Happy Mother's Day!

 

Never will I believe that getting "big" kids to behave better than little ones is likely to happen any time I get out my camera! I had to go throught SEVERAL photos & check each person's eyes & mouths, to make sure that what should be open & should be closed, was. Notice also the goofing around in a few of the pics! Ohhh...silly boys!

Mark's Prom - 2009

Some pictures before R-A's prom. Mark took Laura Brugman from CCE.

Tommy made his 1st Communion today, along with Chris Conlon. They were two very handsome little red-heads! The boys had to usher, which makes Tommy nervous & he tried to follow Chris. So instead of handing the collection basket to the people on the opposite row of pews, he came over to the same side that Chris was on. Andy, who was serving mass, was up on the alter laughing the whole time! I don't think there's much hope of having a priest in the family!

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When we have these family/holiday get-togethers, what I picture in my head never seems to be anything like what I actually capture on camera. What's envisioned in my mind is waaaaay less entertaining than how it really goes down! Check out Lynn trying to get Tommy to cooperate - funny!

Happy St Pat's!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone! Erin go bragh!

Ahhh...just like old times

The boys really enjoyed their day off from school & took advantage of the nice weather. Jack came over & played a little farm-yard b'ball too. It reminded me of the "old days" when all they had to do was play outside. So of course when I got home from work I grabbed my camera!

Our Trip To Branson

Phew! Over 1300 mi. in 3 days!! Even though Briar Cliff lost, we still enjoyed our trip to Branson. Thanks to friends of ours (Heath & Nicole), Pat, Lynn & I stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin at Big Cedar resort & I can honestly say that it is the most amazing place we have ever stayed! (Keep in mind we don't get out much) We arrived on Tues. and the weather was gorgeous, then we waited out a thunderstorm, then it cooled off quite a bit (40 degrees) by Wed.
One of Matt's friends (Kyle Semprini) came back to the cabin to hang out for awhile. Maybe next year we'll get a chance to go back & stay longer :)

Going to "The Dance" Nationals

Hooray! The BCU Chargers made it to Nationals! They are seeded 18th & will play the 15th seeded team (Indiana Southeast)on Wed. March 11 @ 8:30am. On a side note, all 5 of the starters recieved some sort of all conf. honor. Matt was honorable mention. His Coach (Todd Barry) was chosen GPAC's coach of the year. (We know it was all Bill though) Can't wait to go to Branson to watch them play! I know I've said this a million times, but the boys are so fortunate to be a part of such an excellent b'ball program & have first class coaches!

Extreme office makeover

While the cat's away...
I'm pretty sure my boss thought he would be safe going on vacation for a week, but little did he know we had been planning a makeover for his office. As much as I would like to take credit for these structural works of art, I have to give props to a few of my very talented co-workers (awesome job Gary, Jenny & Trish)! I did make the cactus drawing & bulletin board though. I would recommend this for anyone who has a boss with a good sense of humor!

Ok - SO! I'm finally updating my blog! Here's the latest on everyone: Pat & I are pretty much the same, farming, refing, working, working out, going to games, activities & meetings & managing to do a little (and I mean very little ) laundry, cooking & cleaning on the side. Like I said, things haven't changed.
Billy is enjoying being a student asst. for Briar Cliff's men's basketball team, however, I think he misses playing at the college level. School is going fine for all of the kids. They are finding out it's not high school anymore! Matt is having a very good season at BC & is on an awesome team. They have such good chemistry on the floor & are a lot of fun to watch!
Lynn is home on break right now & I know she's enjoying her down time. She's been hacking & coughing since she got home. At least she can get her own medicine & wipe her own nose! (I know what all you moms w/babies are going through) And there's no RSV, double ear infection, flu, or bronchitis.
Mark is finally getting to play a little basketball after recovering from his broken leg he got during football, then dealing with an infection in his foot a couple weeks ago. Hopefully his ailments are over! He is also coaching Andy's b'ball team & the guys are doing a good job teaching the little boys. I have a post about that too.
Andy & Tommy are doing great, I think Tommy is just starting to get the "basketball fever" but is not willing to admit it yet. Just give him time...

Mark coaching Andy in b'ball

Mark, Ryan Sikora & Zach Loring are the 5th grade b'ball coaches. The kids really enjoy having the varsity players coach them! Andy LOVES basketball as much as his older brothers & has been playing very solid for a kid his age. He is on a very talented team & so far they've won 2 of the 3 tournaments they've played in. Andy plays an awful lot like Matt did at that age. I know he'd love be able to do the things that Matt can, but he still needs to get a little bigger & stronger. Pat & I really enjoy watching the kids play. We'll see how they do this weekend in E'burg!