St. Fidelis Now a Basilica!

In early June, Dan took three of the kids and travelled to Victoria, KS, his hometown and residence of his mother and two of his brothers.  On that first Saturday in June, the famous "Cathedral of the Plains" was to be officially named a Minor Basilica, which is a very high honor.  It is the only church in Kansas to be named thus.

Dominic, Anne, and Joseph relaxed with Grandma on the front porch of her home.

Dan with the kids.

At the soon-to-be-named-Basilica, waiting for Mass to begin.

The program.

The procession has begun and in came the Papal Umbrella (it has a really fancy name), which is only opened if the pope comes to the Basilica.

In the center is Fr. Al Brungardt, Dan's uncle.

The bishop to the right is Dan's cousin, Bishop John Brungardt.

The sanctuary of the Basilica.

After Mass and a luncheon, Dan took the kids to the nature trail.

On the trail.

A good time was had.

The kids with Grandma.

Pictures From Joseph's Birthday

An early birthday gift from Grandma Brungardt.

The kids watched Joseph open a present on the morning of his birthday.

Cowboy gear!

Cowboy Joe!

A cool find in the yard.

Movie time with Daddy.

Light saber.

Never fear, Captain America is here!

Happy birthday to Joseph!

He designed his own cake.  Batman vs. Joker.

A few weeks later, Grandma and Grandpa Klingele stopped by to wish Joseph a happy birthday.

Tree house Legos!

Later in May

One Saturday, I gave everyone a haircut.  While using the razor on the boys for their short summer haircuts, I decided to have some fun.

Too funny!

Almost got the monk look.

This one really cracks me up!

Anne checked out her big pile of hair.

Catherine with her shorter hair.

Anne modeled her haircut.

A cool tree on the west side of our house:

The twin tree.

A harvest of radishes:

Oops, someone is trying to swipe one.

Joseph with the haul.

Dan made a ramp for the kids to use with their bicycles.  No ER trips were made as a result.

Go, Dominic!

I took some pictures of our grotto with the roses and irises in bloom.

Beautiful flowers to enhance the beauty of the grotto.

Joseph at the grotto.

At the very end of school, Catherine made a representation of the State of Kansas out of rice crispy treats and all kinds of candy and toys.  All the kids really enjoyed this project!

Catherine put on the finishing touches.

Catherine showed off her final project.

She practiced her state presentation, which she later gave to Daddy.  After that, we ate Kansas!

A Graduation Party

Dan's niece and goddaughter, Faith, graduated from high school in May, and we went to her graduation party one Saturday afternoon.

Faith and her godparents, Dan and Laurie.

Aloysius, Joseph, and Dominic chow down.

Fr. Sam Pinkerton, Dan, and Anthony.

Brenda, my sister-in-law, decorated the place beautifully.  The picture is of Faith graduating from kindergarten.  (Anthony had swiped the missing cupcake.)

Freddie's Frozen Yogurt was there.  Yum!

Anthony and Grandma.

Faith with parents and godparents.

Outside fun.

Michael, Kayden, and Evelyn.

Trouble times four!  (They told me later they were looking at a toad.)

Catherine and Daddy.

Early May Photos

Kids enjoyed Braums Book Buddies treats!

Messy!!

Not sure what this look means.

The boys got a last day with their friend, Dothan.  He came over to our house for the day while the moving van company was packing up his house.  Joseph, especially, was sad to see his friend leave.

Snack break with a look at a rock collection.

Superheroes on the loose!

With a bunch of boys, the couch cushions in the basement are rarely on the couch.

Pause for a picture.

All four of them in one spot!

The next day, we had some rain and got to see this beautiful double rainbow:

One day I found a recipe for Pizza Breadsticks and made them:

Oh, were they yummy!

 Anthony made this castle all by himself:

He was very proud and would not let anyone knock it down for a couple of days.