Fort Reno

Last week we headed on the metro, or the "big train", as Landon like to call it to Fort Reno Park. During the summer, the park host three bands every Monday & Thursday nights. We decided to check it out when the band Tiny Bombs was playing. One of the band members is a friend and a co-worker of mine.The shows are free and it's a family friendly environment. The kids, Andrew, and I loaded up with chairs and blankets then stopped by the local Whole Foods for some food to munch on while we listened to the music.
Some more co-workers joined us for the festivities. Dana, the one in purple, is Garrett's sister and also a good friend. The other two are Kevin, a guidance counselor and Allison, a math teacher.
Here's the band getting ready to play. Garrett is the one in the gray playing the bass.
I figured I should get an action shot. The music isn't particularly the type I would jam too but I did enjoy seeing Garrett doing something he enjoys and hanging with good company!
Miss Libbie didn't mind the company either. She's quite a fan of Dana!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

This little girl is going to be TROUBLE! She is into everything and everywhere she can be. The other day at lunch, Libbie was in the highchair and managed to climb out and stand up on her own. I wasn't too surprised since those chairs aren't the best at keeping her contained. Well later that day, I put Libbie in her own highchair at home. I ran upstairs to put something away thinking all was good since she was in her highchair. When I came down I found this...

and instead of setting her back in or putting her on the floor, I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures!
It's crazy to see the differences between Landon & Libbie. Landon was a very content baby. He was fine where you put him, but wandered about. He never really got into things. Never put things in his mouth. I never really needed gates with Landon or had to worry about him getting himself into trouble. With Libbie, it's a different story. She is everywhere! She puts anything and everything in her mouth. She is constantly trying to figure things out, moving things...
We are in for a heap of trouble when she starts walking, which probably isn't too far away!

Special Events

This is a post to family and friends and special events that have happened to them this summer. I haven't forgotten about you all...

First of all, my cousin Moira gave birth to twins on May 22...my b-day!!!! She is a first time mommy and is blessed with two beautiful children, Cara and Drew. I was able to meet them, even if it was a short visit, the weekend we came home from Leland. Welcome to the family!

Second, my good friend Becky got married June 19! That was the weekend we left for Leland so I was not able to celebrate with her on her special day. Congratulations Becky & Jonathan!

Thirdly, the same day Becky was getting married, my friend Maggie was giving birth to her son Finnian! I was able to meet him in the short time between Leland and Minnesota. I can't wait for more play dates with Maggie and Finn!

Dewey Beach

Once I got home from Minnesota (Friday July 8) I had just enough time to unpack, do laundry, and repack for our trip to Dewey Beach, Delaware with Andrew's family. They rented a house for everyone to stay for the week.

We spent this trip really relaxing. I barely took any pictures while we were here. There were no plans and we took each day as it came, exactly what I needed after my week in Minnesota. Dewey reminded Andrew and I of Jax Beach so we took advantage of relaxing during the day and fun at night!

It was a "Way of Life" I could get used to...
Andrew, Mindy, and I were able to get out a few times at night to enjoy some cocktails and music. This was one of the bars were stopped at...The Starboard.
Andrew and I thought this sign was pretty funny.
The Bottle & Cork is a bar that hosts bands. Rich (Andrew's dad) and Mindy went to see George Clinton and Paliament Funkadelic.
Most of the time we spent doing this...


It was a great vacation filled with much needed relaxation!

Minnesota

It's been a whirlwind of a summer so far. We arrived home from Leland on Sunday June 27. The Nelsons cam to visit on Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. My Grandfather passed on Wednesday afternoon and we were on planes to Minnesota by Friday for the funeral. Andrew and Landon came from Friday to Tuesday but Libbie and I were there until Friday, July 9. This was just in time for us to leave for a week in Dewey Beach, Delaware with Andrew's family.

Though the trip to Minnesota was not planned in our summer and it wasn't a trip we were looking forward to, it was a great chance for us to spend more time with my family. We normally get to see this side only once a year in Leland, so were happy to spend some quality time reminiscing about Grandpa and all our memories.

