In loving memory of Uncle Pete

Last Saturday we found out that my uncle pete had passed away from a massive heart attack. The service was today and boy was it amazing. Uncle Pete was a special education teacher and I am telling you what there was a huge turnout of friends, family and colleagues who truly appreciated him. To listen to the students and families speak about what he had done for them was just amazing! Pete was my grandparents oldest child.

God bless you and may your soul rest forever.

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night... you, only you, will have stars that can laugh!"
-The little Prince

Peter was born in Tacoma June 27, 1951, and died in March of 2008 in Port Angeles. He graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1969. He was a member of the marching band, and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Western WA University in 1974. He did student teaching at Burlington, and taught for the Port Angeles School District until he retired in 2007. Peter was a special education teacher for thirty years. He was at his best and happiest when he was helping his special education students. He was a caring and loving son, brother, uncle and friend. Everyone knew if they needed help or a favor, Pete would be there for them. Pete’s wonderful sense of humor, especially practical jokes enriched our lives. He loved cars, motorcycles, mountain bikes, hiking Hurricane Ridge, and walking the waterfronts of Tacoma and Port Angeles. Pete is survived by his parents LaDonna and Nicholas Beritich; brothers Nick, Jr. Olympia, Joel (Lisa), Christopher (Lorraine), Ted (Lynette) Beritich, all of Tacoma; sisters Elizabeth Parks, Tacoma, Yvonne (Kevin) Gronzo, Mineral, Tina Beritich, Tacoma, Katherine Joyner (Joshua Lawty), Tacoma, Nicole (Richard) Marsland, Lakeville, NY; 20 nieces and nephews, his former wife Becky and four stepsons, Port Angeles. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernard and Elizabeth Call. Memorial services will be celebrated Saturday, March 29, 2008, 10:30 a.m. at Drennan and Ford Funeral Home, Port Angeles, WA. Reception to follow at Peter’s school, Dry Creek Elementary. Inurnment in the family gravesite at Calvary Cemetery will be held at a later date. Pete’s passing leaves a hole in our hearts and a void that can never be filled.
Pub Date: 3/27/2008

Viva Las Vegas

Monday evening I flew out to Vegas for the Bridal Buyers Market. It was a great experience seeing the shows and picking out the various styles of gowns for our shop.

Wednesday night I got to hook up with my friends Allison and Garrett who are temporaly living in Vegas while Garrett finishes his dental internship. We ate at a great Mexican restaurant and then went over to the Irish Bar at New York New York. What fun we had!! Allison and Garett move back in June and I can hardly wait!!

Viva Las Vegas

Oh and if anyone wonders we have just recently moved the shop down 6th ave. The new address is 2914 6th ave. It is huge and BEAUTIFUL
www.theweddingbellbride.com

Easter Day

On Easter day we went over to my grandmas house to visit. Our big family Easter brunch was cancelled due to a death in the family. This was more of a time to stop by and send our condolences. The mood was somber but the girls were still so happy together in their Easter dresses.







Later in the day the meisbergers came over to play. The girls just love Auntie Jennie and don't get to see her that often because of law school. That will all end soon because she is GRADUATING!!! yeah.... We ate yummy ham sandwiches and played the wii all afternoon long.


Happy Easter Everyone!

Easter morning

Christ has Risen...
We are so grateful for the many sacrifices you made!!

Here are a few pics of Easter morning. Although we do the easter bunny baskets and the eggs I always make sure that my girls (well at least Mara for now) know the reason for this blessed holiday.

This was the early morning when they both were finding their baskets. Looks like that Easter bunny made some pretty special deliveries.

Easter Egg Extravaganza

Justin, Mara and I dyed our easter eggs saturday night. It was so much fun mixing colors, adding stickers and drawing designs on our eggs. Mara made a special one for each of us in the family.




Here were the final products!





Afterwards Mara wanted to take this pic of us. MMWWaaa Love you.. love you more

Cheese

I finally was able to grab enough of Gracelyns hair to make two big piggies. I think she liked them because she was just cheesin it for the camera. I wonder if she knows how cute she is??

