Wedding Bells

It's official, the wedding will be October 16th at 2pm at the Stirling Inn, followed by a meal. All are welcome, kids too. Julie & Mel need to know as soon as possible who will be able to come, so please leave a message here or call, email etc. Isn't this exciting?

Football Pool?

Is there any interest in a family football pool?

I could run it through the blog. We could keep the stakes small to keep it friendly.

Let me know if anyone is interested. It could be fun.

(or embarassing if someone like Vanda won)

ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT

Above is a picture of Mel. For eons Mel has been begging to be included in the annual FAMILY CALENDAR and I have steadfastly refused. My reasoning is that he is transient, a non member etc. and he has been heartbroken. Well, now he's come up with a guaranteed way of getting his fair share, he has asked Julie to marry him! And she said yes!!
Here's the scoop.... Julie and Mel would love to have all of you attend their wedding which will be on a Sunday evening towards the end of October. For some it's far away, expensive and a few even have babies to worry about. All are very welcome but Julie needs an idea of who would be able to come and share this special occasion. It's less than couple of months away so please let her know ASAP either by posting on the blog or emailing her @ jhurley51@hotmail.com. For those stone age types her # is ***-***-****.

The Calendar

It's that time of year when I start putting together the calendar and look for pictures from all sources . If you have a picture you would love to share, send it to me. It will save me printing up some really awful ones that I take. Also, any months you would want to set aside just for you? Joe and Kelly will get June if the plans get firmed up. The Ludovico's get July for their fine work in the baby department. This year I'm adding Joe & Val and the whole White clan. I'm enclosing a picture of my baby enjoying the adult dinner last year just to give an example what I could publish if left to my own devices.

A Blast from the Recent Past

I am not sure, but I believe this is from Boston Billiards during Christmas 2002.

It was a typical fun night marked by one notable incident.

That would be Joe (Dork Flattener) bragging about how much he could drink and challenging me to a drinking contest.

I ignored the already-wasted pubescent's challenge and found out later on that Joe threw up all over his father's house that night. Joe Senior was apparently very pissed.

Sorry Joe, but as a journalist, I have to impartially tell the story behind the pic. And I just can't remember what Dr. Mark did that night.

Classic Family Photo of Steve

(click to enlarge)

I don't think that is Mike with him. Could it be Rusty Griswold from European Vacation?

I am pretty sure that this pic made the newspaper - someone will have to post the details.

Those three-quarter length heavy metal baseball shirts are yet to make a comeback and remain a hallmark of the early to mid-eighties.

Thanks for the pic, Anne.

(How truly nuts do you have to be to pick up a snapping turtle that big?)

ENGAGED !!!!!!

As exciting as Joey's announcement was at Friday's BBQ, it would have been quite the faux pas to really publicize it the day before Kevin and Jenn's wedding.

Luckily for everyone involved, faux pas is my specialty.

I called Dr. Mark on his cell phone during the rehearsal dinner to relay the information. And Dr. Mark, no slouch himself in the faux pas department, had this immediate response:

"Oh my God, he is getting married BEFORE me!!!!!!!!!"

There was no "congratulations", "that's great",etc....

Anyway off the topic of Dr. Mark - his antics seem to be, at a minimum, a desperate cry for help and at a maximum to be a selfish drive to dominate the blog threads. I seriously think Mark gets up every morning and says, "What inane thing can I do or say today to get mentioned in the family blog?". I mean really, there is no other good explanation for his behavior.

Moving on. The preliminary wedding plans that I heard are for a summer '06 wedding in southern Connecticut. Also Joey and Kelly have designs on using the same band, Peat Moss, that Inez and I had at our wedding. This would obviously be awesome.

Wedding Pics

Any good pics should be sent to me for immediate publication. Here are the ones I took. Click on link below.


WEDDING PICS

The New Nana and Another Reason Dr. Mark is So Eligible

We definitely need a pic of the new Nana holding her grandson!!!

Here is another reason why ....



....Dr Mark is so eligible.

