Garrett's graduation

Oh, boy...I've got joy, I do, do you?
That song is so stuck in my head! Any of you who have done Joy School know exactly what I'm talking about! But it's a small price to pay for the great experience it has been this year doing Joy School with Garrett and his buddies. (notice the 2nd boy from the left--nice.)


Garrett was so proud today at his graduation. He is such a fun, sweet, enthusiastic kid and we sure are proud of him, too.


One more year of preschool, then off to Kindergarten! It couldn't be soon enough for him, but as his mom, I want to soak up this last year of having him all to myself.
(G. eating his graduation cap treat)

Future Joy Boys

Jump, Grant, Jump!

The kids are thoroughly enjoying the trampoline Santa brought them for Christmas.
Even Grant has learned how to jump.

Garrett's Fire Field Trip

Garrett's Joy school group went to the fire station--we had a blast!


Garrett in fire-gear


Yes, six boys. No girls.


Grant and his buddy Shawn.


My favorite part--shooting the fire hose. Everyone got a turn--mom's included.
I was giddy like a little kid--love it!

Daddy Daughter Date

It makes me a bit teary to post this. Shayla and Tyler had their first daddy-daughter-dance a few weeks ago. So sweet! Complete with dinner, dancing, treats, and pictures. Shayla was GLOWING when she walked in the door after her date--her Dad looked pretty happy, too.

Race Day!

Tyler, Ty, Shayla, Garrett and Grant participated in a fun run at Como Park. It was a bitter cold day (temps in the 30's-40's with 20mph winds) which made it a bit miserable, but once they got running, they had a good time (I think). Ty ran his mile going all out-- I think he runs it in a bit over 7 minutes. Yeah, in my dreams I run a 7 minute mile :) While they were doing their run, I was running my 1/2 marathon. The wind was a bit pesky, but the temp was actually nice for a run. I came in at 2:08:08 and had a good time.

Shayla and Garrett had a 1/2 mile race and Shayla took off running while Tyler had to drag Garrett along. Grant was the lucky one in the stroller. Doesn't he look thrilled?

They loved their first race and can't wait for the next!

Grandma Mary

For the past 22 years my Grandpa Wagner and Grandma Mary have been best friends. They each raised their families and were good family friends and later in life when each of their spouses died, they renewed their friendship and chose to share the rest of their journey through life together.

Mary passed away on March 4th, 2009 in Florida at the age of 87 and we attended her funeral on March 12th in Chicago. We miss her already and now reflect on the good memories we shared. Grandpa and Mary shared a passion for life that I want to emulate. They lived half of the year in Florida and the other half in Indiana. They ballroom danced together, golfed together, enjoyed their many friends and traveled to Europe, Alaska and many other places together. Mary's family was so important to her. She loved her two sons, brothers and her grandchildren very much, which was apparent by the way she talked of them when we visited. She was an excellent Italian cook, and her spagetti and meatballs was the best I've ever had. She was a hardworker and very determined and intelligent as she rose to the position of VP of a bank at a time when women were not commonly in positions of leadership. I will always remember her as a classy, beautiful lady who valued integrity, hardwork and family above all.

Her funeral was a great opportunity to pay our last respects and reflect on her great life. It was also a great gathering of family that I hadn't seen for a long time. It was great to be together, I just wish Mary could have been there with us. I know she was there in spirit, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to go to your own funeral and see all of your family and loved ones one last time before departing this earth?

Here are a few pictures from the trip:
The kids got to see some of their cousins--try keeping 6 bouncing cousins quiet in a hotel room--not an easy task :) Hyrum, Garrett, Shayla, Grant, Hadley and Tyler.
One last good-bye hug for Uncle Jacob--he's now in England starting his mission!

Sarah, Grandpa and Jacob
We enjoyed a night of visiting and pizza at Audrey and Joe's house after the funeral.
Back row: Sarah, Jacob, Uncle Joe, Aunt Audrey, Brad, Mom (Jeena), Wes, Angie, Dane, Lani
Front row: Shayla, Garrett, Grant, Tyler, Grandpa, Hadley and Hyrum

Mary, we love you, we'll miss you and we look forward to a glorious reunion someday in heaven.

Ty's (belated) 8th birthday post

Ty's birthday coincided with the 1st day of spring break this year. About halfway through the day Tyler called and asked if we wanted to go the Wisconsin Dells for a night. Say no more, we packed up and were off by 4 to play at the indoor waterparks. We swam and rode the waterslides that night and then got up the next morning and played all day.

Grant crashed halfway through the second day--poor guy!

It was a fun, surprise birthday/spring break celebration, and I'm so glad Tyler thought of it. Here's to being spontaneous!

With the crazy month we've had, we had Ty's friend birthday celebration a month late. He wanted a sportsy party, so we took him to the YMCA to play basketball and swim. And had pizza and pinata at our house. I tried to make a football (this is the first time I've deviated from the balloon shaped pinata) and it turned out looking more like a rocket/Christmas ornament. Tyler insisted we put marshmellows on the tips so no one got their eye poked out. We can happily report that no one lost an eye, and everyone got lots of candy. Phew!

Rowdy boys singing happy birthday

Happy (super late) birthday, Ty!!!!