May

I guess I have turned into the Monthly blogger....sorry everyone:( Christina finally received her glasses. We were worried she would take them off. She leaves them on except when she sleeps and when she is eating. She likes to take them off when she is eating and we don't know why but if that's the only time we will happily except that. She can see so much better now. She is always pointing to new things that she sees that we had no idea she couldn't. She is discovering the world all over again.

Daddy and his little girl with her new glasses. Isn't she cute!!!

On Mother's Day, Joe and the kids did a quick clean of the house as my present and then they went fishing. They left Christina and myself home to bond together. When she went down for a nap it seemed really lonely. I always want time to myself which is few and far between but when I have it I would rather have the kids here. I know I am strange. Joe and the kids had a great time fishing other than the fact they haven't caught anything for the last two years. Michael is the fisherman of the family and he is thinking he needs to pick a new hobby:)

Maria freezing while fishing:)??

The Fisherman!!!

Anthony looking for just the right fishing spot.

Joe's favorite part of fishing!!

Our Godchild, Kaci, had her first dance recital on May 17th. I was able to go and she did a great job and was soooo cute. Keep up the good work Kaci!!

Fred, Sandra and Family had their annual barn dance. It was the day before we needed to be in the Cities which I will explain next but we decided there was no way we were going to miss the social event of the season. It's fun watching all the kids get along and seeing them dance from babies on up. The best part Joe was able to make it this year by 10 PM instead of Midnight or not at all. We were able to dance three times. There is so much visiting to do the time flies. We got to bed at 2:00 AM. Sandra's Mom, Pina, was there and she makes the best homemade Pizza. Thanks for the pizza Pina. Thank you Fred, Sandra, and Family for another fun filled night.

***Sorry, my camera at night in a barn doesn't take very clear pictures***

Christina feeling Fred's beard...Mama what's this??

Sandra with her Mom, Pina, and little Bella.

Christina having her first dance with a boy. I think she likes him for his shirt;)

Anthony and his friend Emma. They had very tired feet by the end of the night. Anthony said he kept stepping on Emma's toes......Sorry Emma he must have inherited my dancing abilities:(

Michael doing an Irish Line Dance..

Maria dancing with Tommy

All the boys growing up and having a good time.

The next day we got up at 6 AM to do chores finish packing and head up to the Cities for Maria to practice for the Honors Concert at the U of M Northrop Auditorium. We had to be there at 11 AM but I always give myself an extra 1/2 hour for construction and boy was there construction. I have never seen it that busy before. We made it to practice and then went to our hotel. Darren gave us two nights at a hotel of our choice so we went to the Embassy Suites in Bloomington. We had a suite with free breakfast with eggs/omelets made to order. We had so much fun there....thank you Uncle Darren:) Joe got off work and made it to the hotel at 3:30 PM. We went to church and then to the Auditorium for the Honors Concert. We were with our Friends the McKeowns. They had two children in the concert as well and our children are good friends. The all did great. We are so proud of Maria she did a good job despite a headache from lack of sleep. Afterwards we went to TGIF to eat with the McKeowns and the Wambekes. Helen helped teach our kids piano after Jessie had her baby. She did an awesome job teaching them. She is so sweet. We then got back to the hotel at which was late again and crashed until the next morning. We ate an awesome breakfast and then I showered and packed while Joe and the kids went swimming. They had fun even though it was short. We then went to eat with the McKeowns and Wambekes and head to the Como Zoo. Well we got there but all the parking lots were full and there were cars parked on all sides streets for blocks. So the unison decision was to go home. We were bummed but we had a full weekend and the kids were exhausted. It was a busy weekend but wouldn't have missed any of it.

Maria and Brynn with their beautiful smiles and dresses

\Maria and her flower she received at the Honors concert.

All the kids having a good time at TGIFridays. Do they look tired....NOT!!

Swimming the next morning. They loved it and Christina became a fish from last year when she screamed going in the water.

This is what welcome us home after our long fun weekend...

Enjoy the Summer!!!