Building a kiddy stool

Tom here.

Here's a fun little show for you.

I've got a question for my cousins. Our grandfather spent his whole life building houses. Many of our dads were talented carpenters. Is anyone in OUR generation doing any woodworking or house building? How about sharing some pictures.

Memorial Day

Tom here. I decided to repeat this post from last year...with no changes.

This weekend is a long weekend, and some might remember that it is Memorial Day, a day for honoring those who gave their lives to keep this country safe and free.

A few years ago I discovered a terrific audio program on the net about our oldest cousin, Lanny, who died in the Viet Nam War in May of 1970. Each year I make it a part of my Memorial Day weekend, to honor the sacrifice Lanny made for our country. The picture at left was taken at Christmas time, about five months before Lanny died.

Check this out. Click here. Listen to The Moving Wall, by Jane Ladouceur (Ron's wife) and Personal Records, by Ron Ladouceur. Thanks, Jane and Ron for doing such a terrific job and sharing.

You can also see Lannie's information on the Virtual Wall by clicking here. You can leave a tribute if you like.

Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend, and do something special to honor a veteran who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

A new Daoust has (finally) arrived

Fiona Grace Meehan was born to Jim and Josee Meehan (Eddie's granddaughter) on Jan. 31 at 4:22 a.m. She was nine days late, but who's counting? To read more about her arrival, visit our blog here.

Merry Christmas from N.C.

Hi everyone. Josee here. We have an announcement. We found out a few weeks ago that our new baby, due in January, is a baby girl!

Here is an ultrasound photo. Her name is Fiona Grace Meehan.Merry Christmas to all!

Thanksgiving at our house

Tom here. We love hosting a big crowd at our house, so we always invite enough people to fill the table. This was our crowd on Thanksgiving Day. Kelley went to Savanah, GA with her fiance to be with his family. We miss her, but we were happy to have Brian and his wife, who will celebrate one year together on December 1.

Hope y'all had a nice Thanksgiving Day. Let's see your pictures from the day.

Here's an oldie

Tom here. I had to share this one. Lynette had it, and shared it via email. Initially I was trying to recognize my cousins. Nope. It's Grandma and Grandpa's first 3 children: Al, Ed, and Rita (left to right).

My dad is probably only about 8 months old, so I am guessing this was taken in the early part of 1921. Yvette was not born yet.

Thanks, Lynette for saving this treasure and for sharing it.

Kelley is Engaged

Linda and Tom here. We are happy to announce that our daughter Kelley is engaged to Brice Pridgen. Their story is fairy tale that is not common today. They met in the 4th grade, and began dating around the 9th grade. Kelley and Brice will graduate from their respective colleges in May and plan on marrying in the summer.

Kelley and Brice were in Brian's wedding last December, and it was apparent to many that they might be the next to get married. The picture here was taken at Brian's wedding. Throwing the bouquet was carefully fixed for Kelley to be the winner.

Linda and I were so happy to welcome Brian's new wife Ashley into our family, and now we're delighted to welcome Brice. We could not be happier.

Congratulations to Kelley and Brice. We love you both.

Uncle Al's Obituary

Tom here. Sorry we can't be there with y'all. I am sending a check to Suzy, and I believe Cheryl and Paul are doing so as well.

Click HERE to go to Uncle Al's obituary in the Times Union.

A new Daoust arriving in January

Josee here in North Carolina. I just wanted to announce that my husband and I are expecting our second child around the end of January. Some in the family already know, but I figured I'd make it official. So far the pregnancy is going well. Danny, our first born, knows that the baby is in my tummy and tries to put toys up my shirt for the baby. Here's a recent photo of the whole family (including the baby belly!).

1,000+ Visitors

Tom here. Has anyone noticed we passed 1,000 visitors, just since Feb. 17, 2008. Thanks to Josee for providing the counter. If you haven't done so already, click on the counter to see additional stats on the traffic on this site. It's interesting to see what causes a spike in visits and page views. You can even see where visitors are accessing from. Take a look.

Enough of that. Here is a picture taken when I went to Aunt Irene and Uncle Bill's during our visit to the Albany area.

100 years ago on 8/8/08

Tom again. This Friday is the start of the Olympics at 8:08 pm. It is also 100 years since our Grandma was born. Well, maybe not to the minute.

This picture is a school picture, from the days when Grandma was a cafeteria lady. Maybe Aunt Irene can estimate the year.

Another wedding October 11, 1952

Tom here. Here's another photo I wanted to share. You should recognize a few family members. Can anyone provide some interesting details about this wedding? Where was the wedding? The reception? Any good stories from that day? Comments?

An Invitation

Tom here. Here's a real gem of a picture. Cheryl reading to Paul (on R) and me (L). Many of us have old B&W pictures like this, and it's not difficult to share them by email and on blogs like this if you have a scanner.

I am flying to Albany this Friday (7/25), and will be in town for 10 days. I am bringing my scanner and laptop computer to capture some family photos when I visit Aunt Irene and Uncle Bill. Aunt Irene is collecting some photos y'all might be interested in seeing.

If you have any particularly good pictures you'd like to share on the blog I would be glad to scan them while visiting Aunt Irene. Drop them off at her place, and I will scan them for you. If you also leave your email address I will send you the scanned copy, and you can pick up your originals at Aunt Irene's.

Tom & Linda Steppin Out

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

I don't recall tellin' y'all that we've been taking dance lessons. Watch.

I'm In to Win!

Tom here. I am a bit frustrated with politics this year, so I have decided to do something in the presidential election. Look out Obama. Look out McCain! Click the picture above.

Tom surprises Aunt Marie & Uncle Guy

Tom here. Linda and I surprised Aunt Marie and Uncle Guy one Sunday afternoon by stopping by their favorite restaurant in Rensselaer, after a visit with Aunt Irene and Aunt Yvonne. The aunts knew exactly where Marie and Guy would be, just by looking at the clock and knowing their habits.

This was June of 2003.

Suzy's Birthday

Tom here. Happy Birthday, Suzy. Here's Suzy...several birthday's ago.

Paul, do you have any good ones of our little sister?

Happy Birthday, March Babies

Tom here. Here's an idea to try to get some folks to participate on the blog and most importantly to get some pictures posted. Here are the folks with birthdays in March.

5 Suzy March *
7 Damien Ponton
8 George Ladouceur
6 Rita Bigelow
12 Wilfred Daoust
13 Bernard Daoust Jr.
20 Jon Keville Jr.
22 Jessica Bigelow
23 Frank DiMartino *
30 Judith Darling
30 Melissa Ponton

(Key: * = picture has appeared this month)

Let's see a picture of each person at least once during the month. This would be a nice way to celebrate family, both living and passed on. I am probably missing some birthdays, so feel free to post any I missed.

BTW, if anyone objects to having their name or birthday posted here, please let me know. I will remove it.

Maybe we will do this in April, then May, then June...

Visit to Richmond

Tom here. We visited Brian & Ashley last weekend in Richmond, VA. The place is dripping with cool history from both the Civil War (we call it the War of Northern Aggression) and the American Revolution. Brian & Ashley have a cute place with a little dog named Eli, who takes a long time to trust new people in his house.

Very relaxing weekend, with a visit to a bookstore, gift shops, good meals together, and a driving tour all over Richmond. Great fun.

Edward at war

Tom here. I remember my dad telling me that this picture was taken in Germany (Edward on the right). Paul thinks my dad's buddy in the picture is Nick. My dad would be about 22 in this picture.

Does anyone have pictures of their mom or dad from these years? Wedding pictures? I'd enjoy seeing them.