Jake took the kids on their first mountain bike ride today. His parents met him at Carver Lake trails. Afterwards, they went to his parents’ house for a bit. I stayed home due to a lingering migraine 😖. I didn’t think the sun and bouncing would be good for my head today. Instead, I finished up the second process of the tie dyed shirts, cleaned the garage, touched up the mailbox paint, and pulled weeds. We ended the evening swimming with friends (well the kids swam, the adults supervised.) It was a great end to a full weekend.
Three of the four Shecklets went north with Jake and his parents to help with various projects at Nissedalen. Grandma Patti sent me this photo of Shecklet #4.
Today was a day that Shecklet #4 has been counting down to for several weeks! Her godparents came to town to witness her First Communion with us. We were also joined by Grandma Patti, Grandpa Dave, Great Grandma Lois, Aunt Kari, Aunt Larissa, and several friends. Our little girl is definitely loved!
In his homily, Fr. Jim asked the kids if any of them had thought about what they wanted to be when they grew up. (He was relating his question to the call the apostles had once Jesus ascended to Heaven.) Shecklet #4 volunteered her answer last. She said she wants to be a saint! This sweet girl has always had an extra special dose of compassion for others and deep feeling of God’s presence in her life. I look forward to continuing to watch her grow in her faith.
One of my friends was able to capture some beautiful pictures of Shecklet #4 receiving the Eucharist. And Jake recorded a video. After mass, we had an opportunity to take a photo with our pastor, Fr. Jim.
We continued our celebration with a reception at our house. Huge thanks to M&M for helping set out/prep the food for everyone after mass. And special thanks to Shecklet #1 for sharing his ice cream cake for dessert – it was a popular choice with our friends and family!
Congratulations, Shecklet #4! We are so happy for you! What a beautiful day!
It was a gorgeous day today – full of activities, family, and friends.
Shecklet #1 went north last night and has been working at Nissedalen – doing with manual labor. Grandma Patti has kept us in the loop by sending photos of their progress.
The girls had track meets this morning and did a great job! The weather was a million times better today than last week. It was so much fun seeing the encouragement the girls had for each other as well as the fans in the stands cheering for the kids as they ran towards the finish line.
After track, Shecklet #4 went to her Aunt Larissa’s for her birthday overnight. (The kids look forward to this opportunity every year!) One of their projects was a fairy garden 🧚♂️
Shecklets #3 and 2 hung out at home while Jake and I attended the First Communion mass of our goddaughter. It was so good to see her and her family! It had been about a year and a half since we last saw them in person.
On our way home, we picked up take-out from a local Mexican place. Delish! And so nice to not have to cook or clean up any dishes!
I had a nice call with one of my aunts this evening – we got caught up in life and tried to solve a few of the world’s problems in the process 😊
It was wonderful to be back in our church to celebrate Easter Sunday this year.
My MIL had her second knee replaced a week and a half ago, but she and my FIL were willing to let us bring food and gather at her house on Easter Sunday. Two of Jake’s sisters, a BIL, and the kids’ cousin, as well as our family friends, all joined us for the afternoon. The weather was amazing!
The kids hunted for eggs. Aunt Kari made things challenging for the older kids!
For some reason, this kid finds chainsaws extremely interesting. (The way she says the word itself is hilarious.) Grandpa Dave let her rev his up today. I wonder if she has a future in tree care or firewood sales.
There are some things I just don’t have the heart to correct when my kids say them. When we celebrate my MIL’s birthday each year, we have grasshopper pie for dessert. (Growing up, there were numerous March birthdays in her family, so they got caked-out by the middle of the month, which is when her birthday is.) Shecklet #4 calls is “cricket pie,” which I think is really cute – even at 8 years old.
Our nephew is gaining a co-pilot later in the year and we are SO excited!
The news was shared with us at my MIL’s birthday party dinner tonight. First we saw our nephew’s shirt and then later, he gave Grandma Patti a flower with a little balloon that says “Baby Girl” along with an ultrasound photo on pink paper.
My Grandpa Bill, my dad’s dad, has been gone from us for 34 years. My aunt sent out a few photos of him from his time in the service and afterwards. I’ve edited her captions to say “Grandpa” instead of “Dad.”
1942 – Elbow Lake (Grandpa Bill and Great Uncle John)1946 – Grandpa Bill at Nagoya Mts, Gestapo Headquarters, Japan1947 – Grandpa Bill, home from the Service
Growing up in Iowa, which was a 9 hour drive to where he and my grandma lived in northern MN, we didn’t get the opportunity to make many memories with him. I’m grateful that my aunt has taken the time over the years to scan and document items of our family’s history. Photos like these are treasures. It is fun to be able to share with my kids a little about who their great grandpa was.
Knowing what our family has enjoyed this winter, it’s no surprise that this is our favorite photo from the set sent out today.
1946 – Grandpa Bill skiing with buddies at Mts. of Kobe, Japan
Finally, here are my Grandma Fran and Grandpa Bill at my Aunt Ann and Uncle Gene’s wedding in 1979.
I can see my grandpa in two of my cousins and my dad. Family genes are strong.
I looked at the clock around 12:35 this afternoon and thought about where I was 8 years ago today. What an entrance Shecklet #4 made into this world. Not many kids can say they were born in an ambulance on one of the coldest days of the year. It’s a day I will never forget.
This year, Shecklet #4 asked if she could have an 80’s themed birthday party. As someone who has fond memories of the mid-to-late 80’s, it didn’t take much to convince me to agree to her idea. The recent below zero temps we had gave us an opportunity to use the extra indoor time to create decorations and party plans.
This is part of the Pac-man photo prop the kids made back on 2/12.
And a few more of the decorations we had, including the birthday banner that Larissa and Shecklet #1 made on 2/6 when we had our day of crafting fun.
The birthday girl could hardly contain herself this morning. She was up at 6am and regularly asked me throughout the day, “How long until my party starts?” She even woke one of her sleeping brothers from his slumber so she could open a few presents from us.
She also received ski gear and is very excited to try it out tomorrow.
Tonight’s party was a ton of fun! The birthday girl had a blast! She could totally pass as a child of the 80’s. She rocked the side ponytail and blue eyeshadow like a pro. Her sister wore the 80’s trends well, too!
We had a few friends and family join us in rad neon, tulle, makeup and scrunchies. The kids had a boom box piñata and played “stick the cassette to the boom box.” Jake grilled burgers and hotdogs (birthday girl’s request,) we held a glow stick dance party in the basement, and enjoyed angel food cake and ice cream for dessert.
I love how everyone who joined us embraced the 80’s theme and helped make Shecklet #4 feel so special today.
