volleyball win

Tonight was the first volleyball game, and they won all three matches, which was fun.

At first though when they introduced the players on each team, the announcer called out the first kid, "Junior Sarah James!"

And I thought that's an odd nickname for a girl, but to each their own.

Then after a few more names I realized he was prefacing with their GRADE in high school.

Doh!

I whispered this to Kari and she rolled her eyes at me, like right out of her head.

I know, right?  

Hello.

Anyway, great job, Jule!  

Hoping for a fun season ahead. 

Love, Mom and Dad and Everybody
 

end of august

It was the perfect night to watch the fifth grade team play football, sunny, breeze, not hot.

 It was a close game, and she was there keeping occupied by doing cartwheels up and down the hill and putting that hat off and on a million times.

Looking forward to the weekend kids!

Love, Grandma and Grandpa

senior pictures, the tenth round

After numerous re-scheduling times,  tonight was finally the night for her senior pictures.

The photographer is the same one we've had for the past five kids, and she was as patient and sweet as always.

Julia wanted her pictures in flowers, and that's a tricky request. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden does not make itself available for professional photos, but Casey and Julia improvised.

Casey knows she has taken some of my favorite photos of my kids:  Jay's long fingers and curly eyelashes, Maria's bright blue eyes and perfect curls, James smiling in that half wrinkled tie she fuzzed out, Kari and Tim in the evening sun in downtown Robbinsdale. Today did not disappoint.

We'll see how these turn out.

What a lovely evening.

Love, MOM aka VAL
 

heidi has a birthday

This is a great picture from this summer.

So is this one.

 I cannot believe your child can bake and decorate a cake this fancy.  She is phenomenal.

I went looking for some pictures from the past, and we've got plenty.

For a while you definitely lived in a sea of babies.

Awww.

You two:

This old birthday classic:  The shared birthday, the heat of an August evening, birthday party reaching a crescendo.  John isn't even wearing a shirt anymore, and you are losing it--overheated, don't understand why others (Dan) are blowing out candles TOO.   Time for a big glass of water and a few minutes sitting by a fan.

That doll on your lap smelled lovely.  I think her name was Maxie, and even years later in the toy bin I would still stop and sniff her.  And you kids.  Look at Baby Alex.  And Kirsten, hahaha.

Parents and you, back in the day:

That old manual 35 mm film camera took some of my favorite pictures, including this one:

Awww.

I'm glad you had a great birthday, a good run, a fine cake, dinner from Applebee's, lots of laughing and easy going evening.

You are a lucky person to have for a friend.  You show so much love to your little brothers and sisters.

You're a phenomenal mom.

The whole family is better with you in it.

Lucky little old us.

Happy Birthday, with love forever, Mom and Dad and Everybody

happy birthday, dan

 So, when I want pictures of you, Alicia's Instagram is the best place to start.  These are some good ones.

Found a few more:

I wonder what you're saying to Maria?

Thank you for all the happiness you've brought us.

In this whole wide world, there is only one you, and we could not love you more.

Happy Birthday!  I hope 42 is a great year.

Love, Mom and Dad and Everybody