Sunday a big day for Gen, John, Beatrice

The happy family above had plenty to celebrate on Sunday. It was Genevieve's first Mother's Day as a mom, John's birthday and Beatrice's first chance to wish both of them "Many Happy Returns of the Day!"

Chris plays a pirate in final HS show

Christopher performed in Hilliard Darby High School's production of Peter Pan this week. It was the last show for Chris and other seniors in the school's Theatre Troupe.

"The production was well received and hugely successful," Cathy writes. "Chris performed in the role of Starkey, one of the pirates with Captain Hook. He performed in musical numbers throughout Acts 2 and 3, such as 'Pirate Song,' 'Hook's Tango,' 'Hook's Taratella' and 'Hook's Waltz.'"

See Cathy's full album of photos: Peter Pan - Darby HS - May 2015

The production incorporated flying effects for Peter and the Darling children, and a Steampunk-inspired vision for the costumes and sets.

The troupe put on six performances, including one for local second-grade students. The cast included elementary school children portraying Michael Darling and some of the Lost Boys.

"Since the story is set in an era when many people held racist views towards Native Americans, the theater director used this play as a means to educate the students and community about this period in history and ways to overcome prejudice today."

"Chris has enjoyed being involved in Darby's Theatre Troupe, both behind the scenes as part of the Tech Crew and performing in small X-Theatre productions and main-stage shows. He's hoping to continue his theater involvement into college."

Recent additions to our family's passel of pets

Members of our family have added at least three pets to their households in the past few months. The latest: Maizie, adopted by Rebecca and her boyfriend, Cameron.

Maizie joins Murphy, who moved in last October. Murphy, who will turn two years old in July, seems happy to have a new friend to play with.

Rebecca is also the proud owner of five fancy rats, including this cuddly pair.

In New Jersey, meanwhile, Christine has added a third member to her own rat pack.

While picking up supplies at her local PetSmart last month, Christine learned they were seeking adoptive homes for some babies that had been born at the store.

Christine brought home Nanako, a "dumbo" rat (a variety named for its large ears) with one red eye and one black.

She joins Yukiko and Chie, who've been in the family since October.

And in Virginia, Marie, Brian and Xander have adopted a second cat. Matilda, above, arrived in February, joining Hans, at right, who's been part of the household since June.

"We don't know Matilda's exact age," Marie writes, "but the shelter estimated she was about a year old when we got her. Hans turned one this past week."

Julie honored by Girl Scouts for volunteer work

At the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey council's annual Volunteer Recognition dinner, Julie received the Thanks Badge in recognition of her "selfless volunteerism over the years and her lasting commitment to the mission of Girl Scouts." Above, Julie stands with two other award recipients. Behind her are the executive director and two board members of the council.

The award citation noted that Julie has been a troop leader, Service Unit Manager for Scotch Plains-Fanwood, nut-sale manager, religious award liason and recording secretary for the service unit, "and much more." She also served on the committee that guided the merger of three councils into Heart of New Jersey.

In addition, Julie and the other members of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Service Unit team received the President's Award as one of the outstanding teams in the council.

"With a service team comprised of over 25 volunteers, this team spends countless hours planning various activities throughout the year to keep the girls engaged in Girl Scouting," the citation said.

A spring stroll in NY for Gen, John, Beatrice

One of New York's most fabulous families was spotted in Central Park enjoying Saturday's beautiful spring weather. Six-week-old Beatrice looks to be riding in style - and snoozing in the fresh air.

Of birds and blossoms and a beautiful April day

Look closely at this robin and you'll see water droplets on its feathers. This fellow enjoyed hopping in and out of the spray from a lawn sprinkler at Birch Street headquarters on this gorgeous April day.

SPRING has finally really truly broken out here in New Jersey and environs. Dan says: "After a long, snowy winter and a cool, dreary early spring, this wasn't just any sunny-and-70-degrees day. It felt like perfection.

"Hyacinths! Azalea buds! The neighbor's magnolia tree against a spectacular blue sky! On a bicycle ride around the neighborhood I saw high school and Little League baseball games, a full playground, joggers, strollers, gardeners, someone washing a boat in a driveway."

"Over the land is April," added Robert Louis Stevenson. "Hear you the songs of spring?" Yes, Bob, we do.

Marie now writing for web-designer site

Marie on the "About" page at CSS-Tricks

Marie is now a member of the staff of CSS-Tricks, a web site that provides tutorials, tips and other information about CSS, a language for formatting web sites.

For the past few years, Marie has been operating her own blog about blog design, called codeitpretty.com.

She started editing and writing for CSS Tricks in late January. She continues to work from her home office.

