Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma!!!!

We had a very busy weekend! It was my grandma's 80th birthday (My mom's mom). The festivities started Thursday evening. My family, except me (I had to be at clinical), ate dinner at my grandma's house. My Uncle Doug flew in from Arizona to be with us. Then on Friday my aunt Julie and my mom had planned a surprise luncheon for my grandma and her friends to honor her. It turned out to be a really nice luncheon. It did get emotional at times. I could barely speak to say a memory about my grandma. She really is an awesome grandma!!! Then my cousin Chadd and his new fiance flew in from Texas to be with us, too. Friday night we all met at the La Gondola in Washington to have a family meal. It was really nice and relaxing. Saturday morning we went out to my Uncle's house for a family picture (Thank you Joy!). We haven't had a family picture since I was 10 or so. It was time for a new one. Then we went over to my mom's house to eat leftovers. It was nice for all of us to be together and talk. Then to round things out we had a fish dinner (my Uncle Doug is a great cook especially fresh fish) at my mom's house Saturday night. After dinner we watched a slide show from my mom growing up and her parents. It was so funny!! We had a lot of great laughs. Now for the pictures! They are all messed up again. Sorry. I will do a little explanation for each one.

Aunt Julie and Mom getting ready for the luncheon

There were four different tables that had different place settings. This is one of them.

This is the picture table we had at the luncheon.

I tried to get a full shot of the luncheon room.

Family dinner at La Gondola

This is my Grandma! Doesn't she look great?

This is what we served for dessert

This was the lunch (which was a chicken pocket, "fancy" carrots, and a strawberry tapioca parfait) I can't spell, sorry.

This is my mom, Uncle Doug, Aunt Julie, and my Grandma

Ava and Hayden practicing for our family picture

Coming home from dinner on Friday night

Same as above

Grandma and Don on Friday night

My brother, Caleb, and his daughter Gia

Hayden, Ava, and Gia eating a snack last night

If you remember from an earlier post, Ava hated the tractor ride. Yesturday she love it! Go figure

Daddy and Ava

Hayden being silly!

Making Memories Monday

I haven't had time to do a Flashback Friday or Memory Monday. School has been kicking my behind! I only have three weeks left plus finals week. I can't wait!!! I so need a break! Anyway, it was absolutely beautiful out today. So after Ava's dance class we came home and ate dinner outside. Then Hayden and Ava got some time to play outside. Here are some pictures of them having a blast!

Don't you just love his outfit. He had to wear his swimming suit! Silly boy!

Daddy getting ready to swing him "high"!

Eating our yummy dinner!


Ava was being silly!

Ava loves to swing by standing on the swing

I think they are swinging the wrong way!

Ava finally stopped for me long enough to get this super cute picture!

Memory Monday

Our Love Story

I know, I didn't post a flashback friday. So, I decided to do a memory monday. Also, I decided to tell how Brian and I met and share pictures of us before our children. Here we go!

I went to college in 1995 (Go ahead and laugh Megan and Ashley). I went to Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. It is a small Christian college. Anyway, we had roommate dates our freshman year. I lived on the top floor of my dorm and we were "special" because we all had three other people to live with. (I will do a flashback one day of my college memories) I was in another person's room and a boy called for someone in that room. That girl wasn't there at the time but the girl on the phone happened to say, "Does anyone want to go on a roommate date?" The guy on the other end said, "Sure, set Snyder up." So somehow our names got exchanged and I had this date with this Brian guy. I had no idea who he was or looked like and vice versa. So it was a true "blind date." Scary!!!!!! We went on the date on October 14, 1995. We went with a group of people to a burger restaurant and then to a hockey game (I hate hockey!). He did the nicest thing possible during the game. Someone spilled their drink so we moved up a couple of spots because of the wetness, so he stood on a chair (with wet sticky shoes) and helped me up and then he sat in the chair that he had stepped on. (How sweet!). We didn't talk that much because he was super shy (I know shocking for those of you who know Brian, sarcasm) and I was shy too. We had a nice date. After two days I called him to tell him I had a nice time. He called me back the next day and asked me out for two dates. I was so happy and excited. Anyway, we kept on dating and never looked back. The moment that really sticks out in my mind on how special he is was on my Christmas break in 1995. He had called my house in Morton, because I was home, to make sure I was ok. He had heard on the radio that there was a bad wreck on the bridge to Peoria. I thought it was so sweet for him to call and check on me. Anyway, he purposed to me on December 14, 1997 and we got married on June 12, 1999. Those special days are good for a flashback too.

Funny Ava

Ava looks every interested in what they are learning

I

I am not quite sure why she is making a "fish face"

Checking out some cool plants

This is Ava's preschool class. What a cute little bunch!

Ava said the funniest thing today. We were under a tent we made with a blanket and she was just being silly. So, I said, "Ava, why are you so cute?" She matter of fact said, "Because I'm fabulous." (No self esteem issues here, I guess) I started to crack up and so she started cracking up too. It was a very funny and cute moment. I am so happy that I got to have that moment with her. Lately I have felt so bad about being in school. I feel that I am always gone or when I am home I am working on school stuff. I can't wait to be done with school. The end is in sight.



Also, here are some pictures of Ava on her field trip from Tuesday. Her preschool class went to a botanical garden and learned about flowers and plants. Daddy got to go with her since mommy had to be at school. They had a lot of fun.

Fun Weekend

Ok, so my pictures are never in order. Sorry! Anyway here is Megan, me, and Ashley (The three muskateers). This was taken this past Saturday at our honor society induction.

This is Hayden and Grandpa (my dad) out at Mackinaw this past Sunday. Hayden loves the big tractors. It is a good thing my dad has quite a few. He got to help Grandpa move trees and tear them down. Hayden had a lot of fun and he got some special bonding in with Grandpa.


On Saturday night after the induction we went over to my mom and dad's for a cookout. After we ate Hayden and Ava got rides on a smaller tractor that they have at their house to work on their patio. Anyway, you can tell by this picture that Ava HATED it! What a girl!!!

This is Hayden on the same tractor. He LOVED it!!!

Ava had much more fun riding her "princess" bike.

This is my mom(she used to be a nurse) and me(a future nurse) at the induction.

Hayden and Grandpa

Playing "Chutes and Ladders" at Grammy's house on Saturday

Hayden and Grandpa moved a big rock in their backyard. My dad helped Hayden with the controls. Hayden was beside himself with glee!