Tag: cousins

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Up North

We visited my extended family this weekend.  It is probably the last time we’ll get up their way until after the baby arrives.  The drive to get there is about my limit as far as the amount of time I can spend in a car at one time, at this point.

We got into town about 2pm and stopped at my Great Auntie Helen’s house (my grandma’s twin sister.)  It was really good to see her.  She hadn’t seen the boys in quite some time, so she was excited to have them visit.  She gave them animal crackers as we were leaving – they were thrilled!

Afterward, we went to my Uncle Ron & Aunt Judy’s house.  The boys were enthralled with the equipment my uncle has in his woodworking shop. They even lended a hand with cleaning up sawdust.  Give them a shovel and they’ll move just about anything for you!  Ron also took them outside in his yard to see his skid loader and they “played pool” in the basement.  It was nice to have them entertained while I chatted with my Aunt Judy and cousin, Jeana.

We went to mass at my Grandma Fran’s church and then went out to dinner with my Uncle Gene, Aunt Ann, and cousin, Amy.  After we ate, we all headed for the hotel pool.  Unfortunately it was freezing cold!  But Jake and Amy were brave enough to take the boys in.  I only set foot in the chilly water when Lincoln decided to slide off the edge into the shallow end without anyone there to catch him!  Talk about my heart skipping a beat!  For him though, it was all fun.  The experience didn’t frighten him in the least.  That kid is going to be put in swimming lessons as soon as we have him potty trained.  He has no fear of water, which is both good and bad.

Sunday morning we woke up and went to Ann & Gene’s house.  My parents arrived shortly before we left – they were part of a group of my Grandma & Great Aunt’s kids who were taking them out (in a limo) to celebrate their 93rd birthday.  (The limo was a surprise to them – I think they enjoyed themselves :))  Nolan wanted to check out the inside of the car, but Lincoln did not.

On our way out of town, we stopped at the Mineview to show the boys the biggest dump trucks they had ever seen.

We then loaded into our car and headed to Duluth for Jake’s cousin’s 30th birthday party.  When arrived at the party, the first thing the boys saw was the giant inflatable cake jumper in the backyard.  It was a definitely highlight of the party for the kids.  We spent a couple of hours at the celebration and then headed for home.  It was a quick trip up and back, but well worth it!

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Rockin’ Rogers

Nolan, Larissa, and I went to a parade today.  The “Rockin’ Rogers Parade” as Nolan will tell you.  My cousin, Amy, is a flag girl for her high school.  We’ve been able to see her perform two of the last 3 summers.  Unfortunately, we couldn’t bring Lincoln this year because he was sick.  Poor kid.  Last summer he missed another parade because of an ear infection.  Maybe next summer!  The Rogers parade is a great one because of all of the entries.  They had over 100 cars, floats & bands.  Plus, it’s always more fun to go when you know someone IN the parade.  After Amy’s group passed by, we took Nolan over to the midway and Larissa rode down the giant slide with him.  You can’t tell by his face in the picture, but he did enjoy the ride.

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Father’s Day and 50 years

We spent Father’s Day at my parents’ house this year.  The weather was beautiful!  We played in the backyard, which the kids loved.  Bocce ball, hula hoops, wiffle ball, oh and of course, “water squirters!”  Good times.

After dinner, we headed to Jake’s grandparents’ 50th anniversary party.  50 years!  What an awesome event to celebrate!  Jake had taken some of their wedding slides and scanned them, so those at the party were able to “relive” the original celebration along with Lois & Dale.  (Photos taken by Jake’s cousin, Beth.)

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New Year, New Decade, Same great relatives!

We piled into my parents’ “giant marshmallow” as Nolan has started calling it (thanks, in part, to my mom :)) and pointed north to the Iron Range.  Our “normal” family gathering was pushed a week later due to the Christmas snowstorm.  It actually worked great for us, since we usually can only make my dad’s family’s celebration every other year.  Once again, my Aunt Ann, Uncle Gene & cousin Amy were exceptional hosts.  They always have an amazing spread!

My cousin Cory and his wife Renee brought their 3 kiddos from ND so Nolan and Lincoln had a few playmates.  I think the kids had a good time with one another.  We should try to get them together more often!

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OTW – toasty days (inside)

We’ve been using the fireplace in our porch quite a bit lately.  It’s been warmer out there than most of the days in MN this past summer – 80, close to 90 degrees.  It was the perfect temp for a coloring marathon.  We spent several hours working on the oversized coloring pages.  I even broke out my old box of 96 crayons.  The kids loved the selection.

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Nolan’s imagination continues to brighten my day.  I gave the boys wooden spoons to play with while I was working in the kitchen.  Nolan called for me to join them in the living room.  They “roasted marshmallows” using their spoons as skewers over a pretend fire on the carpet.  Nolan brought me an imaginary graham cracker, so Lincoln had to do the same.  Then I received chocolate and another cracker from both of them.  It was pretty cute.

