Morning Coffee

Oh what an improvement this was from Saturday morning! Instead of our eldest barging in at 6:00am, we didn't hear a peep from the kids until 8:30. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing. But almost as beautiful were the first words out of Max's mouth this morning. After climbing into bed with me and snuggling for a few minutes, he told me, "I'm going to make you your morning cup of coffee, Mom."

"Oh, ok sweetie," I said. "Come on up and get me when it's done!" So he jumped out of bed and ran downstairs. Paul and I laughed to ourselves and wondered what we had in store for us. A few minutes passed as we listened to the padding of little feet downstairs. Then we heard Max pound up the stairs, and seconds later he burst in saying, "Your morning cup of coffee is ready, Mommy, just like I promised!" I climbed out of bed and followed him downstairs, not quite sure what to expect. He brought me to the table and I saw a green plastic cup filled with "coffee" (water) waiting for me at the head of the table. "Here's your coffee!" he exclaimed proudly.

I looked around to figure out where the water had come from and discovered that he had pulled one of the dining room chairs into the kitchen and up to the stove. Our teapot had apparently been full of days-old water that he had used to fill my "coffee cup", only spilling a small amount onto the stovetop. There was even a pile of paper towels that had been used to try to clean up the spill. (Who is this kid and what did he do with Max?) I enjoyed my coffee under Max's watchful eye, sneaking away to pour it out a little at a time into the sink, until my cup was empty and he was satisfied.

I don't know what got into him, but I felt like it was Mother's Day all over again! The kid has a heart of gold.

Red, White and Bluewater

When I was about five years old, my family started the tradition of going up north to Lake Bluewater for each Fourth of July weekend. My grandma used to direct a camp on the lake, and with her connections we were able to rent it out every summer with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Most of my favorite childhood memories took place at Bluewater, and I was heartbroken when about seven years ago we were told that we could no longer rent out the camp. It had come under new leadership and it seems they decided to go a different direction.

All these years later, after giving up hope of returning to my childhood paradise, we were able to pick up where we left off and spend the Fourth of July on Lake Bluewater! It was a dream come true. Max and Lucian got to run across the same field that I ran across as a kid. They got to boat through the same lakes and channels that I loved. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. The weather was perfect, and we spent all weekend at the beach. It was as if the lake was giving us a welcome-home party! I can't remember a year that we didn't have storms at Bluewater, so to have nothing but sunshine every day was nearly miraculous!

I'll admit that I may be more nostalgic than the average Joe, but it meant more to me than I can put into words to watch my sons make new memories in one of my favorite places on Earth. My favorite part of the trip has always been boating to the dam on the next lake. In order to get there, we have go under a very low bridge, float through a shallow channel (which was dubbed the "Pirate Lagoon" this year) and cross a lake full of sunken islands. The high sense of adventure I used to feel was renewed for me through the eyes of my very own pirate explorer son.

When the temperature allowed it, we broke out the lawn games- croquet, SPUD, volleyball, Eenie-einey-over, and of course the ever-popular Bocce Ball. On the Fourth we were joined by my Grandpa's sister and her family for s'mores, four-square, and (get this) GLOW-in-the-DARK Bocce!! Unbelievable!

I hope to be able to continue our tradition next year, and who knows, maybe Max will bring his kids to Bluewater someday!



Tuesday morning, we had to say goodbye to good old Camp Bluewater and begin our trek across two states to Rapid City for the ordination of Father Sparks. This summer has been chock full of traveling, but I wouldn't have it any other way. There is nothing I would miss!

A much belated happy Fourth of July to all of you! Who says we have to keep the celebration of our freedom confined to only one day a year? God Bless America!

A Taste of Wisconsin

Second time's a charm! Although I had a dream two days before our trip that Max woke up puking, the actual morning of our trip broke sunny and healthy. No sick kids, no sick adults, bags packed, ready to go!

