Joy and sorrow...and back to joy again!

This past weekend Vince and I celebrated our first anniversary...can you believe that? We have soooo been looking forward to getting away for a weekend, since we have not done that since our wedding! We went to Chanhassen Dinner Theater on Saturday night and saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"! It was very awesome and we had a wonderful time ~ except for getting the call during intermission that my grandma had passed. We still enjoyed the show because she would have wanted us to. Back at the hotel, I had lots of tears and Mr. Wonderful was...well, wonderful and allowed me some time to grieve and talk to family as I needed to.

The next day we decided to go to the Hard Rock Cafe in Minneapolis! It was not easy to find as there was a certain celebration going on downtown which involved lots of colorful people and lots of streets blocked off. Combine that with several unappreciated one way streets and my ineptitude at driving and knowing where I am going at the same time, and it took over an hour to get there. But it was worth it and we enjoyed a yummy dinner and seeing some cool stuff...

After returning Sunday evening, we got the kids all packed up and left Monday morning for Worthington to attend my grandma's funeral. It was nice to see some of my aunts, uncles and cousins ~ many of whom I haven't seen in years! I took the opportunity to take some pictures at the luncheon...

Here we are with my dad Leroy and stepmom Kathy...

My brother Alan and dad...see, the Howards are not the only ones with a crazy family!!

After that, we spent some time visiting our friends Tom and Ruth on their farm, and enjoyed some time with their annimals...two beautiful horses named Star and Mystica

Eeyore, the fattest donkey you'll ever meet...

and Gonzo, the llama (I'm really tempted to yell "Tina, ya fat lard, come eat your dinner!" but I'm afraid most people will not know what I am talking about. So I won't.)

A pretty little girl on a horse...a miniature horse named Snickers, that is

and a little boy who's a bit leary of horses, still

Then it was time for some motor fun! Nick and Kyle are both experienced 4-wheelers so they manned the controls...

Then it was time for the big boys to take a spin on the go-cart. Vinny also drove, however I was too busy yelling at him not to run into things to take any pictures!

...pure joy!

I miss you already...

Grandma!

You were fun, and beautiful, and loved. I hope you knew how special you were to me.

A father's day

We had an absolutely fantastic day!! After a great church service, we drove to Sparta, WI and met Brittany and her fiance' Bill at a park for a picnic! It was about half way for both of us. Sparta (and this park actually) is special to Vince and I because we met there several times when we were dating. It is a beautiful little park near a creek, and even though it rained on and off all afternoon we still had a wonderful time.

We had grilled burgers and hotdogs, some very yummy strawberries and grapes, chips and dip, and Britt brought some homemade potato salad. Our first picnic of the summer! We played some games, played at the playground, and performed "skits" on the little stage that they have there. It was a perfect day....except that we missed Trevor and Nick. (Trev was at his girlfriend's house all day and Nick is in the boundary waters in northern MN with his dad.)

Doesn't it look like Kyle was photoshopped into this picture? Either that or he's gone through the drive through at the bank with me one too many times.

Brittany and Bill...I absolutely love this picture!

Erkel also made a cameo!


Vince got some very special gifts from the kids...

...that really touched his heart.

A great father's day for an amazingly wonderful father and husband.

You deserved it, baby. I love you!

When life gives you lemons...

and limes....you make "limonade"!!

This is quite possibly the tastiest beverage on the face of the planet!! We love it at our house. Here's how it's done...

Squeeze the juice from 6 lemons and 6 limes...

Pour the juice into a big pitcher and add enough water to make 4 quarts. Then add 6 teaspoons stevia (this is a natural, sugar free sweetener that we love! Be careful because a little goes a very long way). Or you could just use sugar.

That's it! Oh, and of course, pose for the camera...

V-Man!

Alright, who stole my Vinny...

...and replaced him with this handsome teenage looking kid living in my house??!

Is that amazing or what? That first pic was him on our wedding day, almost one year ago....and the second one was taken just last month. LOOK at how much this kid has changed in one year's time!! I guess that would 'splain the funky vocal inflections and frequent occassional eye rolling that come out of his face. (Oh, and pay no attention to the mess behind his head, please.)

That's my boy too two!!

Tonight was Kyle's turn to play ball, and be photographed by his mama!

Check out my baby boy ~ again with the cuteness...

He's OUT!

...I can hardly stand it.

That's my boy!

Nick had a game tonight and I got to play with my camera! Win-win!! Well actually they lost, but I don't care. (Ssshh, don't tell him I said that) because he looked *dang cute* in his uniform (don't tell him I said that either....cute? Oh the horror!) I do not hide the fact that I'm a proud mama!!

Here's a look at my handsome first born son on the pitcher's mound...

And doing a happy dance after scoring a double play!!! He caught the ball very close to firstbase and tossed it right out of his glove to the firstbaseman!! (And please don't tell him I said happy dance, he might not let me come to his games anymore)...