Tuesday, March 18, 2008

St. Patrick's Day Gathering

The traditional gathering of the Curran Clan on St. Patrick's Day was casual and fun. Ruebens, made with dark rye bread, filled with, sour kraut, Swiss cheese then grilled, created our version of the corned beef and cabbage traditional dinner. We did have potato salad and potato chips which completed the ingredients of a fine feast. A yummy chocolate cake topped with green mint-flavored whipped topping and chocolate mint candies, satisfied at least my sweet tooth. Sharon Curran was observed eating more than her share of the mint candies; I was watching and counting.

Kalin and Kai were in town for the celebration since they are on Spring Break from their Tomball, TX home (Tomball is a suburb of Houston). Owen and Aidan loved wrestling with Kai while Kalin continued to "school" his Uncles Sean and Conn at basketball. They taught him so much while he was growing up that now they can't keep up with him. Oh the humility of these two lads.

Erin, in her beautiful emerald green shirt and Shannon, with her crazy Leprechaun earrings dangling, giggled as they reminisced about the many antics they pulled-off when they were young - all without Doug or me ever knowing, of course. Ryan the ever-patient son-in-law, completes these gatherings. His dry wit catches us off guard frequently. We are so lucky to have Sharon, Ryan and Kurt for in-law children. When talking about Sharon, Ryan and Kurt (I like to call him Kurtella), the expression "in-law" seems cold. We love these kids as our own. We are blessed by the choices our children have made for mates.

The evening would have been complete, but Megan, Quinn, Caitilin, Kurt (Gavin and Ryan) were not with us. Megan couldn't get on a Continental fight as a standby, Quinn was in New Zealand and Caitilin and Family are living in Charlotte, NC. We know the Summerhays' love their home and friends in Charlotte, but they are greatly missed here.