Arizona Sunshine

My uncle Carl and aunt Sara are in town from Phoenix. My mom picked them up, along with my aunt Veronica, to come see my home and have lunch (and meet Finn!). They're all my 'great' aunts and uncle, actually. It was such a treat to see them and share my home and new baby with them! Finn loved it!

I have to take a minute to share some history with my Uncle Carl. My parents divorced when I was 12 and we didn't have a lot of money. My brothers were all out of HS, so they were pretty much gone most of the time and busy w/ work, school, etc. Mom always tried to take me somewhere for a summer vacation and AZ (although insanely hot) was our destination. Carl and Sara would open their home and hearts to welcome us. We would buy the plane tickets and they picked us up, showed us around, let us stay (and we would visit 3+ weeks each summer...phew!) and love us when we were going through a really hard time at home.

My aunt Sara would listen to my mom and console and counsel her while I played with Carl. He was such a great sport...as he was upper 50's and would come home from a long day at work...then go down to the community pool and swim/play with me. I would hide his remote control, his glasses, etc. He would tease me just the same. He was a father figure to me through a time that was really hard and I didn't see much of my own dad. Understandably, both my parents were struggling and emotionally upset...and having Carl to play with was a God send for me. We would pen pal through the school year and I could not wait to get on the plane to go see him. I would cry and cry when we had to come home.

Carl has been such a bright spot, mentor and beautiful influence in my life. I will never be able to tell him or thank him enough for the way he poured into my life. Today was one of those moments that made me cry once more...I was able to introduce my little man to my uncle Carl. Watching him play with Finn touched me in ways I cannot express.

So to end on a lighter note...here are some of the wild things we did. He would put my socks on his ears (they'd hang like puppy dogs) and he'd chase me and his grandkids around on all fours. He worked an office job, thus his legs did not have the tan his arms/neck did. So when we went swimming (after work) in the evenings, the pool lights reflected a bright green/yellow tint off his legs. He graciouslly took the name..."lizard legs" which his grandkids caught onto and I continue to call him to this day. We went to Sedona and while mom and Sara shopped, we hit the Slide Rock State Park. He heroically braved the mossed-over boulders and ice cold water! We had a blast! He sends little articles clipped from the paper or little things he finds here and there that are simple little things...that mean the world to me. He takes the time to invest in my life. For that, I will be forever grateful. Thank you, uncle Carl, for loving me. I love you too!

Carl and my mom.

Aunt Veronica (Carl's sister)
Carl playing w/ Finn
Aunt Sara
Finn clutched onto Carl's hand
Tickle monster!
Finn was ready to sleep (that is an understatement), but was kind enough to get a few pictures first.
Kisses from Carl
He was laughing...so stinkin' cute!

Ever since Carl and Sara came to Ohio, it has been bright, sunny, just warm enough, gorgeous weather! He was teasing that when he opened his suitcase...it was wonderful. It has been! Thank you for bringing the AZ sunshine!!! Funny thing is that my mom tends to take the OH rain/clouds wherever she goes! She went to AZ for Memorial Day this year and they were overcast, cool, rainy almost her whole stay! lol

Schnitzelbank!

Most of you know my heritage...German! I have lots of Irish in me too, but lots of German. My dad's side is very German, thus every year he has an Oktoberfest! This year was great...perfect weather, lots of great food (thank you Joyce!) and fun!

So why Schnitzelbank? It is a song we sing every year as we gather in my dad's garage. He starts off...Ist das nict ein...(then lists/sings the pictures in the poster and points at them as we sing along) we answer....Ja das ist...(then whatever he said). Its fun...the best part is the kids have done it enough that they LOVE to come and sing. Then they play (my dad's accordian and Jimmy's clarinet) the German drinking song...aye, aye, aye!!! Of course we end w/ the chicken dance for the kids. It's fun and even though the neighbors probalby think we're very weird, its fun to carry on traditions...

Here is the Schnitzelbank poster...

My nephew, Kaden...just 32 days younger than Finn.
Shane and Finn playing.
Finn is getting SO tall. His legs are perfect in size 9-12 mon clothing, but for outfits like this I have to buy larger. This one my mom got for him from Gap...its 18-24 month!!!
Daddy's glasses are SO cool!
Corn hole...
I'm not sure if this is supposed to be baseball/kickball? But it looks like fun! This is my nephew, Brice and Hudson.

