Terry and Kayla drove down from Appleton a week ago Friday to shop with Abby, Bryn and Paige. They all left our house about 4pm and returned by 9 their arms tired from the loads of goodies. Terry and Maggie were quite generous with their allowance for the girls. The girls all said they felt rich and famous toting all their shopping bags through the mall. Jeff and I were treated to a fashion show upon their return. The girls were all so giggly - you could tell they really had fun together.

I spent most of the day last Sunday volunteering as a "floater" for my fellow artists from the Art Guild. It was our annual Art in the Park exhibit where the public can watch the artists work out in the open air. The day was simply gorgeous and I was happy to feel a part of it all just by giving the artists a break by sitting at their stations for a moment or running to get them food and drink. I hope in the next couple years to have my own station.

Our family was welcomed to the Taorminas for a "goodbye" supper for Abby and Bryn before they go off to college. We ordered pizza from a nearby place that Kristin and Carlo recently discovered. Lucy and Bella loved coaxing Paige to run and hide on them. Bella showed off all her new school supplies to us.

I took off work this past week from Wednesday on to focus on getting Abby, Bryn and Paige ready for school. Wednesday was Paige's high school registration day which began with getting her hair cut and styled beforehand. Bryn came along to school and guided Paige through the various registration lines and walked her schedule with her while I paid the big bucks. Thursday was pretty quiet as Bryn was busy getting last-minute time with friends in but by Friday morning we were all packed up and ready to go move her in to Carroll. The move was a breeze. We simply drove into the dorm parking lot and were met by a group of students who swooped in the van to unload everything. Jeff was then ushered to some offsite parking and golf carted back to the dorm while the rest of us watched another group of students carry Bryn's things up to her room. Bryn's roommate, Emily, was already there. We all helped unpack, put away, and assemble various things in Bryn's room. Abby was instrumental in the process. Bryn and Emily decided on bunking their beds into an L shape. The really looks quite nice and they have a magnificent view.

That evening, Paige went to the annual Corn Roast at the high school followed by the first home football game. Abby and Mark went mini golfing then back here to make banana boats in the outdoor fire pit. Jeff and I got to chat with them for quite a while. Now that they're both done working for the summer they can enjoy this next full week off before school.

Yesterday Paige attended tryouts for the local select softball team. She looked really good. She wants to play 2nd base or outfield. We've spent some extra time the past couple weeks driving her to various batting cages, to pitching lessons and encouraging her to just throw the ball around with friends. Paige was asked to come back Wednesday for further review. Go Paige! Then she got to go tubing with a couple friends and eventually they all ended up here for a sleepover.

Jeff flew out to Virginia the early part of last week to attend meetings on the big Martha Jefferson hospital he's been working on. He was happy he didn't have to drive (from the airport to Charlottesville is 2.5 hours yet) as he had just driven back and forth to La Crosse the day before to work on Abby's house and bring her home. Jeff said the flight was bumpy, but otherwise all was good.

He was welcomed home Wednesday night to Bryn's Bon Fire she had planned with friends that went on til 1am. The party was good. Bryn and Natalie bought goodies to make a variety of s'mores over the fire pit. And the very next morning, Jeff had to take off early to go a meeting up in Appleton.

Paige has been keeping busy going to waterparks, practicing softball for upcoming select team tryouts and a night of laser tag!

Jeff and I went with our friends, the Seeds, to State Fair last Friday night. We got caught in the rain a couple times, but we were prepared and could quickly duck into a beer tent, exhibit hall or animal barn. Jeff sampled a duck fajita and a bison burrito. I was quite content with my cream puff.

Bryn drove with Natalie over to Shell Lake to spend the weekend at Natalie's grandparents. Natalie leaves for college out in Colorado this weekend, so I'm glad they got to spend a lot of time together before they both left for school. Bryn said they had a great time swimming and boating and just hanging out.

Abby took part in Community Memorial Hospital's Wheeling for Healing last Saturday with her boyfriend, Mark, and his family. Jeff and I saw the morning news reporting from the event that day. We didn't realize it, but Abby and Mark rode the 33-mile race! Way to go Abby! She spent the afternoon at Mark's (recuperating!) swimming. She watched a movie with us that night and was in bed by 10pm! By that, you know she was tired!

