Guess who's walking?

13 months & she's on the move!

Fun with cousins

Andrew the Builder

 We have 3 fun scooters that are always falling over in the garage.  Andrew set out to fix that problem.

Scooter rack works!  Great job, Bubba.

Green cousins

 Not too long after Sarah turned one, we got to celebrate again for cousin Alivia's 1st birthday.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a good picture of her... she's so adorable!... but here are all the "green" cousins minus Andrew.  Our crew is sure growing!

Independence Day

 

 This was the first year that Teresa really lit any fireworks off & Rebecca did WAY more than ever before.  They were lovin' it!

 Ready for the neighborhood parade!

 

 Andrew was celebrating with his cousins for the week in Minnesota & Iowa.  He had a blast!

 They stopped at Adventureland on the way home, too, which was seriously awesome.

We missed our big boy, but he certainly enjoyed himself.

 We had fun just being girly at home. 

 There was time for patriotic pedicures, several tea parties, & lots more.

We ventured over to a neighbor's house who also has a girl in Rebecca's class for the evening celebration.  The slip 'n slide was a big hit & we had a nice time.

Happy 4th of July!

So thankful for the freedom that we enjoy.

Waterbugs

 Our dear friend Kim agreed to give the kids swimming lessons this summer.  They loved it!  I think they learned the most they ever have in one set of lessons as well.  So awesome.  Rebecca can *finally* swim for real; even if it's only a few feet.  She's thought that she was swimming for the past two years, where in reality she was really just walking across the pool moving her arms with her face in the water.  Serious progress!

 Teresa didn't quite catch on yet, much to my surprise, but this was her first time.  Maybe next year!

Andrew is off like a waterbug.  He needs to build some endurance & work on his form, but I can finally let him just go swim at the pool with his friends & feel comfortable.  Hallelujah!

Thank you so much, Kim!!!

Big day!

On our anniversary we went up to Bellwood to the home of Darren's cousin to celebrate Great Grandma's 91st birthday!  She was having a really good day which was such a gift. 

It was already a big day, so Sarah decided to make it even more exciting:

she stood up without holding on to anything for the first time & second time & over & over & over.  We'll see how quickly she translates that to walking!

13 years

Happy anniversary, honey! 

Way to go, Joe!

So proud of my nephew Joseph!

This is his graduation day from Basic Training.  God bless you!  Miss you!

"Happy" video

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! 

New Dish

While perusing new exciting choices for her Chinese selection (outside of Sesame Chicken), Rebecca asked, "Mom?  Would I like Human Beef?"

Zoorific