We celebrated Shecklet #4 turning 4 with family and friends, cake and ice cream and temps in the 50s. Unheard of for MN in February. I thought the weather we had for Shecklet #2’s fourth birthday was amazing (when we celebrated outside) but today takes the cake – haha!
Just a few photos from the day.
We gathered to celebrate our nephew’s baptism this evening. He was surrounded by lots of love at the church and didn’t make a peep when the pastor poured the cool water on his head.
I love this picture for two main reasons: one, we’re all looking different directions (at different cameras) and two, because of the sweet kiss my SIL is giving her son. ❤
Our family gathered together for birthday dinner (Beef Wellington) to celebrate my mom’s birthday. The meal was amazing, as it is every year and it was great to be able to celebrate this wife/mom/nana who means so much to us 🎂
Shecklet #3 broke open the bracelet making kit she received from Uncle Tony, Auntie Kristin and her little cousin(s). The neighbor boy saw the finished product and asked her if she would make one for him 🙂
Lots of laughs and fun memories made today. It was our niece’s first Xmas, which made it even more special.
Shecklet #4 received pink “sheeters” just like Nana. Her big sister also received a purple pair. Papa had to work hard to get the lenses out of the frames! The girls had a lot of fun helping everyone else open their gifts. And the boys waited very patiently as we took turns pulling surprises out of our gift bags.
My brother and sister-in-law recently shared the exciting news that they are having a baby! The new addition is slated to arrive in late July. They had an ultrasound this week and found out if it is a girl or boy. Keeping us in suspense a few days, they made a special trip to our house this afternoon to share cupcakes with us. Topped with yellow frosting, we had to bite in to the middle to discover whether the filling was pink or blue. Shecklet #2 was the first to make the discovery – PINK! Shortly after Shecklet #2 reported what he found, Shecklet #3 piped in and said, “I hope mine is pink too!” Lucky for her, it was 🙂
It might not look like it on Little #3’s face, but the kids had great time with their cousins this weekend!
My cousin, Jared, was in town today to watch the Huskers cream the Gophers. He was kind enough to share an extra ticket with Jake. (He went knowing the Maroon & Gold really didn’t have much of a chance, but at least he got to check out the new stadium.) After the game, we met the guys & my parents for dinner. Once everyone was finished eating, the boys had to show Papa the gumball machine in the lobby of the restaurant. They both came back with gumballs. When asked how much they cost, Lincoln said, “they cost one money!”
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 🙂