April: A Summary

Here are a bunch of random photos from the month.  It's been full of ups and downs, including Easter fun, silly family time, and saying goodbye to Great Grandma Moore, who passed on April 12.

We'll start with Grandma, who died at age 88 surrounded by her kids.  I don't know a better way that any mom would want to go than surrounded by her little chicks.  Her funeral was sad but full of family, none of whom would be around if not for her.  Check out this amazing photo of her and husband, Glen, from the late 40's.  What a dish! 

The funeral was last Thursday and we decided to take both the kids.  Genevieve was full of questions but we had been talking about it all week and continued to talk about it thereafter so hopefully her little 3 year old brain could start to wrap itself around our simple explanations of what was going on.  Both kids were total angels during the mass and the luncheon.  It was also the first time a lot of the family got to meet Lukas.  Although a sad reason to do so, it was really nice to catch up with those who we haven't seen in years. 

boo boo with cousin john.  lady killers!

cally, john, maggie, becky, and lukie

cally volunteered to be official baby-holder.  maybe we can convince her to move here from the cities for a little more baby time?

sibs, spouses, and cousins

gg and auntie barb - lovely ladies

lukas and uncle peter - who apparently both own the same plaid shirt - chat mano a mano

Matt attended the burial on Friday in Wautoma where Grandma was laid to rest next to Glen.  We are grateful that we got to see Grandma before she passed and spend time with her while she was here.  We know she loved her grandkids and her two great grandkids, as well as her great grand Poodle (Kathy found a book that Grandma had made in one of her assisted living places, saying that her favorite pet was Ralphie because he was so gentle and sweet.  There was even a pic of her and Ralph in the photo collage at the funeral!).  I know we'll think of her every time we head to the cottage!

Before life took this crazy turn, we had to prepare for Easter here at home.  Which this year meant dying eggs with our big girl: 

time to color those eggies

putting the eggs in 'gently'

on the hunt for eggs on easter sunday

that bunny left them everywhere!

sizing up her loot

no candy for boo boo?  maybe next year big guy

Other random silliness this month:

literally being a sassy-pants

playing t-ball with dad, with a seriously ghetto tee

here's how i found her after their rousing game

story time.  apparently 'happy pig day' is pretty suspenseful

matt finally figures out the plot

I had a TV appearance for work the other day, in which I was just supposed to model some of our spring clothing.  Imagine my surprise when I arrived and my colleague told me she didn't want to be on air and that I would have to do it.  Awesome.  Less awesome were the phone calls I got all that day letting me know that the station listed us as Hal's (a competitor) House of Harley.  So they're making it up to me by having me back next month to talk about more of our events.  Liquid diet starts...now.  Embarrassing footage here.  I am super famous.

And finally, last weekend was the semi-annual smoke fest.  Where the wives all lose their husbands for 12 straight hours of their version of fun and my poor Pilot draws stray dogs from around the neighborhood with the stale smell of smoky goodness.  Matt's odds of winning this year weren't the best so he took time last weekend to do a test run.  I will totally admit they were terrific.  So all he had to do was a repeat performance.  Or come in dead last.  Whichev.  Better luck this fall, darling.  At least the kids had fun.

gg on the thompson's rope swing, screaming with a fear/delight combo

some of the competition

these are the faces of some serious bbq-ers