Nothing beats it

 Nothing better than Grandma & Grandpa time 

A quick but fun visit included Mass with Fr. Jon, BBQ lunch, archery, reading, & lots of hugs.  Thanks for coming down!

A weekend of celebrations

 Teresa & Andrew's birthdays are right around the time of Dad & my niece Lucy.  This year we were so lucky to spend a celebratory weekend home at the farm!

 Sarah was a big fan of cousins Julia & Lucy... I think it was mutual.

 Rebecca manages to find every art supply, costume, & decoration that Mom has left in that house when we visit!

 Just chillaxing

 With his birthday money, Andrew bought his first bow.  I'm pretty sure he got enough use out of it for the price in just one weekend!

 He also "taught" Julia & Lucy how to shoot, as well as challenging Darren & me to a shootout.  He won.

 Almost everybody took a ride in the combine with Grandpa.  He would go out until he was full, come back to the yard to unload, & get another three to ride along.  It was like a combine taxi service!

 Playing in the treehouse & sandbox is a must.

 The pumpkin harvest was not quite as abundant this year, but still plenty that we were able to bring a few home.  Here's Rebecca with cousin Jonathan.

 I think Teresa could have stayed on that swing for hours!

 Sarah was a big fan as well.

 The view from the treehouse

 The thrills did not end... time for a ride to the co-op in the semi!

 We had quite the abundance of desserts with 4 birthdays to celebrate.  It would have been impolite to refuse any of them, right?

 My sisters Cara & Denise

 Teresa & Lucy share an October 12th birthday... they looked even more alike that day!

 That one's a keeper

...I can't even imagine my dad doing that when I was little!  The freedom that comes with grandpahood must be wonderful. 

 Sarah devoured probably too many of Teresa's requested blue velvet cupcakes. 

When we went to Mass, Andrew sang with my dad up in the choir loft right next to my old art teacher.  Crazy fun.  I had time for relaxed conversations with my sisters, my brothers-in-law, my parents, & my nieces.  That is so rare when the house is buzzing with the whole crew.  We played a HILARIOUS game of Telephone Pictionary which can still give each of us a giggle.  

Feeling so blest to have spent this (almost quiet) weekend at home!  

Cornhuskers

Thanks for the fun & yummy corn, Grandpa!

50 years

50 years ago my parents said, "I do"

& that's a perfect reason to celebrate big!

 We all ventured home from different towns & states to be there to celebrate Mom & Dad.  It was awesome to be surrounded with family for multiple days in a row.  We hung out at the farm, did a big "formal" family photo by the treehouse (hope to see it soon), went out for a fancy dinner with just the adults, & relaxed at the hotel.

 

 

 Then on Sunday we had a special Mass celebrated by my brother at St. Francis.  Many of the grandkids helped out by serving, reading, carrying up offertory, & singing.  Most of them carried up flowers after Communion for Mom & Dad to present to Mary.  It was beautiful!  (Also anxiously awaiting those pictures taken by a friend)  I was up in the choir loft with my nieces who are pretty fabulous singers!  I've never been so disorganized directing a choir & had it turn out so well.  :)  Plus it was a lot of fun to be with them.

 After Mass we ventured down to the nice new town reception hall for cake, candy, & lots of visiting.  My brother-in-law Taylor put together an awesome video of all of us dancing to the song "Happy" that we played followed by a slideshow.

It really was amazing to have such a mix of family, fellow parishioners, their card club/hunting/skiing buddies, Mom's coworkers, neighbors all in one place!  What a gift to see how many people really played a part in their marriage & in the growth of our family.  Such a blessing! 

Rebecca fit perfectly into the flower girl dress that Mom had made for their wedding 50 years ago.  She was giddy to wear it & do something special for Grandma.  :) 

 After the cake reception (with half the town!) we stayed for a dinner with family.  Then we all headed out to the farm for a bonfire, guitars, laser tag for the kids, & more visiting.  Such fun!

Hopefully, more pictures to follow soon! 

Christmas Eve

 I love Christmas & I especially love Christmas at my parents' farm because it is so full of wonderful memories.  Every year I feel so blest that we get to celebrate there & let our kids make their own memories, too.  This year my sister Chris showed up a little early as well & our kiddos spent all three days being totally goofy having some serious fun together.

 After a fun & sugar-packed Monday, Teresa was hit with a stomach bug that night.  She was a good sport but ended up spending most of Christmas Eve day on the couch.  Between her illness, Sarah''s wakefulness, & the general challenge of sleeping somewhere than our own house, we didn't get much sleep that night!  Oh how I wish we could magically transport ourselves back home just to sleep!

 I usually like to bring along something fun for the cousins to create while we are together.  This year we tried our hand at graham cracker Nativities.  They had a riot creating them & they turned out pretty cute!

 After a lovely Christmas Eve dinner & mounds of dishes, we headed upstairs to the tree.  My nephew John had played Linus in his school's production of a Charlie Brown Christmas, so he recited that version of the Christmas story for us.  He did great.  :)  After we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus & put him in the stable, it was time for presents!  The cousins did a little exchange & then we opened up gifts from each other.  Andrew received this watch & basketball; Darren has this new jacket & The Hobbit DVD.

 Inside her new zebra backpack from Grandpa & Grandma, Teresa had a "Hello Kitty Cosmetics Set".  Oh.my.goodness.  She has been wearing new lip gloss & applying new nail polish ever since!

So glad that Teresa perked up in time to enjoy our Christmas Eve traditions.  It was such a nice evening!