Tony's Send Off

This past weekend, Tony wrapped up his final musical director position, at least for a few years. This was a hard decision, but one that we feel will be beneficial for us as parents. I hope that he can continue to be involved in the theater in some capacity until our parenting responsibilities are less time consuming. Music and theater are his passion.

Two other main actors of the crew that Tony has been involved with in theater are also expecting babies in February/March, so they are finishing with theater for a while. The Rep and Stewartville Community Theater may be seeing some new faces in the near future.

Here is a shot of almost the entire cast from Camelot with Tony included.

Planning her escape

Luna is our little adventurous kitty. I swear she can hear our garage doors open a mile away and comes running to the breezeway door. She also senses when we are getting ready to walk out the breezeway door. Then, when we least expect it, she slithers through and starts exploring. She knows to go right to the corner behind the big recycling bin because we can't reach her there. After 5 minutes of exploring, she slowly makes her way back into the house.

Tony was heading out to get the cat food from the car and Luna thought she should help him.

To-mato or not to-mato?

Alan, my father-in-law, was so kind to give us a little tomato plant to begin our gardening journey this spring. We bought a big barrel from Fleet Farm and diligently cared for our little plant.

Then, a big wind and rain storm ripped through Stewartville forcing our little tomato plant down to the ground. I was a pessimist. I figured that was it for our nice tomatoes that had started to grow. Tony, my optimistic better half, decided he would not give up on our tomatoes.

I'm still wondering if they'll ever ripen, but we have a bunch of nice little green ones hanging around now!

Here comes the bride...

or bouquet that is.

Last year on October 30, the day after our wedding, Tony and I went to my aunt and uncle's (Mark and Christa) to return their cooler we borrowed for the bridal party bus drinks. Christa's family was there and kept commenting on how beautiful and vibrant our bouquets were. They told me about Simply Home Grown down in St. Ansgar, IA that freeze dries flowers and makes them into encased arrangements.

I immediately went home, looked them up and called to set up an appointment for the next day. It takes a very long time to get this done because she waits to have a lot of flowers at once. She was concerned with the type of Gerber daisy we had in my bouquet because she's never worked with that variety.

However, this winter I went down to take a look at them after they had be freeze dried. They turned out beautifully! I then picked out how I wanted them arranged and in what encasement.

Tonight, Tony and I drove down to St. Ansgar to pick them up. I just love it!

ECO-Tri

This weekend was probably my busiest weekend all summer. It started on Friday night with hosting a Camelot cast party. The cast didn't leave our house until 2am! Let's just say, pregnancy has kept me from staying up this late...I was exhausted come Saturday morning. Becky came to visit us this weekend as well. She helped me set up for the cast party and enjoyed all of our weekend festivities.

We kicked off the Eco-Tri with an Eco-Fry. We all went to Laur and Jill's and enjoyed some fried zucchini. I did not try any this year because fried foods are not going so well for me as of right now. Becky enjoyed her first taste of fried zucchini. Thank you Laur and Jill for the ENORMOUS amount of spaghetti you made. I scarfed down two huge plates!

The boys headed off to bring the kayaks and bikes to the race, so Becky and I drove Kate and Maya to Kasson, so Maya could take her afternoon nap. We enjoyed some chatting time with Kate while the cutie slept. Then Mindy and the kids came home. We walked up to the park to enjoy the Kasson festival in the park. Of course I chowed down on some mini-doughnuts. Luckily, I wasn't the only one, but I think I out ate everyone...

After we spent some time with just the kids and girls, Becky and I went to West Concord to my friend Sarah's house. She was having a party of the summer! The food was DELICIOUS, and it was so fun to see some old Triton friends and students.

Becky and I were quite tired by this point, but we drove back to Kasson to watch the fireworks with the kids, Jon, Mindy, Laur and Jill. They were very nice. Harvey would yell go every time he wanted another firework to go off. Very cute.

Saturday turned into another late night for us. We got back from the fireworks shortly before Tony returned from Camelot's Sat. showing, so we decided to wait up for him. We got to bed shortly before midnight. This was one tired momma-to-be!