This is Austin swinging the bat like a madman! He's in karate lessons and is growing so fast! He's our miracle baby. : ) He's in full remission from his cancer. Praise God!!
So i just have to take a quick minute to share this story...
For his birthday this year (since its so close to his annual cancer check-up...stem cell transplant was the same month as his 5th b-day) he was declared in full remission and cancer free! So I bought him some jewelry (cool stuff) with crosses and bracelets that said 'fear not', etc. I also bought him a boy's Bible. I wrote him a long letter about how many people prayed for him and that medically, there truly was no explanation for his survival...yes, they did the procedures, but he still had visible tumors on his neck when they gave him the stem cell transplant. God healed him. God spared his life for greatness. Austin has a very important purpose...this I know for sure. My mom saw Austin's mom the other day and she said he reads his Bible!!! I was thrilled to hear this...especially since reading is a challenge to him b/c of some catching up he had to do from being ill and all the school he missed the first few years. What a blessing! God amazes me every day in every way...

Dad & Joyce have this clubhouse in the back yard. The kids play in there and put on talent shows. It's really fun!
Miss Madison Danielle. Madi is growing up so quickly. She is so poised, beautiful and if ever I knew a lady...she is one. She is intelligent, caring and the cutest thing ever when it comes to playing with Finn.
Brianna started middle school this year. Hard to believe! I don't see her as much...she's my step-sister's daughter. But everytime I do see her I'm amazed at how well behaved she is and how much she's blooming. She has the most amazing eyes!

Ian....aka, I-pie! This is my brother, Tom's, son. If you saw Tom (you will down further) you will know...this one is definitely HIS! He is the spittin' image of Tom...from looks to his wacky personality! Ian is a joy. He is so sweet, loving and then hilariously funny. Anytime I take his picture he has a face for me!
This, unfortunately, was the only picture I managed to take of my brother, Dave. He's sitting on the bench in the white shirt. He has Austin and Isabella and married to Julie. Shane and Dave are really close and drag racing buddies. They go to the races at least 3-4 times a year together (including the race in FL).
Sydney Marie. This is Kevin's daughter (Kaden's sister). Sydney definitely has a mind of her own! She knows what she wants and how to get it. She is so beautiful with her bright, blue eyes and contagious smile. Did I mention this child is brilliant? She has it all going for her...
Isabella...aka, Bella. What a doll baby! She came to our family from Guatemala when she was 6 months old. She is such a love. She is always on the go and ready for adventure! She, too, is very bright and obviously...beautiful!
Kaden & Finn took a break from the 'itchy' grass and played in the playpen together.

Let me at 'ya!
How sweet is this face!?!?
I think this face is sweet too...obviously!
Shane playing corn hole. They were teasing that you couldn't score any points if you played on the set w/ the Browns colors. Lol.
This is Kevin, Kaden & Sydney's daddy. My OLDEST brother. hahah!

Mr. Hudson!
He is so darn cute!!
They had lanterns up and as the sun set, it was so pretty! Like something out of a magazine.
Tom thought the photo would be better w/ him in it! :) This is my brother Tom...Madi and Ian's daddy.
Some shots of dadddy w/ Finn.

As we gather around the garage to sing...
Tom recording the event...doesn't he look just like Ian?!?

My dad, directing us all along.
My boys.
My dad let Madi take over and sat down to sing-a-long.

Kevin held Kaden and sang to him as he witnessed his first 'Schnitzelbank'!

This is my dad's cousin, Pauline. I just have to take a minute to write about her as she is one of my biggest inspirations. She just celebrated her 95th birthday and told me if she goes another 5, she'll get to see her son's 'golden' anniversary. Wow...to have lived such a full life and still have goals and reasons to keep going. She would drive down to FL every year and back to OH in the summers. She LOVES people, parties and any social event she can get to. She is the sweetest thing, yet can tell you dirty jokes. Lol. She has such a kindred spirit...you can see it in her eyes. She has lives FULLY and still loves each and every day. She has such a warmth about her and her faith and caring, loving heart luminate every room she walks into. If I can live my life anywhere remotely close to as fully as she has, it will be a gift. I hope that my presence...even at 95...is a wonderful and uplifting as hers. She cherishes every moment. And I cherish her!
Madi leading the group!
Shane, Finn, Melissa (Kevin's wife) and Jen (my step-sister...Brice & Brianna's mom).
As it got darker, the yard looked prettier. What a wonderful day!
Dad & Joyce, thank you, again, for the wonderful afternoon/evening! It was a great time and we appreciate all of your hard work! I think dad said there were around 50+ people who came. Even his cousin from Las Vegas! It was a good time...and I did my duty...had my annual dosage of saurercraut! Cheers!