Summer Days . . .

 

The most beautiful summer sunset from our backyard this week . . .

Lots of swimming!

{Kate, Victoria, Alice}

Bear and I love to check out the flowers on our early morning hikes . . .

Pure silliness at the neighbors house . . . 

Mike and I did Dinner Club at the Schlick's and it 

was a wonderful night with good friends . . .

When Mike wasn't working this week, he was helping build the set design for Molly's show next weekend, Beauty & the Beast. 

Bear and I walked into the storm (literally) and got just a little wet. It was FUN!

Molly swam with Campbell.

My favorite breakfast this summer that I make daily - I call it a caprese omelette - with fresh basil from the garden!

Playing with the neighbors . . .

Saturday night, we went to see "Descendants" at Theatre in the Park.

We rode with the Ammeen family - love their family of 4 girls!

It was a gorgeous night for outdoor theatre - not too hot!

Margaret + Molly, good friends.

Cecilia + Kate

Swimming with the Schlick's on Sunday!

Ruby + Kate

Bear is still living his best life!

In Florida, For a Proper Goodbye to Uncle Mark

My dear Uncle Mark passed away last week so my Dad and I flew to Florida on Father's Day together to honor his beautiful life with my lovely Aunt Carol. Brian and Sarah flew to meet us as well from Denver and Dallas.

What a beautiful marriage and life they had together.

We were all honored to a part of his funeral mass.

It was a beautiful mass, with Fr. Pat Rush giving the homily, touching on Carol and Mark being at the tippy top of his friends list and hard for him as well to say goodbye. 

A beautiful military ceremony at the cemetery followed as Mark was a proud member of the US Air Force.

Carol, her good friend Barb, and Fr. Pat Rush.

My cousin David and me.

Presenting the flag to Carol.

Loved hearing so many great stories and sharing memories of Uncle Mark.

Tschechtelin Cousins

{Brian, Mark, Sarah, Me, David}

We all got to keep one of of Mark's favorite hats. I will wear it with pride.

Oh how we miss you already, Markie!

A beautiful celebration honoring and toasting to a life well lived.

Mike Halterman loves to tease Dad.

Very very much missed Mom on this trip and I know it was very hard for her to not be with her sister during this tough time. But she did not feel well enough to travel. She was never far from our thoughts over the 4 days together, just the 4 of us together in Florida.

Father's Day!

 

It was a FUN Father's Day Weekend with a celebratory grill-out with ice cream cake, swimming at the pool, and taking Dad to see the new Disney movie in the theatre.

Bear was excited to celebrate his favorite dad too!

Chocolate Peanut-Butter Ice Cream Cake was a hit!

My Dad drove up in the afternoon, as we booked our flight together for a funeral in Florida on Father's Day. So, silver lining - I got see my Dad ON Father's Day this year.

The girls were excited to show Papa Don the new game table they gave to Mike for Father's Day. 

Grandpa helped "break it in!"

Kate's Summer Piano Recital

 

Was so nice to see Kate in a piano recital again, with no masks so we could see her sweet face while playing! Lots of Cure' friends also take lessons from Mrs. Chou as well so it was a crowded auditorium with lots of friendly faces! The Hennes cousins take lessons from her as well - so was fun to get to see them play their recital pieces too. 

She practices every day and really LOVES playing!  

So proud.

Cousin Pix!

Katie (10), Haley (8), Kate (9)

Afterwards we went to mass with the Hennes at Cure' 

and Molly served with her good friend, Anna. 

June Days . . .

 

We've had our first big HEAT WAVE and it's been HOT but we are loving the slower paced summer schedule, none the less! 

Kate loves to scooter next to Bear and I on our walks . . .

Molly had a call back for a lead part in Beauty & the Beast this summer!

And she got it! Molly will play Madame Grande!!! 

She is already working on her lines and solo parts!

Pajama Day at rehearsals last week!

My herbs are loving this heat! 

Trying to walk Bear around 6 or 6:30 a.m. before it gets too hot and I love the peaceful morning time in nature so much!

Game night was Rummikub this week and Bear thought he was playing too. ;)

The sweetest, cuddlest puppy there ever was . . . 

Kate surprised me one morning when I got out of the shower with a "tea party" all set up for the two of us. I loved how she had candles out and a tea assortment, honey, snacks and more. It was so fancy and thoughtful. She is so creative. 

I learned that PB+P stands for Peanut Butter on a Pretzel Crisp!

The tea was delicious . . .

But the conversation even better!

She even put Bear's tie on him so he could be fancy too . . .

Sister Sleepovers in the basement because, well it's summer!

We still love play-doh!

And still love the legos!

This one is growing so fast before my eyes and sometimes when I see her in our kitchen cooking, I have to do a double take! 

We took Bear to the playground with us on one of our walks - he loved it!

Kate "trained" Bear to be a spy with her. 

He had to take an oath, thus the paw on Kate's hand.

I was told never to move this tape as it contains fingerprint samples.