ones and thought this one was fun. That’s my son, Matt in there, and my sister’s hand. She was trying to help me herd them, I think.

DSC_0305 copy 2

My niece, Naomi. She’s Steve’s daughter.

I stayed at my brothers house, while other family members stayed at local B&B’s for the night. I thought it was fun sleeping on air mattresses so close together you could hardly get from one end of the room to the other.

And the next morning, Pat the wonder wife, cooked us all a real Philadelphia breakfast, complete with eggs, sausage, bacon, scrapple and bagels with cream cheese. It was fantastic.

I hope she recovers quickly from the onslaught of our family at her home.

DSC_0049 copy 2

And I had one of these for dessert. I just want to say that they were magically delicious.

I love my family.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

28 comments:

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Love the poker chip cake....how fun is that?!! Glad you had a good weekend with your family:)

JacksDad said...

You're a better person than I am if you can sleep on an air mattress. I have a hard time getting comfortable even on an expensive air number bed! :)

Jayne said...

What a great party! It's so good to be able to all gather together, esp. to celebrate such a milestone birthday. I felt the grin on your face as you composed this Kate. :c)

Mental P Mama said...

So, so happy it was such a success! Now I'm gonna be singing that song all day.

nonizamboni said...

The true meaning of life, I'd say, a beautiful family get together. Great photos and captions. You made my day!

Deb said...

so nice getting caught up with people you haven't seen in years...saw people this weekend I haven't seen in 30 years...wow time does fly by...

Andi said...

Happy Birthday to the boys!{and this is where you should have added that you are the MUCH younger sister!) And I LOVE that cake. My hubby and his best friend are big poker players and that will be cool for his next birthday. :)
Next time you are up this way we should try to say hi in passing!!
Glad your brother is feeling well, been saying a prayer or two for him!

Jill of All Trades said...

Food and family...great combination. Glad it was a wonderful time and I love that cake!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

Happy birthday Twins :)
i love family get togethers!

Laura ~Peach~ said...

Happy birthday Twins :)
i love family get togethers!

Ellen said...

That cake made the song "Poker Face" run through my mind.

What a lovely celebration.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Kate:
Fabulous poker chips! If your photos are any indication, a grand time was had by all. I'm sure there were many memories made that day.
xoxo
Donna

Kerri Farley said...

What a fabulous celebration Kate! What a cool cake!!!
I spent time with my parents yesterday who are doing pretty good but at 87 and 79 every day is a blessing :)

The JR said...

I'm glad you and your family got to visit together.

Luv the cake.

altar ego said...

It all sounds fabulous. I haven't heard about scrapple in forever (this is what happens when you leave the northeast--I so want to move back). I'm glad your family cares so much about each other that they make an effort for a big event. Makes me wistful.

Cait O'Connor said...

A lovely family get-together, nothing beats that.

Daryl said...

Amazing to me that Matt looks so much like Steve and Pete .. since I know how much he looks like A.

What a wonderful happy time it was .. soooo glad ... sooo glad. xox

mrs mediocrity said...

What a wonderful weekend. Family get togethers are the best, even though they sometimes make you crazy. Well, in my family that happens.
Now I want cupcakes...

Caroline said...

OMG...such a cool cake! Sounds like a wonderful weekend!

Girl Tornado said...

Nom, nom, nom... cupcakes. Now I want to bake some this afternoon, they look so yummy. :) That breakfast sounds pretty fantastic too.

What a wonderful family get-together. I know what you mean about family that lives far, far away... it's so hard for everyone to synchronize work schedules and travel expenses, etc. That is absolutely HUGE that everyone was able to attend!

Donna S. said...

Cool cake!! Awesome family & memories!!

Unknown said...

Such a wonderful blessing to be able to get together with family. I am so glad that your brother is feeling a little better from his chemo. I pray everything goes well for him. I love family photos! What a wonderful surprise!

Lili said...

I'm thinking scrapple must be something like goetta, which is what I learned about living in the Midwest. Your son looks so much like the twins, I love seeing family resemblences and your candid shots are wonderful. Sleeping on wall to wall air mattresses with family you don't get to spend much time with sounds like a blast! ~Lili

Mary Lou said...

Great photos...Rick looks like Kevin Costner...

BB said...

Soooo... when you said your twin brother's 50th birthday - I immediately thought it was YOUR birthday too. But it was a celebration for your brothers (the twins) and you don't have two sets of twins in your family? Have I got it right?

Sheesh... Happy Birthday to whoever turned 50 anyway.
:-)
BB

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

OK, quick before I forget: Your son in the shot with all the girls? Definitely resembles your brother (now I'll have confused the names...my apologies) PETE.

If I have confused the names, just know that your son definitely resembles your brother. Eerily!

Also, this post made me almost cry. And that's a good thing.

Last but not least. LOVE SCRAPPLE.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Yes, sorry to be back again, but if you look at that shot of Pete and then look below at your son? Could be twins.

It now occurs to me that Steve probably resembles him too. I think I focused on Pete because the shots were so close together and they had the same smiles.

I'm all done now.

ELK said...

i really enjoyed seeing all of your family kate...and the houses too...what a tour guide you are!!