A Spectacular Celebration!

So, on Friday, we went to Sean's for a traditional 4th of July cookout- helps that it's his b-day! Stephanie makes sure there is always plenty of yummy food and treats- this year it was fantastic, as usual! I ate more in those few hours than I do in 2 normal days!! I made these yummy sugar cookies, which the children decorated- for the recipe, see my Recipe Blog here!

Fun! Sean is huge on fireworks, and so, we had fireworks! Lots of them, and they were great! Sean knows fireworks and he did a great job with them. My kids were in heaven watching and listening to them, and even Celeste had a good time- the sparklers were so colorful and bright- my pics aren't that clear, but you get the idea...

I took 80 pictures in those hours, by the way- so many to choose from, so I just did these collages so I could showcase more of them! Spending time like this with my family is one of my favorite things to do, and this year was just fantastic. Here is Sean on his big day... This is my niece, Adriana, she and Leah are the best of friends.


We brought our friend, Rick along for the party, and he and Dana stayed at this place pretty much the whole time... Just kidding, Dana was hanging with the girls, too...


I didn't know until after I took this that Celeste had her mouth open too! Dana just said, right before it snapped to "open your mouth"! It turned out too funny!
Us girls know how to have a good time, too!


Here we are with Celeste and her cake again!
This is how my camera picked up fireworks shots- not as great as I had hoped, but still kinda cool.

I love celebrating our country's freedom this way- we loved watching fireworks from their town (we can see them from their backyard- how nice is that?!)

On Sunday, our RS President gave a lesson on Patriotism that I will not soon forget. It was so spiritual and powerful- I love this country, and everyday I am so grateful for the sacrifices of so many men and women who have given all for this wonderful, choice land. I love reading about the Declaration of Independence, and about the men who signed it and the tremendous sacrifice it was for them, but they loved this country more than life- their own. I feel deeply indebted to those men and so many others. Freedom has it's price- it is never free, and I pray that I never take it for granted and that I am able to teach my children that this is something to cherish, honor and ultimately respect throughout their lives.

Happy Birthday, America, land that I love.

This, by the way, is my favorite verse of America the Beautiful:

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America!

May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness

And every gain divine!

It always brings tears to my eyes, and holds a special place in my heart.

Happy 4th of July and Happy 35th, Sean!!

I am the baby of the two of us, and Sean has always been an amazing big brother! Even got into a fight for me when were in high school! He was my protector, though he once threw a hanger at me- luckily I ducked and it broke the glass behind me! We had this love/hate relationship growing up, as most brothers and sisters do, but ultimately, he stood up for me and took care of me whenever I needed him! I love him and he is such a great friend to me now. I can’t imagine not living close to him- he is such a great brother- one I cherish and love to be around. Especially throughout these childhood pics- I spared you from much of the 80’s and early 90’s- those were not the best picture years for either of us!

This was a favorite thing for my dad to do to us!

Sean is also a great dad!! He has 3 darling daughters that he just adores. They love him because he is the “fun dad”, who gets down and plays with them all the time. He is also the dad who dresses them, and does the hard stuff- I so admire him for that. He takes them on fun adventures and teaches them all kinds of great things. He even goes on field trips with his oldest that just finished Kindergarten. We go on a yearly family weekend trip with him and his family with my parents every summer- it is always a fun time. We just relax and hang out and remember the fun vacations we went on as children. I very much look forward to that get-away.
Every year we go to the pumpkin patch with our combined families- it is always a good time!


Sean won “nicest guy” in his senior class- and that pretty much sums him up- he is soooo nice and so willing to do things for others. He is a great friend, and has several life long friends who will attest to that. He works for a large grocery chain, and has many customers who shop his department, solely because he is there and will spend time talking to them. He really goes the extra mile with his job, and puts in time and effort- winning several awards for his work. Sean is very creative- and an amazing artist. He won many awards in HS for his art, and was even accepted into art school after HS. He is very talented and can do many types of art mediums. He was the reason I passed art in high school! Thank goodness for that!

