Birthday Celebration #2

It's fun to be ONE - and little Miss Anna is the big ONE!!! I've never quite seen a celebration like this one. I think every friend her mommy and daddy have were there along with LOTS of family. I even saw a police car patrol through the car-packed cul-de-sac. I'm sure he thought he was going to break up some WILD party and not a little girl's 1st birthday party.

Special Surprise

Prior to Bobby's birthday celebration, our friends Mel and Louie had gone out to dinner with some of their Marine Corp friends. They just happened to mention that they were going out afterward to celebrate Bobby's birthday and listen to his dad's band. The Marines came along for the fun. It was a great surprise for Bobby and I got a little teary when I saw them embrace each other. At the time they served together in Iraq, Bobby was a Corporal and eventually a Sergeant, and these two were Gunnery Sergeants in his unit. I'm sure they will always share a bond that most of us will never understand.

Birthday Celebration #1

For those of you who don't know, Bobby and Anna celebrate their birthday on the same day. We partied with Bobby on Saturday and with Anna on Sunday, since she's ONE and doesn't know the difference. After a long day of tailgating, the weary bunch met up at the Democratic Club to celebrate with Bobby at an ONION gig. The place was packed, and in a happy mood - thanks in part to the Irish!! All of our kids were able to be there except for Katie and Colleen - one was out of town with college softball and one is 8 months pregnant and can't deal with the smokey environment. It was a memorable night, surrounded by family and good friends.

Tailgate Serenades

We're never at a loss for some tailgate serenading when it comes to this bunch. Of course, I'm sure a little alcohol is necessary to keep them in tune.

They Surprised Us....

Carrie decided to attempt to take three small children tailgating while their father golfed. We parked and walked a mile to get to White Field. Starting at 8:30 in the morning was a challenge, but these kids did great! They were still going strong at 5:00, when we drug their tired and filthy bodies home. No complaining, no crying - just good kids. As we rode the shuttle bus from White Field to the Library, Grace informed me it was "just like Disneyworld".

Cousins

I love it when my kids get together with their cousins. This weekend, Annie and Alex Moddrell came to visit and to tailgate. We started in White Field early on Saturday morning and ended WELL after midnight at the Democratic Club in Roseland, where Bob's band performed to a packed house. We also celebrated Bobby's 31st birthday and cheered the IRISH on to victory. It was just the perfect day.

In Honor Of the Upcoming Weekend......

Our niece (Annie) and nephew (Alex) are coming into town for the weekend. Alex finds his way up here every fall, but this will be Annie's first time to tailgate - Notre Dame style. So, in honor of their visit, and the ND/Purdue rivalry, and a forecast of sunshine and warm temps, here's a little something to get us in the mood. This song always gives me goosebumps. We hear it on the local radio stations during the week. IPods and CD players are pumping this throughout the parking lot tailgates on Saturdays. It never gets old.

HERE COME THE IRISH!!!




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Growing Up

I love this photo of Kelli and her big brother Bobby, taken a couple of weeks ago at the ND/San Diego State tailgate. He's a typical big brother - extremely protective of her.

While I was looking at this photo, I couldn't help but think of another photo of the two of them - taken six years ago. I just had to go and find it - and I did - taken on a cold, January morning as Bobby was preparing to deploy to Iraq. Hey Bobby - your baby sister has grown up before your eyes!!

Party On

Finished my "PARTY ON" layout last night. This one is from the twin's birthday last January. I'm officially only 8 months behind now and plugging away on my family album. I'd like to get within 6 months before I start the process of wedding invitations and programs - which I know will consume my life later this winter.

Short Skirt/Long Jacket

My boss came to me this morning and told me to pull up YOU TUBE and look at this video. Could be because his son has the "starring" role. Anyway, it's really cute - so take a look.

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Guess Who's Turning One??

Yep - it's been a whole year!! This Saturday, our little Anna turns ONE! What a celebration we have planned for this weekend - Anna and her Daddy both celebrating their birthday on September 27th.

Compared to Last Weekend.....

....this one's going to be the BOMB!!! Warm temperatures, lots of sunshine and no rain! Now, if the IRISH can pull off another big win, it will be perfect! My plan is to get my hair done, shampoo carpet and "Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame". This is my weekend to get some things accomplished, 'cause next weekend is the BIG one - Bobby and Anna's birthday, tailgating, a visit from some St. Louis family and ONION on Saturday night.

Amish Acres Layout

Last Christmas, Chrissie took me to see WHITE CHRISTMAS at the Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres in Nappanee. It was such a fun day - lunch at the Barn Restaurant and the afternoon matinee. This movie always makes me cry and the live performance was no different.

It's Official

My baby got her driver's license yesterday. That's it. The last one. We've had to set down some rules. The car goes from our house to the high school and back for the first few weeks. (Of course I think there may be a slight detour on the way to include Ben's house). I said a little prayer yesterday as I watched her drive away - and asked my dad (her guardian angel) to ride along with her.

Here's a photo I took of her right after she obtained the proof of her legality. Does this kid know how to "cheese" or what??!!

Be Thankful.....

OK - so we got nearly a foot of rain in the past 48 hours - 11.6 inches recorded at South Bend Regional Airport. Streets and basements are flooded, some schools are closed - BUT - if it had been snow, 11 inches of rain would have equaled 110" of snow. I think the water is receeding quicker than the snow would have melted. The sun is shining and the temps will be near 70 degrees, so we have SOMETHING to be thankful for as we try to dry out.

We're in Need of an Ark....

We went most of the summer with no rain. My flowers were dying, our yard was struggling - and now in the past 48 hours, we're nearing 8" of rain. For the first time in 21 years, the pond across the street from our house has not only filled, it's exceeded the bank and flowed into the street. We have water in our basement. We're still not as bad off as the poor people in Louisiana and Texas - but enough is enough!! The first picture was taken several hours ago, just as the pond started to overflow.

This photo was taken just a few minutes ago. The grass edge is our front yard - where it meets the street - except there is no street.




This is the area directly across the street from our house, where Kelli normally parks her car. Her car was sitting here until she waded out to it and moved it up the street to higher ground.

Irish Win!!

Today went on record as having the most rain in the history of South Bend - 6+ inches!!! Didn't bother the Irish as they laid a whoopin' on the Wolverines of Michigan - 35 -17. Sorry Irish - I opted for my dry house, but I cheered very loudly and you must have heard me!!