Tag: uncles

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Happy 3rd birthday Lincoln!

Dear Lincoln,

I thought I’d write you a recap letter detailing today’s events.  I can’t believe you are 3 years old today.  As I sit here typing, I’m looking at a picture of you and your big brother when he visited us in the hospital after your birth.  You look so tiny!  Yet, I can see in your eyes, it’s you!  You have become such a fun, independent, inquisitive & loving boy.  I thank God for the gift you are in my life!

The day started off much like it did on the Easter Sunday you were born – we woke up to wet, heavy snow.  You, Nolan & I had breakfast in our pj’s and gobbled up purple waffles – your request.  After getting dressed, we had planned on going to the Children’s Museum, but the snow and slop made the roads extra messy (and dangerous,) so we decided to save that adventure for another day.  You didn’t seem to mind since you had a chance to play with a few of the birthday presents you opened in the morning.

For lunch, you asked for “Taco Bells,” so you and Daddy (who took the day off from work) picked up tacos and nachos for us.  After lunch, you, Nolan & Daddy went to pick up your cake – Buzz Lightyear was what you asked for this year.  I briefly considered making your cake again this year, but decided to let the ladies at the bakery make it for you this go-around.  You fell asleep in the car on the way home, so Daddy laid you down for a birthday nap – probably a good idea since you ended up being up past your bed time yet again tonight.

Our family and friends came over for cake and ice cream at about 6:30.  We sang “Happy Birthday” to you and your eyes just beamed!  I think you enjoyed being the center of attention today 🙂  After cake, you politely asked if you could open your presents, and had so much fun doing so.  You received many wonderful, sweet well-wishes & gifts from your grandparents, aunts, uncles & friends.

You are loved by so many wonderful people, Lincoln.  Never forget that.  And in the words of your great-grandma Fran, God loves you, and so do I!

 

XOXO

Mommy

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3/22/11

Rest in peace, Uncle Joe.  We love you and pray we will one day join you in the presence of our Lord.

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Surprise visit!

I looked out the front window this morning and saw a strange truck & trailer parked on the opposite side of the street from our driveway.  I strained my eyes to see who was driving and got confused when a man stepped out.  He pulled out a baby gift bag and instantly it came to me…my Uncle Ron!

I couldn’t believe my eyes.  He was driving home from doing a kitchen installation (he’s a woodworker) and stopped to surprise us on his way by.  He spent 5 hours at our house – holding Ingrid, talking to the boys.  It was great!  I don’t often get a chance to talk one-on-one with him in such a relaxed setting.  Our conversations generally take place at holiday gatherings, so we don’t get to really catch up.  I was so thankful for his visit today – he made my week!

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Present from Aunt Kari & visit from Uncle Jason

Aunt Kari sent the boys a package a few weeks before Ingrid was born.  We held off on having them open it until after she came home.  They loved what they found inside the envelope.  Although I have to admit, I think I ate most of their Raisinets.  Sorry boys!

Uncle Jason came to visit tonight.  He brought puzzles for the boys (which they love) and got to meet Ingrid.

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Jason’s birthday

We celebrated Uncle Jason’s birthday (a day late) at his house tonight.  Nolan and Lincoln colored “happy birthday” pictures for him and were very excited to also help him eat cake and open his presents.  Generous helpers, aren’t they?

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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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Tony’s 30th

March 22, 2010.  My brother has entered the same decade as me once again.  It’s funny though, for some reason I have a hard time picturing him as 30.  In my mind, he’s perpetually something closer to 25.  Unfortunately, in my mind, I continue to age.  I should change that.  Ha!

The boys enjoyed helping place 30 candles on Uncle Tony’s birthday cake and then assisting with blowing them out.  Nolan somehow also snuck almost the entire chocolate bar birthday sign on the cake into his mouth before anyone noticed.

Happy birthday, little brother!

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Gift from “Uncle” Thomas

Lincoln’s 2nd birthday started a few days before the big day with the arrival of a few cards and this special present from “Uncle” Thomas.  He sent a few Lincoln pennies and $2 bills.  Pretty special gifts for a 2 year old, Lincoln 🙂

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Orlando 2010 – Cocoa Beach

Day 3. Lincoln said he would drive us to Cocoa Beach, so we took him up on his offer.  🙂  Well, sort of.  We did go to the beach and the boys LOVED playing in the sand.  It was a bit cool again, but the sun was warm and Jake actually ended up getting a bit rosy from it.  The boys and I sported our 100 SPF sunblock, so we were in the clear.  Jake made sure to enjoy a McRib on the beach (and rub it in by sending a picture back home to an old co-worker to create a little jealousy.)

Special thanks to Bri, Jason’s girlfriend, for several of these pics, including the group family picture we took at the end of our journey to the coast.

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Mom’s birthday – the first of 2010

My mom celebrated the first family birthday of the new year.  Several years ago, my dad started a birthday dinner tradition to commemorate her special day.  He prepares his now famous, Beef Wellington, every January 3rd.  This year we had twice baked potatoes (made by Tony), julienne carrots, asparagus and chocolate vinegar cake for dessert.  I think everyone looks forward to this meal each year.  The boys were more interested in the veggies and cake, but I’m guessing if they’re anything like their dad and uncle, it won’t be long until they go back for 2nds from the main course.

It wouldn’t be a birthday without opening gifts.  The kids helped Nana find her presents inside the birthday bag.  I think they pulled everything out in less that 20 seconds.  🙂  My mom hardly had time to see what they pulled out before they grabbed something else.  After opening gifts, I tried to take a picture with Nana and all of the boys, but Nolan decided to pout.  (That’s him behind the railing in the green sweatshirt.)  To round out our visit to Nana & Papa’s the boys had to visit Taz & Gwen (Uncle Tony’s bearded dragon & gecko.)  They love going upstairs to say “hi” and feed the lizards.  It was an extra special treat to have Uncle Tony with them for tonight’s visit.