Sonneman Island 2011

This year’s trip north (Fargo and the island in Canada) was I think the best yet.  Maybe that’s because of Josie, what did we do with our lives before she was here, or a history of what to expect when you’re going to the island…I don’t know.  We flew to Fargo, ran all over town getting things we need to take to the island for Josie and then hit the road the next morning.  It’s normally a 7 hour drive, but with little ones…we really didn’t know how long it would take.  She did really well playing with Lisa and me in the back, napped a little and we managed to get out a couple of times.  One of those times included a stop to my FAVORITE, Tim Hortons.  I hadn’t been in about 12 years and it was just as I remembered…..awesome coffee and of course donuts.  I don’t eat donuts, expect at Tim Hortons. 

Frank went up a week before us to get things ready so he met us at the landing.  We loaded up the boat, put Josie’s life jacket on and headed to the island.  It was a fabulous week of fishing, family time, adventures with a 1 year old and a not baby-proofed island, and happy hours on the deck.  I was really nervous about how it would all unfold with Josie crawling all over the place.  When I say not baby-proofed island, I mean that with sincere honesty, dirt, sticks, bugs, small swallowable toys, electricity only when the generator is on, a stove in the middle of the house, no running fresh water...need I go on?  It was perfect and we all had a wonderful time.  The rest of the details are in the pictures

Grandpa & Josie

Aunt Lisa giving Josie some juice

Uncle Don & Aunt Patty meeting Josie

first night was spaghetti dinner = bath!

Josie and her furry friend Maggie

lounging in the hammock

all of a sudden she likes grass/weeds/sticks/dirt....

fish fry

Keri's Shower

My mom and I had a little ladies lunch/baby shower for our friend Keri.  The three of us girls, grew up together, literally since we were 4 or 5 and the moms’ were there too.  It was a beautiful Saturday and we lunched on the back patio at my mom’s house, enjoyed catching up and hearing about Baby Street.  Of course we had a few little presents and dessert to finish off the afternoon. 

Congrats to Keri and Jason.  May baby Street come soon and be well under 10lbs! ;)

Keri, Kari and me

The Moms

The whole gang (I'm taking the pic)

Caroline's Graduation

In college I nannied for the most wonderful family, The Cramers.  Maddie and Caroline were 4 and 6 when I started working for them and then Ms. Juliet came along a few years later.  We did so much together, summers at the pool, golf and tennis practice, afternoons at DQ, back and forth to school and birthday parties, watching Little Rascals over and over and over.  Their most vivid memory of me is that I would give them yogurt and put fruit in it.  They still think it is funny?!  And then…it was time for me to move on, I graduated college and got “a real job”.  I’ll tell ya, being a nanny is the most real job you can have! 

I love those girls and the entire family like my own.  I’ve been to school plays, recitals, soccer games and now…the first high school graduation.  “Little” Caroline graduated high school, which makes me feel so old.  I’m so proud of her.  She has been a driving force in excellent at school, applied to 10 colleges all over the country and has decided on Trinity University in San Antonio TX.  She will be far from home but never far from my heart. 

All the best to you my dear Caroline!!!  You will do so well and exceed all of our expectations!  xoxo

The Cramer Family

My first three girls Caroline, Maddie and Juliet

trying to stay warm before the ceremony with Maddie and Pam

The graduate! 

Time management

I realize Josie is nearly 14 months old, and I'm just now admitting this, but I have serious imbalance in my life.  I have yet to figure out how to be a wife, mother, housekeeper, cooker/baker, work and blog...in a day.  Needless to say I have blogged less in her 14 months than ever before, not for lack of trying or want, but time...it just gets away from me.  There is just so much to get done during naptime, that blogging is the easiest for me to put off, for months, as it appears. 

So, I'm trying to find the balance and get back on track and keep myself, the blog and you updated on our happenings.  So the catchup of the last two months starts now.