1st lost tooth for Gracelyn

August 1st, 2013 - Miss Gracelyn lost her first tooth!  It was quite the exciting moment. It was one of her bottom front teeth.  She already had the permanent tooth growing in on the back side, so it was due to come out. She got 5 quarters from the tooth-fairy that night. Such a happy girl!

AADE13 - Philadedelphia

In August I went to a diabetes conference for work.

It was the annual meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, AADE13.

It was hosted in Philadelphia, PA. I very much enjoyed the sessions and learned a few new things.

The view from my hotel room is above and below is China Town - Philadelphia style.

 The best part of the trip was having Darrin and Mandy drive up from DC on Friday to do a little Philly touring with me.  1st stop was getting a Philly Cheesesteak!!! 

Independence Hall was the second stop. This is where the Declaration of Independence was signed so many years ago. Pretty amazing to be in the exact spot our forefathers stood and made history!

  Also in this extraordinary place is the home of the Liberty Bell.

Then we also have - what my bro would say is the best part of the city, is the ROCKY monument and the steps that the movie was filmed on.  We all took our turn standing my Rocky and getting our picture taken.

Darrin running the steps.

 

My Rocky boys back at home modeling their new shirts!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jared!!!

My number 3 turned 2 on August 31st.

We were out at the Sohre cabin, so we celebrated with the cousins and shared a cake with cousin Joe who turned 5 just a couple of days before.

I think Jared had a great day playing out in the lawn and in the lake.

All the kids gathered for the cutting and serving of the birthday cake.

I think at this particular moment Jared was enjoying himself some cheese balls!!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Here is what has happened to my little guy in his 2nd year of life:

• He was walking already when he was 11 1/2 months, but he mastered it shortly after his birthday.
• He learned to drink from a sippy cup. He nursed from his Mommy until he was 14 months (a couple months longer than his older sister and brother)
• He can eat with a fork and spoon, and insists he does it himself. He can scoop and stab food all on his own.
• He loves his doggy, Marley! 
• Can throw his own diaper in the trash and other things.
• He learned what snow is and enjoys trying to play in it.
• He LOVES the sandbox and spends literally hours scooping sand from one spot to the next.
• He learned to go down the slide in the park in the summer and at the water park we went to in the wintertime.
• He loves to dance and Marty got him to be pretty fond of "One Direction" video. When he hears it he immediately starts to dance.
• Not to much talking yet, just a few words, but he is a smart kid. He comprehends most things and will follow directions.
• Can look at a book and point to some objects.
• He loves to be tickled and giggle!! He is soo cute.
• He moved into the toddler bed shortly before his birthday. He made the tradition from crib to bed fantastically! He loves his toddler bed.
• He loves his blankie and has started to carry it around the house like his big sister.
• He loves riding the Cozy Coupe in the garage and the Barbie hot-wheels!
• He loves to throw and catch ball with Daddy and Grandpa Joe.
• Grandpa Sohre calls him JD.
• Very fond of his Mommy and Daddy.  Daddy can get him to eat better. Jared is definitely a daddy's boy, more than his siblings.

Mommy Loves You Little Guy!!! 

You are growing up so fast. Love you more than the world. Happy Birthday!

Hiking Minneopa

Labor day weekend we headed to the Sohre cabin for the weekend. On our way there on Saturday we made a stop at Minneopa State Park for a picnic and some hiking.

It was Jared's birthday  the day we were there and in a few day's it was Marty's and I's 10 year anniversary so we thought this would be a good way to celebrate both events.

Here is the cute kiddos!

 
Mr. Jared, the birthday boy and Miss Gracelyn.

Marley even got to join us on the special day!

We hiked all the way to the bottom of the waterfall, or I guess it was more of a water trickle with the lack of rain in the last few months. 

Then complete with the picnic. 

It was a fabulous day!

1st grader: Miss Gracelyn

Miss Gracelyn Malecek - 2013

School Starting 2013

The school year has started. This year we have the above 1st grader! She is super excited to start school.

She is such a good little student.

The name tags for the lockers.

Then we have little Zach as a preschooler. He is the one of the older ones in preschool this year, as he has a fall birthday, so he is just about 5, and then since this is his second year he is used to how the school day goes.  His teachers told him he has to show all the younger kids or 1st year preschoolers how everything works. Zach took that to heart and was real proud to be the good example to all the other kids.

The big bus ride!  They get on bright and early at 6:55am!!!!

Then they get home about 4:00pm.

Betty and Joe - 50th Wedding Anniversary

My mother and father-in-law celebrated 50 years of marriage this year.

Their actual anniversary is July 9, but we did a celebration Aug. 11, 2013.

I feel it was a huge success.

The day started with family photos in the morning, then from 4-8pm we had a reception at our house.

I think it is amazing that they have been committed to there marriage for 50 years!!!

In this day and age it is rare so I am ever so proud to be the daughter-in-law of a couple that have been together for 50 years.

 Above is Zach and Grandma. Below

is Gracelyn with the guests of honors.

And the lovely couple.

The five kids and their spouses.

 

Socializing with all the guests.

Betty drinking some wine....

 She tells us she needs the wine to get ready for the kiss!!!

Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple. I am so proud to have celebrated with them and to be part of their family.