Memorial Day Weekend

It was a certainly a nice weekend to welcome Summer with...a lot of family and a lot of fun. My brother, Scott, was in town from Minnesota too. An added bonus. It seems too long between visits, but it's so nice when he's here. The kids love to hang out with him too. We went to my sister's for a bit on Saturday, and he got to play baseball with them all while we hung out. He's a good sport for sure. Sunday was a big grill out at my mom's. I swear there was enough food to have fed 50. That might be an exaggeration, but not by much. Steaks, brats, salads, potates, beans...I can't even name it all. Don't even get me started on the fluff...More baseball with the kids, football, and of course the ever popular four square. That must not have quite been enough fun for Joe, because after hours of fun at the grill out...he had a sleepover with his cousins. Is there such a thing as fun overload?

We met up for the parade on Monday morning (after Jason got up at 6 am to get good spots!), but it quickly turned into a somber morning instead of the fun time we had planned on. After the parade was cancelled because of the train/minivan accident, we took the kids over to my old elementary school in Elm Grove right by where the parade was to have been. It was fun to reflect and remember being on that playground and then to see them all on it now.

We stood and stared at the sky as the planes flew over the playground instead of the parade route, and although the venue for the day had changed our thoughts for that moment were on those that have fought for us to be able to live in this wonderful country.

And later that day, as we learned of the heroics of those invloved in the train accident, I realized that there is no other place I'd like to be.

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

My mom and I took the kids to the zoo this past Tuesday. Our first time out this Spring, The weather was perfect for it, not too hot and no bees yet! It wasn't crowded either with most kids still in school. Animals, a train ride, and oh yes...a bomb pop.

And She Danced

Our niece, Lauren, had her dance recital last Sunday. SO CUTE! There were so many groups of girls, all the way from three year olds up to high school age. Of course, I was a bit partial to the most beautiful ballerina in level III A. Thank-you for including me Lauren, it was such a special night.

Oh To Be Four

Our nephew, Izaiah, turned four last weekend. Seems as though I was just taking my 18 month old son to go and meet him at the hospital. It really does go by so fast. The kids had a great time at his party...a little baseball, throw in a sandbox, and top it all off with cake. All in all, lots of fun.

Happy Birthday Izaiah.

To Have And To Hold

On May 14th, 1949, Katherine Wonn married Louis Kosma, Jr at St Paul's Lutheran on Wisconsin Ave in Milwaukee. They were both 22 years old. And this anniversary marked their 60th year together.

They've been blessed with three children, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and countless friends. A true testiment to the exceptional people that they are. There are only a select few people that you come across in this life that really make an impact on yours. Those that believe in you, take care of you, are ALWAYS there for you...

These are two of mine.

Happy anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

Love you Lots!

My Mother's Day

This Mother's Day began with the usual craziness around our house. It's always a race with the clock to get four baths/showers done before church. Throw in opening gifts/cards and you walk in five minutes late to the service. After church we met my family for brunch. Ate WAY too much, but it was nice to visit and get all of those wonderful homemade cards from my niece and nephews. A good day to remember our moms and grandmas, for the people they are, and all they've done for us. From brunch we stopped by our friend's house for their daughter's 1st birthday party. A little bit of a whirwind, but we really didn't want to miss it. You're only one once. Erin was such a cutie in her polka-dot dress...seems like yesterday that I was driving my friend Kim to the hospital to have Erin. That one is quite the story in itself, and will someday need to be it's own post! She ended up delivering her in the same room that I had delivered Kate in six months before. Pretty cool.

From there, home sweet home.

Joe caught me off-guard tonight. Sometimes, he is wise beyond his years. It was still light in his room when I went to put him down, so I sat down on his bed to talk for a minute. I told him that I wanted him to live with us forever, but he looked at me and said "I can't." He went on to explain that someday we (Jason and I) would be "up there" (in heaven), and that he and Kate would be "down here." I asked him if he was going to take care of his sister, he told me that she would be alright because "she'll be a mom." My eyes were full. I couldn't resist continuing on to ask him if he was going to be a dad...he hesitated and said "I'm not sure, it would be hard, but if I could remember all of the things that dad tells me..."

Especially today, I love to imagine who they'll become, it's awesome to ponder. Who will they marry? Will they marry? Kids? Their occupations?

We'll just have to wait and see.


The Moms and the Daughters


My great gifts!

Discovering Minds Want to Know

Laying on a bed of nails...

Petting Sturgeon...

Shocking electricity through your body until your hair stands up...

It wasn't a side show at the circus, but instead an afternoon at Discovery World. Jason took Joe, Michael and Nathan downtown for a visit today. From the sounds of it, all had a great time. Joe only needed a little coaxing to lay down on the nails...

May Flowers (and weeds!)

At first glance, this picture might seem cute, very Springy...until you realize that this is our backyard. Ugh. Bring on the fertilizer! Hopefully we (meaning Jason) can get this under control soon. Seriously though, we've been outside a ton lately and wanted to share the fun.

One of our local parks, Wirth park, is a favorite of Joe's. Actually mine too. It's the one we always went to growing up. The long slide in the picture is the same one that's been there since I was a kid. It's the best, except when the sun shines on the metal part when it's 90 outside of course. Ouch!

Who Needs the Spa?

She not only does fingernails, but toes as well!

Birthday Brewer Game

Even though Jason's birthday was a couple of weeks ago now, he first got the chance to enjoy his present from us last night. Jason, Joe and I went to the Brewer game, what a perfect night for baseball. A win would have been nice, but I hate to be greedy. We had great seats, right under Uecker's press box. Brats, pretzels, and cotton candy to go...what else could you ask for?

Pucker Up

The past couple of weeks, Kate has been getting into my make-up drawer in the bathroom and causing a little bit of trouble. She always went for the chapstick, would open it, and try to eat it as she put it on. So, we thought we'd out smart her and put the chapstick way in the back of the drawer where she couldn't see or reach it. We've also been trying to keep the bathroom door closed, but that is sometimes "forgotten". So, yesterday morning I noticed that she had gotten a little quiet...I went looking. These pictures are what I found. She sure showed us, red lipstick is much more fun than chapstick.