More Happy Birthdays

Quarter-of-a-century was all right while it lasted, but 26 promises even better things. On the actual day, we had lasagna for supper (mmmm) and a tiny bit of ice cream for dessert. (It's supposed to be no sugar for Mom or baby for a while, but I cheated just this once.) Curt let me shop around online for my present--a dvd burner for our computer. (This is me, being very excited!)

On Saturday (the 7th), I redeemed one of my Christmas present coupons from Carol. She had given me two kid-free days to do with as I chose. Curt and I left Megan with Aunt Carol, the kids, and lots of kittens, and went by ourselves to St. Peter and Mankato for the day. We enjoyed drooling over exquisitely crafted Amish furniture, chuckling at Remy and friends in Ratatouille, eating a nice meal by ourselves (one I did not have to cook!), and doing some semi-random shopping. We got home just after Megan's bed time and were tired enough to konk out ourselves. 'Twas an altogether lovely day.

Fourth of July

Our Independence Day plans turned out to be fairly uninvolved, but pleasant. Curt only had to be at work for the first half of the day while Sarah and Megan grocery shopped. During the afternoon, Curt got yard work done while the girls took naps. After an indoor hamburger picnic for supper, we all went to town for the firework show. We drove around for quite a while scoping out the best seats. We were early enough that we had time to go back home and get more stuff before it got dark.

Megan had a pretty late night of it, but she did not get scared at all by the loud noises. She called them, "Green stars! Purple stars! Red stars!" I pointed out that one of them was twisty, and she proceeded to label most of the rest of them the same way. I got a big kick out of hearing her tiny voice say (with terribly grownup inflection), "Oh, mom, that was bee-you-ti-ful." And later, "That was a BIG ONE! (pause) It boomed."








After we got back and put our very tired two-year-old to bed, we tried for a self-portrait. July 4 marks the anniversary of our engagement. Four years ago, Curt asked me to be his wife. (I said, "Yes," in case you didn't know. :) None of our fifteen or so tries at a normal picture turned out spectacularly. But here's what we look like, anyway.

What a goofy pair!

New Playground

I found a used swing, toddler see-saw, and tiny slide for Megan totalling $7. Sometimes her interest in "real" toys wanes quickly, so I didn't know what she'd think of them. To our surprise and delight, these outside toys have beaten the odds and seem to have consistent entertainment value. I almost wish I were tiny enough to enjoy them, too.

Victoria's BIG now. She said so.

Carol invited us to Victoria's sixth birthday party. We joined the rest of her family-who-lives-close-by to celebrate this once in a lifetime milestone. I think the cap guns that went to both Victoria and Calvin were the biggest hit of the evening. Princess dress up dolls and all the accessories that went with them came in very close second, though. :)

Happy Birthday, contin.

Megan got an extra-special birthday package from Miss Rachel. Her new outfit was cute enough to try another photo shoot. These are the two pictures that turned out decently (I thought). Enjoy.

Father's Day 2007

After debating the pros and cons of yet another weekend trip, we decided to head for Nebraska for Father's Day. All the kids (minus the much-missed Kim and Ross) and grandkids got to be there for Curt's dad. The out-of-towners enjoyed meeting Jonathan, Jr. (born June 7), for the first time. We also treasured the extra time we were able to spend with Janice before she headed home for Russia.

Spring Calves

Just a few minutes before we left for a Nebraskan Father's Day, Megan had the opportunity to help Mr. Aldo feed the calves.

Gwin Reunion

Aunt Joan and Uncle B graciously hosted a week long mini-reunion at their home in honor of Grandpa Gwin's 90th birthday. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came and went as their schedules allowed. Curt and I were able to be there from Wednesday night (actually, Thursday morning) through Sunday afternoon. Curt reconnected with aunts, uncles and cousins he had not seen for years. Sarah and Megan had fun meeting many for the first time.

Megan Turns Two.

Trumpet fanfare and ticker tape parades did not accompany Megan's second year celebration. We were in between trips to IL and not sure where we would be on the day, so we opted for low-key. She got candles on a brownie and strawberry ice cream for dessert at home. She also went to her first week of Sunday school (no more nursery for this big girl). We got to use Happy Birthday plates and blow up several balloons; Megan seemed to have a good time. May all her birthdays be so simple to put together. :)

Memorial Day

We were glad to catch most of the Cooper Memorial Day celebration. Grandma and Grandpa Cooper have now been married for 55 years. Their consistent example of love and faithfulness provides their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with an incredible heritage. As many of us as could make it gathered at their home for good company, conversation, and (of course) food. Megan especially enjoyed observing new bugs with Miranda. The hallmark of this particular holiday was a host of ever-clicking cameras. Every single moment was captured digitally by at least one person. Even Delaney's bee sting and a string of half-empty plates were preserved for posterity. We should have headed for home before we did, but the extra time seemed worth the tiredness at the end of the road (at least, to me...but, I wasn't driving).

