I took the kids to the local Christian bookstore this morning to see Larry & Bob from the VeggieTales. Nolan was the only one interested in having his photo taken with the over-sized vegetables. Lincoln preferred to keep his distance and Ingrid was too interested in looking around at all of the things she could attempt to pull off the shelves to really care.
Jake took the boys to see the annual Antique Car Run that finishes at a park near our house. They brought their chairs, bucket hats, and road trip books to pass the time until the cars came. Looks like they also picked up a few refreshments to keep themselves hydrated while they waited. 🙂
I ran my first 5K this morning – complete with fire, cargo nets, hay bales, tires, hurdles, water slide, & lots of mud! What a great time with Lisa, Ben, Tim, Alex, Stacie, Jess, Brandon & Jake!
Anyone who knows me knows that I am definitely not a runner. In fact, I really despise it. However, when combined with obstacles & a great team, how can you not enjoy a race like this?!? Go Commando! Looking forward to racing again next year!
Dear Nolan,
Wow, 5 years! I can’t believe how fast time has gone. I suppose I may say that with each passing year, but it’s the truth every time. You have grown so much this year I can hardly believe it. You continue to grow in confidence and compassion and are such a funny and loving young boy. I am amazed at how much you absorb throughout the day and am grateful to be able to experience life through your eyes. I am so thankful to be your mother.
Today we began the day in the best way possible, thanking God for the gift of you at mass. When word got out afterward that it was your birthday, you proudly told people that you were now 5! And you held up your fingers to prove it 🙂 We stopped to pick up donuts (which has become a bit of a Sunday tradition) and a cappuccino (for me) and brought them home to share. Then I got started with frosting your cake. This year, I asked if you wanted a caterpillar cake (like the one we saw in a magazine) and you said yes. While I was frosting the cake, Daddy went to the garage to get your present ready. The look on your face when you saw your new red bike in the garage pure joy! Lincoln helped you check out every detail of it and you hopped on to check out the size. I think you have a great summer in store!
Our family & friends arrived around 2:30 for cake and ice cream. After singing to you, we dug in to the tasty caterpillar and then you went outside with Lincoln and our friend, I. A little while later, you asked if everyone could come outside to watch you open your presents. You did a great job sharing your new things. Your uncles helped you break in your new bat, glove & baseball and you also played a round of croquet with Nana.
I pray you always share that wonderful smile and welcoming personality with the world. Your Daddy & I love you very much and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year.
XOXO
Mommy
My baby girl and I had our first girls’ weekend in FL. We had an early flight out on Friday morning and spent the weekend with Lois & Kathi. They have been patiently waiting to meet our little miss. This past weekend was extra special because Lois celebrated her 96th birthday on Saturday. I’m so happy we were able to be with her on her special day. She has known me since I was 4 days old and has loved me like a granddaughter. I am so thankful for her!
No trip to the Sunshine State would be complete without a trip to the beach. Ingrid wasn’t too fond of the water or the sand. I’m sure that will change in time. It was a wonderful weekend spent with fantastic ladies! I can’t wait to do it again!
While I was in FL, Jake sent me a recap of a conversation he had with the boys on their way to church this morning:
Nolan: “Look at those boobies. Blue footed boobies.”
Me: “Those are geese. Blue footed boobies live in the Galapagos Islands.”
Lincoln: “I want to go to Galapagos Islands and see the boobies.”
Nolan: “But we have to wait for mommy to come home.”
Just to give a bit of background, the reason this even came up is because one of the animal magazines the boys get recently featured the Blue Footed Booby. I can only imagine the restraint it must have taken Jake to keep from busting out laughing during this conversation. I love my boys!
Jake and I got up this morning and went to mass with Ingrid, letting the rest of the house sleep in. My dad was there as well. Afterward, my dad offered to take us to breakfast on main street. Jake told me to go and he would head back to the house to check on the boys. When we walked into the restaurant we found my brother and cousin Jared sitting at a table. We sat down and shortly after, Josh and his girlfriend, Jordan, joined us. My mom eventually joined us as well. Good food and good conversation.
After breakfast Jared took Tony & me to see Josh’s new house and dogs. Then we went back to Jared & Kyla’s to pack up, have lunch, and try to get a few pics of the cousins. Emphasis on try. (You may notice that Lincoln is missing from the little cousins photo – he wasn’t in the photo taking mood.)
I don’t know which group was more challenging to capture, the younger cousins or the older!
Finally, as we left town this afternoon we stopped to say one final goodbye to Uncle Joe. As we were pulling into the cemetery, Lincoln said to me, “Mommy, that sleepover was a blast!” It was really good to be with family.
Saturday morning we got ready for the funeral and again, had the boys stay home with a babysitter. The funeral was a beautiful good-bye to Uncle Joe. My brother, cousin Kerri and I were asked to read the readings during the mass and we were also pall bearers along with Jake, Jared & Kyla, and Josh & Jordan.
After we returned from the cemetery, the church ladies provided us with a wonderful luncheon. We were able to visit with many of our extended relatives, many of whom we had not seen for several years. “Why is it that we only get together at weddings and funerals?” was a question that was asked many times over.
Jake and Jared brought the boys to the church after we were finished eating so we could introduce them to family members who had only seen them in pictures. At that point we also selected a few items of Joe’s to remember him by.
After a long & emotional morning/afternoon, we returned to Jared & Kyla’s for the evening. We had dinner and sat around the table reminiscing and looking at photos.
Uncle Joe ended up having the last laugh tonight. My cousin, Josh, had brought home a humidifier box (after the encouragement of my mom). When he opened it at home that night, he had to drive back to Jared & Kyla’s to show us what he had found. Apparently my mom had used the box to send Joe a care package for his birthday back in what we think must have been 2004! The birthday card and treats inside the box were never opened! Little Debbie cakes were hard as rocks and Hershey Kisses exploded while Hershey Miniatures disintegrated. From what we can figure, Uncle Joe must have thought he was getting a humidifier for his birthday and didn’t even bother to open the box. So funny & yet, not surprising 🙂
We traveled to SD this weekend to lay my Uncle Joe to rest. It was a sad reason to get together with family, but at the same time, good to be with family. The kids and I rode with my dad (my mom had gone down earlier in the week and Jake and Tony drove together after work.) All 3 kids did quite well in the car. The boys were entertained for a while by good ‘ol Cars. Thank you Pixar.
Once we arrived at my cousin’s house, we had dinner, changed and went to the prayer service for my uncle at the church. Jared & Kyla found a sitter to watch all 4 boys so we could attend the service undistracted. When Kyla and I arrived home, we found the boys here:
They remained up until about 11:30. WWWWWAAAAYYYY past bedtime, but they were having so much fun with each other, how could we put them to bed???
