The Frank Funnies!: September 2014

Sunday, September 14, 2014

40 years!

This August, my parents celebrated their 40th Anniversary - what a great accomplishment! My sisters and I threw a party for them (at their house and they provided most of the major food and beer!) and it was a FAB-U-LOUS day! Maybe I'm a little biased, but I happen to think my mom and dad are the best role models one could ask for. And I think a lot of other people feel the same way - as evident by the number of people that showed up their party! THANK YOU to all who came to help us celebrate; we could haven't asked for a better day!

Mom and Dad's wedding photo, invite and napkin

Bride and Bridesmaid dress - Gotta love the '70s!

My sister had them "re-do" one of their wedding photos

The kids had a ball! It was a warm day so we set up a pool and slip n slide.

Some of the grown ups having a good time

Fun in the pool

Look at all those people!

Trouble-makers!

More people

The "Not-so-newlyweds"! They really haven't changed bit!

The wedding party - just missing two groomsmen, one usher and the miniature bride!

Mom & Dad

For all the times that I forgot to "thank-you,"

For all the special little things you do,

For all the words that sometimes go unspoken,

I need to say "I love you both... I do."

I love you for the way to stop and listen,

And for your kind support throughout the years,

For teaching me the meaning of compassion,

And sharing in my triumphs and tears.

And if at times I may have seemed ungrateful,

I want to say "I truly hope you see

That nothing you have done has been forgotten,

And day by day, you just mean more to me."

Happy Anniversary!

Love, Stef

Zoo

The end of July, we went to the Como Zoo with Alissa, Josh and Henry. We had a great time! I love the Como Zoo - there's so much to do! We could have spent all day just in the amusement park. The kids were upset when it was time to leave and they hadn't had a get a chance to play on the Splash pad yet. But a couple hours is long enough - by that time we're all cranky and tired of waiting in lines!

So excited to get there!

First ride of the day was a good one!

Jules!

Alissa and the boys on the tea cups

Julianne rode the swings

On the train

Alissa and Henry

Jules and I rode the spraying Fire Trucks...

...while Will drove for us!

Julianne and I rode the zip line. We went up 100 feet and could see downtown St. Paul from the top! It was fun!

The giraffes

Wisconson Great Northern Railroad

For Christmas this year, we got my mom and dad tickets for an overnight stay and train ride on the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad; actually part of the gift was that my sisters and husbands were all going to go too! We finally found time for all of us to get away together the end of July. We had to travel to Spooner, Wisconsin to board the train. We then took an hour ride (we only went 5 mph so went 5 miles) to a scenic spot and ate supper. We then took the hour ride back to the train station. They had a "bar" car that had drinks, music and a dart table and that's where we spent most of the last part of the evening. We then spent the night on the train and they had breakfast for us in the morning. The quarters were tight - just ask my 6' 3 '' brother in law about the beds! - but the food was good and the company was great! It was a fun experience - we don't get away to often without the kids!