Casey's Chronicles: May Doings

May was a busy month! First we helped celebrate Charlie's second birthday at Jenna and Andy's house on Saturday, May 5. Charlie's favorite movie is "Up" so, of course, he had an "Up" party.

He discovered a house in his front yard and had to explore.

Balloons were also a theme of this party. the little kids he invited had a great time in the basement with loads of balloons.

Cousin Maddox taught Charlie the best way to go in and out of the house. It took him a while to figure it out, but once he did it, there was no stopping him.

I made balloon animal hats for all the kids at the party. This is Maddox modeling his hat.

The next weekend was Mother's Day weekend, and Callen was graduating from college in River Falls, Wisconsin. We went to the ceremony to help cheer for Cals when her name was called! Then we went out for a great lunch with Phil, Leslie, Cory and Mark. Yum.

On the way back from Callen's graduation we stopped at Ted and Pat's to see Tom, Kim, Amariah and Eli who came up from Illinois for Mother's Day and to celebrate Amariah's 3rd birthday with Grandma and Grandpa. Of course, all the pictures I took were of the kids. Eli is seven months old now.

Here's Amariah filling the tank on the motorized car. Ted and Pat have LOTS of fun things to do!

Griffin showed off his skateboarding skills going down the driveway ramp. I remember trying that back when Tom and Teddy had boards, but never again! Too scary!

Jane, Jenna and Charlie stopped by, also. Amariah said "I like my quiet cousin." Charlie didn't say much in the crowd but had a great time in the sand box in the back yard.

Of course, Ted, Angie and Matthew came, too, so there was a houseful of kids! They had a blast.

I was hoping Jenna would have her baby on my birthday - just 4 days after the Mother's Day spontaneous party at Ted and Pat's, but Mabel Elizabeth Held arrived one day earlier - on May 15! We went over to the house on Saturday to see her when she was just 5 days old.

What a sweetie!

It was a beautiful day so we sat out in the back yard and Andy grilled hamburgers. Jane, Pat, and I brought all the food and we had ANOTHER family party!

Charlie had a blast in the pool - he would sit at the top of the slide and we'd all count 1, 2, 3 and down he would fly. Another favorite pastime is squishing ants on the patio - eww!

We DID celebrate my birthday on Sunday the 18 by going out to eat at Island View. Paul told me we were meeting Alison and Elaine, but Phil, Leslee, Callen, Mark, Karena and Anna joined us! Surprise!

I got a lovely money tree from Paul on the day, and folks added more to it that night!

Memorial Day is celebrated in Cannon Falls with a patriotic parade and service in the community cemetery conveniently located just a few houses away from Jane and Chuck's. We have joined the Bracken's many times for a beautiful day outdoors with plenty to eat, of course!

Andy's folks, Angela and Greg, were here from Pittsburgh, so it was fun to see them again. Here comes the parade, Charlie!

The parade consists of the police leading the way, veterans with the flags, the marching band from Cannon Falls High School, and the local boy scouts and girl scouts - that's it.

Andy and Jenna marched proudly with this band for many years!

The parade and all the watchers head up to the top of the hill in the cemetery where "Big Man"stands. This

is really Colonel Colville, a famous Civil War hero from the First Minnesota.

There are kids from the high school who recite poems and the Gettysburg Address, the band plays, and someone from the National Guard speaks. A local pastor gives an invocation and bendiction, and then there are taps at the end.