Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
It's official!
We were so happy to attend the wedding of a great old Newman Center friend, Jeremy, this weekend & sing in the choir. He & Stephanie looked just adorable together! I'm so excited for them. It was a beautiful wedding, amusing "pre-reception party", & fun reception. It was like a reunion!
I usually bring my camera along to most events but neglect to take a single picture. I was determined not to do so this time! We're running out of opportunities to have the whole old gang back together again, so I snapped some shots to have that aren't 10 years old. =] Here's a few to enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't get was a good one of the bride & groom! (If you'd like any copies, please let me know!) Congratulations, Weselys!
Gutenberg
We discovered a great Catholic website! It's put together by a fun family with a bunch of young kids called Holy Heroes. They provide lots of video clips & games for free. They also have neat products you can buy which would offset their costs. We did a lot of their kids' activities, coloring pages, & "lessons" for Lent. I hope to try their Advent edition this year, too. The last few weeks we've been taking the "Holy Heroes Summer Faith Adventure". Click the link to sign up for this Vacation Bible School at home! We've learned a lot about King David, the Sacraments, & the Church. There are fun craft ideas, snacks you can make together, & games with a spiritual twist to play. We've picked a few of everything to try & added some of our own ideas, too. Above they are wearing their miters from when we learned about the Pope & below we are painting our "bird Church" to hang outside. (Anyone recognize the apron???)
One video lesson was about the origins of the Bible & how it has changed over the years. They explained how the invention of the printing press really made a difference in how many people could buy & actually read a Bible. In one of the crossword puzzles we discovered the most hilarious word known to four year olds. Andrew has found the name "Gutenberg" to be one of the funniest words EVER! He throws it into every joke, nickname, or lull in conversation. I often hear him saying, "You're a Gutenberg!" & then laughing hysterically. Rebecca, his little parrot as of late, joins in to say, "Mommy a Goopenberk!" I can't help but be amused by their amusement!
Friday, July 24, 2009
New Math
Rebecca has taken to counting. She counts things in books, noses on her family members, & cars in the street. She counts when we play hide & seek, & while she's waiting her turn. Her counting must be some sort of new math, however. (Darren has a math minor so it can't be just . . . wrong!) She's very consistent.
"1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12!"
Occasionally the 12 is followed by,
"Blast off!" or "Ready, I come!"
"1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12!"
Occasionally the 12 is followed by,
"Blast off!" or "Ready, I come!"
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Band Buddies
Who said we didn't have band at St. Francis? 
I'm so glad they made you cut your hair before the seminary, Fr. Jon.
Oh, I guess that's just an actual picture of Dougie.New Prayer
Rebecca has been finally joining us aloud for prayers lately. She does the best just to repeat phrases after we say them. Most of the time it's pretty close! However, yesterday her after meal prayer started like this:"We give me SNAKES, Almighty God..."
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Big 1-0
Happy 10th Birthday, Samuel!
You are such a thoughtful, creative, turtle-catching nephew. =] We love you!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Ode to a donut
This morning at Mass the kids were unusually well-behaved. Hallelujah! Amen! Praise the Lord! So to celebrate...& because I was craving tasty pastry...we decided to go out for donuts. Rebecca was so anxious to have one, she needed something to keep her busy while we drove there. I suggested she sing a song about a donut. It went like this:
"Happy Birthday to you, donut, . . . cha, cha, cha!"
"Happy Birthday to you, donut, . . . cha, cha, cha!"
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Shopping List
Here's Andrew's shopping list from yesterday. Can you guess what he thinks we need to get? It's actually pretty good for doing it all on his own. I'll post the answers in the comments. Happy deciphering!~As he continues to learn phonetics . . . I can't help but wish we spoke Spanish. English has & breaks so many more rules! : P Oh, but we love a challenge.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Pimushe Lake
Ah the joys of vacation! We had such a nice time away. We enjoyed a week in two pretty cabins up by Pimushe Lake, Minnesota with my entire immediate family minus my newly ordained brother who was put in charge of his parish for the week. That's 32 people! It was a blast. Here's a few pictures to tell the story.
We spent the 3rd of July at my sister Chris' home outside of St. Paul. There was quite the gaggle of kiddos & fireworks. Andrew & Rebecca were most excited to see all of their cousins & try out their "big kid" bikes.
The next afternoon we arrived at Pimushe Lake. After a quick trip down the road to the country Church for Mass, we settled in to our luxurious cabins, pontoon boat, & perfectly zero entry beach.
Andrew LOVED fishing. He actually made the first catch of the trip! They spent a lot of time fishing on the boat & just off the dock. I've never seen him exhibit such patience!
With an adjustable basketball hoop next to the playground, the kids were actually able to successfully make a few baskets. Rebecca spent a good deal of her time on the swing.
Benedict & Veronica looking cute
These modified paddle boats were a big hit with the kids. Even Rebecca could do a pretty good job maneuvering herself.
She loved playing at the beach. Sand, water, toys...good times. 
Here she is with Matthias relaxing by the bonfire before the Talent Show.