Jeff and I went to see Abby "sent off" back to college from Elmbrook Church (where Abby attends when she's home) last Sunday. Kristin and Carlo belong to this church, so we coordinated a meeting spot before service started so we could sit together. We happily accepted to go to lunch with them— Bella and Lucy!—at Oscar's afterwards. So on the way home, I remembered that my college roommate, Polly, and her husband's home was on the way back to our house, so maybe we'd stop by and say hi. I'm the only one who had visited them earlier this summer. So we drive in on their long road, get to the edge of their cul de sac and are met with 3 police cars with the officers standing outside them. I got out to ask if we could drive in. "Who are you going to visit?" I told them and they suggested I call Polly and John to ask them to stay inside for a while because there's a "weapons situation." Of course I called, but then I thought "Why didn't the police call?" I didn't catch up with Polly afterward — figured there'd be enough neighborhood drama for her to deal with.

Tuesday I got to see a packaging design I did go on press at Outlook Graphics in Neenah. I really wanted to go to this particular print run because the client asked me and I worked there one summer during college. The place is a lot bigger than I remember. Our sales rep is going to drop off the assembled packages which I am excited to see. The product is called the Go Plate, and so far I've designed packaging for their generic colored plates, and their Iowa State branded edition.

So the last time I blogged was the day before the big flood. All the kids missed it! Menomonee Falls recorded 6.5" of rain in less than 2 hours that Thursday, July 22nd. Jeff called me from work at 5:30, saying he was going to be late. I was in the basement with Theo as the tornado sirens were going off. I said "You cannot drive in this!" It was not even sprinkling by his work near the Zoo. Jeff did leave within a half hour only to see the dark clouds as he drove north and soon was in the thick of the torrential rain. He immediately was tending to the sump pump when he got home and we were both outside arranging the sump pump hoses to empty as far away from our house as possible. The creek behind us swelled higher than it's ever been. But it did stop. We did not experience any damage.

Friday Jeff and I drove downtown Milwaukee to Gallery Night where many art galleries are free and open to the public. It was a beautiful night and quite relaxing.

Saturday morning Bryn arrived back from Kansas City raving that this was the best Mission Trip ever. I think they liked working on reading skills with the kids. The Welcome Back Luncheon put on by Bryn's group was plentiful and delicious as always. So nice to have the kids come back to that and be able to share stories with their families right away. Paige came back from Pennsylvania later in the day. Needless to say, both of them were super tired and had very smelly laundry.

The following weekend (July 31st) we spent up north at the Cabin. Just a nice, relaxing weekend with no plans. Abby and I went with my Mom to the Shawano Farmers Market to pick up fresh corn on the cob for dinner. We were all able to get some swimming and boating in. Abby's friend, Amy (from UWL), met us at the Cabin driving directly from her camp counselor job. She then joined us back at home the whole next week.

We stopped in Appleton at Jeff's Mom's/Terry's for dinner on Sunday evening and to pick up a couch that Paul had found for Abby's house. The couch is forest green leather, which matches perfectly with the glider/rocking chair that Meg had given her the week before! So perfect. Then were treated to a yummy cookout with leftovers!

Just this weekend, Abby went to a wedding in Eau Claire for a classmate at UWL. She drove up to LaCrosse in Amy's truck on Friday. They packed up the couch and a shelving unit Abby got from Hallmark. Then drove with to the wedding in Eau Claire on Saturday. Jeff drove up and back today to get her, but also to work and clean a bit on Abby's new living quarters for the next schoolyear. Jeff brought up the kitchen table and chairs we got from our neighbors, the glider/rocker from Meg and a dresser from Mom and Dad. Jeff was able to install a shelf and rod for a makeshift closet along one wall of Abby and Amy's shared bedroom.

I accompanied Bryn to a Carroll Preview Day where Bryn was able to walk her class schedule, get in to see her dorm and room, meet her roommate, and just get reacquainted with the campus. The week before, Bryn was switched out of her triple room and assigned a new roommate who's from the area as well. As you can see, Bryn's room seems large for a dorm room and she has a great view! I took Bryn dorm shopping today - she's getting pretty excited.

Jeff and I are experiencing a trial run of being empty nesters this week. Abby is down in Indianapolis helping Meg & William with their kids. Bryn is on a mission trip with St James in Kansas City, Kansas. And Paige is also on a mission trip with Good Shepherd in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Of course Abby is easily accessible this week and she is having a great time hanging out with Bryce, Logan, Mia and Cooper — and helping Meg with her new salon. Bryn's called in twice so far — but after we're asleep! — about 11:00pm. She promised she'd try earlier tonight. It's been scorching hot in Kansas City, but she always sounds like she's so happy (check up on her this week by clicking on link at right). Paige has been harder to communicate with and with this being her first year, we're just not sure what to expect. I did text her a bit last night. She's been grouped with college-age kids, not from our church, and they've demolished and rebuilt a porch so far. We'll be reunited with Bryn and Paige on Saturday and we'll meet Abby south of Chicago on Sunday to pick her up.

