Memorial Day Weeked 2013

I can't believe we're at the tail end of a long awaited 3 day weekend. It was full of cool weather, rain, storms, more rain, more storms, and a few short minutes of sunshine. 

Mom and I were bound and determined to get the pool up. It's a tradition to have the pool up on or before this weekend. Through the 50 degree temperatures and off and on rain, we succeeded in getting the pool up. It may not be warm enough for us to swim in for quite some time, but at least it's up. 

Ahh .. if only it were warm!

Then, Amy and T made it to town. We began working on flowers for her wedding. This involved using candles and burning fabric (as well as your fingers at time). I usually am not able to help with Amy's projects, but I did this one well.  I'm pretty impressed.  Amy and I were burning, and Mom was sewing.  Talk about team work! 

Flowers .. say what?

Later that evening, Nathan and Kristin came by and Baby Brynzlee made her first appearance at Grandma Kathy's house. I couldn't believe how much she's grown in the three weeks since I've seen her. I, of course, had to get some cuddle time with her and remind her how awesome her Aunt Erin is ... I just can't seem to let her forget. 

Quailty Auntie Erin and Bryn time

 Sunday turned out more perfect than I could've imagined. My entire family as well as Robert's Mom, brothers, and their girlfriends all gathered together. There's nothing better than spending the majority of the day gathered with family that mean so much to you. I thank my lucky stars (and Robert) over and over for joining our families together. It's amazing how we're all able to gather together and enjoy each other. Our two families have joined together to become the RoCo's and I couldn't be more happy about it. 

Such a precious girl

Uncle Ryan and his very first Roe niece

RoCo Family together at last!

 Laury was also introduced to Brynzlee. We all know that Robert had so much to do with sending her to the family, and it was so special to see Laury holding her. 

Loving Baby B

Such a precious moment

What a wonderful weekend full of family.  I couldn't ask for anything better! 

Lie Fizz Booty Fell

.. or Life is Beautiful! 

I've just spent the weekend with 4 pretty amazing girls. The 5 of us met when we attended Illinois College and lived on the same floor. We created a HUGE bond in the year we lived together which brings us to meeting once a year for Jen's annual birthday party the first weekend of December.  

What a face ...

Now, I know it's not December, but Jen buying a house prompted us to reunite in May. This also just so happened to be Courtney's birthday weekend, so we were still able to celebrate a birthday.   These are the type of friends that you could go forever without talking, but once you get together it's like you never missed a beat. The girls that are there for you through everything, and they were all there to pick me up after tragically losing Robert. In fact, they were there to see the effects of Robert drinking a fifth and a half of Jack during our 2011 annual December get-together. Remarkably, they still came back! 

Much better!

During our visit, we took a walk through the Illinois College campus to relive some of our memories there. I only attended 2 years there, but they were 2 fantastic years meeting life long friends!   

The famous swing on the IC campus

Two nights of laughing, talking, drinking, playing Mad Gab and Dirty Minds, karaoke on the Wii, and just spending quality time with this group of girls is the therapy to fix anything going on in life. It's amazing how in two nights, you can just forget about the rest of the world and, simply, focus on enjoying this time together.

Peanut was also able to join in on the fun. Besides tormenting Jen's poor dog, I think he may have had a good time ... 

Lazy Sunday Morning

 I love these girls to the moon and back and look forward to our next reunion! 

Courtney, Molly, Me, Megan, and Jen (and Peanut)