The Joy of June, In Three Parts

Brother Thom, aunt Ellen, uncle Bob in Latham, New York.
The month of June is often time for family celebrations and this year TD and I had a full dance card.
1.
The first weekend of June we winged up to Rochester, New York, on JetBlue for the wedding party of my cousin Peter's daughter Dottie.

Here is Dottie arriving at the party with her husband Bryce behind and mother Lorie. Earlier in May the couple had already been married in Italy in Tuscany, and this was a celebratory cocktail reception held at the Twin Beeches Estate in Pittsford, New York. Dottie looking beautiful arrived in a horse drawn carriage and then guests passed through the mansion to a posh reception on the tented terrace. This is my father's side of the family, and it was great fun to see aunts and cousins and their children. My mother was not feeling up to the trip but my father did drive from Connecticut, and here we are:

At the reception, photographer Cythnia Fay took this picture of yours truly, which was posted on Fine and Dandy.com.

My cousin Bryan and his wife Sherry happily invited us to stay at their house which was most comfortable. Big congrats and best wishes to Dottie and Bryce as they begin their married life together; their party was a wonderful beginning.
2.
The second weekend of June we headed down to Ocean City, New Jersey, for TD's mother's surprise 90th birthday party.
TD spent the weekend there with his mother Edna and I took a Greyhound bus on Sunday morning out of the Port Authority at 9am. The party was held at the Ocean City Yacht Club which has a big sunny room that is situated right on the scenic Great Egg Harbor Bay.
A colorful June table

And another table. The Dawsons are a riot.

At last the birthday girl did arrive and she was indeed surprised.
Here is Edna surrounded by family and friends as we all sang Happy Birthday.

We settled down to a buffet lunch and delicious birthday cake. When it was time to leave Edna insisted on driving us to the train station. She goes to the gym three times a week – a true inspiration. God bless.
3.
The third weekend of June we rented a car and raced up the New York State Thruway to Latham, New York, near Albany, for the engagement party of my cousin Lindsay. The party was held at the home of the parents of her fiancé Mark. Here is Lindsay second from left greeting guests.

This is my mother's side of the family, the Mumfords. These aunts, uncles, cousins and their children are always a joy to see.


The big pretty house and garden were the perfect setting for a party. A buffet dinner was served under a tent and we sat down at long tables. Then TD and I drove back to New York to return the car at Hertz. People at the party said, "You didn't get a Zip Car?" Next time!
I loved it all. In three weeks I got to see the three branches of my family. How often does that happen? That is the joy of June.