2009 - what a year...

One last look at old photos before we hit twenty-ten! Here are a few of my year's highlights not previously blogged about...! Clearly, this was the year of a first home, Samara's first birthday, Antonia's first born, our first big car, Sammy's first steps, so, so many firsts. And 2010 is looking just as good. Happy New Year one and all! xox


My birthday - 8.3.09 - seeing Coldplay, and Elbow, in concert, sitting in between two of my ALL time FAVES!

Late August - Tanglewood - James Taylor, Yo Yo Ma and Sheryl Crow in concert... AMAZING! Just me and Stevie. So lucky.

Sammy and me at the lighthouse - home of our engagement, her baptism, so many memories. God, I love that sky and my little girl beneath it.

A smile for my hubby.

Really, you won't fine two greater souls anywhere.

Those first July steps were magical.

My flowers did grow... Here's to next Spring!

Little Havana in July with 16 fine young students of mine. Visit www.unrayodesol.org to see our non-profit. We had a great trip.

The Common in the summertime - just us three - nothing better.

A great day to be alive

introducing....

Steve took the day off work to celebrate our anniversary today... our double... the day we met and the day we got engaged. This morning, while Samara had woken up early, and was nestled between us in bed, he passed me a little black box with a bow on it. What?! We don't do this kind of thing... Anyway, my hubby, dear and thoughtful as he is, bought me the most gorgeous ring with diamonds all around a beautiful pearl, in honor of our dear Sammy's June birth. Wow... it is just beautiful. I look like a million bucks. One day, I say, it will be Samara's, but today (and for quite a while!) it is mine. And so, on this day of a hundred things to be giddy grateful for, I'm announcing the arrival of Dosch #4, joining our happy brood about 5 months from now, just as this story began, just 5 years back. Aren't we so lucky, us Dosch's? Yes, yes, yes! He/she is a real sweet one, as you can see from the picture above. And now that he/she is no longer a secret, I can start blogging again :) Happy 29th one and all. This is one of most favorite days of the year!

Boxing Day Blessing!

GUESS WHAT! We have a piano! We got it today, on Boxing day, for FREE! A dear elderly couple in Marblehead were getting rid of it and we feel so lucky. We have been looking out for one for months, but never dreamed we would get one so soon, so in tune, so cheap! Samara and I have already spent about an hour tickling it's ivories. It is the final piece for our beautiful new living room, such a lovely addition to our happy home and we feel very lucky!

Together again

Christmas Eve with Grammy and Grampy

One of the great blessing this Christmas is the return home, after so many years and some very difficult recent months, to Massachusetts of Steve's dear grandparents, pictured here. The Dosch extended family was even merrier this year, thanks to them.

3 generations of Lyons women: Grandma, Colleen and Jean

Sammy D guiding her Grampy from the tree to the toys, to the window and back to the toys. Christmas Day is also his birthday so it's extra special!

Such a Merry Christmas

Apparently, Christmas gets better and better. We had a blessed day with family. Samara certainly enjoyed herself. She was very spoiled by her generous grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. By the end of the day, she was definitely getting the hang of the present thing. We hope your Christmas was just as wonderful!



Our Christmas Angel

Hanging and/or taking off ornaments, a daily passtime

Hooray! A book!

Looking for Santa

1st snow!

We finally had our first snow last night! Samara was able to enjoy it as if it were her first. It's so much more fun now that we can PLAY. That said, I need to find this girl some good mittens, but these cotton ones are going to hack it if she likes throwing snowballs this much. Steve's quite proud of the arm she's got!