Graduation

The day has finally arrived...TED GRADUATED!!! After 4 years (5, if you count St. Lawrence University right out of high school) of hard work, perserverance, determination, and a lot of sacrifice, he has earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs/Public Policy from St. Louis University. We are so proud of him, and are happy for him to be finished.

We have been lucky to do quite a bit of celebrating so far. Yesterday, Ted's work gave him a nice luncheon to celebrate, and they invited Nolan and I to participate as well. He is a lucky man to have such a great job filled with caring and supportive co-workers.

Last night we went to dinner with his parents, little sister Jody and his grandmother. It was delicious and nice to be together for celebrating.

Today, we had a fun-filled afternoon down at the SLU campus.

Lunch at a campus hot spot
The really old church where the ceremony was held
Nolan trying to find his daddy

Proof

More proof

Daddy and Nolan

Us

Nana, Nolan and Wada

Cute group

The handsome graduate

So, what next, you ask? We have been married for 4 years, 2 months and Ted has been a student for all but the first 4 months of this time. We aren't even going to know what to do with all this extra family time. I guess that now we can tackle those yard projects, organizing our house, camping, hiking, biking... I think we'll find some great things to keep us occupied.

Thank you so much to those of you who sent cards, phone calls, or kept us in your thoughts today and over the past 4 years. It has meant a lot to Ted and me. I am married to a college graduate! Yipee!

Catching up

Another span has passed in my non-blogging life. But I think we can now safely say that we are moving forward positively. Our computer has been replaced, the camera USB cord has been located, and I am back in the spirit of blogging. To begin this new chapter, I first have to share a little of what you have missed.


My pictures are backwards, so you get the mixed-up version.

Phoebe, Lily and Nolan

(GREAT neighbors!)

Ted graduates from College on Friday. That in and of itself is a beautiful thing, but I will post on that when it happens. With energy focusing away from school things, we have been enjoying some more family adventures! We went to Forest Park and had a nice picnic. It was a gorgeous day and such an ideal location for a picnic.

6 turtles!

Nolan and me infront of the art museum

Oreos are yummy!

"Art Hill" and the lake Nolan got caught
(Notice a toothbrush in each hand? Great dental hygene!)
My 30th birthday-at the Cardinal's Game

Right behind home plate!

My sister Melissa and her family came to visit from Colorado. We had so much fun and it was hard to see them leave. She did a much better job recording our adventure on her blog. Her kids are a blast, and Melissa and I did a ton of shopping. Sisters are really quite wonderful.

Kids on Easter

Lucas, Isabel, Nolan and ConnorNolan, Ted and I at the top of the arch Connor, Melissa and Isabel on top of the arch
Nolan and Lucas climbing a volcanoSisters and kids at the zoo

Well, you are mostly updated. I have to really complain for a minute about this horrible formatting thing with blogger lately. Rearranging pictures has become impossible! And I can't ever get my spacing right. I hate auto formatting!!! Big things are happening in the future, and I will keep you posted. (I am so funny!)

Happy Birthday to Me!

You may have noticed (but probably not) that I have not been in the blogging world lately. Actually, I haven't been in the computer world lately. Our computer (that we got in the fall) has decided to quit. We know the problem, and apparently, this type of computer suffers from this fatal flaw-with only a 90 day warranty. Sucks, huh? So, I have had scare access to the world. We are working on this problem, but who can really afford new computers???

But onto bigger, better stuff! MY BIRTHDAY! Ted and I took Nolan to his first Cardinals baseball game. We sat right behind home plate. We had a great time and Nolan was a superstar. He actually took a morning nap today to prepare-he hasn't done that in months! Thanks for the present, buddy! We went out for dinner together, and are just enjoying the evening of beautiful weather.

We have tons of fun pictures of all of our activities lately, but until we resolve this computer issue, this post will have to suffice. Cross your fingers that we figure it out soon! Oh, and being 30 really isn't too bad!

Jackpot!

I have become a HUGE Craigslist fan. As I was browsing today, I came upon an incredible find.

Nolan has been obsessed with trains since he turned one. We went to a train museum for his birthday, and he has loved them since. Thomas is a pretty expensive toy to love. I saw 5 engines at Target the other day for over $40. This set came with 22 engines and 10 other cars.It also has a big carrying case for the engines.
Check out the 4 buildings that came with it! A lumberyard, 2 cranes, and the depot/station thing.Poor little Nolan cried all through dinner because he couldn't wait to get back to playing with his new trains. Of course, Ted is pretty excited too!All this was only $40! Can you believe it??? And the lady was only about 5 minutes from our house. I call this a successful day!

Fit is Go

For the past year or so, we have been living life happily with no car payments. Our cars were no where near new, but we felt that they were fairly reliable and safe. Well, Ted drives around 30,000 miles a year for work. We took his car in on Thursday for what we thought was a small oil leak. Apparently, there is no such thing as "small". They guys told us there were many things needing to be replaced at a cost of at least $1500. Who wants to pay that for an old car??? Not us!

So, we spent every minute since Thursday in our search. It ended today with our new (used) Honda Fit! Only 8,000 miles and combined MPG of 35. Not too bad for a guy who does nothing but drive for his job. Yay for mileage reimbur

All Dressed Up with No Place to Go!

Nolan got his first tie. Cute, huh?

Blogging Slacker

I am so glad that it is spring! We have been playing outside for HOURS every day! Walking or biking to the park has taken up much of that time. We also love our little cul-de-sac. I know I've mentioned it, but there are 11 kids under the age of 10. Of course, all are girls except Nolan and #12 who will be born in April. We couldn't be luckier! We spend much of our time wandering around outside until someone comes out to play. Here are just a few pictures of our recent activities.

Hiking

Biking

Playing in the sand

Playing with trucks

Nolan's First Haircut.

Before

After
With friends at the park

Riding Horses...
...at our friend's birthday party!
Playing with Papa and Grandma
Ted and Nathan (across the street) playing with the Nerf Machine Gun.
(100 continuous rounds! Go Nathan!)
And just being cute!

Thanks for catching up with us! Did I mention how much I am LOVING spring???