Happy birthday, Mom!

 To celebrate my mama's 70th birthday, we had a girls' weekend in Omaha!  It was so fun to be with her, my sisters, & a couple of my nieces.  We started off the weekend on Friday night with Stations of the Cross at this gorgeous St. Peter's Church.  It was incredible!

 Uncle Fr. Jon generously drove Sarah & I to Omaha, so he was able to join us for the evening.  My Dad also brought Mom to town so he hung out on Friday night as well.  We were sorry to be missing Doug!

 We had a delicious dinner at Upstream Brewery.

 These little ladies did amazingly well, considering how much high chair, stroller, & carseat time they had to endure.  They were hilarious together & a constant source of snuggly entertainment.  We stayed at the Magnolia hotel which was beautiful.  Spent a good deal of time relaxing in this loft room... a little too much when we probably should have been in bed!

 My mom is a tea aficionado, so after a leisurely breakfast & some Old Market shopping we had proper tea on Saturday afternoon at the beautiful Crook Manor.  It was General Crook's 1860s home at Fort Omaha full of antiques & stories.  I think that Dad would have loved it, too!  I giggle now every time that I use a tea bag thinking how much it would disgust our Tea Guide Mona.  Goodness she knew a lot about tea.  She was a riot!

 Sarah enjoyed some of the egg salad sandwiches & sugar cookies.

 Lily was just too busy to sit down & enjoy her tea.  Lots to do, lots to do!

 We went back to relax at the hotel prior to Saturday evening Mass at St. Peter's.  Afterwards we had a delectable dinner at Vivace & way too late of a night laughing in the loft.  Chris brought a personality assessment that was a little too easy to predict in our group... found out I'm gold & blue.  No surprises there!

I didn't take any more photos (waiting on some goodies from my lovely sisters) but they wouldn't do the time justice anyway.  It was wonderful.  It was much needed.  It was such a gift to be together without a million monkeys running around like usual.  So thankful! 

Happy birthday, Mom!  Hope we can do it again next year!

So loved

 Andrew loves Sarah so much

She & Cecilia aren't very aware of each other yet, but I hope they become fantastic friends.  Right now they can just be carseat buddies. 

Meeting Cecilia

 We are pleased to announce the arrival of our new little niece Cecilia Irene!  She was born the morning of May 6th to proud parents Cara & Taylor.  She is welcomed by enthusiastic big brothers Jonathan & Nicholas.

We love her so much already.  Can't wait until she can meet HER new little cousin in about a month.  Congratulations!

S-C-H-O-O-L

 It's here.

The days with two big kids in school all day, five days a week.  It feels like just yesterday they were still just Bubba & Chickee, not even born yet.  And here they are, a second grader & kindergardener.  Unbelievable.

 Andrew with classmate, lifetime neighbor, & friend Cecilia

(That's the first that I've ever seen him shrink away from a photo because it was with a girl!  And so it begins.)  They're supposed to be this big...

No wait, THIS big.

Who gave them permission to grow up?

 After all that girly business, he insisted on a picture with his Cub Scout buddy Grayson.  No hesitation there!

 Rebecca was thrilled for her first day.  She knew most of the kids at her table at least a little, except for one little boy.  She introduced herself & then said, "You have a cool shirt on!"  She's such a sweetie.  Never mind the fact that everyone else at the table was wearing the identical uniform shirt.  ;)

 She sits with Ellie, Adam, Jaxson, & Gianna.

 There were many fewer parents in the 2nd grade room!  Growing up too fast.  Here's Andrew

 with his table:  Alexis, Jared, & Josie.   

They both loved it.  Sounds like it was a fun first day.  Teresa & I are still adjusting to a "quiet" house.  She has never not had a playmate since she's been born!  This may a take a while to get used to.  In the meantime, I get to play lots of Memory, pretend to be a pony, & read mountains of books.  Don't ask about how our house looks!

Love all of them so much

Mary with Jesus & Bishop Andrew