My family

My family

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Big Night

The time had finally come for our baby girl to graduate high school.




The commencement ceremony was held in downtown Minneapolis at the Mariucci Arena.  The same place the University of Minnesota holds hockey games.  The place is massive!


How did the time go by so fast?  

Memories come flooding back......

The time she fell asleep getting her nails done.

The instructions she gave to the hair stylist when cutting her hair ("cut my bangs in a rainbow with my freckle in the middle").

The hours upon hours of practicing guitar and drums.

The pig tails, my little ponies and fairy costumes.

The band-mates that call her "mom" because she takes care of them.

The pacifier ("sassy") she didn't give up until she turned four.

The way she lit up every time her brother came into the room.

The time she puked inside my Louis Vuitton purse.


Prepare yourself.  I'm about to blow up your screen with lots of pictures from that day.



One thing you can count on with Delanie is that she beats to her own drum.  She is extremely confident and a natural-born leader.  Throughout the ceremony, she kept turning around to wave!


Delanie's principal - Bart Becker - is a very unique leader.  He knows most of the students by name and makes a huge effort to be a good role-model for them.  He wrote a recommendation letter for Delanie when she was applying to colleges.  


In fact, he ends the daily announcements (heard over the school's loud speaker) by telling the kids that he loves them.  ðŸ’›


In a family of picture-takers, Tracey does it the best.  In fact, she took some of my favorite photos of the entire evening.  

F. A. M. I. L. Y.








After the commencement ceremony, the Seniors head to the school for an All-Night Party.

This is NOT your typical lock-in.  The entire school is set up with stations including hypnotists, hamster ball, dodge ball, dance floors, tons of food, blackjack tables, etc.

Next up......time to party!







Friday, July 14, 2017

The whole fam-damily

Y'all!!  I have been totally missing in action lately.

I can't wait to tell you all about Delanie's graduation weekend!!


The week before the family drove 1000 miles to the Great White North, Delanie posted lots of tourist-y things for them to do while here.  

She's such a cutie! 😎


We were busy little bees at our house getting ready for the company.  (All it takes is the promise of guests for me to go into full-out-decorating mode.  LOL!)


We Jim hung Edison lights under the deck (above) for the party then we Jim planted a new rose bush.   

The rose bush (named "Pinky Tuscadero") bloomed just in time for the party!


We go classy with paper plates/cutlery in our household when company is coming (ha!). 

BEFORE

I tried to make up for it by up-cycling a few old sewing drawers I found at a local antique shop. 

AFTER

I know what you're thinking...... yes, I decided to spruce up the drawers instead of being a big girl and using real plates.  Priorities people!!

I really like the way they turned out and it worked like a charm (and saved TONS of dish-washing!).  


After weeks and weeks of planning for the big event, I was so excited when I saw this posted on social media......


Delanie and I grabbed Bea and Lauren up from the airport then made a Target run.  

After loading up on snacks galore, the girls decided to do mud masks.  

Lauren looked like a smurf....


I looked like I had just gotten a pie in the face....


Delanie's was clear.....


While we waited for the rest of the family, Bea napped + Jim played video games + Delanie/Lauren/I played Speak Up......





If you have never played this game, go right this second and buy it!  It was wet-your-pants-funny.


......and Cards Against Humanity.



The whole fam-damily (that one is for you, Dad!) arrived before dark so we headed to the fire pit and made monster s'mores.  


Seriously, is there ANYTHING better than a s'more???


My peeps.....



I love love love having a full house!!  Bring. It. On.💜


I didn't take one single picture the next day!  

We all slept in, stayed in our pajamas, chatted like magpies and laughed at dirty jokes.  (That pretty much sums up my family in one sentence.)

I made Garrett's favorite chocolate chip cookies (a raw batch for him and a cooked batch for everyone else).  

And everyone got unpacked and settled in for the next day's festivities.  

Stay tuned.......commencement post is next!









Monday, June 5, 2017

Life Lately

Life around here lately has been CUH-RAZY!!

Spring in Minnesota means baby goslings.  I love love love watching these families as the babies grow.  We have three goose families that frequent the pond behind our house.  


Delanie's Senior activities have us running to the high school every other day.  She performed in the "pit" for this year's Center Stage production.  


On closing night, the Senior parents put on a show for the kids.  We sang songs with lyrics made up just for the kiddos and had a ball!  We were all holding emoji posters (see my rebel husband below).  What a fun night!


I've been working like a fiend on my Etsy shop (updates coming soon!).  Every time I sit down, I'm sketching designs, painting signs, updating social media......blah blah blah.



I never want to throw my design sketches away so I decided to make post cards out of them!  These babies will be headed to USO soldiers, families in need......anyone in need of some love.


We will have a FULL HOUSE starting next week so Jim and I have been maniacs about getting the house ready.  

Sweet Jimbo power-washed all week, stained the front porch, resurfaced the driveway......and a million more chores.  That guy is a keeper!


In true Type-A fashion, I have a calendar of chores that need to be done each and every day.  Highlights = Done!


Last but never least......Garrett and Maci adopted a new dog!!!  Her name is Skye and she is absolutely gorgeous!!  I can't wait to kiss her face off!!


Well friends, that's life lately at the Richardson house!

Stay tuned for details from the big family weekend coming up.  ðŸ’œ














Friday, June 2, 2017

Senior Shenanigans

Well friends.......Jim and I are about to have an empty nest. 

Delanie is officially a short-timer in Minnesota!


She is growing into such a wonderful young woman and we could not be more proud.  

This Spring was a busy time for our little girl.  

Take a peak at what she's been up to.....


First up......BAND BANQUET.  She has been so dedicated to band over the years that this was a super bittersweet night for her.  She gave a touching speech about how she wants to eventually return to Maple Grove and lead the band.  Her director - she calls him "Brownie" - choked up as he was announcing her Senior award.  


Delanie and the team of directors....


Delanie and her BFF, Amanda.


Showing off their 1st place trophy from the Minnesota Percussion Association competition.


Showing Mama some love...... 💙


Next up.......FINAL BAND CONCERT!


I have to admit.....this one had me in tears.  She received an award for the most "letters" (for her school letter jacket)......she got 16!!! 

She also got the Senior Award for most outstanding leadership in the Senior class.



Finally.......SENIOR PROM!


Our independent free-spirit decided to buck tradition and wear a tux this year.  Because she could.  And why not?! 😎


Her beautiful band of misfits downtown Saint Paul.  


Next up.......UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS.  

She got her official acceptance packet this week and could not have been more excited! 


The whole family is traveling 1000 miles north to watch this cutie graduate next week.  I can't wait to share all the photos with you!


We love you, Lanie Bob!! 😊