Marie writes: "CSS-Tricks is one of the world's most popular websites about front-end web development. I learned so much about what I do from CSS-Tricks, so it's very exciting for me to be part of the team."

Chris, Steph & Cathy on band trip to Disney: Photos

Cathy has put together this great selection of photos from the Hilliard Darby High School music trip to Disneyworld in late March.

Senior Christopher, freshman Stephanie and chaperone Cathy were all on the trip. Looks like a great time!

(If the photo album isn't displayed above, click here)

Dolores takes part in NAN Assembly

Dolores and Hugh traveled last month to Troy, Mich., where Dolores took part in the National Association of Needlearts 2015 Assembly. Above, Dolores gives a lecture during the opening reception on the judging of embroidery.

One of the awards presented at the event is named for Dolores, and is given to "an original entry that demonstrates creative use of color and design in any medium."

Above, the ballroom of The Somerset Inn is converted into an exhibit hall for The Exemplary, NAN's annual needlework showcase. "We filled it with marvelous embroidery from all over the country -- plus a few from Canada," Dolores said.

During their trip, Hugh paid a visit to the Henry Ford Museum. Naturally, there's a Model T on exhibit there, along with many other auto specimens (not all made by Ford). The Hot Dog Mobile (below) is just inside the entrance. But the museum also includes collections of Americana and objects connected with U.S. history.

Easter greetings and gatherings

Hugh and Dolores played host to some family members for Easter Brunch in the dining hall at their Oak Crest community in Parkville, Md.

Julie, Dan and Christine were visiting from New Jersey and were joined by Doug, Lisa and Liz. They spent the rest of the day relaxing and talking at Hugh and Dolores' apartment and then at Doug and Lisa's house.

The previous evening, Julie, Dan and Christine joined Hugh and Dolores at the Easter Vigil service at Trinity Church in Towson.

Cathy, Christopher and Stephanie celebrated Easter together at their church, St. Patrick's in Dublin, Ohio. They sent along this photo with Easter greetings to all.

Please share your Easter stories and photos

Happy Easter to all

Cathy, Chris, Steph enjoy Disney with HS Band

The Hilliard-Darby Marching Band spent Spring Break at Walt Disney World last week. Senior Christopher, freshman Stephanie and chaperone Cathy were all on the trip.

Above, a family pose. At right, Cathy with other chaperones. Cathy plans to send along many more photos, so check back!

Finally! Signs of Spring at Birch Street

Could it be? Is winter really over? These little green sprouts and these crocuses seem to think so!

Brien hosts annual Watch Party for St. Pat's Parade

For a third consecutive year, family members and friends gathered at Brien's apartment on McLean Avenue to watch the Yonkers St. Patrick's Day parade pass directly under his front windows.

The parade and the crowd get bigger every year. This was just the fourth year that a parade was held along McLean, but the second year that it served as the official St. Pat's celebration in Yonkers. McLean has become the Main Street of the large Irish community in southeast Yonkers and the adjoining Woodlawn area of The Bronx.

Here is an album of photos of the party, mixed with pictures of the parade from The Journal-News, which has a big photo gallery on its LoHud.com web site.

Getting to know Beatrice: New photos

Week-and-a-half-old Beatrice met some more members of her family this past weekend. Above, Shanna holds Beatrice with happy mother Genevieve looking on. Below, Beatrice poses with her proud Grandma, Uncle Patrick and Aunt Vivien.

The last of the snow? We can hope!

After another round of snowfall at the end of last week, the weekend brought a break in the wintry weather and the snowpack at Birch Street Headquarters began to melt. Could Spring actually be on its way?

Dan took this photo Sunday afternoon. He says: "This picture tells a lot about the winter we've had. The pile of dirty snow on the right represents the many times we've had to shovel the driveway. The fresh white snow on the left is from just two days earlier. And the Christmas lights still strung around the tree show that the yard has been snow-covered continuously since Jan. 10, the weekend when I would have taken them down. Maybe I can finally do that next weekend!"

Genevieve & John bring Beatrice home

Genevieve and John brought newborn Beatrice Kathleen home from the hospital to their Manhattan apartment on Saturday.

Here's a collection of the photos we've seen so far of our newest family member.

Genevieve, John have a baby daughter!

Genevieve and John welcomed their daughter into the world on Wednesday night.

John writes: "I'm overjoyed to tell you that our daughter, Beatrice Kathleen, was born at Mount Sinai Hospital on March 4, 2015 at 7:20 p.m., weighing 8 pounds 8 ounces.

"Mother and daughter are well, but are very sleepy. We are looking forward to introducing her to all of you."