Seven Quick Takes Friday

-One-
I am excited to be starting a summer Bible Study at our church sometime this June. I have 6 or 7 ladies that have approached me with interest thus far. I still haven't decided what we'll study. I am kind of thinking I might do a series on the Sacraments and Scripture. Anyone have any good ideas?

-Two-
We had a sewing party again this week. I was able to patch up a pair of Kurt's Lee Dungaree shorts. He is in the process of writing a letter of complaint to Lee Dungaree because there seems to be a ripping trend that I have had to mend. Let's hope the letter gets us a free pair of pants!

-Three-
Pampered! My mother-in-law and I were pampered this week with manicures and pedicures (post mother's day treat). We really aren't as sophisticated as it may sound- it was a first for the both of us. What fun!
-Four-
Shout out--I wanted to use my blog to pass on my congrats to....
2009 Graduates
Kurt Snyder
Sean Snyder
Heidi Zenner
Pacelli High School Seniors (too numerous to mention...but all in thought and prayer)

And birthdays in May...
Alex Snyder
Paula Minell
Kurt Snyder
Katrina Harris
Trevor Harris --turning 4!!
Lauren Snyder

Anniversaries in May
Troy and Rachael Runde (thanks for introducing Kurt and I)
Tom and Trina Harris (thanks for your great witness)

-Five-
How does your garden grow?
Mine is looking great thanks to my green thumb husband! I also attempted to plant lilies of the valley along the one side of our house. There are quite a few left if anyone is interested...I'm still trying to decide if I want to plant them around here. Better do that soon, huh?

-Six-
I have been enjoying reading a Catholic fairy tale series recently. I found them through blogging (of course) and was pleasantly surprised to be able to get them on inter-library loan. You, too, could check them out here.

-Seven-
We have house guests again! My friend, Paula, is down on her annual vacation (a Memorial Day tradition) and a former student of mine, Jacob, is also visiting too. I know, you might think its funny to have a student visiting but it is really kinda neat! It is weird to see how he's grown into an adult now- in graduate school (and almost done!). I am really enjoying their company! We were up till the wee hours having adult conversations yesterday! It is so wonderful to talk about faith, politics, life etc. and not with a one year old. What a blessing!! Kurt's family will be arriving from Michigan on Saturday. And my family will also be down by Sunday! What a gift!

Seven Quick Takes Friday

Like all good ideas this one was stolen from another blog I read on occasion. I'm just another follower in this case.

1. Pooh
I have been meaning to dedicate an entire post to the Pooh Car my brother John gave Kate for this past Christmas. It plays loud music, has flashing lights and rolls, pretty much every kids dream toy. I have all the songs and saying memorized if that tells you anything about its daily use in our home.
2. Garage Sales
This time of year in WI is garage sale season. I helped with our local La Leche League chapter garage sale last week and this week hit the Cuba City citywide sales. Clothes for Katie, a potty seat, a wagon and maternity clothes are highlighted purchases thus far this season. I've got to get some more quarters to spend!

3. Master in the house
Yes, my love has finally finished his Masters Degree in Business Engineering! This week he finished up his final final and paper for his last course at University of Wisconsin Platteville. Of course its not technically official but if he were to walk in the ceremony it would have been this weekend. Only time will tell if more schooling (other than that of kids) is in the Snyder family's future- two Masters in the house is enough for the moment. Congratulations Kurt, I am so proud of you!

4. Mother's Day
I know it was last weekend but I haven't posted since then. I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Kurt took me out to dinner, coffee and to look at washing machines. It was a treat to be treated so well! When we returned from our date, Katie, who was left with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law was more interested in playing with her cousin "Lau" (Laura) than her parents. It was a good feeling to know that she's so well adjusted and behaved without Mom and Dad around. We were able to spend time with Kurt's Mom Sunday and are looking forward to vacationing with my Mom (and family) near the end of this month. We are so grateful for all the wonderful mothers in our lives!

5. Our Pets
If you know me at all, I am not a pet person. So, no, we don't really have a pet bird but yet, we do. There is a bird that has been a fixture on our window sill daily for the past month! Frankly, I'm ready to get out the BB gun at this point. He is there from 5:30 a.m. to at least 8 p.m. tapping, flapping and calling at the glass. Tap, tap, tap....


I also snapped a picture of this pet in our backyard here in town. I might just get the big buck around here this November!


6. Good Mail
This week was a good mail week. Even with the postal hike I still look forward to getting good mail. You know the kind that is more than just bills? We received a few thank you notes, a birthday party invitation, a mother's day card, pictures of a niece and nephew, a note from a fellow mom and get this, spatulas (in John Deere colors and no I didn't order them for myself)!

7. She's Walking!!
Yes, you read that right. Katie started walking on her own today and she's yet to look back. I am amazed at how quickly she's become confident. This morning at our monthly La Leche League meeting she walked to our friend Rachael, just like that and well, the rest will be history. Certainly, I've been warned that running comes next!

Have a great weekend!

Living the good life...Nebraska

Yes, here we are living the good life...how good it it is!

This weekend we took a road trip across the state of Iowa to the little known state of Nebraska (who's motto by the way is "Living the Good Life" at least that's what they've got on their welcome signs). We were invited to visit our friends the Caseys. Fran and I knew each other from school back in Medford. And we reconnected Providentially in Stevens Point. By then she and Jon were a couple. She was part of our wedding...the wedding party's environmentalist. The Caseys and their three kiddos are now living in Nebraska City, NE.

Nebraska City is a small town with lots to offer. Its the home of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton. Morton has definitely left a legacy in trees.

While we were in town we were able to visit Tree Adventure part of Arbor Day Farm. We took a hike and got to see, smell and hear the forest in action. The kids enjoyed playing in a nature exploration area. Kate really liked the xylophone made of wood. I have a half dozen pictures of her playing on it and she cried when we pulled her away. This was definitely a great place to visit and enjoy the outdoors, too.

The boys tackled a home improvement project that afternoon and their clothes showed the dirt at the end of the day. In the mean time the kiddos napped and Fran and I enjoyed chatting, walking and were able to get away for First Saturday Mass and coffee at the local shop, too. Saturday night we had dinner at the Lied Lodge. It was an adventure, though the parent to kid ratio was one on one at times you would have never guessed it...the kids were winning and loud. But I know I still had a good time.

Part of the fun of visiting at this time is the newest addition to the family. This little lady is only a little over a month old. What a dolly, huh?

Sunday after Mass we took our coffee and donuts on the road to Waubonsie State Park. This final stop had Angie written all over it. In a former life (BC = Before Child) I would have had a hay day exploring this area. The Loess Hills are a geologic phenomenon that you don't get to see every day. Ok, I admit, I did wish we had a three day weekend so we could see more of the park and maybe hit the Omaha Zoo on the way home. But that will have to wait for our next visit.

Thanks for the great weekend Caseys- you are living the good life, we were glad to be a part of it!

Senses of Spring!

This shot is my sister-in-law Katrina's entry in a local photo contest themed Senses of Spring. First and foremost she needs your vote to win the contest. Voting doesn't require you to enter any personal information and you can vote daily from now until Thursday here. Just scroll down and lock in your vote for #7.

We have a family history of making maple syrup each spring and this shot is of my niece tasting the sap as it comes from the tap. Did you know it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup? And this year was a record year for Sap-on-Tap making 200 + gallons of syrup! Of course, I can't take much credit this season since I didn't carry a lick of sap. But if you're interested in a quart I do sell it by request.

Don't forget to vote now and vote again...tomorrow, and Wednesday and Thursday!!