We were out of town for the weekend, so my blogging was postponed.

We had Abby and her close friends over Tuesday night for their grad project/gift. I asked them to each draw or write something on 4 terra cotta pots so each of them would be represented on each of their pots. I told them I drew the inspiration for the gift from my own love of plants and the movie "How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days" (remember the love fern?). Lots of discussion on what to draw/write, but Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants theme seemed to dominate. I also promised a new plant every summer if it suffers an unfortunate death in their dorm rooms.

Wednesday we had Paige's end-of-year Little League party. A furious thunderstorm blew through about an hour before, but the weather turned out perfect for the party. There was lots of food and the infamous parent vs. kids wiffle ball game. The coaches commented on how quiet Paige was throughout the season. Paige???

I've been fortunate to continue working from home on Wednesdays. Mike has enabled me to see our work email and time sheets from home, so working offsite has become seamless! Never mind all the money I'm saving in gas!

Abby came home from work with a Clippers for Dummies set. We wondered if she was entertaining the idea of fashioning a new Britney Spears 'do... Why would Abby purchase a clippers for a house full of girls? Alex walked in a few minutes later ready for his appointment. He took his chair and Abby started 'er up! She did a great job and was very particular.

Saturday morning Jeff and I got up early with Bryn to see her off to her weeklong Mission Trip. They left church by 8:00am for Coahoma, Mississippi. She called us tonight and told us it was 107° today! The town is very small/rural. She painted houses yesterday and today and will be leading Kids Klub for the next two days.

We then picked up Paige and Abby and roadtripped to Appleton Saturday for the first of Paige's two Little League All Stars games. We lunched at Jeff's mom's then watched Menomonee Falls battle South Milwaukee at Appleton North High School. Typically, Menomonee Falls gets killed when we get to this level. But at the top of the 6th, we led 7 to 1!!! Awesome! But somehow South Milwaukee was able to score 7 more runs and win the game. Our girls were devasted. After the game we headed over to Jeff's sister's for Kayla's grad party. Another beautiful day, with lots more food, and fun! We left Theo at Terry's overnight for some spoiling. Sunday we drove the same the same route for game #2 versus Appleton Tornados. The game was delayed because the fields were wet, so we had some extra time to burn. We were able to stop in for a nice visit with Cindy and Dave before we had to return to the field. We lost again 9-3. We were so tired when we got home and I didn't feel like cooking, so we went out for Mexican food.

I'm trying my hardest to get Abby moving and organized for college. I think we've cleaned up all the graduation party stuff now (only a month later). She just received her housing assignment and roommate, so that should help make some decorating decisions and who'll bring what. She hasn't made contact with the roommate yet though. We just purchased her laptop so that'll involve some setting up. I've given her a guideline for how many clothes she can take with - only as many as fit in her one dresser. I'm going to buy some storage containers for all the ones that'll be left behind. How many do you think? 8? This last month before she leaves will go by before I know it....

This week was awesome.

I didn't work Monday as that was my floater holiday. I was able to do all my typical weekend chores since we were up north over the weekend.

Abby began a grueling work week. She basically filled in for everyone who took vacation this week. Today is her first day off since Monday and she's worked 8 hours everyday! Paycheck should be pretty nice though.

Paige and her Cardinals played their first game Tuesday evening in the Little League double elimination tourney and lost. It was a very close game. Their next game was supposed to be Saturday morning, but the overnight rains made the field unplayable. Haven't heard when it's rescheduled for yet.



Jeff left for Charlotte NC Wednesday morning to tour a chiller manufacturing plant. With Jeff working on such large hospital jobs, vendors like these are willing to escort him out to their facilities in hopes of Jeff spec-ing their equipment into the job. Jeff finally got in to the hotel at 11:30pm (they did not have a direct flight) and ate at the bar with his collegues since they didn't have food all day! Then they had to be up early for the tour/seminar Thursday. Friday he had another long journey home.