A Cautionary Photo

Lest anyone forget, those that misbehave or become "overserved" this weekend could wind up on the blog even before they regain sobriety.

ok, just for good measure, here is another cautionary photo taken from the cousins' weekend at the cape last year. I was already asleep at this point so someone else will have to explain what Maureen is doing here - if possible.



(click on the pics to enlarge, then hit "back" on your browser.)

Joey Flattens a Dork and the Inadvertent Profundity of Uncle John

I bought a scanner and last week helped my mother declutter her basement. This post is the immediate result.



Click on the image to enlarge - then click "back" on your browser.


Also click to enlarge.


This was the famous quote list that was on our fridge many years ago.


"They wrong understood me...."

"No, no, ...They Seven...."

"I'll have deep-shit pizza...."

"Well, I'm not here....."

".....Brontasaurus Rex...."

"Get your bird bodies out of here...."

"For where???..."

"You are stunk, Tim...."

"I have got to do make phone calls....."

"Once and for all, will you stop picking your nose Tim!!!!!!"

"Danny, did you do farting????...."

"....The University of UCONN...."

"Reality is reality and there's nothing you can do about it...."

"Who's the father????...."

"....With these hands, I did wrap...."

"What are they doing, shrinking her????...."

"I am most certainly do....."

"I am the Resurrection tomorrow...."

"....You bet your rear-end mirror....."

"....Don't put your Drano on me...."

I had two more quotes on another sheet that wouldn't scan.


"....I know what's in your small mind...."

and the winner,

"Dad, I'm growing - it happens.....No, Tim, shit happens...."

Welcome Mark Jr.

I hope all of this info is correct.

Mark Junior was born on Friday July 29th at 1:32 am. He weighed in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces and measured 20.25 inches.

We all can't wait to see the little guy and his proud parents.

Brendan & Colin

That car is packed. Where are they going to put the future Merkles?



Wow Colin, that is one big set......




Thanks for the pics Maureen.

(To everyone who went to the cousins' Cape excursion last year.... I just developed some film that was taken there. I know it is slow, but we went digital and that camera was neglected. Needless to say, in 2 weeks when I have my scanner, I will post some more pics of Dr. Mark.)

And lest anyone forget. Lizzie is due very soon and I want to collectively extend best wishes to Mark for the birth. Everyone knows that pregnancy is so much tougher on the father. With the drugs and hospital staff pampering, the moms really get a free ride while the father does the emotional heavy lifting.

Vanda, you need to organize a flower collection for Mark.

4 Generations and Grandpa on the Mend

Wow. Steve's kids are getting big. Too bad they are so far away and can't be exploited to babysit for little john.

Grandpa everyone wishes you to get well and I don't see why you can't bowl lefthanded next week.

Thanks for the pics Anne. Kevin's wedding will be here before we know it. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Nana

To all my dear family, Thank you for all the Anniversary gifts that Dad and I received. Anne has some pictures of me that she has promised faithfully not to reproduce OR ELSE!!!!

Love, Nana

P.S. Anne wanted to send the pictures showing me at the computer sending this message. I thought I would look better with a bag over my head. Dan will have to post the evidence.

To all Procrastinators

Book your hotel rooms for kevin's wedding. They seem to be filling up.

Apparently there is some Newport Jazz Fest or something going on that weekend.

(Remember that pic of LittleJohn's foot?)

Kevin, in the Running for Favorite Uncle

Thank you Kevin for the pics. My last image of Colin was him crawling around. Great pics.

(anyone that wants to post pics can email them to me - it takes 2 seconds to publish them)

Kicked Off the Grill ????

I heard this from UJ (i.e. Uncle John), a veritable fount of misinformation so I need some further corroboration.

UJ: "HELENA WAS COOKING, BECAUSE VANDA KICKED TOM OFF OF THE GRILL......"

So what actually happened at the 4th of July cookout?

Also, remember when we were kids and someone, be it a bruised sister, jealous brother, or whining cousin would go to your parents and complain about something you did?

Well I thought "tattling" was over at a certain age. But I guess that age is higher than 33 years old.

From an email Dr. Mark sent to my wife,

"....I'm doing better but your husband's picking on me on the blog site...."

Mark, Where art thou?

