Girls' Shopping & Baseball

Today was the last day of school and the kids got out at noon. What better way to start summer than a girls' lunch and shopping followed by a little baseball! Gabrielle and her friend Jorja have been asking their moms (Julie and me) for an afternoon of lunch and shopping and we finally did it today. It was fun to visit with Julie and help our girls pick out a couple summer outfits at their favorite store 'Justice'. While we were shopping, Willem got to spend a few hours with Opa including a visit to Starbucks and a trip to visit Terry and her horses.


Later in the day Cade played in his 2nd baseball game of the season. He is really enjoying playing with his buddies from school and has a home run in each game which makes it all the more fun for him! He's been playing 1st base. The only problem has been trying to make it to the practices and games with his soccer and basketball which are still going on!

The Graduates

Congratulations to my nieces, Searra, Mariah and Jackie, Class of 2009, who graduated this weekend! Mariah graduated from St. Paul (K thru 8) and Searra from Marist High with a 4.0 GPA. Also, my niece in Nicaragua, Jackie, graduated as the valedictorian of her class at the Nicaragua Christian Academy (high school). I have smart nieces! Mariah is now off to Marist, Searra to U of O (Go Ducks!) and Jackie is headed to Calvin College in Michigan. We had a yummy and fun BBQ this evening at James and Jenn's house to celebrate Searra and Mariah's graduation!

Searra and Mariah at the BBQ

And the only recent picture I have of Jackie (far right) with her family (just her big sis Erika is missing); Marilyn promises she'll send me pictures of Jackie's graduation soon which I will post here when I get them!

Yeah, Marilyn (my sister) sent pictures of her family at Jackie's graduation! Congrats again, Jackie...

Jackie, Marilyn, Jonathan, Erika, Leah, Eric, Naomi, Daniel

Daniel & Jackie

Happy Birthday Amandi Family!

Amber, Tony and Jacoby as well as Duane and Mary came to visit this weekend and we had a BBQ to celebrate Jacoby's belated 1st birthday (May 1st) as well as Amber and Tony's June birthdays. It was fun to see Jacoby enjoy the dairy and his cousins more and more. Genevieve and Jacoby are not looking quite as far apart in age now that Genevieve is no longer a newborn though Jacoby sure feels heavy compared to our little girl! Amber, Tony, Duane and Mary also came to celebrate Mariah's 8th grade graduation and Searra's high school graduation this weekend. I hope to get some of those photos in a post later.

Jacoby loved playing with Gabrielle...


Genevieve got some good floor time with Jacoby. She was entertained just watching all the activity...

Jacoby giving Genevieve a hug while they 'play'!

Jacoby loved his walks on the dairy...

Jacoby with Uncle James

On our trip to Costco before the party, Genevieve had her first unassisted ride in a grocery cart. She was pretty happy and excited; Jacoby wasn't so sure what all the excitement was about...


And finally, the birthday party...

Amber and I made a Monkey Cake!

Jacoby gets mauled by cousins...again!

Uncle James, Genevieve and Opa

Me and three of my brothers!

Genevieve talking...again! "Aaaaaah"

Selene & Gabrielle

The birthday family!

Frances & Me

Amber and Me

Gabrielle was a great help all weekend!

First Communion and Baptism

What a great day today! The sun was shining, Gabrielle celebrated her First Communion and Genevieve was Baptized! Gabrielle was really looking forward to today and has been such a good, big girl lately leading up to this. She was also a little nervous! She did great and enjoyed the day with our family party afterwards. She, her cousins and her friend Jorja played outside all afternoon. Genevieve was so cute during her Baptism; she smiled at Father Steve almost the entire time causing us all to laugh many times! It was great having our families over for brunch after especially Genevieve's Godparents Uncle Marcus and Auntie Cindy.

Our girls! Gabrielle & Genevieve

Gabrielle was very proud and looked beautiful!

It was a little tough as always to get a good family shot!

Another family shot!

The whole First Communion group

Gabrielle & Opa

With Grandma & Grandpa

Genevieve sure enjoyed her Baptism!

Father Steve baptizing Genevieve (She liked the water!)

Again, mesmerized and enjoying the interaction!

Just a cute picture!

Genevieve's Godparents, Uncle Marcus and Auntie Cindy

The yummy cake!

Genevieve enjoyed the tissue and the presents!