Traveling Friends

The Marsch Family in Jordan

The Frigs in Positano, Italy

I've got to admit, we tend to surround ourselves with some pretty special, interesting, just plain awesome people. I know this is sappy, but there are seriously some days I'll think of people we know, and just am so gosh darn proud of them. Recently, a couple families we know have been traveling quite extensively with their clans. I just think it's so cool (and I hope you don't mind I stole your photos!).

The Marsch Family began their adventure in January in Hong Kong and have seen some pretty amazing things along the way. They are still on the go, currently in Europe somewhere. Kim is hilarious, and some of their stories are just crazy. I'll be sad to see their trip come to an end, but I'm so looking forward to a Marsch sleepover in Wisconsin sometime this summer. It's been awhile, for sure!

The Frigs just started their summer adventure, and ever since we've known them, it's a journey they have been talking about. I can't believe it's finally here, and I'm just so excited for them. They began in Munich, and are currently in Positano, Italy. One of my favorite places ever -- we have them to thank for that trip. (When Brian and I were planning a get away, they mentioned a vacation they took awhile back, and it sounded just dreamy. We planned that trip in a month, and relied on a lot of the tips they gave us. All were spot on.) I'm so excited to follow them along on this adventure.

Their stories on how they go to these places are very different. But both are just so inspirational and exciting. Enjoy, my friends!

P.S. I'm kind of cracking up, because I just remembered that last January, The Frigs came to visit us and it happened to be on Kim's 40th birthday. We ended up going to the party while The Frigs stayed behind with the kids. Maybe some day they will get to meet. I have a feeling they would really like each other.

Bells

Pinelawn has been in operation since 1922, and one of the little "gems" is the office building. Some of my favorites are the vault, and the bells -- which are still in operation.

Memorial Day

I'm not sure I can remember such a cold and rainy Memorial Day. Yet, we, along a pretty decent crowd, were at Pinelawn Memorial Park for their service this morning. I've said it before but growing up, we would always look so forward to Memorial Day. My sister is the 4th generation President of the cemetery, so going there has always been a family tradition. Admittedly, the years we were in Chicago, we rarely made it to the services. But now that we are back, it's something we wouldn't miss. And considering the boys talked about it all weekend, it seems they are just as excited as I always was.

Despite the rain, to me, it was one of the best services yet. It started with bagpipes, which I think are super cool anyway. And then, H & C joined my niece and the office manager's daughter to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The keynote speaker was Jeff "Doc" Sinchak, who speaks on behalf of Wounded Warrior Project. Having a person stand in front of you, talking about what Memorial Day means to him, about being in the service, the struggles he's faced while serving his country as well as the effect it still has on him today was really, really was powerful. The wars he served in were ones the current generations can relate to. For many people, Memorial Day is simply a long weekend and the beginning of summer. For me too! But it's good to be reminded that it's so much more than that. If you are interested in doing something special this Memorial Day, consider making a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Construction Site

Our yard is turning into a construction site! My boys crack me up. They also made clay pots with the neighbor kids -- using clay from the neighbor's garden. The neighbors directly behind us have three kids, that H & C have gotten to know this past year. It's so much fun watching them run back and forth between our homes. I think it's going to be a fun summer for them.

As it turns out, we didn't have soccer or baseball this weekend. It's the only one we have free for a long, long time so Brian and I have been working our behinds off getting stuff done around the house. Plants planted. Patio power-washed. Roof cleaned. Donations to Goodwill made. Feels pretty great!

Art by C :: Macaw

Youth Festival Weekend

Besides baseball, the P boys had seven soccer games between them! It was a crazy busy, super fun, weekend with their soccer club hosting it's 10th annual youth festival. Both boys played really well. It's been so much fun watching them play this spring. On Friday night, we stayed to watch the other U11 team play another team that some of H's friends from school play on. Saturday my dad came and watched the games, then we had three of the boy's friends over during a break between games. Brian and I were completely cracking up when the little girls from the house behind us would sneak over, steal a ball or a shoe from the boys while they were not looking, and the boys in turn would run into their yard with giant Nerf guns, and surround the house. Hilarious. Saturday night we were back at the soccer club, watching the Majors plays. Sunday, Brian's mom came and watched the games. Both won today, which was a great ending to a fun tournament. (And no, I wasn't able to get any pictures of H playing! Every single one of his games was when C played. And I didn't even see where they were when they got their medals. Oh well.)