It's not everyday that we dress up, so I took this opportunity to get a family picture, especially before the tears came. Every service for Grandpa was just beautiful and though many tears were shed there were twice as many laughs in celebrating his life.

Almost everyday we were gathering at my grandparent's house for a cookout, lunch, or dinner of some sort. Libbie used this as a time to practice her coke drinking skills.
We found this game, Picket Wicket, in the toy cabinet. There were no directions so we had to use the box as a guide to figuring out the game. We did know that the object of the game was to get the marble from one end to the other, we just weren't sure if could move all the wooden pieces or two at a time or whatever. According to the picture on the box you can move as many as you want , but your turn ends when the marble falls.
Danny was the first to mater the game.
Then my cousin Patrick gave it a try and mastered the game.
Andrew and I made a pit stop at my uncle's Sunglass shop while in Minnesota. I had no intention of buying sunglasses, but we did. Andrew got a pair of Native sunglasses and I bought a pair of Maui Jim. You should check out the website if you are in the market for some sunglasses! Now I just need to make sure I don't break them!
We made a short trip to the mall of America. We only went to let Landon ride some of the rides. Danny and I squeezed one in also!
We couldn't leave without enjoying the deliciousness that is the Nestle Tollhouse Cafe.
We all enjoyed some treat from the cafe...Yummy!
I couldn't leave without having Libbie take a picture with her namesake, my Grandma. My grandma's name in Mary Elizabeth but has always gone by Libbie, so that's where Libbie's name comes from.I had to sneak into one also!

9 Months

This little munchkin turned 9 months on June 21 of June(I know...a bit late). Right after Leland, and our visit from the Nelson, and right before our trip to Minnesota I got Libbie in for her 9 month appointment.

Libbie is doing just fine, she is in the 90% percentile for height, weight, and head circumference...so she's a pretty big baby. I can't believe she is already 21 pounds! She has been crawling and pulling up on furniture for sometime but is now walking around the furniture and moving from one piece to another. She has even tried letting go and standing on her own. I don't think it'll be too long before she starts to take her first steps. She isn't talking but is making sounds similar to "ma-ma" and "da-da".

All in all, Libbie is becoming a little girl. She definitely is going to keep our house interesting!

Old Neighbors

Right after we got back from Leland our old next door neighbors, The Nelsons, came for a short visit. This summer Jonathan is away from the family so Martina and the kids, Emmalyn and Brody were making rounds visiting old friends. We were lucky not to miss their visit.


Thanks for visiting Nelson family, maybe next time we'll have the entire family.

Soon to be...

...Mr. and Mrs.

My brother Sean recently proposed to his girlfriend KC. I've posted about her in the past and am so glad I can soon refer to her as my Sister-in-law! We are so happy for the two of them.
She also brings to the family Chance and Kinley. They are 6 weeks older than Landon, so it's a houseful and a wild time when we get everyone together, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Welcome to the family KC, Chance, and Kinley!

An Amazing Man

I don't think I've ever introduced you all to this man...this is John Frances McKean, my Grandfather. Unfortunately our family will be missing him dearly as he passed last Wednesday. I have spent the last week in Minnesota celebrating his life, listening to stories, looking at old pictures, and laughing about memories my family shared.

Grandpa was 88 years old when he passed but his memories live on in his wife, my Grandmother

his six 6 children
19 grandchildren, with one on the way (3 are not pictured here)
and 9 great-grandchildren

He was a perfect example of a husband, father, brother, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by our family and while we are sad that he has left us, I know our hearts are filled with such great memories that he gave each and every one of us.

I found this Irish blessing that I think Grandpa would love for us to follow. I don't think Grandpa would want us to be sad but to continue to remember him in all that we do.

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free!
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw His face, I heard His call,
I took His hand and left it all...
I could not stay another day,
To love, to laugh, to work or play;
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
And if my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss...
Ah yes, these things I, too, shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savoured much:
Good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief—
Don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow