Week 23

Kinda a lame week of pictures...

Nothin' on Monday.

I spent 1/2 the day recycling all the cans and bottles we'd collected at the fundraiser the day before.  So grateful for Big Colombo's (C2) help that day.  

Tuesday, June 5th

The only pictures from the day were the ones Katie sent.  How sweet are these?!?!?

Thursday, June 7th
C4 had a great gig for 2 weeks.  He made great money chauffeuring a friend of friend whose license was suspended.  It also led to a full-time internship.  C4 loved his 2 weeks and driving the Jeep!

Big Colombo- master dry-waller- is going to help at the East Windsor campus project, which is just the coolest!  Colombo took him and Karen up there to tour the site and meet with Brian and Mike.

Phoebe still makes a great snuggle puppy!

Friday, June 8th

Trevor's 6th Grade Sleepover / first night of Youth Group.  I know...I can't believe it either.  I hope Pastor Sterling's ready for this kid!  I'm ever grateful for an active church with active programs for my kids.

Saturday, June 9th

I got to spend a day in the City with 5 of my favorite people!  A friend's sister is an actress and just landed her biggest role yet.  She is the understudy for the lead in "Summer", a show about Donna Summer's life.  She had a couple dates when she knew she'd be in the role, and June 9th was one of them.  We had great seats and it was so incredible to see Christina (who I'd seen previously on Hartford Stage) living her dream on ACTUAL Broadway!

 As a bonus, her real life husband played her on-stage husband in the show.  Sweet!!!

 Their daughter came as well, in addition to sisters, nieces, nephews, friends.

Not Christina, but another lead.  They walk out of the stage doors and then 2 steps off the sidewalk blend right into the the 8 million in Manhattan and you'd never know.

We took a bunch of great group shots outside the theater, but the one whose phone they were on hasn't passed them along yet.  This is the beautiful and wildly talented Christina!

Post-dinner, hearts and bellies full!

Renna's first night in Kids Church!

Sunday, June 10th

I got a new mailbox for Mother's Day.  It's a beast and took a village to install!

The before:

 It weighed almost 400 pounds, so it was a process!

Week 22

Monday, May 28th

Memorial Day.  With only a few days notice, we abandoned our traditional Harkness Park plans and instead hosted my cousin and his family from Idaho as well as those who could join in and see them.  I hadn't seen them in 5 years, so it was so good to catch up!

Wait for it...

Tuesday, May 29th
Happy birthday to my sweet Rocco!  Will post separately for him.

Moe's as usual.

Thursday, May 31st
I drove Maddy up to Wilbraham; they'd asked her to shoot a short promo video for their church.  Passing by these news cameras, forensic crew, and all the yellow tape, I knew something serious was going down, but when we saw the EZ Up tent, I said, "They're digging up bodies!"  Sure enough, sadly, it was a double homocide in addition to an abduction.

Friday, June 1st

Sweet girl at our summer Friday nights dinner spot.

Saturday, June 2nd

This got us both all teary!

Trevor went to Promiseland (Kids' Church) for the last time!  He graduated into youth group.

And Renna graduated from Alpha Church into Promiseland.  These two ladies are some of the most special, loyal, dedicated, selfless, giving, committed, faithful you'll find within the walls of that church!  I get teary thinking about all that they've poured into our family.  Sister Ann is a multi-decade icon.

All the grads!

 Sunday, June 3rd

I organized our first ever can / bottle drive for a dance fundraiser.  My only goal was for it to not be an epic fail.  It exceeded my expectations.  The kids worked hard to sort, everyone enjoyed being together, it only took a couple hours, no buying / selling, and we made $900!!

I decided THAT morning to invite all the volunteers back to the house after.  We had 40ish people over for cookout and swimming.  So fun!

Week 21

Monday, May 21st

Maddy was asked to dance at the District's pastor's conference in Providence.  Colombo and I drove her out, sat through the banquet, and got some great time with our church leaders.  Maddy was amazing as always.  Part way through dinner I go this text from C4 who was back at home babysitting.

I gotta document it when it happens, cuz it doesn't happen much!

Tuesday, May 22nd

Hooray.  One of the happiest days of our year!  The bottom was a little green, but the water was so clear you could see all the way to the bottom!

Picture days at the studio.  Not my fave.  It's hot and chaotic and stressful.  BUT, I LOVE seeing my Maddy in action.  She's amazing with her students.

Rocco made it the highest he ever has on the peg board.

Wednesday, May 23rd
Picture Day #2

 Guess who got tossed in this year.

 Drinking buddies!

 Almost the entire school year, Nathanael and I passed through construction to and from school.  Nothing bad enough to re-route, but for weeks, this sweet gentleman held the sign and he greeted every car every time.  Usually a wave to guy drivers and he'd tip his hat to the girl drivers.  Every car, every time.  I love a job done with excellence!

Thursday, May 24th

Friday, May 25th

 The mulch arrived and the kids made quick work of getting rid of it!

Lisa and I snuck away to Boyd Haven.  We planned a trip to celebrate Melody's tenure.  I'm sorry you don't have an Aunt Bonnie.  Everyone should.  She's practically perfect in every way and it was truly a retreat weekend for Lisa and I.  Aunt Bonnie left fresh flowers in our room and Uncle Lee left notes on our door.  We had the best time!

Saturday, May 26th
Of course breakfast includes heart-shaped homemade scones and clotted cream, served on my great grandmother's China.

We went for a hike in the afternoon and then all worked together in the kitchen to put together a fancy fondue dinner and toast Melody.  It was meaningful and special. In my letter to her I said, "It's easy to celebrate people who celebrate people."  No one does it better than Melody she is fiercely loyal, defends the weak, roots for the underdog, and champions relationships.  She's pretty darn amazing!

Sunday, May 27th
#throwback

 Rocco is a hard worker!

 Long overdue birthday dinner for Maddy...only 7 weeks late.