It is pretty clear from the comments who in the family has the most internet literacy and who is still lacking. Anne, Dave, and Wayne have shown that in the older family demographic they stand out, at least in terms of web savvy.

Still silent are Joey, Sarah, and Maggie whose techno-savvy was even mocked by little john.

Still no appearance from Mark - despite pointed emails I sent to him. I even threatened to make him an object of ridicule if he kept ignoring the blog. So now I have been forced to follow through.

Mark, you have 2 days to join and constructively contribute to the blog. Until then, the pic stays posted. Furthermore, if you continue to ignore this mandatory family forum, I will divulge the full story behind the pic.

UPDATE:

I replaced the incriminating pic of Mark even though he was still late to post (see comments). The pic has not been expunged - I still have it in my "markleverage" folder.

Furthermore his comment barely meets the "constructive" clause I added. Mark, we know you are busy on Friday night with the rehearsal and Saturday before the reception (writing your speech), but what about Thursday and Sunday?

Based on the feedback I have gotten, it seems that a catamaran trip may be pushing it. Sunday would be the best day and too many people are moving in too many directions.

But at a minimum, Inez and I are having a barbeque on Friday in Newton, the Mullins and Merkles will obvious be at the rehearsal dinner, but everyone is invited.

Other stuff. Cathy and Dan, inlanders that they are, are intent on going to the beach for the day on either Thursday or Friday. I am sure they would like company.

Maggie and Ryan get in on Friday (flying to Providence) and are leaving Monday.

I saw that Louise and Jeff are driving down earlier in the week. Y'all are welcome to stop by in Newton anytime on the way. That goes for Katie and Garrett too (are you guys driving up?). If your driving, Garrett bring your clubs and we should be able to get 9 holes in between the ceremony and the reception.

Still waiting to hear from Helena, Vanda, Julie, Maggie, Joey, Sarah.

Jenn's Shower

Although I wasn't there, I am sure a good time was had by all.

They should have done a "Jack and Jill" shower though.

Word is that when registering, Kevin held the "gun" (scanner) and had some pretty militant stances on place setting color schematics and the fung shwe of their linens.

Kevin and Jenn's Wedding

The wedding will be here before you know it.

For you disorganized relatives, they have set up a website with all of the pertinent info.

I have some questions for y'all.

1) What are everybody's itineraries? When is everyone coming in and when are they leaving?

2) I heard that the Whites are coming and staying at the Cape for a week? Can this be confirmed? If so, which week - precededing or following?

3) I had the idea of renting a catamaran in Newport. Is there any interest in this? Sunday would seem like the best time, but Friday is a possibility as well.

4) Does anyone else have any ideas? A barbeque in Newton at my new place? Golf?

5) Is Maureen bringing all three of her boys (Colin, Brendan, and Tom)? And if not, can we get the petition started on Colin and Brendan at least?

As for me, Inez, and little john, we will be moving to Newton for August 1st and hope to be all settled in by the wedding. I can't wait until Kevin and Jenn are married - it will be so convenient to have an old married couple nearby that can babysit john in a pinch or weekly (Friday nights?).

Liz's Shower

Wow. 3.5 generations. Thanks for the pic Anne.

I can't remember if Liz is having a boy or a girl? Anyone? In the case of a boy I am partial towards the name Ludwig.

Why is Mark so "Eligible"?

This webmaster recently had dinner with Mark . Mark turned the dinner into a monologue on his dating/social life. I interrupted and proposed that maybe he date a "professional" woman that wasn't a communist. That suggestion was completely brushed aside.

Mark has also said that he won't date any girl beyond size 6 or that is from Worcester. I guess the fact that almost all of his family (including his parents) grew up in Worcester is lost on him.

Does anyone else have suggestions for him? After all, dating decisions shouldn't be left to him anymore - he had his chances.

Family Forum is now OPEN

This blog is an outgrowth of the tremendous success of little's john's website. If someone wants to make fun of Tim's hair, Mark's lovelife, Uncle John's golf swing, .... this is the outlet.

Also normal congratulations, compliments, and civil dialogue will be tolerated here in small doses and under the discretion of the webmaster.