Conway Named First Team All-Centennial

LANCASTER, PA – Senior guard Elise Conway (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) has become the first women's basketball player in Washington College history to earn All-Centennial Conference first team honors. The All-Centennial teams were announced today after being voted upon by the conference's head coaches.
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Gorgeous!

We're so glad that the beautiful Amaryllis that Margie brought us at Christmas didn't bloom until we returned from Aruba.

Feeding Frenzy

Let's see if I get this right ... hope you enjoy watching this more than I enjoyed doing it!



This was at an Ostrich Farm in Aruba, on our only day of doing something other than laying on the beach -- what a great vacation!

If you follow the link to YouTube -- to Kevin's posts -- you can see a few more videos that he took. As you will see, he bought a waterproof casing for his camera ... maybe not the most beautiful snorkeling videos, but it was fun (and his first try).

Wendelstadt Umpire School

Hey everyone, Rich here. I have been easing back into the real world since returning from Umpire School. I am sure you have all been informed by now, but if you have not been I will let you know that although I had an amazing time, I was not recommended for professional baseball at this time.

However the experience was one of the greatest I have had. As has been the last year of my life in which I went to Tennessee, Hawaii and St. Maarten each for the 1^st time, the Redsox won the World Series, and most importantly I got married to an amazing soul.

I’d like to share a little of the Umpire experience with you all. I was sitting in the lobby after unpacking and this guy Marty asked if I would like to have a drink with him. I said OK and we hit it off right off the bat (no pun intended). He was the first person I met and the person who ended up becoming my best friend while I was in Daytona Beach. He also ended up being from Ellicott City, MD! We set up a study group that met every day after classes, we were very dedicated and helped each other to do the best we could.

I was challenged at school to the best of my abilities. We learned something brand new from the rulebook everyday and then had to learn something new in positioning on the field everyday. We didn’t get many opportunities to show our stuff. There were 130 students there and we mainly learned what not to do by watching everyone else.

In the end they said that I was where I needed to be but the people they chose were just a little more where they needed to be. I learned a lot about the game and a lot about myself. I gained measurable confidence, which I know I will be able to apply to the real world. Already I have started a new position at work in Sales, and I am umpiring at high school baseball and softball games. After my intense umpire school experience, I went to the high school mechanics clinic and I felt like I could have taught it!

Here’s a picture of me and some of the boys.
Until we meet again, Rich

My Weekend

We had a visit from Nate's parents, Othella and Cranford, this weekend. They got to see Mary Grace's last basketball game of the season. I had to work on Saturday, but we all had a nice dinner together and played Mille Bourne afterward. Cranford and I worked a Washington Post Sunday crossword together this morning...always a favorite pastime of mine. Overall, a good weekend. Hope you all had a good one too!

Elise's last college game

There was another strong showing of fans at Elise's last college basketball game. She had several high school friends, parents of friends, colleagues from Under Armour, and lots of family including Carol and Jonathan. Gary's sister Aileen and her husband, Kevin, were cheering her on, as well as her Uncle Marty.

The game was at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore so it was easy for local folks to attend. Unfortunately they lost, but when Elise came out of the game with about a minute and a half left, she got a standing ovation. I'm told someone took a picture of me crying just then. (Me, crying? What a shock!)

The Hopkins coach offered her a volunteer assistant coaching job if she stays in the area, and it looks like she may end up at Under Armour after school which would work out well.

She was headed back to Washington College for the "Birthday Ball" in honor of George. It's a huge celebration for the college and the community.

Rays of Sunshine...

Cora left the sick house today to spend some time with Brian's parents, and she brought this primrose home for me -- talk about brightening my day!!!

What's In a Name?

I just talked to Kate; she is starting to feel, though not SOUND, human again. Thankfully, Brian hasn't had the full blown flu and Cora is doing great, comforting her sick Mom. Oliver has started running a fever, again, so they are still far from back to normal at the Wingate residence.

Cora has been earning stars for doing all her chores for 14 days and, as soon as her family is well again, she wants to buy the hermit crab she's earned. Of course, the name is up to her, but I wondered if anyone wanted to weigh in with their version of "the perfect hermit crab name". I'm sure she'll take all suggestions under advisement.

G'ma Carol

Flu

Think healthy thoughts for us -- the whole family is down for the count with the flu. Cora was first to get it, so she's almost fully recovered. Oliver and I are at about the same phase -- I think we're over the hump today. We had high hopes that Brian would sidestep the crud, but no such luck -- as of this afternoon he's feverish and achey. Yuck.....

Grandma is a geek

I am making my first post

I'm Moving!

Joining this blog was good luck because I got the news today that I am moving to Dallas! My new job assignment as an ExxonMobil Territory Manager in Dallas is effective March 15. Until then I am going to scramble to find a place, say good-bye to friends and eat in MP and Dad's new kitchen :) I am open to any advice about my new city because I have never even visited.

The Hot Rods!

I love how much everyone is posting!

We've had a lovely long weekend, minus Rich getting a bit of a stomach flu. But we're getting by, and wanted to share pictures of our new favorite toys.

My bike was actually a gift from from Rich last Christmas, but as I was lonely cruising alone, I got one for Rich from his birthday (Feb 7th!) We were told at the store that we now have the two coolest beach cruisers around, and we have to agree! There is a bike path from our house to the beach, so yesterday we cruised up to Venice beach, and are hoping to make a weekend tradition of it.

As for reunion plans... it's probably not looking too good for us. We are coming back east Memorial Day weekend for Deena and Dave's wedding (remember them? She sang at the ceremony) and we have to go to Chicago in June for Charlie and Kate's wedding! It's the year of the wedding. But we can't wait to see everyone, next summer if not sooner.

The Kitchen ...

As of Feb 18 ... almost finished

The Kitchen ...

During

The Kitchen ...

Before

Family Reunion

I talked to several of the Parises about having a family reunion in DC in August, when Nate, Mary Grace and I plan to come for a visit and sightseeing in DC. Now that it looks like Grandma Max and Aunt Mary are hostessing a Paris-Horner Reunion on May 10, we are planning to come for that and suggest making that our reunion. We may still come North in August to show Mary Grace the sights in DC, in which case we don't want to see any of you! (Just kidding).

Grandma Max has reserved the party room at Leisure World and she and Aunt Mary are having a meal catered. I know she wants to get some family pictures and Kate has offered to bring the portable StoryCorp recording equipment, if available, so start thinking about who you'd like to interview!

We're looking forward to seeing everybody, playing some games, and admiring how everyone under 20 "has grown" and everyone over that age doesn't look a day older! (per Grandma Carol)!

The Next Generation of B-ball Players

Anne, Daddy (Nathan) and G'ma Carol attended Mary Grace's basketball game this afternoon. They won, 14-10 and were good rebounders. I found myself imagining Elise as their coach! One more game this season, then Mary Grace moves on to Volleyball.

Ye old desert island dilemma ... blog-style

OK, one of the nice things about blogs is the ease with which the bloggers (us) can communicate, just by posting a very short comment about an entry. So, my blog question of the day is "If you were going to spend a year on a desert island and could only take the music of one artist (or group), who would it be?" Naturally, if you care to share a reason for your choice, so much the better.

My choice is the Beatles. Naturally, one reason is that I like their music, but a second reason is that they were so prolific, I would have a lot of variety in one group.

So, go ahead and choose your favorite current artist because then we'll know what you are listening to now, or go back in history like I did ...

Kevin and I are off to Aruba, so I probably won't see responses until we return next week, but I look forward to hearing from you!

Dragged, Kicking and Screaming....Again

In 2007, I was dragged, kicking and screaming, into the ipod world. In 2008, the blog world. I shudder at what cyber sine qua non 2009 has in store.

An anonymous philosopher said "We approach every age of life as a novice." He had no idea how true he was.

I have to say that my first glimpse of The Paris Connection confirmed Mary Pat's earlier email message: "You don't know what you're missing." Thanks, MP.

Come on and post!

All right Chris, Laura, and Michelle ... I can see you've signed on. Please tell us how you are doing. What's going on in your lives?

And we have to get brother Bill to log in!

On behalf of the Toddler Party

Nate and Anne Enrich their Marriage!!

