My baby?

Friends

The day we took Fr.Daniel back to Minneapolis we met up with some good friends who were also there. Brett went to high school with both of the husbands and we met back up with them during his 10-year class reunion. We don't get to see either of these families very often despite many efforts to get together. It was a short visit which ended with a renewed vow to get together again soon!!! It's always great getting together with families who share our faith and values, and the kids had a great time playing with other kids. As you can see, there were plenty to choose from. Three families for a total of 16 kids!!!! What a blast!

The moms and babes.

The dads.

All of the kids!

Families

The Eyeball Game and Other Stories

This past week we were blessed with our first visitor from Texas. Gianna's godfather, Fr.Daniel, came to spend a week with us. We had a wonderful time. Fr.Daniel and the kids made up a game called the "eyeball game" which is too complicated to try to describe here. We had Mass almost every day even on the day that Emma thought was our "day off". Brett and Fr.Daniel were out of the country for a few hours exploring their inner desire to be French fur traders.

We were all sad when we dropped Fr.Daniel off. We are truly blessed to know a priest who is not only our Gigi's godfather, but also a dear friend!

These pictures are not in order because for some reason I can't move then to where I want them.

The three oldest with the "Priest of Cool"

Gianna did not get too far from her goddaddy.

Fr. Daniel reading a silly Richard Scarry book.

Love these girls.

Some of us had time to stop and smell the flowers.

In front of the Cathedral of St.Paul

Goin' Camping

Several years ago a friend gave us a cd that she had made for her daughter and she made an extra copy of it for us. There is a particular tune on it that my kids will sing over and over again. This song is sung especially in the summer when they want to go "campin', feels so good. Campin', here in the woods. Campin', makes me sing, oh how I want to go campin'."

After many obstacles, including a "discussion" between Brett and I after driving for an hour to a primitive campsite that included only a fire ring and a place for the tent, we finally went camping at a campground that was "rough" enough for the men and was "comfortable" enough for us women. Looking back on it, I'm sure we would have been fine. However, at the time I had no desire to teach the girls how to take care of "business" in the woods. Ah, the differences between men and women.

We all had a great time although some of us slept more than others. "Others" were hearing all sorts of wild animals walking past the tent. I was very happy to see the sun come shining through the next morning.

Three kiddos all ready to begin the adventure!

The girls kept begging to go into the tent the second Brett got it all set up.

Part of our hike took us out into the middle of this field.

Brett and Gianna taking in the view.

Updates

On a whim, a week and a half ago, my I-like-my-time-off-as-long-as-I-have-something-to-do husband decided that "we" (meaning "he") were going to update the kitchen. When we bought this house the kitchen was not the selling point. The kitchen has been on our list of things to do ever since we moved in, but we just haven't had the time. We bought a portable dishwasher because the kitchen didn't have one, and we were lacking major counter/cupboard space. Within days of moving in we hung some cupboards on one wall, but the kitchen has never been practical or very fun to use. We adapted, but it took some effort.

Thanks to my super-handy husband, we now have a kitchen that looks nice (ignore the non-painting...we didn't have time to do that before our summer guests arrive) and a dishwasher that is installed under the counter that I don't have roll across the floor and plug-in to the wall and sink.

Pay no attention to the water bottles on the counter.

Places to Go

Moments before this picture was taken, Gianna entered the room and said matter-of-factly, "I need the keys."

For now.

I really need to post some new pictures of all of our summertime adventures, but for now just a quick update.

My dad is thankfully recovery very well. I am so grateful for that.

Our trip was fun, but long. I think each year it will get shorter, not because I enjoy being around our family any less, but I love being home more and more.

We really do feel settled here. Our house feels like home and our town feels like home. It's nice.

Brett decided on a whim last Saturday that our home needing a little updating. So, our kitchen was targeted. Poor unsuspecting kitchen. I didn't get any "before" pictures because Brett didn't give me any time before he had things ripped up. There will definitely be "after" pictures. Not everything will be finished. We are hoping to make it to a stopping spot in time for a few weeks of some very important visitors! If not, then I'm afraid we'll have to serve pizza and sandwiches every night. One more day on it and I think we'll be good to go.

Aidan and Emma have been playing really well together for the past two days. The usually get along well, but the past couple of days they have been having a lot of fun. This is good, unless you are their little sister. Poor Gigi. She's been my shadow and I've been trying hard, amidst our mess, to pay extra attention to her.

I've been staying up late for the past few nights planning next year's school year. Tonight I'm going to go to bed regardless of the piles of stuff that still need my attention.

Veronica is growing up so fast. She loves grabbing my face and giggles any time Aidan says anything. He will ask me what time we are leaving, "giggle, giggle", tell me he's going outside, "giggle, giggle", inform me that he wants to have a snack, "giggle, giggle". Truly, it matters not to this little one. She loves her big brother and no one is going to convince her otherwise (and I wouldn't even try).