Happy Birthday, Grandpa Orton!

We went over to my sister and brother-in-law's house to celebrate my dad's birthday today, and it truly was one of those days where everything was just right. Perfect weather, delicious food, good company, happy kids. Life is good. Love you, Dad!

Robbie and Caroline having fun with the bubble blower

My Dad kicking back with two of his son-in-laws

Evan cuddling with his godfather, Uncle Bill

Evan sharing his caterpillar with Grandpa

Two years ago today...

...we traveled to Italy for Mike's (Dave's brother) wedding. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MIKE AND VIKA! (My parents watched the other kids while we were gone, God bless them! Evan needed to come because he was still nursing, and it was too expensive to bring everyone.) I happened across a few pictures that I have stored on this computer of our trip, and I thought they would be fun to post. (I wish I had more pictures of the wedding on this computer, because it was amazing! I'll see if I can add some from our other computer.) Evan was only about 6 months old at the time, and it still makes my mind boggle that we did it. We managed to keep up with the wedding and all of the sightseeing pretty well, nursing, changing and toting Evan around in some very historic places. :)

Mount Vesuvius from the city of Pompeii

Evan snoozing in his carrier in Pompeii

Evan and Mom in front of Trevi fountain
In front of the Coliseum
In the Coliseum
In front of some Roman ruins
What in the world was I doing with my baby up that late on the Spanish Steps? Well, being practically on the other side of the world where day was night to us and night was day, he pretty much slept when he wanted to. :)

Rockclimber in Training

Just look at this boy...so strong, so proud, so big. Way to go, Evan! You did it!

The Geologist and his assistant, The Fairy

Henry received a crystal excavating kit for his birthday, and spent a good chunk of the past couple of afternoons freeing 4 pieces of crystal from a plaster block. He has tenacity, that is for certain. He enlisted the help of his little sister, who graciously took off some time from important fairy business to help brush dust away with a paint brush. When he finally got the crystals out and cleaned them off, he was beaming. This boy LOVES rocks, crystals, geodes, anything like that! He's always told me that he'd like to be a geologist, a volcanologist, or a paleontologist. That would not surprise me. :)

I mentioned in another post that Evan's accessory of choice is his froggy boots. Caroline's would be her fairy wings. She even wore them when she rode her bike to school the other day.

The other thing that she likes to wear are dresses, especially the ones that flow out when she spins. Wear both the wings and a floaty dress, and she is a happy little girl!

Seth's Drama Debut

Seth acted in his first school play today, playing the part of the husband in Rapunzel. He did a fabulous job, and of course, we are very proud of him. Interestingly enough, Henry also played the part of the husband when he was in first grade! We have established a tradition in the roles the Noseks play, but I'm thinking that by the time Caroline is in first grade, she'll get a different part. ;)
Here he is, acting away. Now, we do have to work with him on projecting his voice, so in order to hear his lines, you may have to turn your volume up to full blast. As you watch this, you may want to pay particular attention to the anguish (or lack of it) Seth portrays when he has to give up his firstborn daughter to the witch. It's priceless!



In addition to their big play, Seth's class also had a surprise shower for their teacher, Miss Dalton. She will be getting married this summer! Miss Dalton is going to be looping next year, so she'll keep this entire class for second grade. We couldn't be more pleased that Seth will be staying with her! (Seeing this shower brought back so many fond memories of the shower my students threw Dave and I when we were about to be married!)
Caroline came with me to help with the shower. She was soooooooooo excited to be visiting Seth's class!

Cooking with Caroline (and Evan)

Today, Caroline and her assistant, Evan, made Daddy's favorite, TATER TOT CASSEROLE.
This is a kid friendly recipe with just a few ingredients thrown together in a baking dish: frozen tater tots, cooked ground beef, mushroom soup, milk, minced onions and garlic seasoning. After all is mixed, bake. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Caroline's helpful hints for this tasty dish:
1. Place tater tots in the dish ONE AT A TIME. Exact placement of the tots is critical.
2. Cook at 7 degrees for 4 minutes (and then at 350 degrees for half an hour :) ).

Evan's helpful hint:
Don't taste the mixing spoon you use to mix up the mushroom soup, milk, onions and garlic. It does not taste the same as cookie batter.

Happy Memorial Day!

The cub scouts marched in our local veteran's Memorial Day parade today. It was so well done...simple, solemn, focused on the meaning of the day. The veterans and cub scouts marched down main street to a drum beat with flags raised all the way to the local cemetary. Quite a few people from our town had set up chairs and blankets there, and after we all settled, there was a ceremony, including a message, a reading of local fallen soldiers' names, scouts handing out poppies, a military gun salute, and a playing of taps.

I am thankful for our veterans, and proud of the way our community honors them.

Looking forward to more of the same :)

My brother-in-law, Mark, is an excellent photographer, and always has his camera ready to take picture, like these from last summer. Thanks for sending these to me, Mark! (You might want to click on the pictures to see them bigger, especially the panoramic ones. They are such fun!)

We are so excited that summer is starting, and that we'll be able to spend Sundays up with our family. The lakehouse belongs to Great Grandma. While she and Great Grandpa were raising their 5 children, they spent their summers at the lake. Their children brought their families up, so that all of the cousins were very close. And now Great Grandma and Grandpa's grandchildren are bringing their children. The cousins and second cousins play together like brothers and sisters.

This place has been such a blessing...such memories, such fun, most every summer Sunday. :)