Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

 We celebrated my nephew Jonathan's 5th birthday last weekend & it was tons of fun as usual!  My sister Cara always throws a good party.

She made this awesome superhero cake.  I especially liked the flowing fondant capes on the side.  Too cool.  Jonathan was too busy running around to stop for a photo, but Andrew obliged.

 She also made each of the kids their own superhero cape!  Not out of fondant...

 The Superkids 

 Sweet Cecilia

Thanks for a great party!  Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Passing through

 We were so glad for a quick but special visit with my sister Denise & her family last week!  We met for Chinese at Hy-Vee & lots of time to chat. 

Cara:  "No.  Smile NICE, Jonny."

 Yep, that's better.  ;)

 I can't believe how much Julia grows up in-between visits.  I still look at her & expect to see my tiny little Goddaughter.

Teresa was the lucky one not to be at school & SO THRILLED to get to see her cousins.  She loves her Godmama Auntie Neece, too.

We are family

 After a night at the farm, we headed up to our "Red family" reunion.  Rebecca was so excited to actually have two cousins there!  We ate too much, chased ducks, played on the jungle gym, met the new babies, chatted, played guitars, & had a fabulous time.

 Here's the crowd!  (minus our fabulous photographers of course)

 Here are all the 3rd & 4th generation (great & great-great grandkids) of Joe & Eleanor (plus me with wiggly Teresa).

 All the cousins & spouses

(Well, not ALL the cousins... there's a ton of us!  But the ones who came.)

My dad with his siblings & spouses



Lois & Gerry, Jan & Ralph, Neal & Mary, Diane & Jerry, Joyce (& Bob), & my parents

with Uncle Leon, Grandma & Grandpa looking down on us from Heaven

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I love our family.  The low-key reunion every year is such a great chance to stay connected when we are all so spread out.  These aunts & uncles hold a special place in my heart.  These are the cousins I grew up with shooting pool in the basement, playing BINGO, learning how to dance the Achy-Breaky, summer weeks at Grandma's... so many great memories.  I feel so blest to still have them in my life on a regular basis.  Here's to many more reunions to come!

Andrew was just having too much fun to leave, so we left him with Grandma & Grandpa for 4 more days.  He had a blast!  Thanks for everything, Mom & Dad!

Hooray for rain!

 My dad is a farmer.  As a kid it felt like our lives really revolved around the cornfield... because they more or less did!  Just like then, I am grateful for rain, not only because it is good for the crops but because it also means Dad can't easily be out in the field. 

So, last Thursday when it rained an inch & a half, Mom & Dad took the chance to venture to town to help Fr. Jon celebrate the anniversary of his Ordination to the priesthood.  It was such a nice surprise!  We met up with Cara's family & all went out to dinner that night.

 The next day we celebrated the last day (two hours really) of school & set out for the park with the whole crowd.  We had a fabulous time looking at the animals, hiking the trails, picnic-ing & jungle-gyming.

 These girls aren't afraid to touch anything!  The boys (& the adults) were more hesitant.  ;)

Red Grandpa taught Andrew how to throw tiny pieces of stick (or spit... lovely) into the water & the fish will jump up to nibble it because they think it's a bug.  Somethings only grandpas can teach.  ;)

Thanks for a great time, Mom & Dad! 

Happy Anniversary, Fr. Jon!

THREE!

Mom & Dad joined us for some fun before celebrating my nephew's birthday a couple of weeks ago. The kids love to read with Red Grandpa.

We had a tasty lunch together, complete with wildlife memory.

Then we played & partied & ate all afternoon. It was great!

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Happy feet

My beautiful mother came to town a couple of weeks ago while Dad was out skiing. My little sister & I took her for her first pedicure ever. Look at those happy feet. :) It was a great time!We enjoyed some fun time with cousins a few days later as we welcomed Grandpa & uncles home.
Look at how that handsome little Nicholas is growing!

The Best Gift

My amazing sister Cara gave us our favorite St. Nicholas day present, a new nephew & cousin. Nicholas Angelo was born on December 6th.Taylor with his boys
I guess we finally have to stop calling him "baby" Jonathan, because he's the big boy now!
A whole swarm of us were able to witness his Baptism. Here's Andrew with some of my sister Melissa's adorable kiddos.

Rebecca usually takes a good half an hour to warm up to almost any situation. Not the case that day! Here's cousin Max on the chase.

Got her!

Oh, little Peter, you're a sweetie.

The new family

Can you see his soul shining?

Nicholas with Red Grandma

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We're so glad to welcome you baby Nicholas!

Thank you Cara & Taylor for a handsome new nephew. The best gift!