67th Anniversary of D-Day

June 6, 1944, the day the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II.

I first visited Omaha beach in the late 60s when we lived in France and I remember thinking how beautiful it was not really understanding what had happened here. I had the chance to return in the mid 80s with my Dad, the history professor. Standing there looking out while he described the events on that day and standing among the 9,387 crosses for all the young men who died during this operation is something I will never forget.

The year of the Rhododendron

This is truly a good year for this woody plant that seems to love it on Martha's Vineyard! Here are a few in bloom at the moment in our yard:

Happy 55th Anniversary!

My dear parents are celebrating 55 years of marriage. How cool is that!

Here they are June 2nd, 1956

And here they are June 2nd, 2011

A glorious sunset in their honor!

Softball season

My niece has turned out to be an awesome softball player! Here she is with her lucky red glove which by the way was my glove when I played softball as a teenager! What fun!

First Communion

We celebrated my niece's First Communion yesterday. She had a great day and looked beautiful!
Here she is getting ready

with her brother

My sister with me before going to the church

All the boys and girls who participated

Happy Mother's Day!

Spent a wonderful day with my awesome mom. Here she is sporting her new earrings from her favorite daughter!

Karate

My nephew has found a new passion in karate. Here he is as serious as can be during his test for his first belt:

An awesome kick in which he broke a 1 inch board like it was a piece of paper!

And here he is receiving his white belt from one of his instructors: