Botos Family Album - 2006

The year unfolded, not always the way we expected. Here is a brief pictorial replay of some key events.

---

note: Each of the photographs is a thumbnail image of the original. Just click on the thumbnail to view a larger version of the picture.

---

Holidays - 2005

Usually the Christmas holidays get missed in the yearly family album -- since I put the album together in late November. So here are a couple of scenes from the holiday season at the end of 2005.

Carving the prime rib at Chez Lamberti's .

Nina blowing out her birthday candles.

Santa look alike and smiling elf.

Family

We spent a lot of time together as a family this year, travelling occasionally, but always having a good time!

Food has always been a great family attraction. While we had some fancy meals, we had some everyday favorites. This year was no exception.

Good eating, of course, requires good preparation.

Matthew stirring his fry. The meal was excellent!

Sonia made the yule log for dessert.

Catherine & Urmila cutting up snack toppings.

Lunch with Dad at home in White Plains.

Deviled eggs in process.

Catherine and Matthew finishing up Easter appetizers.

The family in the family room.

Some occasions just blow .

Lunch on the back porch.

Catherine & Dad sharing generational wisdom!

Getting some sun & fresh air at the park.

Making the cake is a multi step and multi layer process.

A homemade cake is a birthday tradition. The traditional cake has several layers of cake, cream, and of course some liquor to make sure it stays moist. The frosting is simply whipped cream.

Dad celebrating # 89.

Thanksgiving can be such an exhausting experience.

Matthew celebrating another birthday.

Wedding bells

Theresa, Gabbie, and Tracy at the rehearsal dinner.

All dressed up, waiting for the bride.
 

Jean, Michael, and Theresa

Michael walking Patty down the aisle.

Michael with grand niece Gabrielle.

Patty and Bobby.

Catherine, Matthew, Michael, and Sonia at the reception.

Travels

Looking toward the Borgata in Atlantic City.

• Sonia & Michael in Arizona
• Sonia, Catherine, & Dad in Colorado

Sonia feeling at home on the D.C. mall in early January.

Posing for the photographer at Kennsico dam.

Come to the NJ shore for free hairstyling.

'Face of America: Hawaii' concert

Kealii Reichel in concert at Wolftrap Farm Park, VA.

We didn't take any big vacations this year, but did manage to get to a variety of different places. Travel planning takes a lot of coordination.

Winding road at the head of Oak Creek Canyon.

Arizona

Typical view in the Sedona red rock country.

Picnicking on the canyon rim.

Check out the tourists we found at the Grand Canyon.

Hiking among the red rocks near Sedona [specifically Boynton Canyon, trail #47] just outside of Flaggstaff, AZ.

Hands across the generations

... at the dam

... in the park

... in Colorado

Sonia and Catherine took Dad on vacation to Colorado this summer. They covered a lot of ground while they were there.

Panoramic view near Rabbit Ear Pass.

Dad and Catherine posing with the view.

Colorado

Even the clouds are heavy in Leadville .

Catherine enjoyed the snow along the road , imagining how it must have been in winter.

Looking over the valley of the Gods near Colorado Springs.

With some snow still on the ground in early June, there were many beautiful panoramic vistas to stop and takes pictures.

Dad and Sonia with mountain view in the background.

Hiking around in the Valley of the Gods and posing by Balanced Rock.
The Garden was one of Dad's two favorite stops.

Enjoying the Coors brewery and resting!
The Coors Brewery was the other favorite stop.

Special Events

We have regular get togethers with our neighbors. Of course, having a little something to nibble is always welcome.

Sonia topping off the chicken orlof.

Sonia rolling up the last of the eggplant rollatini.

Chocolate covered strawberries drying on the rack.

Getting enough 'moisture' in the tiramisu 'cookies' is critical to the taste!.

Adding the tiramisu filling.

That's the kitchen table just in case you didn't recognize it under the shrimp appetizer!

Our sommelier made some fine choices.

Unfortunately, after the party, there is a little bit of cleanup.

Easter preparations

Easter bunnies decorating the tree.

Decorating eggs.

Putting the kabobs together.

July 4th

Matthew grilling the kabobs on the trusty Weber.

Random shots

A very practical present from Matthew to Michael. Matthew knows what his Dad likes!

Ice cicles engulf a bush.

Early spring cleaning with Grandpa.

snow... on the bird feeder.

Harbingers of spring [tent caterpillars].

In an effort to shift his commuting hours to less trafficked times, Michael made new friends near his office while getting regular exercise. Morning jogging companions at Valley Forge Park.

The Closeup: Dogwood blossom

Matthew focusing on a thorny subject!

Digital cameras

This green southern stink bug was one of my more patient models.

Dew on spider web.

The backyard provided a treasure trove of photographic opportunities for Michael. Being able to photograph the same subjects over a span of several weeks, added interest as Michael witnessed some of natures changes.

Ladybug in morning sunlight.

Polyphemus moth on car tire.

For additional views of these subjects and others, be sure to check out the weekly archive page of 'best of the week' photos.

Praying mantis.

Harlequin mother and freshly laid eggs.

Rose slug munching on a leaf.

Ever wonder where flies come from? Now you know!

Of course working in close proximity with a lot of small critters is not without its perils. Just because they are small, doesn't mean they are safe. This mosquito just wanted to be sure that it got its share for the photo session! Fortunately, the brown wasp was more content to just suck nectar.

Lady bug larvae and abandoned egg cases.

Wooly aphid.

...and you thought you were having a bad hair day. This forest tent caterpillar doesn't seem to mind.

The beauty of nature is all around us. Sometimes we just need to move a little slower to see what is present in our daily lives.

Mother Nature is the ultimate recycler. Even deer droppings get recycled and give rise to new life in the grand plan of Mother Nature.

Photo answer