Sam's Big Day!

Today is Sam's official first birthday, but we headed to the Miller household last Saturday to celebrate a little early. He is getting SO big! He's not quite walking yet, but he sure gets around fast! I showed up a little late since I was at class, but Tony and Charlie were there in time for lunch.

I showed up for the fun part: gift opening! I was SO excited about the gift we got Sam. I bought it over a month ago. It's a Little People Batman and Joker car chaser toy. Super cool! I hope Charlie's into superheros so we can have fun things like that hanging around our house eventually.

Here's the big boy opening a present all by himself.

But he had MANY helpers!

Relaxing while his friends open his presents. 

Nothing quite as fun as a kazoo. He was just a humming away!

We had such a fun day, but I cannot believe he's already 1! Time really flies! I suppose I'll be repeating myself next March when Charlie turns 1...

The Last Prom

I feel like I've been going to St. Ansgar's prom grand march forever! Well, I guess I have the past 5 years...Michelle is now a senior, so this was my last grand march there.

I know Chelle is my cousin, but she was by far the most beautiful girl there (inside and out). Skylar, her boyfriend, wasn't too bad looking either!

Here are some shots captured:

Here they are walking around the track at grand march

Sisters!

The Hemann family

Their little girl is growing up!

Charlie attended his first prom. He even wore his tie for the occasion 

Cousin shot!

Oh boy....

Charlie loves his Iowa cousins!

The couple one last time!

We'll be heading down to Iowa for Michelle's graduation party in less than a month. Wow..I can remember when she was born! Time flies!

I Love to Read

Somehow Charlie has already started to collect a large amount of books! Tony and I have been having fun reading through the books, but just this week Charlie has started to really pay attention when we read to him. He'll look at the pictures as we read and laugh here and there.

Even Luna likes his new box full of books

Here's story time tonight before Charlie's bedtime bottle. 

All is well

Dad just sent a text that the surgeon called and Mom is out of surgery. Everything went great, and she is off to recovery! We're heading out the door to go keep Dad company and visit Mom!

New Knee!

Today's the day my mom has been waiting for! She is getting a new knee!

If you don't know my mom, she's been hobbling around for the last few years on a bad knee. Olmsted Medical was putting off her surgery until she felt pain 24 hours a day! Finally this winter, she was referred to Mayo, and they told her to get in right away for that new knee! She put it off as long as she could. She was having a hard time realizing she would be done teaching for the school year.

Yesterday was her last day of teaching until next fall. Charlie, Tony and I went to visit her on her last day. Her students were so sweet: wishing her well and giving hugs.

Last night she was told to report to Methodist Hospital at 5:30 am to prep for surgery. They wheeled her into the operating room at 7:30! Charlie, Tony and I are heading up soon to spend time with Dad while he waits patiently.

We pray that everything goes well in surgery, and Mom has a quick recovery!

Here she is all ready to go!

Baptized in Christ

Today Charlie was welcomed into the church through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Baptisms always make me tear up. I'm not exactly sure why, but this one was no exception! It was so special that Pastor Anjanette was able to do the baptism since she married Tony and me about a year and a half ago.

At Bethel, after the baptism, the pastor walks the baby around the sanctuary, hands him to a member of the congregation, and the member brings him back to the parents. It's a symbol of welcoming him to the congregation. Pastor Anjanette chose my friend John to bring Charlie back to us. The three of us (and even Charlie) went together on the service trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, so Pastor A knew it would be special for me.

We had a difficult time picking Godparents for Charlie. All of our siblings/wives(soon to be wife), are all very faithful people. We knew they would all make excellent Godparents for Charlie. So...we asked them all! Charlie has 3 Godmothers and 3 Godfathers! What a lucky boy!

Here's my mom and dad with their little grandson!

Here's the crew of Godparents minus Kate. She had to be out of town for a conference this weekend. 

Tony's parents and their little grandson. 

4 generations on T's side. 

The beautiful cake my cousin Hannah made for Charlie. She's so talented!

Here's a 4 generation shot on my side!

The Millers visit Charlie

Adam and Emily came and met Charlie on the day he was born, but Josie and Sam have been passing around some sick bugs, so they FINALLY got to meet Charlie last night. The Millers brought us a delicious hot dish and dessert, and we had a grand time!

Sam's getting to know his new buddy Charlie. I don't know what Tony and I will do when Charlie gets to be Sam's age. He was on the go the entire time!

Josie loved holding Charlie. She was so sweet and gentle with him. 

All the toys were out of the box, so Sam thought he should hop right in!

Josie was reading bedtime stories to Charlie!