Smilin' Moon

Weekend at the lake...

this time it's Iowa's great lake...Lake Okoboji! 














I needed coffee to keep me going, because on our drive home we stopped in West Bend, Iowa, at The Grotto....




Notice our dramatic children...They seriously did this on their own!!!!

We Want YOU!!!!

to have a great 4th of July holiday!

May you enjoy great, summertime food...

fun times shared with friends & family...

and may you remember the GOOD parts of our country's past and HOPE for the future!

Soft Sand & Sunlight....

We just returned from our spontaneous (somewhat!) vacation to Michigan!  Last year we returned from our Cape Cod trip with loads of sea shells....This year we returned from Lake Michigan with soft, smooth beachstones...very magical in the way seashells seem.

We had a week in mind for our vacation this summer....and had planned another trip to Cape Cod.  Due to many circumstances beyond our control, we couldn't commit fully to our plans and instead decided to drive somewhere with water and an element of relaxation (We determined our destination Thursday and left on Friday!!!).  We chose Michigan---New Buffalo area, but explored north a bit as well (Who knew this area was so close to Chicago and only a 7-8 hour drive for us!!!).  We played and rested on the beaches, explored, bicycled, dined, rode trains, go-carts, bumper boats and climbed dunes.  It was like therapy for the soul for all of us.  Here are some glimpses....Enjoy!

Lucy running with kite!

Waiting for sunset...

We happened upon an amazing train museum---took a ride

and witnessed an amazing civil war re-enactment!

I may appear interested (it was a GREAT museum/experience!), but it was Sunday afternoon and I was TIRED---so with snuggly Charlie in my lap I enjoyed a bit of a snooze on our train ride!

Another fabulous dinner out with the family...

and a cocktail for mom and dad....

Oh, and a quick family picture!

But it's almost sunset...so BACK TO BEACH WE GO!


There's nothing like a sunset on the beach...
Please watch our "Photo Albums" and posts for more photos of our vacation!

Irish Dance Footage

">lucy's irish recital

Lucy is the first one to come through the "tunnel"...and stands in the center at the beginning.  It's hard to tell with costumes, wigs, etc....but when she comes through the "dancer-made tunnel" first, she's adorable!  She was all smiles!

Countdown...

to the big dance recital!  We're down to less than 24 hours, and so far we have no rips or tears in costume or tights...tomorrow morning Lucy will transform once again into the most adorable little soft-shoe Irish dancer you've ever seen! 
    Last night I learned that it's customary (although you don't have to do it...but then that spells "bad, slacker mom!") to give everyone else in dance class a "good luck" treat or flower or goodie.  Luckily I learned this tip before Target closed and here is what we came up with:

a goodie bag with chocolate goodies and a computer-printed card tied with green ribbon.  Whew!  Glad that project is done!

And now, a brief glimpse into last evening's festivities...music and fun on Main Street!

Early Summer Fun

There's nothing like "Slip 'n Slide" and running through the sprinkler on a hot summer day!

Working...but slowly

on some projects!  May is the BUSIEST month for us; baseball, soccer, Irish Dance, Gymnastics shows, school concerts, talent shows, play dates---it doesn't stop!  I will update our blog regularly starting this weekend.  I have a new camera and many pictures to share.  The new "art desk" will be nearly finished and many painting/refinishing/organizing projects will be documented!  Here's a glimpse of the art desk project...

Oh, and we will photograph our gardening projects this weekend, too!
J

one reason

we've been neglecting our blog....

2008 St. Cecilia Gala Sets New Record; Over $225,000 Raised!

(Ames, IA) The 2008 St. Cecilia Gala Committee announced that at the April 19, 2008 event, the St. Cecilia Gala, over $225,000 was raised to go toward the St. Cecilia Education Endowment Fund, as well as to underwrite SMARTboard technology purchases, installation, software and maintenance for the school. The theme this year was “Sharing Our Gifts from God”.

Over 300 people attended the event, held at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center. The features of the evening included appetizers and dinner, a Live and Silent Auction, a 50/50 raffle, a game of chance called "Heads or Tails" (the winner of it won a 42” LCD TV and a catered party for 50 from Hy-Vee Catering); the evening was headlined by renowned charity auctioneer David A. Goodman, from Chicago, IL, and the evening was emceed by Gala co-chair David Suntken.

Prior to the Live Auction, Parish Council President Chuck Gilarski announced the Honorary Alumnus Award was being given to William J. Burke, longtime contributor to and parishioner of St. Cecilia. Johna and Todd Clancy, who have been deeply involved for several years in many volunteer activities at the school and church, were given the award for Outstanding Volunteers.

Saint Cecilia School has been providing Catholic Christian education to children in the Ames area for more than 80 years (1925). The school currently serves over 250 area children, from its blossoming preschool programs, through fifth grade. Church programs also provide religious education and fellowship to children and families from Ames and surrounding communities. In the first two years, the St. Cecilia Gala proceeds exceeded $144,000 each year. Ninety percent was placed in the Saint Cecilia Education Endowment Fund with the remaining funds being used to purchase ‘immediate needs’ materials for school and youth religious education programs.

The 2008 St. Cecilia Gala Co-chairs are Jody & Darryl Bennett, Jennifer & Chris Masini, and Dianne & David Suntken.

Pictured below are the Gala Co-chairs and some members of the Gala volunteer team. From left to right, the women in the picture are: Kelly Stewart, Marcie Niegsch, Dianne Suntken, Jody Bennett, Jean Dirks, and Jennifer Masini. From left to right, the men in the picture are: Jason Niegsch, David Suntken, Darryl Bennett, Auctioneer David Goodman, and Chris Masini.

Happy Easter

Merry Easter!  The snow fell softly during Easter Vigil mass tonight...Wishing you a season of new beginnings, hope and life!
Here's what we did to celebrate...

Indoor Easter Egg Hunt...

Easter Egg Hunt lunch with friends...

Henry & Peter...

Charlie hugging the Easter Bunny!

When the sidewalks thaw....

and the ice melts away----we walk to the park and linger in the yard...even if it's only 35 and breezy.  We don't mind...it feels warm to us and we are told that it's SPRING!  We'll keep pestering and persisting...until the grass turns green and the daffodils bloom.  We've only just begun....