My parents really enjoy seeing Becky when she visits, but we didn't know when we'd fit that into her visit. We woke up very early Sunday to stop by their house before the Eco-Tri. 7am we were knocking on their door! My mom was still sleeping, but we dragged her out for some coffee and visiting. We had to get to Laur and Jill's by 8 to get a start to Fisherman's Inn.

Ok, now the pictures will start...I was charging my camera all day Saturday, so I missed those wonderful events...

Here the boys are before getting all sweaty and stinky.

G. Jayne and G. Bob decided they wanted to see what all the fuss was about. They've been hearing Eco-Tri talk for the past 2 years. I think they really enjoyed themselves. 

We went out to the boat landing to give the boys our send off. Harvey and Natalie made adorable signs for their daddy and uncles. 

and the boys are off! The first length of the Tri is kayaking.  They start off at Fisherman's Inn and portage the dam, they then get out at Camp Victory.

 
We hopped in our cars and went to Camp Victory to continue to cheer them on. It was quite a hike down to where they brought the kayaks in. The hike included a very steep muddy hill. Yes, G and G made the trek with us! If I'm half as able as they are at 90, I will be so lucky! Talk about inspirational..

Brian was our first boy in. He gave us some splashes with his paddle. He might have been having some fun out there. 

Jon was not far behind Brian. He was smiling from ear to ear when he saw his cheering kids!

And here's my hubby coming in. He was a ways behind his brothers, but to be fair he had no time to train. I give him a lot of credit for giving it a go.

We made it up the hill in time to watch Tony take off on the bike. 

Here's Brian getting ready to spit water at Kate and Maya. Oh my...

Here comes Jon. He wasn't trailing far behind Brian. 

Natalie and Harvey and their wonderful signs. 

While we were waiting for the boys to come in and transition to the run, the kids were enjoying the rain. 

Brian coming in to finish. He placed 8th overall! Way to go Brian!

I believe we take 10min off this time to get the boys times. They were in the 3rd heat, starting 10 minutes after the initial starting time. 

Jon was so close behind Brian!

Harvey loved wearing his daddy's medal. 

and Tony made it in too. 

He beat his time from last year. I'm so proud :)

Group photo after the stink and sweat. I would have to say it was a long drive home with Tony in the car...

I told them to turn around so I could get a leg shot. All three boys turned around and squatted like they were going to moon me. They are all so similar...

It was a busy but great weekend! When I got home from the Eco-Tri I took a 3.5 hour nap, and felt much better. Unfortunately, Tony headed to do his last performance of Camelot and then set tear down. I bet he's going to be exhausted when he gets home tonight!

Meeting the Cats

I have been spending my summer days nannying for a family in Rochester. The mom and dad are both ophthalmologists at Mayo Clinic, and they like to keep their kids busy for the summer. Much of our days are spent in a car driving to and from various day camps. Friday, only Maya had a day camp, so Mara, Nick and I packed it up and drove down to our house. They have been dying to meet our kitties, but Maya is allergic. We needed to find  a time when she wouldn't be with us. Friday was perfect! Mara even drew a beautiful picture for Tony before we drove down. They were excited to meet him as well.

Sol was the favorite. Luna watched from a distance as Sol gave them entertainment.

Pizza and No Pool

This weekend was the Eco-Triathlon that Jon, Brian and Tony have competed in the past two years. Brian, Kate and Maya decided to come over to the Rochester area on Thursday to enjoy some extra family time! We invited both brothers and their families to our home for family swim at the Stewartville pool and pizza afterwards. Unfortunately, the rain and chilled air kept us from swimming, but we sure enjoyed some delicious pizza together.

Harvey enjoyed playing with the kitty toys. I hadn't seen him in a while, and this is where I found him.

Maya LOVED sitting on Aunt Mindy's lap. Notice the adorable bib. Which aunt is she referring to...

Natalie liked the cat toys as well. 

Since I set up fruit ninja for the kids, it was calibrated to my height. We weren't sure how to change that (until we were all done), so Uncle Tony helped Harvey be the best fruit ninja he could be!

Then Natalie needed a turn. 

Natalie discovered a new way to play fruit ninja.

Kate is my favorite fruit ninja by far. She has some wonderful side effects to go with it. Notice she's on her knees. We figured out how to calibrate it for the kids, but then the adults wanted a turn! Listen VERY closely for those ninja noises!

What a fun evening together. We need to do that more often!