Icing on the Cake

I got to see my friend, Faith, at Katie's graduation. I hadn't seen her in years, and the unexpected reconnection was sweet.

Katie's Open House

Graduation took place Friday night with a short receiving line for all the graduates shortly afterwards. Mom and Dad hosted Katie's actual open house the next afternoon at First Baptist. Many friends stopped by to congratulate the graduate and sample the delicious food. Megan took her afternoon nap in Mom's classroom across the hall from the reception. People gathered around the window to comment on her sweaty curls. (I thought about charging admission, but we never got around to actually doing that.) As was fitting, Katie was the true star of the day. 'Twas a pleasant afternoon.

Tiny is the top of her class, too.

Megan wants to be just like Aunt Katie when she grows up. :)

Katie's Graduation

We were excited to be able to attend Katie's graduation. She did not enjoy everything about her high school experience, but she finished strong. During the graduation ceremony she gave a well-crafted valedictorian speech and performed beautifully in a piano duet with one of her classmates.

We're so proud of you, Katie, and we look forward eagerly to whatever God has for your future!

Katie's Dream Job

During the lull between Hobby Lobby duties and the full-time responsibilities of her summer factory job, Katie got the chance to do something fun for profit. She played the mall piano in front of the coffee shop for tips. By all accounts she did quite well at it, too. We got to stop by and hear her on her last Friday gig while we were in town for graduation. Megan encouraged elderly patrons to part with their hard-earned money by dropping change into Katie's jar herself. She also kept asking to "dance with Aunt Katie." (Please note, that Aunt Katie was too busy playing the piano to do any of this alleged dancing. :) Katie's impressive repertoire included many different genres. Most Fridays she played for four hours or so with few repeats. We all enjoyed opportunity to listen. Way to go, Katie.

Milo and Otis

Megan's favorite movie, hands down.

May Day

Baby Chicks

Victoria and Calvin had lots of things to show Megan when she spent the morning with the Hilgendorfs. One of their favorites had to be the "new" baby chicks. Victoria's gotten quite good at catching them so the little kids can pet them, too. Megan felt the need to pronounce them "soft!" every time she touched one. They were.

"Shhhh!"

Megan's been sitting in church with us during the songs and announcement time. We're trying to teach her how to be quiet at the appropriate places so that she can join us for the entire service. Some of our instructions must be making sense to her. At home when we talk about church, she nods her head knowingly and says, "Go to church. Quiet in church."

Last Sunday, she was sitting between the two of us. We were all a tad bit scrunched. She sat straight and tall with her back against the back of the pew. Her legs were not quite long enough to get past the edge of the bench, so her feet stuck straight up to show off her bright pink rain boots. She peered out from under her bangs very seriously. I wish I'd had a way to take a picture of the scene unobtrusively. She looked so cute that I had to lean over and tell her, "I love you." She tore her concentrated gaze away from the back of someone's head long enough to wrinkle her nose and say, "Shhhh!"

I was so properly chastised that I almost laughed out loud.

The Beginning of Why

Megan asked what may have been her first 'why' question a few weeks ago. We were all in the car on the way home from Bible study at the Letelliers, and she had plenty of time and opportunity to notice the darkness outside. She may not have even meant to ask why it was no longer light, but I answered anyway. I explained all about the rotation of the earth in relation to the sun, and Curt chimed in to make sure we knew this view was heliocentric. Megan thought our responses were funny enough to ask the same question repeatedly. (Curt finally turned on the kiddie music.) During the next couple of weeks, we went through the exact same dialogue so many times that she eventually memorized her part. It sounds something like this.

Megan: "Why's it dark, Mommy?"
Sarah: "Why is it dark, Megan?"
Megan: "Da earth."
Sarah: "The earth does what, Megan?"
Megan: "Turns awound fom da sun."
Sarah: "That's right, Megan!"
Megan: giggles
Sarah: "Who thought of that, Megan?"
Megan: "Copp-ern-i-cus!"
Sarah: "That's right, too, Megan!"
Megan: "Good job, Megan!"
Curt: "Say heliocentric, Megan."
Megan: "Good job, Dad. Dat's wight!"


*****

You really had to be there. (Don't you hate it when people say that? sigh :)