We had game night at our house on Friday night.  Larissa & Michelle joined us for Scrabble Slam, Buzzword & Mexican Train.  Add the chicken, black bean & spinach dip I love to make (and the fireplace) and we had a fun time.  🙂

Saturday night we joined a few other members of Jake’s extended family to celebrate his cousin Sara’s birthday.  On our way to the party, I mentioned I wanted a beverage from SA.  Nolan then said from the backseat, “Mom, I’m going to get you a medium mocoa…And a Diet Coke for me.”  Sounds like our kid has heard us order from the McDonald’s drive-thru a few times.  Are we that predictable???

The boys had a lot of fun helping Sara open her gifts.  At one point they were both jockeying for the prime seat next to her so they could see what she was opening.  While we were there, Aunt Kristin came through for me in a big way.  Nolan wants to be a pumpkin for Halloween and I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to dress him for the cold (and potentially wet) Halloween we will likely have.  Kristin had a pumpkin costume in her basement that she made for one of her own kids.  It’s great!  And Nolan is so excited to wear it.  He gets to wear his costume to school on Wednesday, so he’ll get to take it on a trial run before Saturday.

We’ve been working on what the kids need to say when they ring the doorbell on Halloween.  The last time I asked Nolan what he should say he told me, “Can I have some candy, please?” What nice manners, huh?  I’m guessing if he uses that, he could end up with extra candy pieces for being polite!

I went to visit my mom today.  She had shoulder surgery on Friday morning.  She’s recovering well, resting up, and doing her best to let her family take care of her.  It’s nice to be able to return just a little bit of the kindness she has shown all of us over the years.  While I was gone, Jake watched the boys plus our friends’ son.  They boys always have such a great time with their friend.  Breakfast for dinner was on tonight’s menu.  Lincoln apparently wanted to eat like the big boys and use his fork tonight.

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Randomness in life

In the car today Nolan asked, “Mom, can we go to Sara’s house again and play Hungry Hippos?”  I would love to spend just a few minutes inside my son’s head to know what triggers random statements like this.  Sara is Jake’s youngest cousin.  She is now getting the chance to play “older cousin” to the great-grandkids in the family.  She is such a delight (I wish we were able to see her more often,) and she loves all of the little boys in the family.  She has the makings of a great babysitter 🙂

It rained again today.  I think the weather encourages creativity in my kids.  Nolan helped unpack the groceries when we got home and proceeded to assemble a tower.  The construction materials of choice were cans of creamed corn & spaghetti.  Oh, and the 2nd attempt contained a random water bottle he was toting around.  (Make sure you click on the picture of the cans to see the tower in all its glory.)

Since random is the theme of the day, I also feel the need to include a link to a speech by the Archbishop of Denver that a college friend of mine posted on Facebook tonight.  Archbishop Cahput recently addressed a group of physicians in Phoenix.  I found what he said to be extremely powerful – specifically, two statements:

“The Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer once wrote that, “A man is truly ethical only when he obeys the compulsion to help all life which he is able to assist, and shrinks from injuring anything that lives.” Every child with Down syndrome, every adult with special needs; in fact, every unwanted unborn child, every person who is poor, weak, abandoned or homeless – each one of these persons is an icon of God’s face and a vessel of his love.  How we treat these persons – whether we revere them and welcome them, or throw them away in distaste – shows what we really believe about human dignity, both as individuals and as a nation.”

“It’s one of God’s ironies that the suffering imperfection brings, can perfect us in the vocation of love.”  (Emphasis Archbishop Chaput)

It seems I’ve just added to my list of things to reflect on during the quiet moments I’m granted during the day.

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Sunday Funday

We started the day off with mass at St. John’s.  Nana & Papa (my parents) showed up and surprised us.  I love seeing the boys’ expressions when they see any of their grandparents.  It’s always pure joy.  Since we had more adults than kids, we kept Shecklet #2 with us instead of having him play in the nursery.  The boys did really well.  I wonder if they were on extra-good behavior for their grandparents…

Our house was full of lovely women and super cute kids this afternoon.  We figured out that today’s group was a mix of 1st, 2nd & 3rd cousins from my mom’s side of the family.  It was really nice to be able to spend time with all of them today.  Shecklet #1 and Shecklet #2 enjoyed showing off for the group.  It’s so funny what the two of them will do to entertain others when they’re in the spotlight.

While Shecklet #2 was napping this afternoon (after our guests departed,) Shecklet #1 helped me put together brownies for an impromptu dinner at our friends’ house.  He cracked the eggs (with just a little help :)), stirred the batter, and scooped it from the bowl to the pan.  He is really big into helping lately.  I wish I could bottle some of his enthusiasm and have it on hand for when he gets older.

The day ended the way it normally does, but with a small, sweet little twist.  We said bedtime prayers with the boys like we always do and I picked up Shecklet #2 and held him while Jake rocked a little while with Nolan.  Nolan asked me to sing a song for him.  (This has become part of the nighttime routine along with having his back scratched.)  So I sang “Jesus Loves Me,” and he joined me like he usually does.  Next, he asked me to sing the song he calls “Daisy” or “bicycle built for two.”  Well tonight, instead of waiting for me to start the song and join me, he sang the song himself – and remembered most of the lyrics, too!  It was so sweet to hear his little voice.  He sure loves music!