Dennis Family Files: It's Been Awhile

It has been a long time since my last blog and a lot has happened. As a follow-up to my last blog, Adam came and went (I will post pictures below), Steve's 10 year high school reunion came and went (pictures below), I went to Sarah's dad's visitation (I forget what they are actually called when it is a viewing but the body is cremated), I went horseback riding with my friend Lisa (but I don't have pictures of that), we went to Raleigh to visit Kim, Doug and my neices (no pictures), Halloween came and went (pictures below) and my grandfather passed away (pictures of funeral below). I also have to say that I've gotten much better at taking more pictures of events recently.

Having Adam in town was a good time. We just hung out around the apartment and had friends over, Steve and I went to his reunion the Saturday that Adam was in town and we all watched football on Sunday at O'Toole's and our place. The reunion was an okay time. I'm not big on reunions and I think that will be the last one that Steve and I attend. We went to mine last year and his this year and now I think I'm all set with them and don't need to go to anymore.

Horseback riding was a lot more fun than I had originally thought. Not feeling that well in the morning since Adam was in town and we were all up late the night before, I wasn't in the mood to go anymore but I forced myself. Not only was I not feeling great, it was also football Sunday and I was missing the 1pm games. But, being the good friend that I am, I didn't back out on the plans and I met them all the way in Maryland. I'm really glad that I went though because it had been so long since I was on a horse and I think everyone had a good time. Once I got home, I rushed to O'Toole's to meet up with Steve, Adam and a few of my friends.

The weekend after Adam was in town, Steve and I made a quick trip to Raleigh. We got there late Friday night after work and came back Sunday early evening. We hung out with my neices. I got them some late birthday presents and we played with them all with them. We went to dinner without the kids one night and played Apples to Apples when we got home. I won 2 games and Doug won one. He was very proud of himself for getting the final win of the night.

Once we got back home from Raleigh I got a call from Kim saying that my grandfather had died. He was suffering a lot and although in his mind he probably wasn't ready to go, his body was. We ended up making a trip to New Jersey that Wednesday for the funeral. The good news was that I got to see some people I hadn't seen in awhile but unfortunately it wasn't under the best circumstances. I also learned a lot about my grandpop that I never knew before and coincidentally the Phillies won the night before the funeral and a Phillies hat was appropriately placed in the casket. I also learned that he had filled out his McCain absentee vote the night before he died. Way to make us proud!

We got back on Friday which was Halloween and went to Ray's (Steve's brother) to pick up Onyx and eat a smorgasbord of hamburgers, hotdogs, macaroni and cheese and plenty of other food. Donna (his sister) had brought her husband, kids and their puppy, Reese, too and there neighbors also came by.

Saturday, was Steve and my 2 year anniversary and we had to go to a Halloween party at Brion's Grille that a bunch of our friends were at. It was a good time! Steve dresses up as white trash (and did a very good job of it) and I couldn't find a costume last minute so I used my old scrubs and bought a Fisher Price doctor kit and went as a nurse. The next day was spent recovering and watching football and making french dip sandwiches from the Crockpot (a recipe I stole from Kim that is awesome!). And, now, I am back at work and wondering why this day is absolutely dragging.

Tonight, we are going to watch the Steelers lose to the Redskins, tomorrow we are voting (for McCain!), Wednesday we have to meet with a DJ, Thursday we are going to dinner for Steve's friend, Matt's birthday at Rio Grande and Friday we finally start another weekend!

Jason, Sam and Steve