Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

This past weekend, our family celebrated Father's Day by going to the Knight's Baseball Game. This was the first baseball game that the boys had ever been to. We had great seats, thanks to Aunt Ali...right down near the dugout. The boys really enjoyed the game, and we really enjoyed seeing Grandpa and Grandma Seefried as well as Aunt Ali before she headed off to India. Nana brought so many snacks that the boys were content, and Papa bought them some icecream in a baseball helmet. Fun times!

Part VIII...The Wedding

Isaac and Amanda's wedding was beautiful. I think everyone on our pew teared up right along with Isaac when he saw Amanda walking down the isle. She looked beautiful in her wedding gown.

I'm glad that the boys gave her a good entrance by walking (not running) up the isle. Isaac and Amanda's wedding was all the boys talked about for two weeks. Before the wedding, the boys had the big idea that they were going to marry Amanda, but after the wedding, they just talked about how they did a good job not running.

Part VII...Getting Ready

Early morning, we left Megan's house and picked up a few things at the Dollar Store to help the boys stay quiet during the service. It was a misty, cloudy morning, but by the time we made it to Cincinnatus, the clouds were clearing. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Aunt Ali helped us get the boys ready and we made sure to stress the importance of it being Isaac and Amanda's special day....in other words, no running up the isle or funny stunts. While we were waiting for the big moment, Ali must have read 20 books to the boys to keep them calm. As you can tell from the picture, the boys weren't used to wearing ties :-)

Part VI...The Rehearsal

Da, Da, Da-Da, Da, Da, Da-Da....So here we are at Isaac and Amanda's rehearsal. We were so excited that they had asked the boys to be in the wedding. We weren't sure how the boys would do, but it was such a blessing to us for Amanda and Isaac not to be stressed about the whole "performance" thing. Thanks, guys!

Amanda looked beautiful and if Isaac was stressed, he didn't show it. It was a smooth rehearsal except for the boys understanding that this was an important event.

For the rehearsal dinner, U. Tom and A. Doris had set up tables at their house. There were speides and all the great sides to go with it plus peanut butter pizza for dessert....yum! The boys loved the food! During the dinner, Isaac came by with gifts for the boys: a Jimmie Johnson race car that pops out a helmet for Seth and a Jeff Gordon for Nathan, with matching pez dispensers and their ties for the wedding. The boys LOVED the race cars and are still excited about playing with them to this day!

We left after that to get the boys in bed for the BIG DAY!

Part V...Visiting Julie

Thursday was a gorgeous day in NY, and we got to spend some time with Julie at Dorchester Park. It was so memorable last year when the boys met Julie at Camp BaYouCa for the first time. Her family was in the cabin next door to us, and the boys enjoyed hanging out with "Miss JEWelee" for the week. Every time I spend time with her, I feel rejuvinated, like a kid again. After playing on the playground, we made our way down to the creek and tiptoed up the rocks and around the slippery spots, splashing in the water. I forgot how much fun that could be! Then it was off to a local ice cream shoppe for some good 'ole fashioned icecream. We always take the boys' shirts off when they eat icecream because a big melted mess with sprinkles on top inevitably ends up on their shirts! It was a great time reconnecting with Julie and spending that time with her. Here are some of the pics that she captured of our day. Thanks for the fun time and icecream, Jules!

Part IV...Staying at Megan's House

My cousin, Megan, graciously invited us to stay at her home in Endicott Wednesday night through Sunday morning. It was fun spending time with her, and we appreciated the nice place to stay during wedding festivities! The boys know her as the "Cake Megan" because she has made all of their birthday cakes for as long as they've lived. That has been really special to them; so much so, that when they have a pretend birthday party for their stuffed animals, the cake--not the presents, mind you--is THE most important thing!

Anyways, it was good to see all the improvements that she has done in her home, and the boys really enjoyed the tire swing in the back yard! Thanks again, Megan, for a wonderful visit!

Part III...Visiting Megan and family

We drove down to Sherburne, where my best friend Megan lives! We were so excited to see her family and spend time with Mike and the boys (who are getting so big!) Alex just turned 15, and I remember when he was our boys' age...it hardly seems possible that next year he will be driving!
We had a great dinner with the Rodriquez family (thanks, Mike for making your special rice dish...yum!) Then it was off for a romp on top of their big hill. How great is it to have a bon fire area up on top of your hill? The boys enjoyed stomping and falling in the tall grass. It reminded me of when I was little kid and we would trapse everywhere up and down hills and through the grass. Thanks, Meg, for the walk down memory lane. It was a great time of catching up, fellowship and joy being able to see each other again. Even though the time with them was short, it was very memorable!
Since I didn't have my camera with me and Meg is the camera ace anyways, pictures will coming from her shortly!

Part III...More Driving

We stopped at Wegmans (yum!) to get some subs and other odds and ends for our picnic lunch on our way from Buffalo to Sherburne, NY. We stopped in Skaeneatles by the lake and ate while we watched the boats go by. It was a beautiful day in a small country town. We took a walk downtown and stopped at a small shoppe where Jeff was able to buy his traditional vacation fudge!

Part II of our Vacation in Buffalo, NY

The last night we were at Jerad and Kathy's, we stopped at Pizza Junction (Jeff's favorite) and then down to the river to walk around and get some ice cream. It was a fun family time to remember! During the 15 minute ride to Pizza Junction, the boys fell asleep in the car; they were so exhausted! I couldn't resist the picture of them sleeping with their shades on!

NY Vacation...First Stop: Jerad and Kathy's house!

It was great to see Jerad, Kathy, Katrina and Joy for a whole 3 1/2 days! We really enjoyed our visit with them; it was bittersweet to say hello, knowing that we would have to say goodbye at the end.....they are moving to San Fransico! As I write this, we rejoice with them because they just found out that the offer they put on their house out there was accepted!
Katrina was finishing up her last few days of school while we visited. She is so big now, and Joy continues to live up to her name! We had a great time watching them play in the inflatable pool, going out to eat and just being able to talk and relax! What a blessing to see them all before their move!