The Wilson Sisters

My sisters & me hanging at the beach with our cool hats. We decided that the beach is much better from 4pm on - cooler & not as crowded, stronger waves, more shells & don't need as much sunscreen! I love this picture - that's the age order too - Mary is three years older than me, and I am three years older than Joanie. Joanie is expecting her third child - kids keeping giving her names for her TBD child! It's pretty cute because Anna is really into naming this child. She is constantly giving Joanie names.

At the beach

We love the beach but how can you not? It is very hot & sunny, so it is constant sunscreen every few hours. We have our umbrellas & enough gear to make us look like the Clampett's. It's worth it for all the playtime in the sand though. Rosie & Caty are totally into their boogy boards, Anna loves collecting shells but tells me the waves knock her over, and Jo laughs her head off when the waves hit her. She tells Pete & I to "go out there." She loves the waves & now loves the sand too. The kids just love playing with her. All the big kids (aka: adults) take turns hitting the waves too. I could be in the ocean all day & love going way out there - there's nothing better.

Adam & Caty - they are the best kids! They are the older ones of the group.
Jo hamming it up for the camera.

Wil & Jo digging for building something - Jo has to "wash" her hands when they get sandy.

Day 1 / Day 2 of Vacation

We are here & completely adjusted to vacation. It is a beautiful beach but busy!!! We are not used to so many people at the beach. My sisters and I commented that we are trying to recreate our wonderful vacations at Ft. Walton Beach, but I don't think we can. Our condo is very nice though. We just finished a wonderful meal made by Pat tonight. Adam made shakes for the kids that were still awake. We all had some rather strong drinks at the beach too made by Pat as well!
I thought I'd try to remember some of the funnier moments:

• Pete's strip on his arms - nice sun tan job
• The longest few hours in the car - way too much traffic on 331
• Pete & I are certain that our google maps is much better than any ole GPS
• When I got out of the car & walked to the condo with Jo because she was making me crazy
• How well the cousins are getting along - no fights just fun & good times
• How well Mary & I managed without our morning coffee on Sunday
• Giving the boys a fun Father's Day at the beach - yes, it involved beer & downtime
• Watching Jo in the sand with her buckets & just being so cute
• Loving how much everyone wants to play & just be with Jo
• Being so lucky to have such a great family & go on vacation

I'm trying to upload pics but it is not working. I'll try tomorrow again!

Vacation is here!

We are so excited to go on vacation. We are leaving at 5pm tonight & driving to Nashville, staying over & then hitting the road early to get to Destin by Saturday afternoon!!! It has been two years since we took a family vacation. My sisters & their families are coming too, and we are sharing a big house in Sandestin. I just have a few more things to do, but we are definitely ready to go. Family time, sand, ocean, sun, relaxation, good food & away from the daily stresses of life. We are very lucky to be able to go on vacation, so I am going to enjoy every minute. I can already tell that Pete & I are relaxed & the little daily issues that make us crazy seem very trivial right now. We are ready! I'll post during the week of our daily fun!

June Birthday Celebration

Our monthly birthday celebration was at my sister's house. Happy Birthday Greg, Janet & Tim! Actually, both of my sisters have in-ground pools that are awesome!!! They split up the summer birthday celebrations since they have the best accommodations. We also celebrated Father's Day early because of our vacation. Below are some good pics. The kids had a wonderful time going from the pool to the trampoline to the swing set. Can it get any better than that?

My mom & dad opening his Father's Day gifts.

My brother Greg & my brother-in-law Tim opening cards & gifts for their birthdays!

My sister-in-law Janet, Rachel & my brother Tim - gift & card time!

Caught my sister-in-law Kay & my sister Mary having a cocktail!

Anyone for Tea?

My sister gave Josephine the cutest tea set for her birthday, and she loves it!!! One Sunday morning, we sat out on the deck and had tea with Jo. She set the table & poured "tea" into our cups. I gave her water in the teapot & crackers for their snack. As a kid, I spent more time in the "kitchen" downstairs in our basement with crackers & water or playing "office" with stuff my dad gave me from his work. It was so cute to see them doing the same thing.

They had so much fun that morning with Josephine. I read my book, drank coffee & they had their fun. What a glorious morning!!!

End of the School Year

The end of this school year was sad yet exciting. Our pastor of 15 years, Fr. Bernie Wilkins, is retiring. We are excited to get a new pastor who is an alum of St. MM!!! I can't wait to meet Monsignor Gene Morris - it is a new era at St. MM (the parish & the school).

At the end of school Mass, we gave Fr. Bernie a video (two 8th grade boys made it) of important times at St. MM. Fr. Bernie did all of our video stuff, and he is REALLY good at it. He was head of the video club & taught these boys all he knew. Everyone told me it was an amazing video, so I know Fr. Bernie will love it. He asked to not make a big deal about his retirement because he did not want to cry in front of everyone - he really does not like a big fuss made about him. In Fr. Bernie's style, he opened his present, thanked everyone & walked off. He is so funny!

After Mass, awards were presented. Rosie & Anna both got the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards. Rosie was also awarded for her academics. Students who maintained an A average all year received it. She works hard, and we are very proud of both of them. Anna doesn't technically get a Kindergarten grade (more pass/fail stuff but I know she passes with flying colors - she's my go-getter).

Rosie is so excited for 4th grade as I am. Mrs. Jorcke is one of the best (aka toughest) teachers in the school. She seems fair yet very challenging, and we are ready for her! She does so many cool projects with them - the main one being Prairie Days which Rosie is so excited about it.

Anna has a new teacher for 1st grade. She is moving from Boston, finished her Masters degree from Boston College & is excited to start with us. She has a strong focus on reading & phonics which is perfect for this age. I was not enamored with the old 1st grade teacher, so I have high hopes for this new teacher. Anna is my writer and is constantly asking me how to spell the longest words (we are working on getting her to use the dictionary vs. Mom & Dad).

Kindergarten class (now 1st grade class) at St. MM

Rosie & her classmates receiving their awards.

Look, I dressed myself Mom!

Josephine loves putting on her sister's stuff - shoes, jackets, gloves or even goggles. Quite a mixture this time and you could not get it off her. She would say "NO - ON!"

Sisterly Love

Sometimes they fight, sometimes they play, sometimes they are goofy & sometimes they are like this....