Monday, June 29, 2009

Dave and Cindy

Mike's mom and Dave were married on Saturday. It was a small ceremony at the Village of Yesteryear with a reception BBQ back at our house for immediate family. It was a bright day (as you can tell by everyone's squinty eyes) and very windy. But it had rained earlier in the day so we were happy with the improved conditions! Dave and Cindy before the ceremony. Us! Mike's sister, Shari and her clan. Mike walked his mom down the aisle.... Connor kept a close eye on his dad.... They wrote their own vows to eachother. They spoke of committment and love. You could tell they had both been through a lot, both losing spouses, and were grateful to have found one another. Sand ceremony signifying two lives now as one The exchange of rings Man and Wife! Smooch! As a grandma, they don't get much better than Cindy. She is very active in all of her grandchildren's lives and we are a tight little family. As hard as it is to lose a loved one, we always wanted Cindy to have someone in her life that made her happy. Someone she could grow old with and share special times. She has found that in Dave. Dave fits easily into our family. He sits proudly next to Cindy at the grandchildren's sporting events and concerts. He's kind and loving. Most of all, he makes Cindy smile. We are so glad they have found one another. *** The song playing is the song they played at their first dance that night.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Pool Time

It's been horribly hot here in southern MN this past week. I will not complain as we had tundra temps only 7 days ago. However, makes for hot little bodies when you have to run around in 99 degree temps for baseball. Mike took both kids to practice on Wednesday. Noah has practice (Mike coaches), Connor tags along. This mama is enjoying her hour and a half break and usually spends every Wednesday night walking while the family is gone. Last night, as I walked, I noticed I was sweating in places girls shouldn't sweat. I knew the minute I got home I was going to jump into the pool. I spent about 20 minutes alone in the pool. I cleaned every.single.bug out of that pool. It felt good. Then the family came home and joined me. The boys like to pretend the floaty chairs are boats. This night Noah was the driver and he pulled Connor around the pool as per Connor's directions. Then it turned ugly..... Look at that brave smile.... Hang on little one! Mama will help you! That's right, use your whole body! Okay, maybe I overreacted.... Someone is having wwwwaaaayyyyy too much fun here..... You put up a good fight wee one... Could they be cuter? I don't think so.... Happy heat wave to all, LB

Monday, June 22, 2009

Full House

Wonder how long they will stick around before leaving? They seem huge!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day!

I consider myself very lucky to have such a wonderful dad for my boys. Mike is such a great dad and Noah and Connor like nothing more than to play catch, work with the pitching machine, or watch a Twins game with their dad. I knew when I met him that he would make a good husband. He wasn't a typical guy. he liked spending time with me, he liked to talk and discuss things, he liked to spend time, just the two of us. I had no idea what kind of dad he would be. His own father owned a business, and while he was a wonderful person, he wasn't able to spend the time he wanted to with his kids because of the time he had to spend at work. From the time both kids were born Mike was a hands-on dad. He was never afraid of doing something wrong when they were newborns, never hesitated to jump in to make it easier for me, always willing to help in anyway he could. He was a dad 100%, not just when it was easy and fun. When I was in labor, the nurses told him he was the best coach ever. They wished all dads would support their laboring wives like he supported me. That support has never waivered! We are a team, and I could not do this parenting thing without him. Watching Mike coach the kids and play with them is one of my favorite things to do. He's genuinely interested in being active in their lives. He is proud of them and spends most weekends planning something to do with them, rather than planning an outing for himself. When he interviewed for the job he has now, he spoke of this dedication to his kids. He told his future employer that his kids' lives and activities could not be compromised by numerous meetings or work-related outings. I am sure his love of family was one reason he got the job. It shows a lot about his character. I am proud to say he's my husband. I am even more proud that my kids will grow up with a dad that will be there for them, even when they are wrong. Our kids will know they come first before any meeting or work schedule. Our kids will live knowing their dad supports them and cherishes them every step of their life journey. Thank you honey, for being more than I could ever ask for in a dad for our boys. We all love you very much. Enjoy your day! *** The song that is playing is the song we had our first dance to at our wedding. It wasn't the song we wanted, but we couldn't find the CD when the time came for the first dance so under pressure, this is the one we picked. Makes me smile thinking about it.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Indy

