Moments of Magic Will Glow in the Night

Last weekend Daddy Hogan (John, Johnny, Uncle Johnny, Mr. Hogan) turned 60!

We all gathered at the lake house, including our cousins Jen, Tim and Conner who came down from upstate New York for the celebration. It was a beautiful and relaxing weekend spent celebrating my dad and the family that he leads and loves.

Our dad inpires us everyday to take care of one another, put family first, and live a Christian life. His example is one of passion, honesty and determination. I often say that our family fights and loves harder than most people I know....and we would have it no other way. We feel things deeply and profoundly in a world whose overstimulation can serve as a sort of universal lidocaine.

As such, woven into the happiness of the weekend was a palpable void - MaryKatherine, my dad's "firstest one", is always missed but never as much as when we are gathered together, embibing and telling stories that would be better punctuated with her contagious laughter. But the gurgling laughter of a wee one seemed to make the ache just a bit more bearable. We experienced baby's first boat ride AND convertible ride! There was lots of eating, napping...and maybe just a FEW beverages. Neighbors and friends came over for birthday cake, and we got in quite a bit of boat time - decorated boat time thanks to the MacPeeks! There were deli runs and ice cream cones and music....

And all through it love....immeasurable amounts of love.

This piece will be called "Yentas Afloat" in my gallery show. :)

We didn't get a sunset, but I know that a few people were looking down on my dad from this sky...

Porch madness....if there is a max occupancy, we challenged it...

Champagne and Bass Guitar....Dad is SUCH a rockstar!

The fun isn't over - just interrupted by the work week!

Until next time....

Coming Out of the Dark, I Finally See the Light Now - It's Shining on Me

June is already half over, and we know that September is just around the corner. We've been trying to soak up every moment that we can get with our friends and family - and doing a MUCH better job of it this year!

I've been VERY remiss in taking photos, but have some "substitutes" courtesy of others! I promise to get back on the ball!

First we celebrated the third birthday of Devyn. Kristen and Greg were our first friends to have a child, and we've learned so much with them and through her. The wonder and honesty in her eyes inspire us all to be just a little better, and just a bit kinder in our words and actions.

Happy, happy birthday Devyn - we are so blessed to witness your life and look forward to continuing to watch you grow. You, your mommy and your daddy mean the world to us - someday you'll understand why.

Then, it was on to my very first (and probably last) Tupperware party! It was a wonderful and silly evening with girlfriends and moms. Again, no photos - just artwork courtesy of my favorite pop artist, Anne Taintor, that I think says it all!

Father's Day heralded the one month birthday of Gracie Campbell, and mom and dad sent us some photos to celebrate. Gracie: we can confirm your onesie's sentiment, your dad ABSOLUTELY rocks. Although it may be some time until you understand why....you are so incredibly loved and blessed.

We just finished celebrating Father's Day with daddy Hogan, and Dominick had a great chat with our Stanzione family earlier this morning. It was a lovely day, much needed after a difficult week (more on that later). As we count our blessings and celebrated all of the new daddies in our group of friends and extended family, we realize that this is a difficult holiday for so many.

Many of our friends have lost their dads this year, and our thoughts are just as much with you today - we celebrate not only the dads who are still with us, but those that have passed on and all of the wonderful memories and virtues that they left with us.

We've had a very scary week after Tugger was stricken with heat stroke after having a fantastic time at my girlfriend Melanie's birthday bbq. Tugger spent the day with another beagle, Otis....as it turns out, he had a bit too much fun.

It was very serious and touch-and-go all week, but it seems that our baby boy has really turned a corner. Three emergency vet visits and a few c-notes later, we almost cried the first time he showed interest in food. A visit from his big sister Ginger did a lot for his spirits, too.

However, his (and our) dear friend Buddy Budd did not fare so well. He, like Tugger, got heat stroke this past week, but the vets were unable to bring him back. We will always have wonderful memories of drinks with the Budds and our dogs on their porch, and running around the Christmas tree farm.

In gratitude for all that we have, and all that we mean to one another, let's remember to take care of our loved ones (two and four-legged). Those experiencing joy, pain and everything in between can use our support and words of encouragement...let us offer them liberally.

Let's Get Real, Let's Get Heavy

May whirled and twirled around us and was over in a flash.

Sadly, we lost a friend and fellow blogger, Joseph Datoli (Joe Dat) to a battle with cancer that can only be described as courageous and inspiring. Joe was always full of mirth and merriment, and that the only way to remember him. Joe always took joy in reconnecting people and celebrating the memories of their PR days; we will keep his blog posted on ours (SHU Pershing Rifles) as a tribute to the wonderful friend that he was.

Professionally speaking, May is the "black Friday" of the academic and landscape architecture worlds. We worked most weekends, but made sure to carve family and friend time out wherever we could. It was exhausting....it was exhillerating...and then it was over!

The exclamation point of the run-on sentence that is May is always commencement. Although I had been hired by this time last year, this was my first graduation as a Dean! Fancy robes, fabulous hats and a stage....I was in heaven. On a serious note, it is a wonderful time of year that celebrates the accomplishments of our students and shares a glimpse of all of our futures. It is a very long day for us, but you will never find overwhelmed state workers in better humor than at Rutgers commencement. It is full of tradition, honor and promise.

Late in May, we headed to upstate New York to visit our cousins, Jen and Tim, and their gorgeous new son Conner. All babies are cute....all babies are loved...all babies are smart....Conner takes all of these things to the next level. His precious little face gazing up at you melts all of the world's problems away. He was exactly what the doctor ordered for us!

Jen and Tim have always been an inspiring couple to me; they make their opinions known, but always approach life as a team, looking out for the best interest of one another and their relationship. But none of this is done in a somber way - they are just about as goofy and fun and two people get and put everyone at ease. Conner has completed them in a way that no man could imagine; he is truly a gift and part of God's plan for Jen and Tim. We're so glad to be able to share in their joy and excitement.

After eating our weight in amazing sushi and mainlining "Dexter" for a few days (how amazing is that show?!), it was time to journey onward. We headed another 45 minutes to Niagara Falls for an overnight. We were only there for 1 full day, but managed to get quite a bit of sightseeing in.

Below is a photo collage of graduation, Conner and Niagara. Here's to a great launch to summer! Hope to be spending a bit of time with all of you!