Jake’s aunt from NY is in town this week. She is always so good about reaching out and visiting while she’s in town. She is like me and enjoys catching up with people in smaller groups – so you can have an actual conversation. She wanted to see all of us, and since the boys were at camp all week, we connected with her today.
One other thing she is good at is capturing photos of her time with people. We were able to ask our neighbor to snap a group picture after we got back from our walk around the neighborhood with her. Pretty great group of people here!
This weekend was the middle school ultimate frisbee state tournament. The kids played on turf fields – something new, and definitely different than the long-grassed, lumpy fields of their regular season. It was also HOT.
Did I mention it was HOT?
Three games were played on Saturday – all wins. Three more games were played on Sunday, including the championship game that was almost won. The score was 8-9 and time ran out. It was disappointing to see the team lose, but there were definitely things that were learned in the areas of sportsmanship (what not to do.) I joked with Jake that our kids’ team of 10 was fielded from 6 families and their opponents had 30+ kids and conservatively, coming from what I’d imagine was at least 20 families. Our kids are champions in my book!
While the boys were at their first two frisbee games today, Jake and I attended the 2021 DVA golf fundraiser for the kids’ school.
This year’s format was different from previous years – thanks to covid. However, it was still really fun! We teamed up with our friends Tom and Melissa and met a new couple who happened to be parents of one of Shecklet #3’s classmates.
Work and play day at the lake. Super hot temps meant the water felt extra refreshing today. Aunt Kristin took the kids tubing, I brought Grandma Lois to pick out flowers and then helped plant them, there was a group effort to blow up the water trampoline, and Jake and the boys helped install a new antenna.
Shecklet #4 asked me to take a few photos of just the two of us.
Blowing up the trampoline.
The Shecklets love their great grandma!
Jake grilled pork chops for us and tenderloin for Grandma Lois & Uncle Steve. His grilling post to FB was pretty funny: “In Nissedalen I like to be even though there is no charcoal. Made a little porkpourri.”
As part of his birthday present, Aunt Larissa and Shecklet #2 went indoor skydiving. If anyone ever wants to try something adventurous and fun, there’s a great chance Shecklet #2 will be up for it.
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!
He is a kind, compassionate, and easy-going teenager. We have watched him grow so much over the last 15 years – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I look forward to what the coming year (and start of high school in the fall) have in store for him!
Today he shared his birthday with his younger sister, who received her First Holy Communion at 5:30 mass. As a follow-up to his practice golden birthday, we had him open his gifts mid-afternoon, before we headed to church. He also requested a cookie dough ice cream cake, which was a very popular dessert at his sister’s reception!