No, it's not what you think it is... We just had a wonderful weekend at the state conference of A.C.M.E. or The Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment. You can check them out at www.bettermarriages.org/ . Nate's parents have been members for as long as he can remember and encouraged us to check it out. We really got a lot out of it as far as having tools to keep our marriage strong and happy. Glad to see many others had a fun weekend as well.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Love,
Anne and Nate

Mom and Carol and Bill Clinton!

Mom and I went to the Clubhouse at Leisure World this evening and listened to Bill Clinton campaign for Hillary. He was informative, well-spoken, and NO negative campaign message for an entire 45 minute presentation! We both came away from it feeling we'd heard a message and not just a bunch of "sound bites" suitable for newspaper print. As we were leaving, I was interviewed by a reporter for the New York Sun. I have no idea what that newspaper is but may check it out on line tomorrow, just for giggles. Carol

Elise's Game

Here's the crew at Elise's game.

Happy Birthday Anne!

We called Anne from the game to wish her a happy day but she was out.

Anne - I hope you have a wonderful year!

Lots of family support ...

The Paris' took over the stands at Elise's game today. Grandma Max, Jonathan, Janine, Kevin, Rusty, Jess, Mark, Maya, Gary, and Carol were on hand to cheer Elise on for her "Senior Game". I talked with both Bill and Chris before the game, and they were there in spirit.

There was a short ceremony for the seniors and their parents, and I didn't even need Kleenex!

Elise didn't shoot well -- her shoulder has been giving her trouble -- but she tied the school record for steals in a season. With three games to go, we expect she'll break the record.

Diplomats Edge Shorewomen, 60-58
Conway Equals School Record for Steals in Season in Loss

It was wonderful to have so much family there. We're hoping for another big turnout for the Towson game on the 23rd!

Listen to StoryCorps!

So for those of you who heard it, I hope you had your tissues ready. And for those of you who didn't, an interview I facilitated at our Nashville StoryBooth was aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition this morning. I was just the "behind-the-scenes" person, so I don't get a mention, but I'm still proud that something I was a part of was aired nationally. It's a story worth listening to...

Here's the link: http://www.storycorps.net/listen/
Once there, click on Hector Black's clip. I took that picture!

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, email me and I'll explain...
Kate

Blogging is fun!

Weee! What a grand idea Kate!

This is awesome. And I would write more... but Rich just got home last night late (which was his 30th birthday as well!), and now we are having a small Bday party tonight, I'm here on the computer instead of getting ready and I just teased him that he's worse than a kid because he asked me 13 questions in the span of time it took to write this!

I'm going to go now... but I am really excited about this endeavor and can't wait!
xoxoxooxoxoxo wonderful Paris clan!~

Not quite the Rockettes....

But here we are on our NYC trip, just after seeing the real Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular.

Depressing, but SO worthwhile

I just finished reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Yes, it's depressing (plot is the journey of a father and son in post-apocalyptic America), but I highly recommend it, especially if you have a book club or a few buddies to discuss it with.

Lunch with Stephen Colbert - sort of ...

Those of you familiar with The Colbert Report may know that Stephen convinced the National Portrait Gallery to hang his portrait for a limited time. It is located on the second floor between the men's and women's restrooms. Some friends and I went downtown today during lunch to see it.
Here's more from the National Portrait Gallery.

What are you saying to her?

The picture is grainy, but I love the expression. I asked Elise what she was saying to the girl and her reply was, "I'm telling her how I'm about to score on her, and am asking her how she feels about that. ;)"

Jon in the Baltimore Sun

Jonathan officially "arrived" as a cameraman. Yesterday was the first time someone stuck their hand in front of the lens of his camera. I guess this shot was caught right afterward!

Oliver is now "Free" years old!

Here is Oliver, wearing his Thomas the Tank Engine conductor's hat. He got a parking garage for his birthday and has career plans as a parking lot attendant.

Look out, Nadia. Here comes Cora.

Cora is in an invitation only gymnastics class. Here she is with her favorite instructor.

G'ma's latest visit in pictures

I had lunch with Cora and her classmates and helped out in the afternoon; by the time I left several kids were calling me "Grandma Carol"!

Welcome!!!

Looking forward to hearing from all of you...

Way to go, Kate!

Thanks for getting the family blog started!