Week 25

Monday, June 13th

My little garden's coming along...

Tuesday, June 14th
Last day of school for C and M.  We took them to lunch to celebrate a very successful year.

The boys are over the moon about all the Nerf gear they got as a hand-me-down gift from Isaac.

Dress rehearsal for my four dancers.  I'm going to post Spring Showcase separately, but here's a couple teasers.

Ninny and Papa dutifully sat through a record-long five hour dress rehearsal since they couldn't attend actual recital.  They had 7 grandkids in the show, plus a bonus appearance from Jon.

Wednesday, June 15th

We got to have the Cours over for a few hours.

The puppies wrestled the whole time!

I love having teenagers littered all over the yard.

Thursday, June 16
I walked in from the gym to find an epic Nerf battle going on, including the two kids Maddy was babysitting.

"Once I was 7 years old..."

Colombo had a business event at Cirque Du Soleil so I gave up my spot as his date, knowing Maddy would appreciate it so much more.

Friday, June 17th
Six hundred roses plus greens were delivered to the house for recital.  Renna helped me snip all the ends and get them in water.

Madison had dress rehearsal #2 later that night, so naturally...she danced all afternoon on the deck.

A couple more previews:

I'm still surprised how much he likes the dog.

Saturday, June 18th
The big day!  A long day...2 recitals and a showcase in between.  I was at the high school from 10:30am until 10:30pm.

Backstage pep talk...

Sunday, June 19th
Happy Father's Day!!!  My plan for the day didn't come together.  Plan B was the beach, but I couldn't even get my brain around emptying the van and repacking it after recital day, so plan C (which is what Colombo had earlier suggested anyway) was to hang at the house by the pool and grill.

I'm so thankful for Colombo.  He's an incredible leader, provider, protector, and example for his kids. He's full of wisdom and integrity and constantly works diligently to better himself.

Renna was singing "I love you, Bauer" until she caught me videotaping.

Family Corn Hole tournament

Our neighbors are relocating to Michagan and they are quite literally leaving most of their belongings on the curb, much to the pleasure of the garbage pickin' people from around the corner who have moved it all trunk load by trunk load every Monday morning.

This night, the kids excitedly picked through for treasures.

Doll furniture, a yoga ball, some gardening tools, a floor fan (???!!!)

Thanks, Madison...we needed this.

We ate an amazing steak dinner outside on the back deck.  When the kids gave Daddy cards they also each gave him a piece of total junk from the neighbor's curb pile.  It was beautiful, relaxing family day.  I'm so glad Dads don't expect as much as Moms!

Week 24

Monday, June 6th

Renna, the dog-whisperer

Renna, the dare-devil:

Happy day...Daddy came home after 10 days in Peru.

More belated birthday love...

Tuesday, June 7th

Twinning with the 4 year old.

Not sure how I missed a picture Wednesday and Thursday.  I was probably madly preparing to leave for our girls' road trip to Tennessee for my cousin's wedding.  We left about 2:00 on Thursday afternoon, picked up Aunt Bonnie in Scranton, and drove through the night, arriving early Friday morning as the sun came up over the Smoky Mountains.

Friday, June 10th

After a little breakfast we headed over to the wedding venue, greeted all of our it's-been-too-long-since-we've-seen-you family and told the bride, "Put us to work!"  She did.  We were happy to be with them, helping in small ways, and being included in all of the exciting behind-the-scenes details.  We got more time with the fam than we thought we would.

Melody jumped out to ask for [wrong] directions.  #centraltennessee

Finally we arrived at the gorgeous barn reception venue with outdoor ceremony area with a view to kill.

Joy left her mark on everything...shabby chic details everywhere.

As a bonus, this four bedroom sprawling ranch was part of the package.  It was PERFECT for the bride and her attendants to stay, to host the rehearsal dinner, and to duck into when the heat was overwhelming.

Updates from home:
Rocco at Crossfit:

Renna set up a library all on her own.  The scanning kills me.

Saturday, June 11th

Wedding day!!!  Uncle Mark and Aunt Francis gifted us with several hours of their very busy day.  We had lunch at Joy's gorgeous home and visited their home....a walk down memory lane and tour of Aunt Francis' gardens.

Joy's:

Aunt Francis' and Uncle Mark's:

We could've sit all day, sippin' sweet tea and telling stories, but it was wEdDiNg DaY!!!

With a 6:00pm-9:00pm agenda, things stayed on track and kept moving.  Joy was a STUNNING bride and the ceremony was personal and sweet.   Some shots are from the photographer, most are Lisa's.

Cousin Charity (Joy's sister / MOH) was also stunning!!!

My favorite part was the minister's prayer of blessing over them. 

Second favorite part was the father / daughter dance.  Uncle Mark had been soooo nervous he wouldn't make it through, but he did.  I guess his tactic of listening to the song so.many.times before the wedding that he'd numb himself to it.

Melody caught the bouquet!

Sunday, June 12th

We spent a long 17 hour day in the car getting home.  I was missing my crew like crazy!

That evening Colombo took the kids to Jon's to watch the Penguins win the Stanley Cup.  He sent me a couple pictures.  Just now as I'm blogging, Renna saw this one and said, "Oh, I remember that.  We sing-ed "José"!  #godblessamerica