I drove the kiddos down to G&G's in the morning, and not even Louie took a second glance when I walked out the door. When they're with Cody & Company, even Mom is old news. Ben and Norah arrived around 11:00, we picked up bagels for the road and hit the highway as soon as Paul got home from work. First stop, Black River Falls!


Sand Creek Brewery was our destination for Day 1. We learned everything we could have ever wanted to know about brewing, beer history, the history of Sand Creek (formerly Oderbolz Brewery... back in the day) throughout the course of our three hour tour of the facility. Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and sported some really awesome facial hair, but any tour that gives a beer break mid-way through might note that they are going a little overboard. (Three hours??)




We were all a little underwhelmed with many of their beer offerings, but the Hard Lemonade was a winner. Mike's move over, you don't even deserve to be called Hard Lemonade! Sadly, the Twin Cities doesn't offer Sand Creek beers; I guess we'll have to drive to Hudson next time we have a hankerin'.


We stayed the night in Black River Falls, grabbing dinner at a hole-in-the-wall pizza place recommended by our guide. And that's the way to do it, folks. Get the advice of the locals! The pizza was awesome, and there's no way we would have considered stopping there had we driven by uninformed.

Later that evening, we were sitting in the hotel's Orange Moose Bar & Grill when we looked out the rain-spattered window at a huge plastic orange moose statue across the pond. Rain or no, we were going to pay a visit to the Big Plastic Moose.




And his little brother, Medium Plastic Moose.


Saturday morning came early; everyone was up and ready for the continental breakfast by 8:00. Then, armed with coffee and beef sticks, we continued on toward New Glarus. We had no idea that we were driving straight into the middle of Little Switzerland, complete with European-style buildings and a Polka festival! We checked out a local pub for lunch and got a demonstration on how to tack a dollar bill to the ceiling! Apparently it's been a tradition there for years, and they just recently cleared off their ceiling and donated the $3000 to charity.


We then drove up to New Glarus Brewery. By 'up' I mean that the brewery was literally on the top of a hill overlooking the town. What a gorgeous location, and what a gorgeous building! We did a self-guided tour of the facility, then we joined the crowd outside for tasting. We sampled some pretty tasty beers, but I think we'd agree that the winner was their Two Women Lager. It was just so drinkable! And yummy. (Note my use of technical terminology...) Then Paul made friends with a lawn gnome, possibly the highlight of his trip. (Just kidding, honey).



We squeezed in a quick game of mini-golf before heading toward Lake Mills and Tyranena Brewing Company. Ben creamed us all... I think he had a trick golf ball.


We arrived at Tyranena just as a band was setting up to play live music! We kicked back and enjoyed some Bob Marley tunes while sampling the brewery's offerings.


I'd say we all agreed that we hit the jackpot here! While I'm not an IPA fan, there were three bitter beers that won the approval of the rest of the group: Scurvy, Stone Tepee and Bitter Woman. Of the three, I enjoyed the Bitter Woman the most... don't read into that too much. There were also two super tasty porters: Dirty Old Man and Chief BlackHawk. Think coffee, chocolate, and campfire in a beer. Ok, maybe that sounds weird. Or gross, even. But it was so good. However, my favorite was the Headless Man Amber Altbier (I know, what's with the crazy names, guys?) It was smooth, sweet-but-not-too-sweet, great color, an all-around good beer.


After eating our Jimmy John's for dinner (delivered to Tyranena!) we drove to Madison for the night. We swam, ordered pizza at midnight, played some cards, then crashed. Paul and I found a church in the morning, and after Mass we began our roadtrip home. It's amazing how much quicker six hours go when there are no kids in the car and NPR is playing their weekend programming!

When we got to my parents' house to pick up the kids, they were both so excited to see us! This is the longest I've ever been away from both of them, and I REALLY missed them. It felt good to know that they missed me too- even Max!

It was an all-around great weekend, and it was so fun to share it with such great people. If you're ever looking for a fun weekend away, check out the microbreweries in Wisconsion- they are so numerous, we didn't even scratch the surface! But I learned so much and have such a greater appreciation of the craft of beer brewing. Now instead of having Paul choose beers for me that he thinks I'll like, I might be able to order for myself next time I see a drink menu.

