Memory Lane {cousins}

I have not done a 'memory lane' post in a long time, but this recent picture taken at Tyler's graduation party brought back memories of a favorite picture of the cousins when they were much littler. :)

(Drew, Jake, Tyler, cousins Max and Riley: missing cousin Ian)

(picture taken in 2001--front row Jake, Riley, Tyler and Drew; back row Ian and Max)

"A cousin is a ready-made friend for life."

Basement Restoration

In the last post I did about our basement after it had been flooded ended with a picture of drywall being torn out to allow the walls to dry.

Since that last post, we have had new drywall put in.

We have ripped out the old carpet.

Tyler and Jake have been sharing the lower level family room since coming home from college. They have been such troopers through this whole process but I know they were both anxious to have their rooms back and a little privacy--and a place to put their things. :)

The carpet was installed.

The carpet came earlier than we expected and so the priming and painting happened after that.

Jake wanted his room green... for Notre Dame.

And Tyler's room we did a cream color.

And one month to the day exactly, we moved the boys back into their rooms!!

Tyler's room is just waiting for a new bed that he purchased to be delivered.

It is such a great feeling to have the basement finished and the boys moved back in where they belong!

Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend is always a favorite of mine as it is the unofficial kick-off to summer. Drew still has a few more days of school, but the weather has finally turned nicer and the lazier days of summer seem just with in reach. This year our Memorial Day weekend was a blend of house stuff, relaxing, good food and a party.

Friday night, Pete, Tyler, Drew and I went to one of our favorite spots to grab a hamburger, Blue Door Pub in St. Paul.

Kind of a blurry picture, but the mischievous faces make me smile.

Saturday, we hosted a small family party to celebrate Tyler's graduation.

We kept food simple with pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, pasta salad, beans and fruit salad.

We were so happy to have so many relatives over to celebrate with us.

That evening we enjoyed a bonfire out in the backyard.

Sunday morning was spent at the Minneapolis Farmers Market,

where Pete's favorite loaded brat may have been enjoyed,

and flowers bought.

The rest of the long holiday weekend was devoted to painting the basement level. We are getting so close to moving Jake and Tyler back into their rooms.

And between all of the painting we made some amazing fish tacos.

Weekends always go by way too fast!

Tyler's College Graduation

We have been anxiously anticipating Sunday and the day arrived with much happiness and gratitude. This is a day that Tyler has worked so incredibly hard to get to and a day that Pete and I as parents couldn't be more proud to see our oldest son reach this huge milestone!

The day started early and we were off to St. John's University by 9am.

We met at Tyler's apartment and then headed to the Commencement Luncheon.

Next we went down to Lake Sagatagan on campus to get some pictures before the graduation ceremony. Maria helping Tyler with his gown and hood. :)

brothers 

It was a busy weekend for these two as they celebrated Maria's graduation on Saturday from St. Ben's. 

Commencement began at 2pm in the Abbey and University Church. 

The commencement speaker was The Honorable Kathleen Blatz who gave speech and in part quoted an article called the 'Flying Trapeze' by Joshua Rosenthal. 

She likened the transition of graduation from college to moving to the next swing of the trapeze. She said to embrace this time of transition (between SJU and the what's next). "In the end the space between the trapeze bars will be as much as part of your life story as what you do when you are holding on."

"It is not so much what you do with your life but how you do it... It is the how that tells the world what you value and what kind of person you are..."

So very proud of you Tyler Michael!

After the commencement we went back to Ty's apartment. We brought several bottles of champagne and some (plastic) champagne flutes :) and celebrated with Ty's friends and their families. Each of the graduates gave a toast which made for a special and meaningful way to end their time together at SJU.

We had dinner reservations at Fuji at the Hibachi grill to continue on with the celebration!

The entire day was absolutely perfect. The weather was gorgeous. The ceremony was special. The day was an easy, laid-back and super enjoyable day filled with family memories! And most importantly; my son is a college graduate!!!!!