Chicago trip ~ post 3

Highlights from our last day with the whole family in the suburbs...

our effort to balance out all the pizza and junk food ~ hotel room smoothie

David and cousin Bryan lounging poolside

my view of a pool full of McDermands

great whiffle ball game ~ the winning team

great whiffle ball game ~ the not-winning team

Nene with husband Randy and her three boys ~ David, Alex, and Micheal

Chicago trip ~ post 2

A wonderful dinner and memorial was planned for Nana in Elmhurst. I heard there were over 100 people there ~ family, friends, neighbors ~ After a delicious dinner, family members and close friends came up front to share their stories. David's uncle prepared a wonderful slideshow of Nana throughout her years. The highlight of the night for me (other than all the photos of David's uncles and their mustaches in the 70's) was a video that showed Nana (and David's late grandpa) laughing, really cracking up, at a video on TV that featured a televangelist praising the lord, with flatulent sounds dubbed into the background. Hilarious! What a contagious laugh she had. 

fancy Gita in the fancy mirror

cousin Lilikoi paying close attention to Nimmy

David and his brothers (along with Noah and NeNe) connecting with his old cross country coach from high shool

Nim and Noah with David's cousins Matthew and Daniel

David at the podium delivering his tear-jerking speech about his Nana. Seriously, not a dry eye.

Chicago trip ~ post 1

Carmona kids all dressed up (snappy casual) for the breakfast

We returned home on Sunday after a week trip to Illinois (Elmhurst  & Chicago). The first half was spent in the suburbs with David's entire family, gathering to honor the life of David's Nana (Grace McDermand) who passed away a few weeks ago. We spent the second half of the week in the hustle and bustle of the big city. I took tons of pictures and many people asked me to post them here. So, as to not overwhelm myself (or others) I will try to post some of the photos every day for the next few days.

These first pics are from a wonderful breakfast held in Nana's honor at the Wilder Mansion, a beautiful old home that was the library when David was a kid. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast while the family shared stories, laughs, and tears.

kazoo rendition of Amazing Grace 

David with cousin Sarah Jane and step dad Randy

Nimmy and cousin Seo

Davids uncle David James on the piano

Nimmy with her grandma, NeNe

David's mama, NeNe, with her McDermand brothers. What a bunch of goofballs.

all the McDermand cousins

Noah with his Uncle Mike and his lovely girl, Jen

summer time

The Carmona house is definitely in the summer time groove. Nim had her swimming lessons last week and this week Gita is in art camp and Noah in skate camp. Our dinner time has shifted from the winter time 5:30 to the summer time 7:00 ~ bed time is shifting as well. Evenings are spent outside until the fireflies come out. We are eating lots of corn, and berries, and melon ~ and the freezer is stocked with popsicles. Yes, summer is really here.

swimming lessons and pool time

lounging 

reading in the hammock

Mom and John visit NC

Although we have had many wonderful visits with my mom and stepdad in Utah and in Maine, they have not been to western NC to visit us in years. Actually, since our house has been finished. Well, last week, they paid us a visit and we had a wonderful time! Our neighbors were away at the beach and were in need of a house sitter to care for their pets ~ the timing worked out perfectly for mom and John to stay there for 5 days. Right next door! We shared some delicious food (both at home and on the town), walked around town, got caught in a crazy storm, spent an evening at a concert at the lake, and many hours drinking coffee and watching hummingbirds. The kids were so very happy to get to show off their rooms, animals, and favorite things. And we enjoyed the opportunity to show our loved ones a glimpse into our lives.

We miss them already ~

Noah's an 8th grade graduate!

little helper

what do you do when your youngest asks, yes asks, to vacuum the living room,

including all the chair pillows?

sit back, enjoy, and take a few photos, right?