Colorado Reunion Trip

Here are a handful of photos from our recent trip to beautiful Colorado.  We had two aims for this trip: a few days in Boulder with my friend Dennis, and then a few days at the YMCA of the Rockies for a Claspy Clan family reunion.  We had great success in both!

First up was Boulder.  Sam enjoyed the kid-friendly Pearl Street pedestrian mall, which has several play areas for small ones.  Here he is with big sister Anna and a great big bunny.

Right across the street from the historic Hotel Boulderado (where we were fortunate to stay) was a rank of rental bicycles, very reminiscent of Paris Velib stations.  Boulder is a bike-friendly city!

Bill and Dennis, catching up over brunch at the restaurant Snooze.

Dennis explaining the fine points of pea gravel to Sammy.  Not for eating, for concrete sublayers!

Day two we took a short hike in one of the many Boulder green space parks, this time the Chautauqua park.

The Veseys arrived on Thursday and stayed in Boulder overnight.  We initiated Gabi to the playground and ate delicious pizza at Pizzaria Locale.

Friday found us in Estes Park at the YMCA of the Rockies.  It is directly adjacent to the Rocky Mountain National Park and couldn't be in a more beautiful setting.

Sammy gets his first popsicle.

 The Claspy Clan!

We found refuge in the shade where and when we could- here in the evening on the patio above the dining hall.

Sunday we headed into Rocky Mountain National Park.  This lobo greeted us shortly after we entered the park.

At- or near- the summit of Trail Ridge Road, we stopped for a break at the Alpine visitor center.

At about 11,000 feet, these elk could relax in the cool mountain air.

It was a great trip!

Commencing and Parading

It has been a busy early June here at Chez Claspy, with all kinds of festivities and end-of-school celebrations.

First up was the senior award ceremony at the high school.  Anna graced the stage a few times- as a National Merit commended student, as a graduate with honors, as a Ohio Department of Education Award of Merit student, and as a recipient of the President's Award for Educational Excellence.

Next up, Senior Prom!  Our graduating scholar and her date Peter looked happy to celebrate!

Then graduation itself.  Held in the historic downtown State Theater, the 480+ graduates in their robes and mortar boards queued up to cross the stage, shake a hand, and get their diplomas.  Here is Anna getting hers.

After, here is the scene in the opulent theater's lobby.

On our way home, a beautiful rainbow showed Anna that her dreams are RIGHT OVER THERE.  (Does it seem to be pointing to France?)

Later in the week, 8th grade promotion and farewell to middle school for Maggie.  She was also recognized during the event as outstanding instrumental musician (no surprise to those who've heard her play!) and honor roll student.

This past Saturday we enjoyed one of Cleveland's best arts events, the wonderful and colorful Parade the Circle.  We made the trek with friends along for Maggie and Anna.  Sam, of course, makes friends wherever he goes.

One hallmark of this parade is that it is all people-powered.  No motorized floats.  Also, there are usually excellent musicians in the parade, including steel drums.  Sammy's reaction to the music can only best be captured on video.

Birthday celebration

Here are a few photos from the last week or two, including from my birthday!  My dad used to say having a birthday beats NOT having a birthday, so I figure best to celebrate.  And why not enjoy time with friends and family at the same time.  Besides:  PRESENTS!

We had some crazy warm weather at the end of March.  Sam usually doesn't care for hats unless they are strictly necessary (why hide that beautiful mane of hair, after all?) but decided that a cap with a brim, like a ball cap, can be useful on a sunny day.

It was so warm, that suddenly snow boots just don't seem to make sense.  Unless you've lost your pants, at which point the footwear choice becomes obvious.

Maggie and Sam enjoy story time.

Maggie rehearsed for seven weeks with the Cleveland Heights-University Heights middle school honor's orchestra, and they had their performance at the end of March.  Another stellar performance!

My birthday landed on a Sunday this year, so we had a great day together celebrating.  French toast and bacon in the morning, and an early dinner out with friends at the Market Garden Brewery.  They even gave us a private dining area in their basement pub room.

 Maggie and Anna deciding what to order for dinner.

Here's Princeton-boy getting ready to help with presents.

Can I help, Mommy?

Sure thing!

Making a wish.  What a great day!  Thanks to the family and friends who helped out, and I'll see you all again next year.

Holidays are here!

I've been terribly lazy in updating the blog, so I thought the best excuse to post would be to share a few holiday pictures.

First, our holiday family portrait.  We took this in the lobby of the Cleveland Institute of Music, where Maggie performed her end-of-semester prep orchestra concert just over a week ago.

