Soldier Of Christ!

A couple of weeks ago, our niece, Faith, was confirmed.  She chose the name of Gianna and I was very honored to be her sponsor.  It has been many years since I've been to a Confirmation and it was awesome to sit up front (without the kids, ahem) and be a part of it. 

Be sealed with the Holy Spirit!

Faith and I pose with Bishop Jackels. 

Faith and her godparents, Laurie and Dan, with the bishop.

Birthday At The Zoo

Monday of last week was my 40th birthday, so the kids and I took a day off school and went to the zoo!

We finally got to see the baby orangutan.  He sure was cute!

The kids thought it was funny that the baby orangutan has toys similar to ones they have.

If you look close, you can see the baby wallaby's head poking out of the mama's pouch.

We must always have at least one picture of the kids on a zoo sculpture!

Anthony "relaxes" in style!

The kids were pretending they were blasting off to the moon.

Anne, my smiley girl.

For the first time ever, we stopped to feed the giraffes. 

The twins said the giraffes licked their arms!

Joseph gave the little giraffe some leaves.

Anthony and I just watched and took pictures, but it was really neat.

Later, we were planning to go out to eat somewhere, but I was surprised with a date instead!  My lovely sister-in-law volunteered to watch all of the kids.  So the kids got to go play with their cousins, which they loved.  Dan and I went out to eat at Beijing Bistro!  It was great birthday surprise!  Thanks, Al and Brenda! 

Book Review: "Chalk"

This is the most awesome wordless picture book I think I've ever seen.  Three kids go to the park on a rainy day and find a bag of chalk hanging from one of the playground toys.  They begin to draw and discover that whatever they draw comes to life.  It's all fun and games until the boy draws something a little scary and they have to figure out how to make it go away.  The illustrations are just wonderful, using light and shadow, with lots of interesting angles.  The expressions on the kids' faces plainly tell you what they are thinking and feeling.  This is a great book to find at your library to share with your kids.  All of mine loved it. 

I received nothing for this review.  However, if you click on the link and make a purchase at Amazon, I will receive a small commission.

First Communion Party

The First Communion Mass was at 3:00, so afterwards, all of our guests came back to our house for fun and feasting.

The girls!

Dan's brother, Al, grilled chicken, brats, hot dogs, and steak.  Yum!

What are the guys all looking at?

Dan's crazy train ride!

Three pretty girls in a wagon.

Time for the feast!

Originally, the party was to be held on the deck, but there was such a strong north wind that day, that Dan moved it all to the garage.  It worked well.

Catherine with her Aunt Laurie.

Clara and Anne had such fun together despite their age difference (2yo and 6yo).  They both love dolls and Anne is very good with little ones.

Time for cake and mints!  (Yeah, the cords add greatly to the decor, don't they?)

Catherine received some lovely gifts, including this statue of Mary. 

The children gather around to see.

First Communion Day!

Sunday was Catherine's big day!  We had been preparing all year and now she was ready! 

All ready to go at the church.  She wore my wedding veil.

Our family.

Catherine with her friend, Chiara.  It was neat they could make their First Communion together.

My brother, Fr. Brian, was able to come and concelebrate the Mass.  He also got to give Catherine her First Communion, which was awesome!

When we got to the "holding area," Catherine just walked up to some girls she didn't know and started talking to them.  I wondered how she'd do since she only knew one other girl, but not to worry!  She was fine.  There were 78 kids making their First Communion!

After the Mass, with Anthony.

We couldn't take pictures during the Mass, but it was wonderful.  Dan and I walked up to be with Catherine as she received Jesus for the first time.  Such a special moment that I will never forget.

Catherine and her godparents, my sister Beth and Dan's brother Al.

Catherine with my parents.

 

She was so happy.



Catherine with Dan's mom.

A Lovely Weekend

This past Saturday, visitors began to arrive:

Grandma Brungardt (with Uncle Joe and Uncle Chuck) was the first to arrive.

Followed by Grandma and Grandpa Klingele.

My sister, Beth. and her two youngest, Clara and Isabella, came with my parents.

Dan came up with a new fun ride, much to every child's delight.

Even some of the grown-ups got in on the train ride!  Yup, I'm riding as well.

Dan's mom enjoyed time with the grandkids.

Ice cream cones after dinner!

Catherine and her godmother.

My sister made the cake, and she and I decorated it together.  I did the edging and it wasn't that good, but no one really cared.  It tasted great! 

Here is Catherine, all ready for her big day.

She was very excited at this point!

...to be continued!

Easter Sunday, Second Part

After we got home from church, we attempted to take a picture of the kids.  This is the third year we've taken one from this spot in the spring and it is fun to see how much the kids are growing.  It was a little difficult with Anthony this year because he did not want to stand still long enough to take a picture.

I am outta here!

See what he's got in his hand?  Yup, his chocolate Easter bunny.  A bribe can only help, right?

Mmm, chocolate.

The other thing that helped a little was a crop duster who kept flying very low over the wheat field across the road and then circled around, sometimes right over our house.

Dan had many Easter egg hunts (empty eggs!) with the kids, even though it was wet and muddy outside, while I finished getting dinner ready.  We had ham, sour cream and chives mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, and a fruit salad.  Then we ate our pies for dessert.

Yes, I put on a tablecloth and used the china!  Nothing got broken.

Easter afternoon was a time to relax and then play.

Anne, the unicorn.

My little batman.

More fun with Easter eggs.

Playing with new toys.

Joseph made a piece of pizza.

After playing baseball, the kids all gave Anthony a ride in the wagon.

Catherine's turn to pull.

Teamwork!

Catherine with her creation.

What a nice day we had!