So let me pick up where I left off from my last post.

On the 4th of July we headed down to Summerfest where Abby, Bryn and Paige were lucky enough to see Carrie Underwood in the Amphitheatre! I brought along rain ponchos which seemed to ward off the threatening rain. While the girls were at their concert, Jeff and I found a nearby tent where a local band band was playing and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The 5th of July marked Abby and Mark's one-year anniversary. Abby was quite excited for their big date where Mark treated her to a swanky Italian restaurant then gelato.


We celebrated Bryn's high school graduation with a party at our home on July 10th. We had a great turn out! Bryn did a fabulous job setting up her "shrine" in the dining room, pulling out all her awards and assembling the picture boards. Lucy was the hit of the party shooting everybody at close range with the tiger bubble-blower! Thunderstorms pushed the party inside twice. After 7:00pm when wave of kids started coming, we needed to move the party outside again.

Last week I finished up programming the website for Meg's new salon (salonsalonsuites.com). One little detail I can't figure out, but spent hours trying! Frustrating!

Paige is missing her final Little League tournament games this week and her coach couldn't be more disappointed. Jeff and I may go watch the final game this coming Saturday morning without her.

After we got all our kids off last Saturday morning, Jeff and I headed up to Appleton for nephew Mitchell's grad party. We brought Theo along because we decided to drive up north to spend the night and next day and treat Theo to some lake swimming. Since it was only the three of us, we took the little car and Theo got comfy in the hatchback. It did end up raining Sunday morning, but we were able to get in a cloudy boat ride after lunch.

So my work has been crazy busy ever since Kevin left at the end of April. Norman Design has since hired a new employee, Aaron, and he started June 1st and seems like a very likeable and capable co-worker. Because we're so swamped, we haven't all been able to reach out to him much. So my extra hours continue...

Abby started working at Hallmark 9 to 5 Mondays thru Thursdays June 14th. And Bryn got a gig driving kids around to their activities as their parents work full-time. Abby and Bryn have been super at working out who-gets-the-car and when. Paige's softball season continues as Little League season is now in full swing.

Bryn and Paige participated on different teams in our local American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on the 18th. It started at 6pm and ended the next morning at 9am. Your team had to have one member walking the track at all times. The weather wasn't too cooperative with storms threatening and moving the event into the high school twice before midnight. They did get to be outside after that. Many teams had tents to nap in, some had campers and grills.

The weekend of the 25th, we helped Kristin and Carlo move to their newly-built house in Sussex. We were all able to help on Friday with Craig, Clark, my Mom & Dad and Carlo's brother, Sal. On Saturday, I was the only one available and so I went. Clark did a fabulous job cleaning up the old house before Kristin and Carlo said good-bye to it and Clark flattened most of the moving boxes for recycling when we were through. Craig thought Abby did a tremendous job organizing and stacking the boxes as we loaded them up into the moving truck. Kristin and Carlo had all the boxes well-labeled so we knew just where to drop them in the new house.

Bryn got her room assignment at Carroll. She will be in a triple with a girl from Menomonee Falls, Montana, and a girl from Illinois, Hailey, on the 4th floor of Swarthout Hall. Bryn has looked for Hailey on Facebook, but apparently there are 2 with the same last name; so Bryn's waiting for Hailey to contact her first.

Yesterday was Menomonee Falls 4th of July parade and fireworks. What a beautiful night for it! We were able to stake out a spot and the kids sat with me, Jeff and Dave and Carrie Seeds. Abby took care of her group by reserving a spot and bringing snacks and refreshments. We all came home right after the fireworks because tonight we're going to Summerfest! Abby, Bryn and Paige are going to see Carrie Underwood there tonight. Jeff and I are going to go and just hang out.

