Building a Family

Monday, October 29, 2007

My super cool studly brother...and a few more Connecticut pictures

So Joe sent a note from West Point this past weekend:

"This morning I did a 18 mile ruck march with a 22 lb ruck (very light). It was for the German Proficiency Badge among other requirements for it. I had to get under 5 hours to get the Gold and we did it in 4:13. It was just fun to do it with my buddies Jake and John (Idaho Falls boy) and a couple of firsties from my company who are awesome guys. I really am starting to have a few guys who I can call, my best friends, and family. And Jake and John are among those guys. School is good. Hard but thats the way things go. Working hard and hope to do well enough on a couple of exams to get to go to the Air Force/Army Game this next weekend."

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers...

Cousin Yvonne sent these pictures from our visit in CT...below from left to right Yvonne, Robert, Stephen (Yvonne's son), and Sandra.

Yvonne is definitely well-trained in the art of feeding people until their stuffed to their eyeballs...Mateo was introduced to manicotti and loved it!!

We're looking forward to our next trip back east when Joseph graduates from West Point in Summer 2010!! Until then, we are hoping our Connecticut family will trek west to see us.

Love from Oregon, Sarah

Monday, October 22, 2007

Papa Photos

So we had a great visit with Papa this last weekend. He came in on Thursday night (after a plane ride that probably could have made a milkshake with the turbulence). Matt picked him up and we had a feast of a dinner at MamaNona's. Dad hasn't been trained in the fine art of eating Italian...so when we told him there was dessert, I wasn't sure he'd be up to it. But any of you who know my father, know he loves apple pie. And Nona makes a mean apple pie.

On Friday, Matt took Papa & Mateo to the AC Gilbert House (Children's Museum in Salem) where Mateo got to play on equipment and in the bubbles.

It is right next to the Salem Carousel, so of course, there were several rides on that!! Hope you enjoy the video below...

On Saturday, we hung out and watched college football. I worked on a web page for Dad...which will be unveiled soon, so keep checking back. The portrait of him is for the website...and for those of you who are wondering, I don't really do websites...I just dabble in them.

Sunday, we went to Mass and then finished a visit to Maggie Kelley's sixth birthday...which was a ballerina fest. I have never seen so much pink in my life!!

I am back to work and trying to keep my head above water. It's a challenge, but I am grateful for all the flexibility that comes with it.

I am headed to bed now...hope all is well with you & yours. Hugs from Oregon, Sarah

Thursday, October 18, 2007

One more picture (and the 100th post!!)

This one came today in email from Grandma B...we had a great time seeing her family!

Catching up #2

John & Andrash Britschgi teaching ladder ball to Mateo

Kinga Britschgi, Mary Goode, and Papa LaPlante filling up

Nancy Gomez (wife of Colonel Gomez who helped Joseph get into West Point), Grandpa B, and the guest of honor!

Cousin Whitney tossing Lukas around...

Colonel Gomez speaking about how proud he is of Joseph...and encouraging us all to come hear him speak to prospective candidates and their families. I got a chance to hear him talk, and it was awesome. I respect what he is doing and am proud of the choices he is making.

It was a great time...Rachel throws a great party!!