Celebrating Easter with family get-togethers

Hugh and Dolores had an Easter get-together with their daughter Cathy and her children, Christopher and Stephanie.

Cathy has moved back to Maryland, where Stephanie is now finishing her first year at Towson University. Christopher lives not far away in Delaware and works in the technology services department of the Cecil County, Maryland schools.


Earlier, Dan and Julie traveled to Massachusetts a few days before Easter to visit with Christine and Jamie. They went over plans for the couple's wedding in September, and spent part of a day strolling in a local park. They also had an amusing time bowling - mostly badly, although Jamie had a decent score.

On Saturday, Dan and Julie were back in New Jersey, and Andy and Shannon drove down from Albany for a quick visit. The four went out for dinner at a favorite restaurant. Andy and Shannon then spent Sunday visiting Shannon's parents, now living on Long Island.

Azaleas and cherry blossoms at Birch Street HQ

We hope everyone in our extended family enjoyed a happy Easter!

Andy & Shannon feeling at home in Upstate NY

Dan & Julie paid a weekend visit to Andy & Shannon in their new home in the Albany area. As previously reported, Andy is now working at Conduent in downtown Albany. The two have a spacious apartment in Guilderland, a suburb just west of the city, and are settling in nicely - although with very little furniture, as they await delivery of items like sofas and a dining set.

Since moving in a month ago, they've already explored some of the attractions of the surrounding area, including John Boyd Thacher State Park. On Saturday, they brought Dan & Julie there to take in the view from atop the Helderberg Escarpment, a steep rock-faced ridge that rises above the Hudson Valley.

Sunday was a somewhat rainy day, but D&J and A&S were able to visit the indoor Discovery Center at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, just a couple of miles from their apartment. The preserve is an area of sandy soil, pitch pine and scrub oak that's home to the endangered Karner blue butterfly and more than 45 other rare plant and animal species.