Farewell to Friday Fun

Soaking up every last bit of summer we can muster these days. 

School is fast approaching.  I'm having my annual "I'm their teacher?!?!?!?!" panic attack. 

Good times, good times. 

Our summer Fridays are spent with my sister and her gang in what we've dubbed "Friday Fun."  It involves swimming, garage sale-ing, park playing, library going, ice cream eating, and whatever other kind of fun we can get into.  It's always a little sad to have our last Friday fun of the season, but alas it must be done. 

A trip to the zoo was just what the doctor ordered. 

Serious seal watching.

The park there is so cool...it looks like a giant Eagle's nest in a tree.

Popcicle time!  Sidney (on the right) is my sister's brother-in-law and recently came to live with them.  I don't want to brag or anything, but he recently took a GOLD medal in Special Olympics bocce ball!  Yep, I know.....amazing.   

Car snugglin' on the way home.  Preciousness. 

Irish Fest

Irish Fest is an old family tradition which has fallen by the wayside in recent years as "wee lads and lassies" began showing up in our lives.  This year my uncle was up from San Diego, so most of the family made the trip to spend the day in all things Irish.  Seriously, I think maybe Ireland itself has nothing on Milwaukee's Irish Fest. 

I got to head down a day early with my mom and sister for a girls night in the city (and a beeeeeeeutiful hotel).  We giggled and ate and shopped and giggled some more...SUCH a relaxing and fun time! 

You can't imagine how many pictures it took to find one that 3 (THREE!) women would approve of posting, so just trust me when I tell you that we are all much prettier/thinner/younger/more put together than we may appear in said picture.  Oh, and we might be a little vain too.  ; -)   

Fancy meeting THEM there! 

I'm 99.9% sure there will be bagpipes in Heaven. 

Brenin entered a freckle contest!

As you can see, the judging was g-r-u-e-l-i-n-g.

She didn't quite have what it took for the win, but she did get a shamrock cookie out of the deal!  That's a win in my book!! 

She jumped right in to the dance lessons too. 

If this kid isn't pure cuteness, I'm just not sure what is. 

A family fave.....Different Drums of Ireland.

(pause music player at bottom of page before playing video)

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

-Irish Blessing-

Life in a Northern Town

Sometimes living in a rural American town can feel like a movie set.  You have to remind yourself that you're really there, really living this good.  The green is really that green, and yeah, half the people in town would probably show up at your funeral if you died tomorrow - with a casserole for your family, of course (and they probably know how much you paid for your house and who your "folks" are too). 

While I sorely miss some of the diversity and cultural exchange that occurs in bigger cities, sometimes I just can't help but sit back and revel in our own little small town culture.  It can be a charming cross between a Norman Rockwell and the ghetto.  : -)   Somehow, it works. 

Nothing says small town like our parades.

There's lots of this going on. 

What is it about American flags, parades and kids??  It's a "breathe deep" moment every time. 

Oh, and who needs sweets when they're passing out sweet CORN?   

Yep, Norman MUST have attended a few parades in his day.

While in the neighborhood, we stopped at the waterfall to dip our toes.  I was gonna do a backflip off the rocks like this guy, but then I remembered I didn't have my swimsuit.  Shoot. 

We decided we'd bribe them with this picture when they're 16.  Always planning ahead, we are. 

It was a day well spent. 

"Our lives are made in these small hours, these little wonders..."

-Rob Thomas-

Perspective

We attended a retirement party of a friend who had served in the Army and through several deployments (2 of them to Afghanistan).  They displayed so many things he brought back over the years from his travels, which was so neat to see.  Guests were invited to try on these outfits (I can't remember what they're called??), and I think their one word description says it all......"Perspective." 

Just Another Law-Abiding Citizen

One of the grocery stores in town opened up a new liquor store and laundromat, so they offered police/ambulance/firetruck tours in the parking lot. 

Because that's totally related. 

:-) 

We didn't ask.  We just went. 

Bren and Liv

Ma'am, I'm gonna need to see your license and registration please.

Let's pray this is the ONLY time she gets to be strapped into the back of an ambulance! 

Book'em, Danno! 

Just kidding....What kind of mother would I be to allow my child to be arrested JUST so I could have a moment...(just ONE teeny tiny moment!!!!)...of peace and quiet?!?!  Really, now folks!

 I mean, it's not like I wouldn't pick them up once they were released. 

(as long as bail wasn't too high)

 

Unfortunately, we'd met this particular officer before.  (let me explain)  On one -30 degree day last winter, I was in a turn lane waiting to turn right.  I decided to turn left instead, so I thought I'd better back up and get into the LEFT turn lane.  But oh look, there's a car coming, I'd better hurry!  I popped it into reverse and quickly reversed the car. 

Into a taxi cab that was sitting directly behind me.  Boo. 



Apparently the term is "unsafe backing."


Yeah... 


To make matters worse, last week I was rushing off to a meeting and looked in my rearview JUST in time to see the 'ol familiar po po whipping a U-turn.  Why, you might ask, would a police officer whip a U-turn??  Well, to pull over my speeding 'wagon 'o fun,' of course!!  I was just about to leave with a shred of dignity (after ANOTHER very kind officer let me go with a warning) when Brenin calls from the back seat.  "Hey, Mom...is that the same police ossifer from your little umm...taaaaaxi incident?" 


*sigh*  No dear, it's a different one this time.


(Geesh...the kid has a memory like a sponge!) 


Long story short, I may or may not be on the police department's Christmas card list this year. 


Woohoo!! 

Blog on Life Support

Been contemplating lately if blogging is fitting into my life right now.  I haven't had much time to post, and when I do, it's basically pictures because I don't have time to write.  I feel like I either need to commit and be better at it or let it go and release myself from its obligation.  I'd also like to commit some time to writing for publication (which is what my college degree is for...you know, the one in the stack of dusty frames in my pantry next to the toilet bowl cleaner and feather duster??  SO not kidding.)  Seems life is too full right now to be good at anything.  Sooo...putting some things on the chopping block, and this 'ol blog is up for review. 

In the meanwhile...

LOOOOOVE this!!!

 

Maybe you'll love it too? 

Catch Up - Part 2

The in-laws were here for a visit this week.  Danny had a conference in Iowa, so we played tourist and played around the Dells and went horseback riding and to the lake. 

Bren was in her glory, of course.

Danny's brother's son, Buck & his horse

Dario's first ride ever!

Another first time rider!

Sister's daughter, Arlena..... her first ride too!

The stables wouldn't let Luca ride on her own since there was some galloping involved, but she at least got to hold the reigns and "steer" (and her Mama got to steal some snuggle time!) 

Breathtaking Wisonsin

Exhaustion has officially set in. 

:-)