He has inspired Alex to draw, and Alex actually drew and colored this pheasant for him for Christmas in 2006. He is also a fast learner when it comes to hands on things- he has learned trades on how to fix things, how to finish a basement, and more recently, how to build a deck! He and his father-in-law built a deck on the back of his house that he designed! He is really smart and can envision things in ways I can’t even begin to imagine.

Sean is a die-hard Ohio State fan, and a Dallas Cowboys fan- for life! Seriously, his basement is dedicated to both teams, and it is a sweet room! He has become quite the enthusiast these past years with collections of items from both teams for that room. He has many really cool pics and treasures from his beloved teams. This year he bought season tickets to the OSU games, and will go no matter the weather- he is a true fan- even getting into the Michigan game 2 years ago without a ticket! You have to hear the story from him to believe it, but he did! He and Dana and my parents went out to Tempe for the National Championship game in 2002 when we won it all!

This was in the fall of 2004.

He is married to a wonderful woman that he dated for nearly 10 years before they married! My sister-in-law, Stephanie is a dear friend of mine, and a very important part of our family. We are very much alike, yet she tolerates much more than me! Sean is a better man from having her in his life. We are fortunate to have her in ours. I am grateful for all the great choices Sean has made in his life- he is a very successful guy and is liked by everyone he meets. He is one of the most honest, genuine people I know- that is hard to come by in this world.

I am grateful for my parents who taught us to love one another unconditionally throughout our lives. They were always telling us to be kind to others and take care of each other, because we were only going to have this one brother and sister. I think we have done a pretty good job so far! I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with Sean in years to come!!

Happy 35th Birthday, Sean- enjoy your fireworks!!

Summer Break Means Daddy's Home Means Family Fun!

Being a teacher does have its advantages-
- you work one of every two days a year
- home by 3:15 every day
- holidays off
- snow days off
- long weekends
- summer break with kids!!
We are so lucky!! When I get bummed that teachers aren't paid as much as other careers, I think of this list, and it makes me happy. I am okay living with on one salary, a teacher's salary, right now, because that means Dana is home all summer and I am no longer doing everything all by myself!! We do things all the time as a family, and he accompanies us to all our regular adventures, and somehow they become so much better with Daddy there! We are so blessed.

Yesterday, it wasn't as hot as it has been, so we decided to go to the park. But since gas is so stinkin' high, we, (I), decided we should walk!! It is only about a mile, and much of the walk is sidewalk, and once you get to the park it is pretty shaded. Dana went right along with my idea, not even one complaint!! I, however, said over and over, "yeah, it's hotter out here than I thought!" He just smiled and continued to carry tired little Celeste on his shoulders- it was great! So what it was a little hot- it was still fun! Here are some pics of our day at the park...

The pond is always cool- though there were loud kids who were scaring away any wildlife!! We brought along our neighbor, Alex's friend, Devin.

The Lilly pads were so numerous, and we did see a few little frogs on them.

Leah always loves the park and the playground.

Another advantage: Daddy goes down slides and climbs on structures; Mommy doesn't!
Alex and Devin are too cool to play- they are listening to their MP3 players.
Celeste was so excited that she finally walked across the bridge by herself!
It was a cute photo op!
This one I love....Daddy always holds her hand.
This is how we walked home- we were all ready for a nap!

So, for another fun family day, today we headed for a new place- a sprayground playground that is FREE and close to our house!! We had never been there before and today was so great!! We met a few friends there, and Dana was the only guy around, except for the lifeguard and park workers! He just chatted right along with us mom's and had fun with the kids in the water...check it out!

This place is so cool- thanks to Suzanne for checking it out before hand and inviting us!

Look at all the cool water toys! Even I got misted (on purpose, it was hot!)

Celeste finally got up and got in the water, but only at the very edge...

UNTIL, Daddy came and ventured out with her, then she was all around... and soaked!!

Leah was dancing around, having a great time!

See how soaked she is- she was clapping and begging Daddy to take her again! (He did, of course!)

Finally, she lets him take a break!

Alex is letting the spray go under his legs, on his bum- he is funny!

She really had fun, too!

Tomorrow we are relaxing! We have no plans, and so it will be a nice day at home! I love summer break! It really goes by so fast, but we are trying to enjoy each day - just the 5 of us!