On the Homefront

Therese dives in

Therese competed in her first swim meet last Wednesday and she did great!  She is the youngest swimmer on her team, but she doesn’t let that stand in her way.  She completed the race and was thrilled to get a ribbon!  In this photo, she is the swimmer in the orange and black.

Here are a few photos from a fun Independence Day.  After a super fun party at a friend’s house (so fun that I only took two photos), Daddy was a hero and found a great spot to watch the Wheaton fireworks in our neighborhood.  He put the girls on the roof of the van and they were captivated.  Myriam insisted that each new firework was her “favorite.”  Brendan managed to stay awake until after 10 PM and enjoy all the festivities.  God Bless America!

These photos do not do justice to this gorgeous church.  It is breathtaking and unbelievably maintained.  We were lucky to run into a very persevering couple who did not give up until we got into the church.  (Apparently the side doors are supposed to be left open, but they were locked when we arrived).  Thanks to this kind couple, we were not disappointed.

Ceiling of the capital building

Tim, Brendan and I spent 5 days in Texas while the girls had some quality time in Indiana with Grandma and Grandpa.  These are some photos of our brief tour of the capital building in Austin.  It is a beautiful city and while Tim handled some work commitments, Brendan and I walked around and took in some of the sights.  We really enjoyed our time in Texas although the heat was  a little oppressive at over 106 degrees!  I thought that was typical Texas, but even the locals were complaining so I guess it was a little hotter than normal.  After a morning of sightseeing, Brendan and I retreated to the comfort (and air conditioning!) of the hotel for a long nap.  The next few posts will probably have more pictures from the trip.

Lori and Brendan in front of the capital

Marble floor in capital building

House of Representatives in Austin

View of city from capital steps

Therese is official swim gear

Therese is SO excited to be swimming in her first official meet this evening.  I am not sure if I will be able to get photos because I will have the two little ones and I am helping out at the meet, so I thought I would post some pictures of her in her uniform.  She loves it.  My siblings will appreciate the fact that their logo is a giant black paw on orange background- just like our high school (although she swims for the Wheaton Woods Tigers and we were the Linesville Lions).  So black and orange pride seems to run in the family.

Go Wheaton Woods!

Tiger Pride!

Good luck Therese!

Daddy with Brendan, Myriam and Therese (and St. Joseph) on Father's Day

Things have been a little busy around here and I have not been able to get to the computer and post pictures as often as I would like.  You will probably see several posts (hopefully) over the next few days that span a few weeks.  These are some photos from Father’s Day.  We had a pretty low key day- Mass, breakfast at home, hanging out at home, naps and then dinner at one of Tim’s favorite BBQ restaurants in Alexandria.  The weather was gorgeous- no rain!- and it was nice to celebrate Daddy!

Myriam and her daddy

Daddy with St. Joseph

The girls

Big Man and Little Man

Father's Day joy

Therese