Open House

I don't much like making beds.

But this?



I love this. Clean, white sheets on the guest room bed can mean only one thing: Visitors.

Around 3:00 on Wednesday, I got a call from Paul. "Guess what? Father Tyler and Michael are staying with us tonight!" On their way home from a fishing trip in the BWCA, they decided to shave off part of the drive and stop over in the Twin Cities before leaving for Rapid this morning. Good choice, I say.

They got in late and the men immediately commenced poring over maps and comparing routes, discussing fishing techniques and gear selection. It got me wishing I was in on Paul's big upcoming trip! We stayed up late, finally turning in after midnight. But like I've said before, why waste precious time sleeping when we have visitors??

In the morning before they departed, Father Tyler celebrated Mass for us at our dining room table, and oh, it was so beautiful! There is no more precious gift that a visiting priest could have given us than to bring such a glorious Guest into our humble space. I can't say it strongly enough; our home has been forever changed.

I have often told my mother-in-law that I hope to have the gift of hospitality like she does. Their home is always open, her own convenience is a non-issue. They joyfully accept visitors in the spirit of St. Benedict, and I know for a fact that no one has ever gone away hungry or wanting for company.

I am starting to believe that part of our family's vocation may be to keep open a space for visitors (especially of the Rapid City variety) who need a place to rest mid-journey. Part of it is a selfish hope on my part; I love the last-minute flurry of preparations before guests arrive, I love the late-night conversations, I love the chance to get to know people better than I would in other situations. But I really do feel that we can be of service, and there's no harm in enjoying the work that God has given us.

So if you are ever traveling through the Twin Cities, I hope you won't hesitate to call us. Our door is always open to you.

Need a night out?

This is me and my brother.

My brother is super awesome, and he writes really great music.

You should come see us perform at Nick and Eddie this Sunday night at 9:00. I guarantee, it will be worth your time, even if you'll be a little tired at work on Monday. We're playing a full 45-minute set, and then if you have nowhere to be, you can stay to hear three other awesome bands after us!

So find a babysitter, clear your calendar, and come hear great music. The show starts at 9:00- be there!

Nick and Eddie
1612 Harmon Place
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Something to Write Home About

On Saturday, my friend Jess invited some people over for a day of card-making. Every Lent, she makes one greeting card a day to send overseas to soldiers through the program Operation Write Home. The soldiers are then able to take these homemade cards and use them to write home to their loved ones. This year she let us all in on the fun and we spent an entire afternoon buried in scrapbooking supplies. Jess is quite the scrapbooking guru; she has every craft supply imaginable, enabling even beginners like me to pull off some pretty sweet cards. But to see the master at work, you should check out her scrapping blog here, you will be blown away by what she's able to do with paper, scissors and adhesive.

Will and Torin hard at work

Catherine and Ellie

I showed up around 1:30 with my two little storage boxes of scrapping supplies... and just about dropped them when I saw the spread on the dining room table! I quietly laid my boxes aside, realizing I had nothing to add... the room was full of paper, ribbon, buttons, scissors, stickers, and an awesome Cricut machine. If you don't know what that is, don't be embarrassed- I didn't either. Basically, you press a button and this machine cuts out intricate shapes, words and pictures from the paper of your choosing. Suh-WEET!

Sarah and Augustine showing their finished product

The Master Craftswoman hard at work

Addy and Lachlan... loving the markers and scissors

Don't mess with Angela, she's got an adhesive applicator and she knows how to use it!

When dinnertime rolled around, Jess mentioned pizza and we all took a quick break for Papa John's. Mmmm... gaaaarlic saaaaauce... Then we had the idea to collaborate on a card, each person adding one or two details, and this was our final result:

I didn't get home until Louie was about to go to bed! It was the longest stretch that Paul has had the two kids to himself, what a trooper. I think the three of them had a really great time, but I know I did! Jess, let's do it again soon.

Some of our finished cards: very nice, yes?