Sunday, July 22, 2012

Four short/long months

March 22, 2012 was four months ago today. 
Sometimes it seems like yesterday. 
Today it felt like a life time.
And it sucked.

My mom has been working on all the pictures from both services, the one in Tucson and the one in Iowa. To make a book. A book of memories. I cannot imagine doing this. Just looking through the ones she picked out has sent me into a tail spin. I want to call him and tell him, stuff. When Sam tried out for the play practice the beginning of June he said to one of the judges, "Here, I totally know German, see? Gutentag!!" Grandpa would have gotten THEE biggest kick out of that.


When I took this picture last year, I stopped in the middle of the road. Just stopped driving. I couldn't WAIT to take the picture, and hurry home to email it to him. And this one ----->



Again ... I couldn't wait to take this one of the old Ford and send it to him. ------>

I'm just so mad. I went out into the country about a month ago and nothing looked quite the same. Partly because the Midwest is in a terrible drought. The drought is a perfect example. I miss him calling me to tell me exactly what the weather is doing ... at my house. 


I have a wedding shoot next weekend (my first!). It's a few hours north of here. 

I already miss the phone call with him on one end with coffee and an atlas, asking me if I'm going to go Highway A or Highway B. Highway A might seem shorter, but my best bet will be Highway B. 
Call me when you leave.
Car runs just as good on the top half of empty as it does on the bottom.
And call me when you get there.
Check the air pressure and the oil.
And my beautiful, strong, amazing Grandma.
It is almost as if I love her even more now. I can't imagine that could be possible, my heart is already bursting.



















He would have really gotten a big kick out of this one of Madeline ----- > on a zipline a couple weeks ago, into a pond ... w/hay bales, horses, green all around. Yep. He would have had a good chuckle. (We did, I mean look at her! Wheeeee!!!)



And this one. Again, just driving ...  but I know he would like this.




I emailed my Grandma this picture about a week before he died. Sigh. I love this picture, it was a great day. Kite flying and baseball playing, fun all around.
She printed this off from the computer, big 8x10 and color, took it to the hospital with her, and showed it to him.  
She said he smiled at Noah's grumpy face. 

Time for me to hit the sack, I'm sad with puffy, puffy eyes.
Love you Mom and love you Grandma.
Love you Grandpa.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Augustus Gloop!

Sam as Augustus Gloop in a Willy Wonka "Flash Mob" ... at HyVee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was so excited I could barely even handle it.
No.
 Seriously.




I told Sam that he was basically living my dream of being in a real flash mob.
He wasn't that impressed.
Sigh.
That's okay.
Because I WAS thoroughly impressed! 


"I eat more! I eat more! I eat M-O-R-E!!!!!!!"




Augustus and Mrs. Gloop. G. L. O. O. P. GLoooooooooooooooP!










SO proud of my soon to be 5th grader!!!



^ And THAT is a wrap!!!!!!!!!




Man I love this kid.

Madeline the soccer champ ... turns 8 ♥



Happy birthday to my fun, smart, silly, kind and beautiful little girl!


Madeline with best friends Cleo and Kerrigan ... YUM!


Madeline & Cleo enjoying the pool at her hotel/soccer champ/birthday weekend.



I love this picture ^.




determination ...


YES!






 ♥ Cleo, Madeline, Arianne ♥




These girls worked so hard all weekend ... 4 games and they ended the tournament undefeated!


Monday, May 14, 2012

Madeline


Madeline at Miss Whitney's end of the year dance recital c: ... she did amazing!!

Spring Concert!

Horace Mann end of the school year concert a couple weeks ago:

Sam (Samuel for his friends now that he is a middle-schooler he has informed us) going into 5th grade
Madeline: going into 3rd
Noah Baker: going into 1st

They are on summer break already!!


I've been to several musicals in my almost 11 years of parenting and although they have all been great, this concert was simply put ... fantastic. I mean, just, wow. It really, really was.


Noah and fellow kindergarten friend Josie ... Awww!

  ^ LOVE this picture! This was during the "Funny Face" song ... I can't stop giggling!


Sam(uel) - 10.5
Madeline - 8 (next month)
Noah Baker - 6.5