My first weekend out of school I spent in Indiana visiting a friend. I have been friends with Tammy since grade school and she moved to Indiana to be with her new love and his two beautiful girls this past winter. I had been warned about southern Indiana...."hick-country", "be careful for all the snakes", "do they have indoor plumbing where you are going?". This is what I saw when we rounded the last wooded curve on the 1/4 mile gravel driveway. Somehow I knew I wasn't going to have to worry about using an outhouse. Tammy has decorated the outside of the house as beautifully as she has the inside. If you look closely you will see a hammock hanging on the upper balconey and many of the corners contain quaint set-ups such as these: We spent our days away from this gorgeous home shopping, lunching, driving and chatting. It had been a long winter without my dear friend and we had lots to catch up on! Evenings were spent with her family, Paul and his two girls, Mallory and Cedar. Mallory in their new pool! Cedar imitating me as I tried to take pictures of her in the grass. This is what Cedar did while we sat and drank wine on the porch swing and relaxed. It was a beautiful night. Paul attempted to fix my camera lens that has been broken for months. I had high hopes because this man can fix just about anything. He did not have success with my lens. At least I know it's not worth fixing and I should just replace it. This might be my favorite picture of the weekend. Stella I had met before and she made an easy subject for some great pictures! As much as I was sad when Tammy moved so far away, it has been my wish that she would find happiness and love for a long time now. Seeing her so happy is worth having to start a long distance friendship. I had such a great time, TK. Same time next summer? On a side note, many people know I am obsessed with the play Wicked. When it came to Minneapolis I tried hard to make it work so Tammy and I could see it together. It is a play about friendship, and having seen it in Chicago, I knew it was a play I wanted to see with her. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as she was off to Indiana before the play made it here. This is my favorite song from the play and the chorus reminds me so much of how I feel about her. I thought it was perfect for this post.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Stork Has Arrived!

I apologize for the off-center picture. The one I got on center (ya.... you know, the one where the baby bird felt the tree move a little and automatically opened it's mouth for food, creating the perfect shot) came out blurry. I get so stressed taking pictures because the mama is watching me from the roof and I don't want her to abandon those babies thinking she's in danger. I will update about my trip to Indiana as soon as I have any energy. Such a good time! Can you believe all 5 of them survived?! Perfect. Peep-Out, LB

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

I am so sorry Mama Peeper

Imagine my surprise when I checked on my tree guests and found THIS: That poor Mama bird. No wonder she built the nest so big. Wowza.....FIVE babies! And I had all kinds of twin names planned; Peep & Cheep, Chirp and Twirp, Squawk and Mohawk...the list was endless. I just can't believe she laid two eggs and then close to two weeks later, she laid another 3 more (Sorry if I am using the wrong laid, lay, lye, lie, lain...I never figured that out. And I teach for a living, but I'm off for the summer, people.) Do you suppose ANOTHER mama has also laid her eggs in this same nest? Maybe a mama that waited too long to build hers and found herself in some kind of precarious position and didn't have time to build one?!? I never thought of that, which is surprising being as co-dependent as I am. Hmmmmm..... I have noticed another bird hanging around some. In fact, when I took that picture of her on top of the house, there was another bird up there. I must pay more attention to this. So, will the first two hatch and then weeks later, the other three? Questions, questions....where is Bill Nye when you need him? Or Mr Wizard (remember him!)? Or Jacques Cousteau? Anyone! Peace, LB

Friday, June 5, 2009

Schools out for Summer

Does that title make the Alice Cooper in you start singing? No? Me either.... Did you know I wanted Connor to be a Cooper and Mike vetoed it? Now you do. SCHOOL IS OUT! WOO HOO! The last day of school means one thing in the Budach household. Bonfire. Now, both kids have wanted a fire for the past two weekends. They have begged, pleaded, nagged, whined...on and on. Annoying if you ask me. So, tonight we gave in. Celebrate the end of the year. Rejoice in the lazy days of summer ahead. Let me fill you in on a couple of things before I start: #1. Connor does not like smores and will not eat them. #2. Neither kid will actually sit by the fire and enjoy it, they run around and throw balls over my head and act like crazy people. #3. Noah won't get close enough to cook a marshmallow so Mike does it for him. And with me being completely exhausted (I am too old for the last week of school anymore)...I just keep peaking into the house at the lonely couch calling my name. But, then the kids started this.... And this..... And some of this...and it was a little more enjoyable. This is my secret to successful smores. I love you so much I am willing to share it. I chop up the chocolate into small pieces. Not only does it cause the chocolate to melt into heavenly goodness so much better than a solid bar of chocolate, you will use a lot less. Helpful summer tip of the day, Internet friends... Noah and his masterpiece before handing off to his dad. All in all....kids seemed to have a good time. Can't believe the school year is over and I now have two children in school full time. Crazy. On a side note, I was asked to take some pictures of a nature center on my school property so we could frame them and give them to people that are leaving our building for various reasons. Look at this little gem I found..... I love it! Have a wonderful weekend! LB