Pre-K Graduation

Proud Mama

If you can image, I've been looking forward to this since before Elliana was even born. Every year, the PreSchool holds graduation on the from lawn of my office. So for the past 10 years I've watched as little 4-5-year-olds march with their gown and caps. It is the sweetest thing anyone has ever seen and now even sweeter for me because my baby was there.

Very official

Proud Gwen supporting Elliana and a tearful Danielle

Picture time

Happy Easter

Thank you to our dear neighbors, The Pearsons for hosting a beautiful Easter and inviting us! And thank you to the Jothams for not making us the Easter orphans we normally are.

New Easter Dresses from Nana and Bunny Ears

Happy Easter Morning

Egg Hunting with Mama

Egg Hunting with Nana

Happy 3rd Birthday Olivetini

Homemade sweater from Aunt Kat
and summer gear from Nana

Modeling

Gifts before bed

Cora was excited to celebrate

Licking the candles

Pizza with Zoe

North Carolina Mountains

A lovely long weekend in the mountains with the Jothams. The girls enjoyed time with their grandparents and Elliana went bonkers for the snow tubing again!

Puerto Rico with Gwen

A much-needed mommy get away. No kids, no hubbies.

On our way!

View from our balcony

Beach time

Views, views, views

Happy Gwen

Happy Danielle

We met a friend... he was at least 2-feet long. Ew.

Happy Birthday Cora

Happy birthday to my baby Cora. We had just a small gathering of her baby friends and their families. Cora held her own in the cake eating, although she's no Olive (reminder of what that looked like).

As much as I love babies, I'm excited for Cora to be able to hold her own with the older girls a little more. It'll be super fun once she starts walking and can run after them... and away from them.

We give up bottles and she transitions to the toddler room this week. Not looking forward to that drama (reminder of how well Elliana tolerated that).

We've all been battling colds on and off, so we're pretty wiped out. I've been slack with the updates, I apologize. When I have time, I may go back and fill in a few here and there. Definitely need to at least document the holidays!

Elmer Henry Nees

Our Wedding

(A guest blog by Damon)

On December 29th my grandpa, Elmer, passed away in his sleep. My grandma passed away early this year in July and I know he missed her dearly. He was my one and only grandpa as my father’s father passed away before I was born. Therefore he was a very special part of my childhood and we spent many memorable days on his farm, playing golf and playing cards. He was BIG talker and literally seemed to know EVERYONE in the state of Iowa.

Elmer was great man who passed on his wisdom of investing, saving and loving life. He lived a great life and had the opportunity to spend quality time with all of his children AND grandchildren in the last year, including our great trip to Iowa. He loved cards, including poker and played up to his last few days.

He lived a great life and touched many people with his gift of gab and “BS”. He was an amazing grandpa who shared a lot of great advice which I still live by to this day.

He and my grandma will both be sorely missed but I know they are once again enjoying each other and probably playing cards with old friends.

Below are a few moments from the past 10 years...

Croquet on Easter in Sarasota

The Boys

Thanksgiving in Sarasota with Elliana

A Stroll on Longboat Key

Broasted Chicken in Iowa (Cora is technically there too!)

On the farm in Iowa

Goats!

Mexican lunch with Olive

Meeting Memere and Pepere Deprez at our wedding

Love

Proud Daughter Debby

Feeding Great Granddaughter Elliana