Gus' graduation

 

Graduation jaunt

 Had a fabulous weekend up in Minnesota for my nephew's high school graduation.  It's so crazy... I remember him as big as Sarah here & now he's coming to college in the fall! 

 Gathered in the always popular room:  the kitchen.  This was our first time in their new house.  It's beautiful & open!

 Sarah with her lovely cousin Clara

 Andrew was thrilled to have a nice big screen with cousins to play some games.  When they weren't glued down here they were running around outside like wild animals... not real conducive to photos.

 Teresa, Rebecca, & Maria had a fabulous time together.  Maria is so amazing with littles.  When Teresa came in to wish me good morning on Monday, she asked, "HOW MANY more days until we see Maria again?" 

Congratulations, Michael! 

So excited to see what God has in store for you.

Hail the conquering graduate

 We spent Mother's Day weekend in Hastings with a joyful group of family to celebrate my oldest niece Clare's graduation from high school!  Such a great reason to celebrate & a blessing to have so many of us together.  Here's baby-loving Maria enjoying Lily rocking her shades.

 The boys camped out on the bunkbeds

 crazy zebra-lady

 The kids were SO excited to stay at a hotel.  We spent Saturday evening swimming with cousins.  Actually, Andrew's really the only one who did any swimming.  Rebecca just bopped around a little bit between the hot tub & the "so cold" indoor swimming pool & Teresa spent most of her pool time like this in Maria's arms.

 If you thought swimming was exciting, it was nothing compared to sleeping in a big bed.

 After a continental breakfast, some sweet cards that the big kids made at school, baccalaureate Mass, & sandwiches for lunch, we ventured out to the local park to enjoy the ducks & the playground.  Perfect day!

 Then after a nice ceremony (including our new Bishop!) we headed back to the house for the party.  I was especially fond of the cappuccino punch... oh my goodness it was delicious.

("Aunt Bobby" with Clare & Elizabeth in 1999)

Watching a cute slideshow that they put together, I could remember so much from when Clare was just a baby.  I lived with them a few summers in a row working with Rich out in the cornfield during the day & enjoying time with my sister Melissa & the babies in the evening.  I kind of adopted them as my first kiddos before I ever had kids.  Now she's going to college!  I may have cried about a box-worth of Kleenex... in-between smiling so much that my cheeks hurt.  :)

Love you, Clare Elizabeth! 

You are such an amazing woman & I am blest to be your aunt.

Mother's Day 2012

 Card from Andrew... a flower pot!

 "you are the best Mom in the hole world."

 Picture from Rebecca... that's us as "heart princesses" with our "loving kittens"

She also made me a lovely necklace out of yarn, beads, & pieces of colored straws.  ;)

 After a not-so-quiet morning at home & Mass, we headed down the road a couple of hours to my nephew Joseph's graduation.  Graduation!  He's only supposed to be this old...

but I guess he didn't get the memo.

 The proud parents

 Andrew with cousin Sam

 Teresa with Red Grandma

 Joe giving his parents a rose & a hug

 Afterwards Melissa & Rich threw a great party back at the house.  The weather was perfect & we had a lovely evening.  Here's Darren with my dad.

 My crazy (matching) sisters Melissa & Cara

 Andrew sampling the chocolate fountain

 Think Rebecca enjoyed it?

 Teresa had a blast the whole time!

 Rebecca with a neighbor's granddaughter

Us with the man of the hour

(You can spy my necklace from Rebecca if you look close.)

Congratulations, Joe! 

We love you & we're so excited to see what God has planned for you!