I don't have a big group shot on my camera, but here's one of my Mom & Dad with all the grandkids (well all except this one in-utero who must be doing some sort of acrobatics in there as I type.)
We left a two days earlier than the rest of the gang to have a little time to recover when we got home. On the way we stayed over night in Sioux Falls. We enjoyed yummy pizza that night & the up close & personal sound of airplanes landing pretty much directly over our hotel. : P The next morning we checked out what we could of the beautiful St. Joseph's Cathedral. 
The Marian grotto was beautiful...& a fun place to run.
The main body of the Church is under renovation, but we were able to visit Jesus in the Sacred Heart Chapel in back. The painting behind the altar was gorgeous!
Afterwards we drove through downtown out to the Falls. Gorgeous. 
I was here about 15 years ago but they have done a LOT of work since then. There was an observation tower, restaurant, older buildings to walk through, & beautiful landscaping.
We finished our trek home Friday afternoon. What a great adventure!
We spent the 3rd of July at my sister Chris' home outside of St. Paul. There was quite the gaggle of kiddos & fireworks. Andrew & Rebecca were most excited to see all of their cousins & try out their "big kid" bikes.The next afternoon we arrived at Pimushe Lake. After a quick trip down the road to the country Church for Mass, we settled in to our luxurious cabins, pontoon boat, & perfectly zero entry beach.
Andrew LOVED fishing. He actually made the first catch of the trip! They spent a lot of time fishing on the boat & just off the dock. I've never seen him exhibit such patience!
With an adjustable basketball hoop next to the playground, the kids were actually able to successfully make a few baskets. Rebecca spent a good deal of her time on the swing.
Benedict & Veronica looking cute
These modified paddle boats were a big hit with the kids. Even Rebecca could do a pretty good job maneuvering herself.
She loved playing at the beach. Sand, water, toys...good times. 
Here she is with Matthias relaxing by the bonfire before the Talent Show.
I don't have a big group shot on my camera, but here's one of my Mom & Dad with all the grandkids (well all except this one in-utero who must be doing some sort of acrobatics in there as I type.)
We left a two days earlier than the rest of the gang to have a little time to recover when we got home. On the way we stayed over night in Sioux Falls. We enjoyed yummy pizza that night & the up close & personal sound of airplanes landing pretty much directly over our hotel. : P The next morning we checked out what we could of the beautiful St. Joseph's Cathedral. The Marian grotto was beautiful...& a fun place to run.
The main body of the Church is under renovation, but we were able to visit Jesus in the Sacred Heart Chapel in back. The painting behind the altar was gorgeous!
Afterwards we drove through downtown out to the Falls. Gorgeous. 
I was here about 15 years ago but they have done a LOT of work since then. There was an observation tower, restaurant, older buildings to walk through, & beautiful landscaping.
A different perspective
Rebecca: "Is it swimming?"
Referring to the wipe she had just thrown into the toilet. ...I guess so!
Referring to the wipe she had just thrown into the toilet. ...I guess so!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Cinnamon Crumb Cake
After such rave reviews at Bible Study last night & Darren's exclamation of
"Woah. That's freakin' awesome!"
this morning, I thought others might enjoy if I post the *recipe* for Cinnamon Crumb Cake. ; ) Give it a try, you'll love it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thanks a million...
Maximillian
for being such a cool cousin & nephew. We love you!
for being such a cool cousin & nephew. We love you!Happy Birthday, Max!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Time flies...
Today we celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary...almost 12 years together. How blest we are! Darren's parents generously watched the kids so we could go out yesterday. First, we went to see the new Transformers movie. (Supposedly I earn a lot of "cool wife points" for that.) Afterwards we enjoyed some tasty food at Misty's downtown & then night prayer at the Pink Sisters. It was a great evening on the town. Here we are looking excited & windblown before we left.
Happy Anniversary, Darren! I love you! Here's to many, many more!
***
PRAYER FOR A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE
Lord, bless & preserve my cherished husband,
whom you have given me.
Let his life be long, blessed, comfortable & holy;
let me ever be a blessing & a comfort to him,
a sharer in all his sorrows,
a consolation in all the trials of life;
make me forever lovable in his eyes & dear to him;
unite his heart to mine in fondest love & holiness,
& mine to his in all sweetness, charity, & submission.
Keep me from all ungentleness;
make me humble & obedient,
that we may delight in each other
according to Your blessed word.
May both of us rejoice in You,
having our portion
in the love & service of God forever.
Amen.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sprinkle's an eggplant
Well, we've almost hit 25 weeks. That means that Sprinkle is the size of an eggplant. ; ) We had another ultrasound today & all looks good. The baby weighs 1 lb. 10 oz., wow. That's so tiny to be so perfectly formed! We saw the arms, legs, brain, heart, kidneys, even eyelids. Incredible. Please, keep praying for a healthy baby & safe pregnancy. Sprinkle was in peek-a-boo mode so once again we didn't get any good facial shots. This one was our best. Sleeps snuggled just like Andrew. =] Third trimester, here we come!
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