First week of school

Here it is, the famous first day of school picture....which actually happens to be day 2 or 3. She didn't want to shoulder her backpack for all to see. (It is heavy!) Our "baby" is now an upper classman, a licensed driver, a faithful employee, a singer, an actress, and faithful friend and Packer fan. Here is to another great year!

A Bridal Shower

This is Hannah and Lauren many years ago, enjoying some friend time at the Smith home. We met the Smiths about thirteen years ago. They home schooled, like us, and our kids were in gym class together. Lauren's mom, Kim, had twins that were Mary's age. The little people were not quite old enough to join the kids in gym class, so we would pass the time by letting them play at a park. Kim and I would chat on those days....and thus our friendship began.

 

Lauren and Hannah have remained dear friends even though their paths in life are going in different directions....Hannah is in college and  Lauren will be wed next month.

The young ladies....cousins, church friends, and home school friends.

The Smiths have three daughters....the youngest, Alyssa and the oldest daughter, Lexie. Lexie was married this past May and has moved to Illinois....far from her home in Wisconsin. It is always good to see her and hear her laugh.

My very funniest memory of Lauren was one night when she was sleeping over. The girls were in the basement with glo sticks. They were having their usual fun, when all of a sudden they ran upstairs to tell us that Lauren ingested some of the glowing liquid! Somehow it broke all over her and went into her mouth. I thought we might be making a trip to the ER that night. Thankfully, glo stick juice is non-toxic. We cleaned out her mouth and then returned to the dark basement....the glowing liquid was everywhere...on the floor and all over Lauren. How funny to see! The Smith girls spent many days over at our house...or all of us over to their house....talking, laughing, working on home school projects and lots of parties.

This is Kim, Lauren's mom....a dear sweet friend. I told her what I am going to miss most about Lauren getting married.....is that she won't be sleeping over anymore.

 Because Lauren's heart belongs to this young man, Tyler.

But the girls will always have their memories....and the new stories to share as each of their lives unfolds.

And this girl....will always remain in my heart, as one of those dear special children that I had the privilege of watching grow up into a very beautiful young lady.

And her mom will always be one of those moms that helped me survive those years of home schooling.....as we tried to manage it all. A woman who helped me to see the joy in the midst of all the chaos....and to rejoice in the little blessings along the way.

And now the next generation will continue.....with many more marriages and babies to come.

 

Just Two Weeks Ago

We had a house full of people a few weeks ago...Benjamin came over for a visit, then my daughter asked if I could watch the boys.

Then Hannah asked if the Smith girls could come over for dinner...and there we were, a house full of some very special people. Stouffer's Lasagna has become one of those handy meals I like to have on hand. Feeds a crew....just throw it in the oven for two hours, add some bread and a vegetable and dinner is prepared.

This precious little fellow is becoming quite the smiler.

See what I mean....you should hear him cooing at his mommy in church....I can't help but smile.

Then there is this little fella........my grandma heart adores him.

My Baby

This picture was taken last week when Gabe's dad was in town. Mary was taking care of Levi while the others were playing a game. She is a natural "mommy". This was very evident when Benjamin came into our lives, I don't know what I would have done without her and her nurturing skills helping me out. I love how tenderly her hand is upon his chest and how she is looking at him....

Tour in Green Bay

Okay, so we spent a little bit of time at Lambeau Field. On this day we went on a tour and visited the "Hall of Fame" museum.

Super Bowl Champs!!!

Conference Champs!

Up close...yes, it was right there!

Hannah was amazed as she thought about the whole season....the wins, the losses, the intensity of the games...the blood, the sweat, the tears...

Oh, wait, that was Mary.

Our quarterback, Aaron Rodger's jersey from the playoffs.

LAMBEAU FIELD!!!!!!

Sky boxes...I could watch a game from here....easy. Mary is in serious thought.

We all touched the field....but we only captured a picture of these two. The turf is natural grass with artificial grass intertwined....and it is heated. Very cool.

Proof...we were there.

Ah, yeah, our team....champs, multiple times.

Super Bowl champs four times....and how many times have the Vikings won? Glenda?

Cousin Greg played years ago....he is retired and living in Florida now.

Smile...

Hannah was the only in the family that attempted a Lambeau leap...and made it!

Vacation to Greenbay

We stayed at a wonderful hotel in downtown Green Bay, Hotel Sierra.  My husband booked this reservation on Hotwire...and we got a great deal! Our room was a suite and included a wonderful continental breakfast.

While we had a bar...we did not enjoy the wine on the top of the bar. You know that if you open one of those bottles you have to take out a second mortgage.

The bedroom area

For those of you who would like to see downtown Green Bay, this is for you.

Lovely bathroom...would have loved two, but I am not complaining.

Now this is something that causes two very different reactions within me....at first I am gladdened to see that the hotel is being frugal. These soap dispensers simply have to be refilled....no more little bottles to throw away. The handy holder even prevents anyone from removing these lovely bottles. And the other response is this....NO MORE LITTLE BOTTLES TO TAKE HOME AND ENJOY FOR MANY TO DAYS TO COME!!! A little part of me is in mourning.

Hannah discovered that she brought two right flips flops. Oops...item added to the Shopko list: Hannah needs a new pair of flip flops.

Mary is a HUGE Green Bay Packer fan! I don't know when this happened....but she knows enough about the game to confuse my mind and create quite a tizzy within me. I am thankful she has a father who can understand and rejoice in this passion with her.

Green Bay Packer coach and legend, Vince Lombardi.

Hannah did not know who he was....and I...well, I didn't know that much about him. We know a little more, now.

In front of Lambeau Field.

And this is the place where our Super Bowl champs train.

Vocal Arts Academy Concert

A few weeks ago, Mary had her last concert with the academy choir for this academic school year.

Under the direction of Emily Crocker, the choir performed sacred music and a few secular pieces, as well.

The concert was held at St. Matthew's Lutheran church (ELCA) in Wauwatosa. Beautiful stained glass windows adorn the sanctuary.

After the concert....the proud parents...

and the happy sister. The choir will resume rehearsals this fall and are already planning for a few additional concerts next year.