Bryn graduated from Menomonee Falls High School this past Saturday. The weather was unpredictable to say the least: forecasts said it was to be 90° and muggy, but it ended up being 65° and overcast. The stadium gates opened at 3pm, with the ceremony to begin at 4pm. I had fun texting my friend, Carrie, who was on the other side of the field while we were waiting. Then tragedy struck – my camera battery went dead! Me, without a camera? We brought Bryn's along as a backup... memory full! Oh yeah! I also packed Paige's just in case – no memory card! Thank goodness for sisters. Kristin let me snap all I wanted on hers and delivered a CD to us Monday morning. All the senior class speakers were wonderful, and I kept a dry eye until the song. Two graduates sang a beautiful song about believing in yourself. My parents, Maggie, Terry, Kristin, Carlo, Bella and Lucy all came. Now it's party time for the next 2 months! We've all sure had fun reading autographs in the high school yearbook, grad grams and looking at lots of pictures. Bryn was awarded a Senior Athletic Award for earning a varsity letter all 4 years of high school.

Before the big graduation, Paige had an early Little League game and it was grandparents day! Paige is on the Cardinals for the 3rd time in her Little League career.

Paige has been watching Bella and Lucy whenever Kristin needs to put in extra hours. They sure have fun here on the trampoline!

June 4th & 5th Abby and Bryn took a road trip up to La Crosse for the State Outdoor Track Meet. Bryn had a couple teammates qualify and wanted to support them. Abby was able to contact her landlord and the carload stayed at Abby's new house she'll be living in next schoolyear. Nice that it was a free place to stay, but nothing's been moved in yet so it was pretty barren. They still had a great time.

Jeff went with Paige to her softball banquet on the 7th where the Freshman coach complimented Paige on her achievements, with her at the top of the stats for batting, pitching, runs and steals. I designed yet another t-shirt honoring their freshman team's unofficial Conference Championship status.

Last night, Abby and Bryn went to finally spend their JCP gift cards from Grandma Maggie for their birthdays. They called home shortly after they left. As any mother would do, you think the worst – they got in an accident. Not quite. They were stranded in the middle of a road because the muffler fell right off! Jeff drove off to the rescue and was busy googling the part when he got home.

Happy 15th birthday to our youngest! Can you believe it? Paige got to begin her awesome birthday by marching with the high school band in our Village Memorial Day parade. Thank goodness it was much cooler weather this morning! Our family met afterwards to share birthday cake - which this year was custard at Kraverz - with Paige. After blogging, I will begin to prepare Paige's birthday dinner request: spaghetti and meatballs!



Since we've been so busy putting in extra hours at work, attending school year-end events, and with softball and track seasons ending, we decided to stay home this Memorial Day weekend. Jeff ordered 10 yards of mulch for us and we put our team to work! We got about half the yard done so we're happy. But Jeff heard his knee "pop" Saturday and has been limping ever since. That hasn't kept him from the yardwork, but us girls are trying to keep him away from it. While watering some of the flowers, Paige discovered a bird's nest in one of our hanging plants on the front porch.


So Paige's freshman softball team is the unofficial conference champ (not recognized at the freshman level) with their win over Brookfield East last Thursday! Paige was bummed that game as she was saved to pitch that final game, but the coaches determined that her batting average was better at games where she wasn't pitching, so they didn't have her pitch. The coaches kept yelling at her to "smile" when she was in the outfield. Since school ball is over, her Little League season can begin!

And Bryn wasn't able to participate as much as she had hoped with the track team. She's planning to head out to La Crosse for the Track State and watch some of her teammates compete this coming weekend. Bryn still attended every practice and meet, fully supporting her team. We visited the foot doctor this past Friday as Bryn is still experiencing some pain and swelling. The doctor prescribed some insoles and anti-flammatory cream and we'll see him back in a month or so.

Bryn had a big day May 22nd. She signed up Abby and herself to ride in the Bike A Thon, a fundraiser for her summer mission trip. It was a beautiful day. I was able to help out again with designing the t-shirts. Aren't they cool? I suggested the red color this year for community visibility. And I stuck around to take some pictures, help with registration and serving lunch at the park, where the halfway point is. Next year I swear I'm going to ride it!

In the evening, Grandma Karen and Grandpa Clark came into town and we all went to see Bryn and Paige perform at the high school for Jazz N Java. Such a nice event. The audience is seated at round tables and is able to purchase drinks and bakery while you listen to samplings from all the area schools' jazz bands.

May 14th I drove out to La Crosse with Abby's boyfriend, Mark, and packed Abby up from the dorms to move back home for the summer. Thank goodness Mark was available and willing. We ran up and down from her dorm room to the van, while Abby kept filling boxes and duffle bags! Then we treated Mark to Buzzard Billy's for lunch and then headed across the street for ice cream. Not looking forward to moving the big stuff into a house for her next year!