So Jeff missed an enjoyable Norman Design outing Wednesday evening. A printer that Norman Design sends a lot of our work to invited us out on one of their boats. A BIG boat! Abby worked all day and was a bit uneasy about the boat so she didn't come. But Bryn and Paige and I loved it. We were offered a great spread of sandwiches, fruit and drinks while the owner told us of the boat's history and renovations. Then we went out on Lake Michigan and trolled by a couple of sailboat races and enjoyed the Milwaukee skyline as the sun set. Bryn and Paige explored the lower deck and thought it was quite cool (2 bedrooms and bathrooms, living room, kitchen).

Friday I was off again. I had to accompany my now-adult daughter to the doctor for a shot. And I actually had to hold her hand while she got it. Funny the situations when they feel they really need you. I rode with Abby to work later and walked back home. I got to see a little fawn! It reminded me of my Y class teacher that reminds us "Little miracles are all around us if you just take time to notice." Jeff arrived home safely from NC and we were off to the Brewers game! Paige earned these free tickets through school for her good grades. We were up in the 2nd-to-last row from the very top of the stadium, but the view and breeze were fantastic! Paige's cheesy fries really liked her new Brewers t-shirt. And her fingers. And her legs. We accidentally missed the Sausage Race when I took Paige and Miranda down for their Dippin' Dots. But I did text in the correct winning Hot Dog beforehand! No call yet on my free trip to Spring Training. Ryan Braun even hit a home run for Paige because she bought his t-shirt with his number on it. So cool. The Brewers didn't pull through a win for us, but we had a fun time.

I got my hair cut yesterday (Saturday) and Molly said that her older son wants to marry Bryn. Molly raved about how Bryn is so playful and fun with her boys, so I think the babysitting gig is working out. If you'd like to see what Bryn does the rest of the time while I'm working, visit the link at the right to see Bryn's latest movie. And Bryn was blessed with her fellow Mission Trippers at mass last evening. She leaves in a week! I think today will be a shopping day. Better get organized!

Monday Bryn reluctantly visited the dentist for a 2nd time for some side fillings. She was hesitant to go back because of the many shots of novacaine to freeze her mouth the first time. All is good now though.

I worked solo on July 3rd. Don't worry - it was a good tradeoff. We could choose to have our "floater" vacation day either the 3rd or the 7th and I picked today! Work was very slow and quiet on the 3rd and I'm not complaining.




After work, we joined up with the Seeds to watch our Village Parade at 7pm and fireworks at 9:45pm. It was a beautiful evening and we didn't get caught up in the "reserve your spot" frenzy that precludes our village parade route. We actually lucked out by sitting in a left-turn lane that no one could stake out or put their chairs in early!!! Ha!

My brother Craig stopped by to take Abby and Alex out to dinner for her graduation present. I think they had a nice time. Craig continued his drive up north while Abby joined Alex's family for the fireworks.

Friday morning we woke up and left for the Cabin by 8:30am. Weather reports predicted a great weekend and it delivered! We swam, went tubing, fished, jet-skiied and had a campfire. Abby and Jeff drove into Appleton Saturday afternoon to meet Alex since he had to work Saturday morning. Abby took Alex for a jet ski ride that was a bit uneventful, but Bryn took him for a much more exciting (bit faster and actually went over the waves instead of avoiding them) ride later. But Abby got Alex back by calling him a weinie when he immediately decided he was done swimming after being bit by a fish. You do have to keep moving. We all enjoyed ourselves and relaxed and had fun! We returned Sunday evening and met Alex's family to return their son and to tell them all about the weekend over pizza. And it's so nice having off work today to do all my errands before I start up my workweek again.

The girls got a call for a new babysitting job nearby thanks to my sister Kristin. Kristin works with the father. The girls are able to walk to the house. They'll be watching a 10-1/2 month old little girl for 2 mornings a week. One day Bryn will go and the other Paige will shadow Abby. Their first day is tomorrow.