Birthdays, Birthdays, Graduation and a Baptism

Happy Birthday Lon & Jaime!



May kicked off with a fun filled birthday week for the Jerome/Olesens. Yes, this meant dinner at Kahn's and yes, this meant Alice and I had some bonding time as her mom and dad celebrated their special days. Win/win situation I'd say!

Happy Birthday Dad!


I tried to keep quiet - but many of you knew that mom and I were planning a surprise for my dad's 60th. I got a cheap flight for the long weekend, and mom put together a neighborhood party to celebrate dad's 60th birthday! I still can't believe we pulled it off! We didn't have the timing totally worked out beforehand - but it totally did. Mom picked me up from the airport around 3pm (dad thought she was "getting a hair cut") - we beat dad home (he had driven to AZ to buy PowerBall tix) - and when he walked into the house - I was sitting at the counter with a beer in hand. Mom captured his surprise on film. . well. . digital bits or something.


I had a great time having mom and dad all to myself. We spent a lot of time at their new Aliante Station - which was good for mom - not so good for me. At least we had an awesome breakfast there at The Original Pancake House. My long Memorial Day Weekend came to a close way too early - Love ya Mom and Dad!!



Graduation Season Begins


Emily was my student teacher this year. She was actually my 10th student teacher already (yeah! I know! It makes me feel old too!) - she was pretty awesome (which isn't a "given" when accepting undergrads into your classroom!) - and I'm pretty proud of her. She's headed to Grad School in Spain next year - and she will be awesome at that too! Good Luck Emily!

Happy Birthday Cecelia!

Cousin Jeff and wife Bridget had their baby yesterday - Cecelia Anne. Congrats you guys!

I am a Godmother

Penelope & Her Godparents :)

Today was Penelope Elizabeth's baptism. It was a beautiful day, a fun service, and a great party hanging out with the Nordins again! Cut to the chase - Tons-o-photos from today:

All Dressed Up for Penelope


Photo by Alice . . Yeah it's a cleavage shot - get over it! :)



The Nordin Kids


Cousins


Alice & Cousin Heidi


Alice & Penelope


Penelope & Me!


Auntie Michele & Penelope


Penelope & Auntie Julie


Alice and her buddy - Uncle Carl

Spring Catch-Up

Ok ok okay! Here's a QUICK update - with a few words - and some cute pics!


April 12th - Easter Sunday was calm. I headed over to Inver Grove Heights to join the Nordin kids for an awesome buffet breakfast at Khoury's. The food was YUMMY YUMMY - and even tho I didn't get ham leftovers - it was nice to not have to clean up!

I got a few pics of the cutest family ever before they headed out to meet Jaime's family for dinner later - and I got to hang out and enjoy a quiet Sunday.





We've been enjoying the nice weather - and getting out the grill as much as possible. I think everyone likes hanging out outside!




April 24th - Some of the best days ever just can't be planned. I took the day off to see my dermatologist (a mole that was bugging me) - ps - biopsy came back totally normal - and ended up meeting Heidi for lunch - who was hanging with Gen & Penelope - so it was four ladies for lunch!!

After lunch - Heidi and I headed to some history museum she had to go to for a class. It was fun - and informative! :) Of course - a perfect ending to our field trip - a stop at Cold Stone was necessary! (have you tried their iced coffee?? YUM!)



. . . and an ending to the perfect day - a snuggle with Alice!

Easter Weekend Grill

We broke out the grill for a yummy dinner. I even attempted the yummy Weight Watchers Cake that Juli had made. (easy schmeazie!!) Cake mix + can of diet soda!!

Dinner @ The Ranch

I spent the second afternoon of my Easter Vacation at John & Juli's ranch. Nick and Desi were home from Tucson and Nick and Leah came up from Rochester. We had a GREAT dinner - and yummy dessert. After dinner we spent some time outside with the animals. I'm excited to visit again with Baxter and Bella!

Nick & Desi


Leah & Nick


Me & Desi


Hunter


Mrs. B


(new puppy) Sayde


Nick & Leah's Shelby


Pancake


The Horses (no, I don't remember all their names) :)

Easter Weekend is Here!

Easter Weekend is Here! Alice has Thursdays off from school too - so we hung out and did our normal things: We went to a new library (our Roseville one is closed for renovations until NEXT Spring!!), went to McDonalds for lunch and play, and then to the craft store for stickers for Alice's "art project." We have such FUN when we're out and about!

. . . .Later That Day

For those of you keeping track. . . here is the backyard that same afternoon (I think the snow was pretty much gone by 1pm!)

So, Julie and I went to the Timberwolves game . . . and I spent most of the game watching this girl.


We first saw her walking up the stairs (her boyfriend was walking about 20 feet ahead of her). This poor girl wore a dress that pretty much looked like a potato sack - and that was bad enough - and then, we saw her from behind - and almost saw the entire promise land!



Of course - even tho I was a freakin-paparrazi - I couldn't get the money shot . . oh well, at least Julie and I saw it! :)

Doggie Playdate

Yesterday was a blast. Ole (& Bridget & Jeff, too) came over to play. The puppies tired themselves out - and we enjoyed hanging out - GRILLING for the first time this year - and playing a little Rock Band! Come again soon, Ole!!

This is what Baxter & Ole did for the first hour or so!


"Alice's Rock - Spring"


Bella didn't bother with Baxter & Ole


Alice told Ole & Baxter "You guys have to share!"


Bella Sera - April 4th


Baxter Delmar - April 4th


Alice Mae - April 4th


. . . and here's the backyard this morning - April 5th! Welcome to SPRINGTIME, in Minnesota, Here is your fuel bill, Ha Ha Ha Ha! (mom and dad got that reference :)