Here are the three kids- Anna, Sam, and Maggie.

We had birthdays this month too.  Here are the three birthday girls!

And there was another holiday just about a month ago too!  We shared a wonderful Thanksgiving with my sisters and their families in sunny and warm Smyrna, Georgia.  Sam loved having the attention of cousins, uncles, and definitely aunties.

All our best wishes to friends and family for a wonderful holiday season, be it Solstice, Hanukkah, or Christmas.

Sam turns 1

Sammy's big day was Monday, May 23rd, when he turned 1 year old. It has been a wonderful year of growing and getting to know his world for him, and a wonderful year for us getting to know him. Here are some pictures from his birthday celebration.

This is one of my favorites. Littlest Dude has some mischievous in him. Trouble, with a capital "T".

With warmer weather now that it is spring, we spend a lot of time on our screen porch. Here's the lad trying to be patient while waiting for the cake and presents. Furniture cruise!

FINALLY! Dinner time. We had tamale pie for dinner. And hats.

His mommy made him a tasty, tasty cake. He wasn't sure what to do with it, but we all helped with some demonstrations.

SUCCESS!

Here are just a few of his favorite gifts. A sturdy little push-wagon from Grandma Pam and Grandpa Doug...

A potty seat from his optimistic father...

And a big ol' bag of Duplo blocks from Aunt Ellen and Uncle Ken.

Happy birthday, little guy!

Video blow-out!

OK, time for a whole heaping serving of the Sam Camera.

My lovely bride has been shooting video of the little guy from day one, using her point-and-shoot Canon. With a little time available to her this spring, she's been doing a lot of work in iMovie, putting together some Oscar worthy clips of the little guy in action. If you want to see these in a larger size, just click on the YouTube link in the lower right side of the video.

This first one is mostly from March and April, 2011. Apologies for the advert- we used Google's ad-supported music and the ad comes with. But you can join us now as we watch him learn to sit up, scoot, and crawl.

Next up, video coverage of our April trip to visit Grandma Pam and Grandpa Doug on the occasion of Great Grandma Esther's 100th birthday! He loved spending time with cousins, and of course, Haley-dog.

Finally, more recently, the little guy figured out how to clamber up the stairs. He's not yet discovered the laws of gravity, but we'll be sure to capture that on film as well.

Date Night

Last week we had the good fortune of family visitors, and not just ANY family visitors, but Kim's folks. Sam and Maggie enjoyed having Grandpa Doug and Grandma Pam in the house- Sam got lavish attention, shopping and treats galore; Maggie got a Cold Stone Creamery outing with Grandpa, shopping with Grandma, and quite a few games of Mexican Train.

Kim and I, in addition to wonderful company and seven days worth of happy hour, got date night out on Friday.

We spent it downtown, at Lola, where we enjoyed a lavish and delicious dinner. We started with crispy bone marrow for an appetizer, which was sinfully rich. For the main course, Kim had salmon with chicken confit and I had lamb shank. We split an order of Lola fries, which in their duck-fat-fried, rosemary salt goodness go well with everything. We washed it down with a very tasty Willamette pinot noir.

Here we are in our steppin'-out duds.

And Sammy gets a lipstick smooch from his mother.

A First Mother's Day

Kim experienced her first Mother's Day today. With small Sammy, it couldn't have been better.

The two Claspy men took her to Le Petit Triangle Cafe in Ohio City, which has, in two visits, become a favorite.

Here, Sam toasts his mother on her day. (Kir Royale for her, l'eau minerale for him)

(and yes, he loves his mummy.)

Our entrees arrive, and the lad and his mom tuck in. Boeuf Bourguignon for Kim, roast duck breast for Dad. Both were outstanding.

Happy Mother's Day!

One Hundred Years

We are fortunate to be visiting family for a very special occasion- the 100th birthday celebration of Grandma Esther. For the occasion, Pam and Doug hosted a festive celebration, with family and friends gathering at their home to celebrate. Her youngest guest, not quite one year old, was small Sam, who dressed in his best for the occasion.

Gabi greeting the guests.

Father and daughter conversation.

We took the opportunity- everyone showered and wearing swank clothing- to take some group photos.

The joy of sisters.

Smith siblings.

Esther listening to Roger spin a tale.

Sisters!

Punch?

Bryan and Jeffrey.

Esther and her youngest guest.

Lad and Mom.

More Sisters!

Somewhere over the rainbow.

Sam and Haley high-five.