Slumber Party

Tonight I dropped Mara off at her first slumber party. It was for Alaynas Birthday so the girls are a bit older. It made me so sad to see my little six year old hanging out like a big kid. I know she will be fine but man was tonight one of those moments. I looked back to when I was a child and all the Birthday parties I went too. I never got to stay the night because my parents always thought we stayed up to late and that usually I would get sick and be too cranky the next day. I am sure they were right and I am sure tomorrow will bring attitude that is less then desirable. With that said I hope she has fun as long as they don't talk about boys or even think of them. I am hoping for Polly Pockets and Barney videos...






As you can see from this last photo she may not be hanging on very much longer.

Sweet Dreams Peanut!!

Dinner with the Gillilands

Finally on Wednesday evening we got to meet up with Sharon and Kiel for some dinner and long awaited catching up. The last time we saw them was at their Atlantic City wedding back in July. Sharon got a new flying job which has kept her away and Kiel has been just as busy flying and now preparing for another deployment.

Sharon and Kiel are two of the greatest people I know. I am so proud to know that I was apart of the courtship!! Actually it was really a few too many drinks and bad lighting that led to this romance. Well no matter how it happened I am so glad it did!!




Mara as you can see can never get enough of them either. They are contantly spoiling her rotten and she knows it. Last night Uncle Kiel got her a Cold Stone gift card. Oh and just so you know even if the cards state that they are from Kiel and Sharon Mara just wants to believe it is from Kiel. I think she has a little crush!!! hee hee:)






It was great seeing you guys!! Be safe flying!!

Meisberger meet and Eat!!

Justins cousin Heather flew in from the east coast this weekend so we decided to have a Meisberger family get together. That as usual consists of a whole lot of eating, drinking and laughing. Ted cooked up a HUGE seafood feast.







Justin and I had not seen Heather since our wedding back in 2000. Lots has changed since then. We obviously have the two girls and Heather got married and has one of her own too!! Little Miss Olivia!! Gracie and her are only days apart so it was fun comparing notes on what they are doing right now and what they did!

My girls just loved Heather and could not get enough of her. Gracie especially!!

It was great seeing you.. Have a safe flight home :)

Let's Celebrate Lulu

Saturday evening the bridal party for Lulu's wedding met at the new shop to try on Bridesmaids dresses. There were many laughs as well as many dresses tried on.





After the dresses were tried on we opened gifts for Lulu's and Tessa's Birthdays. I guess you could say we decided to have a ya ya. That is our once a month girls dinner. They got lots of fun presents this year!!


Afterwards we walked over to Engine house no 9 for some food and a beer. Yummy!!


Thanks ladies for always being such great girlfriends!!

Jaclyns 18th Birthday!!

Jaclyn the little brown eyed girl I started babysitting 11 years ago turned eighteen today. It was a shock when Michael did but with her it hit me harder. I can't believe how much time has passed and how many wonderful things she has done with her life.

Jaclyn I am so incredibly proud of you with all that you have done in your life. You are an amazing young talented woman who I am so proud to say I know. Your school smarts are outstanding, your dance talents are flawless and your relationship you have found with God has transformed you into a person to whom I look up to.

Thanks for all the wonderful memories over the years!! I hope all your Birthday wishes come true!!

Childrens Museum

Friday morning I took Gracelyn to the childrens museum to play with Kellys daughter Clara and Heathers daughter Mia. All of us have been friends forever and it is so fun having kiddos the same age. Kelly and Clara just recently moved back from France with her husband Chris. Chris is also a pilot in the Air Force. We are so excited to have you home!!








The girls did art, played kitchen, played farmers market and read books. I had not been in a while and I just plain forgot how fun it is. Gracie loved it! In fact I bought an annual membership while I was there so we can go whenever we want!! YIPEE!!

Baba or no Baba.. that is the question

Gracelyn just loves her bottle and I know we are getting to the point of not having them anymore. Not by her choice but what pediatricians, Md's and every parenting book on the shelf recommends. Is it me just wanting to keep her a baby?? Yes and the fact that she completely is obsessed with them. I have never seen a kid get more excited to have a bottle in my entire life. The blankie and her baba are all she needs to put a smile on her face.

My mom tells me that this was the exact way I was with mine. I eventually gave them up right?? I am sure she will too but all in her own time!

Happy Birthday Alayna

Wed night we went to The Ram to celebrate Alaynas Birthday. It had been months since we all saw each other. The kids were just so excited and getting along so well.








Alayna loved her gifts and we all loved the yummy brownies we made!




It was great seeing you all. Happy Birthday!!