Moments to Embrace!

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Madison

For the fourth of July weekend, Jessica and I flew into Madison, WI to spend a few days with Kelly Watters. It was a great weekend and I am sold that Madison is a great city! We walked around campus, the downtown area, the Capital. We enjoyed the city market which encompassed the squared block surrounding the Capital building. We enjoyed the two Terraces of Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, and enjoyed catching up!

I have to admit that Dane's Circle Crop Wheat may outdo Boulevard Wheat!

Kelly and Jess

The Three of Us

View of the Capital from Lake Monona

City Market

For the 4th, we traveled just outside of Madison into a nearby town of Sauk City to watch the fireworks atop a bridge over the Wisconsin River

Kelly, Jess and I went on our last day to the Terrace at the campus union which overlooks Lake Mendota. There to our surprise we ran into Theo, our high school friend, and Laura!

Lake Mendota Terrace

Taking a look at the Observatory Outlook point on campus, which overlooks Lake Mendota

I had lunch with Renee Ann Poulin, a fellow promised Collaborator

After my time with Jessica and Kelly, my high school friends, I ventured over to Emily and Ben Beier's home, two of my college friends. Here they are with their daughter Moira. I spent a few days with them in which we enjoyed good ice cream, beer (we partook in beer on the campus terrace), looking at the local gardens, good walks, and great time to catch up.

Here's a close up of sweet Moira!

Madison was a great way to welcome the summer season and to spend time with good friends!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

STL: Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Dad!

I wrapped up my visit to St. Louis celebrating Father's Day. I went to Mass in the morning with Dad and Francine, followed by a delicious breakfast at Schneithorts. After some down time at Dad's, I ventured over to my grandma's for a few hours, then came back over to dad's for a steak dinner! Dad, I am glad I got to spend the day with you!

At Grandma's...

The day before Father's Day was my late grandpa's birthday. We decided to honor his fatherhood and birthday on Father's Day. We certainly celebrated. The afternoon consisted of catching up, water balloon fight, cards, and of course a dance party. Some of my younger cousins tried to teach the family the Hannah Montana Hoedown Throwdown.

Sorry I didn't get every one's pictures posted, we are just that big of a family :)

Water Balloon Toss turned Water Balloon Fight!

Hannah Montana Hoedown

Happy Father's Day to you too, Tom!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

STL: Aunt Germaine and Uncle Peck's 50th

During my time in St. Louis, I got to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary in Kelso, MO. We attended a Mass in honor of them, which was packed and then went to a reception with an evening of pictures, dancing, and of course dumplings! Happy Anniversary Aunt Germaine and Uncle Peck! I am glad I got to celebrate with you and the rest of the family!

The happy couple!

The cake topper is from their wedding!

Aunt Carnetta and Uncle Don dancing the night away!

Dad with the princesses!

Papa Vern with the grandkids

Me with Aunt Margie

Ami, Francine, and Lori

Robyn and Joe

Me, Rylie, and Lori

Saturday, June 13, 2009

STL: Ashley, Nathan, Rylie

During my time in St. Louis, I was blessed to be in town at the same time that Ami and Lori were with their kiddos, Ashley, Nathan, and Rylie. Here's just a glimpse at these precious ones!

Rylie

Rylie helped catch a fish in the backyard!

Rylie had previously celebrated her 3rd birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese, however she didn't get to see Chuck-E. So this time, he came and gave her a big hug. She was so excited!

Rylie, Ashley, and cousin Tess or are they mice?

Ashley!

Ashley after she lost her first tooth!

Nathan!

Ice Cream

What's the best way to get rid of sugar energy, well go running right after eating ice cream of course! Ashley and Nathan are quite the natural runners!