Baxter is About to Turn a Year Old

With all the news of beautiful Thurston babies, I thought it would be right to remind us all that little Bax will turn one year old on June 9th. He has been with us since last August, and we could not be happier with the little booger. He starts our day with a walk, keeps us young, loves us unconditionally, and provides a great level of adventure. He's just a good boy. I listened to my Nats on the radio this afternoon...drifting in and out of sleep...with my little Bax cuddling by my side...life is good.

~MET

Just a Good Day

I'm already a bit spent as we near 7pm. Today we took the dog for a long walk,  I went to the dump, then made a great brunch. After that I wrote the first draft of my graduation speech - then made my dad and M-S and Kori supper.

Here is what the brunch looked like:

 It was an egg over braised mushrooms. I had several kinds of shrooms:

I had a good time cooking all day.

It was also President Kennedy's birthday today. Simply a good day.
~MET

Its Beginning to Feel a Bit Like Summer

Its still chilly and overcast - but we did get to grill some burgers and veggies today. From here on we will use charcoal 2-4 times a week. I got all of my grilling fare (and LOTS of it) at Emery's Meats on Rt. 17 in Augusta today. If those of you in the capital area have not checked it out yet - you should! Great meats, great service, lots of other stuff, its a foodaholic's dream. GRILL ON!
~MET

Perhaps the Most Beautiful Picture Ever Taken

This is a picture that is certainly worth much more than a thousand words. My mom, my sister, and my niece all together for the first time. So wonderful. Period.
~MET

Going More Green

This is my new lawn mower. I have wanted a mower that needed no gas and oil, and I used to have an electric with a cord. This one is rechargeable and I think its going to work out well. Its pretty heavy so it will also provide a good workout. I may also need to buy a second battery depending on how long the charge lasts. Now its really beginning to feel like spring!
~MET

I Know Its Been a While...

...and I'm going to try much harder to update this blog more often. There certainly has been a lot going on.

• 
  Life with my wife and Owen and Baxter seems to get better every day


• WEA/MEA/NEA responsibilities keep growing - Lots of meetings and very busy


• Ma is getting stronger and will be going to DC on Tuesday to meet Maeve, her new grandchild


• School is winding down, and I am looking forward to graduation - this is a fun class


• The MEA-RA (pic) was a lot of fun/work


• Chris and Sarah continue to be busy preparing for summer jobs, summer fun, and life

All in all my life is darn good. Again, I'll try to check in more often.

~MET

Congratulations, Sarah and Chris!

The UMaine graduation was a lot of fun today. I'm very proud of my children and was beaming the whole morning. Cousin Sean also graduated today, so I saw some relatives from my mom's side of the family. I took a few pictures and some of them are fuzzy because I was too far away. I like the first one - it is my aunt with the bell she rang when Sean, Chris, and Sarah got their diplomas. It was also the bell my grandmother rang to call children and grandchildren into the house:

The professors in Sarah's department held a breakfast in the library for them before graduation:

Sarah and boyfriend Tom:

There are lots of "big events" this time of year, but this year is extra special. Chris and Sarah are fantastic people. I'm very proud of you both. I love you both very much.

~MET

Welcome to the World, Maeve Julya Smith!

I am an uncle. I feel very lucky that I had a board meeting in Washington at the same time that my little sister was giving birth to her first child. True - the little booger was very stubborn, but I did get to the hospital to snap a couple of pictures early in the morning before my work began. Maeve was four hours old when these pictures were taken.

I love the name, especially Julya, as that is my mother's middle name. Suzanne and Grant will be wonderful parents. Maeve will never lack for love or attention - especially since she is born with so many relatives who have not had a baby to fawn over for quite some time. So, welcome and I can't wait to see you again.

~MET