The Ties That Bind...Dinner and a BBQ

There's been a lot of time with the Butler family this week. Bonnie and April arrived on our door step Saturday morning and Travis and Joe followed suit Sunday morning. I told Todd he should invite his brother Charlie out to eat with us Saturday night and from there he and Bonnie worked to get everyone, with 6 of them being there when all was said and done. It was a nice dinner at Bridie Manor. I had had half a mind to toast Charlie but I figured out that wasn't the atmosphere (us Italians will toast and cry in our spaghetti uncontrollably hahaha). Abbey and Adam did so well, with Adam scoring like five pieces of bread between his Uncle Dale slipping it to him and his cousin Colin leaving the basket within his reach! Todd propped Abbey's carseat just right and she was so relaxed she actually took a catnap :) Colin is 22 and just graduated from RIT..he's seen Adam grow up as he was often at breakfast with us and Todd's dad...there he is goofing with Adam. Our sister-in-law Georgianne is in the background...she is Holly's mom and Allan's wife.

The next morning, we got up and went to breakfast with Bonnie and April and Joe and Travis arrived as we were getting back. Todd had informed his oldest brother Chucky that he was holding a BBQ that night and Chuck came through. Tommy did attend this event, with only Terry missing. Charlie's sister Harriet was there as well as Kathy, Todd's Stepmother. Adam ran all around getting into all the dogs that were there and playing with his cousins who...although are all in their 20s...seem to get along just fine with him. Abbey was overtired and April kept her happy until Harriet tried to hold her. Eventually, Bonnie lulled her to sleep. They have a nice deck that's kind of in the trees...only drawback were the bug bites. I think it was good for everyone to keep busy and also I think it was good as siblings to spend time together as they were really sharing the experience of this loss.
That's me with my niece April from South Carolina...when we first met, I wasn't sure what to think of her. But I've really grown to like her. She's 27 and works in a vet's office. She is so good with kids and loves spending time with Adam and Abbey (hey, I left the house several times while they were here ALONE!!!). She loves to craft and surprised me by scrapbooking some pages of my wedding for me. Along with Holly, I feel like I'm gaining a friend in her as well as a niece. I was glad that Todd got to spend time with his extended family and that everyone was coming together to honor a man who loved family above all else.