Baseball

C's Little League team played two games this weekend. They have been playing really well, and are having an absolute blast. They won Saturday -- by a lot (they even turned off the scoreboard so the score wouldn't be shown). They also played Sunday, and lost 9-10. So close! C had some decent hits, putting himself and others on base. But what blew me away were the two outs he caught while playing second base. It was pretty awesome.

Mother's Day

What a great day. Despite the fact that we had to leave at 7:00 am for a soccer game, my boys made me breakfast in bed. What a treat. Once we got going, we went to H's soccer game in Germantown. They lost, but it was a game well played. (Although, it was brutal to watch -- 38 degrees and windy). After that, we rushed over to C's game. They won 8-4 (and C scored 4 goals). We came home to get out of soccer clothes, then went to visit Brian's mom. After that, we came back home again for a few minutes, then went to my parent's. They are back home from Florida for the season! It was a busy, but absolutely perfect Mother's Day. I'm just so lucky!

PS - here's one of the gang.

 

Art by C :: Cave Drawing

Working Hard, Getting Nothing Done

There was a bird, that just flew back and fourth to the porch all weekend, carrying hay to make a nest. There were moments it looked like she really was going to make one. And then, all the supplies would be gone. I went outside today to check to see what the deal was, and found quite the mess. Poor bird. Working so hard, and getting nothing done. I totally relate some days.

P.S. Over the weekend we went and looked at a 3-month old puppy at the shelter. How dumb, right? I'm always looking online, but rarely does one really draw me to it. I went and checked him out on Friday. Then we all went over again that night. We even brought Storm and introduced the puppy to him (he did really well and the puppy was terrified of him). Storm probably could take or leave him, but the rest of us were all smitten. If it were up to Brian and H, we would have had a new puppy over the weekend. C was still a little worried just because he doesn't want to deal with a puppy eating all the stuff he leaves around his room. Really though, that puppy was quite something. There were a couple times over the weekend I thought we might just go and get him. Honestly, the only thing holding me back was the fact that Brian is out of town for a few days, and I wasn't sure how I could handle a puppy by myself. I never thought a puppy would be something we'd be interested in -- Storm was 10 months old when we got him. It's like he was at camp and handed back to us a perfect dog. All the hard work had been done. It was great! But as awesome as Storm is, he can be a little particular with other dogs. So a puppy may be the way to go. Shut, I'm just so sad our puppy is gone. But I'm sure he found himself a great home.

First Baseball Game

After C's soccer game yesterday, we rushed back home so he could go to his first baseball game! (H was supposed to have two soccer games too, but both were cancelled due to field conditions. Poor guy has been practicing three times a week for 1.5 hours a day and his team has yet to play a league game -- it stinks.) Anyhow, C spent most of his time on third base and made it onto base two out of three times up to bat. He did quite well, if I do say so myself. Over half of his team has never played before, and they lost 6-8 to one of the older (i.e. more experienced) teams. It was fun. And the best part of the game? C had a great time.

Soccer Tournament

This weekend, it was C's turn to be in a soccer tournament. Their team played up an age bracket, which proved to be quite the humbling experience outside. They played up in Futsal too, and came in second in the league. That wasn't even close to being the case this weekend. They got demolished their first game. They held their own the next two, losing both, but doing well nonetheless. Playing on a larger pitch with goalies turned out to be an exhausting, but great experience for them. I absolutely cannot wait until next year! It's so much fun watching these guys play.

Bees

C has been learning about bees in school. He's petrified of them, so I'm hoping that's a good thing and he won't be so afraid of them now. The students had to draw a picture of a bee before learning about them (top image). And then drew a picture of a bee after learning about them (bottom image). I'm kind of in love with the top image (especially the "chicken feet") -- but what a difference!

Our Baseball Player

Have I mentioned that C is playing baseball to the mix this spring? Yep, it's kind of been crazy -- and it's only the beginning. H played t-ball when he was in second grade. In fact, he was signed up to play the following year too. But we moved during the season and he was unable to play. Now, even if he wanted to, he's probably so behind (is it just me, or does everything seem so competitive and intense nowadays?). Anyhow, that's not the point. I'm not sure when t-ball stops around here, but C's team is comprised of 6-8 year-olds, and it's machine pitch. It's also the last year that he can play in the Rookies so we figured second grade was a good year for him to try it out too. Today his team had a scrimmage, and they got to wear their brand new uniforms. C certainly is proud, and is very excited. He had a great time today -- which is good news considering games start up this weekend. (P.S. His soccer team just had photos taken last week and had to pose in this position. It was his idea to pose like this. Too funny.)