Jodi & Tom's Wedding

My good friend, Jodi Wilhelm, got married this weekend and I just happened to be bridesmaid #5. It was an honor to be a part of her day. She was the most beautiful bride I think I've ever seen. Her dress was absolutely perfect for her and she looked stunning in it. Tom is a very lucky guy.

Jodi and I have known each other since I moved to Dyersville when I was 5. We grew up in the same neighborhood playing everything from Ghost in the Graveyard to crick stomping behind her house. There weren't many summer days we didn't spend together.

The ironic thing about our relationship is that the man I would eventually marry, 20+ years after meeting Jodi, was her cousin. Jodi's mom and Troy's dad are brother and sister. Small world, huh! To think that my kids and Jodi's kids are cousins is pretty neat, considering Lauren idolizes Jodi's daughter Leigha! Lauren even had the honor of handing out programs, which made her feel like pretty big stuff!

I love when ya have a wedding in the family, cause it always provides for great family picture opportunities with everyone all dressed up and looking nice! Most of our other family pics are w/ t-shirts and shorts!

This wedding was extra fun for Troy and I because both our families were there. Even my brother Ted and his wife were there, because Tom (the groom) is Ted's wife's cousin. Like I said, small world.

Poor Shana.....she's 4 months pregnant and had to put up w/ me, the drunken sister-in-law! She was a trooper tho!

When Jodi and I turned 14, a girl by the name of Jenny Wagner entered the scene, riding her black Razz moped. And the rest they say is history. The three of us developed an unlikely bond that summer. Jodi, the straight A student, Jenny, the drama club president, and me, the athlete. But it's a friendship that has survived and one I plan to be a part of forever.

Congrats Tom & Jodi...I'm so glad I was able to be part of your special day! You are an amazing couple and I wish you years of happiness!

Our little angel...

Paige received the sacrament of baptism this weekend, officially making her one of God's little angels. We had a great celebration for her, with her godparents, grandparents, Great Grandma's and all her cousins, except Ben and Chloe :(

She was the 3rd little Osterhaus girl to be baptised at St. Joes Key West Church. And with us moving in a couple months, it was important to me to have her baptised here, where both her sisters were baptised by Father Bakewell. She looked so adorable in her baptismal gown and we were able to get some great pictures!

Paige's godparents are Tim & Dawn, and she couldn't be luckier to have them. Dawn spoils all my girls rotten and Uncle Timmy (as the girls call him), desperately needs to have a girl of his own, cause he is smitten w/ my girls, as you'll see in the pic below....SO adorable!

Tim & Shana are pregnant w/ their 4th baby, and we are all praying for a girl for Uncle Timmy! If they have another boy, I promised Shana that we'd have one more and if it was a girl, we'd switch!

Dawn and her god-daughter....she had her smiling from ear to ear! The woman's got the touch!

Both the Osterhaus and the Steger grandkids are very lucky to have their Great Grandma's still in their lives. We don't get to see Grandma Joan (Troy's Grandma) very often, so we were so thankful she decided to drive the 2 hours home for Paige's baptism. The last time she was at our place was for Reese's baptism. Thanks Grandma for making the trip home!

My Grandma Cleo was also able to make the baptism and we take every opportunity to get photos of her with all her girls. Grandma has 15 great grand children ..... and 14 of those grandchildren are GIRLS! What are the odds!

Just one additional, adorable pic. Troy snapped this one today. Such a happy baby...

Softball, Graduation, Parks and more.....

Lots of photo opportunities over the past week, so be prepared for a busy blog!

Our own little Ryan Theriot was in full effect this week, sporting mad skills at the short stop position and going 3-3 at the bat, taking her team (The Cubbies) to another victory, even tho they don't keep score! Nevermind the fact that 75% of the girls in this league can barely hold the bat up w/o falling over cause it weighs more than they do! Ha!

Ella Olberding (Brad and Cindy's daughter) is also on our team. She did a great job behind the plate!

As the youngest of 2 older siblings, I completly understand where Paige is coming from in this next picture. When I was younger, I sat through a many of baseball, football & basketball games, and as much as you love cheering on your older siblings, it can get to be some long days/nights.

Our next adventure this week was my baby's graduation from Kindergarden (.....give me a second while I dry my tears!) Lauren attended St. Columbkille's school this year. She was very lucky to be in Mrs. Johnson's class. She has been teaching for over 20 years and is an amazing teacher. I vounteered one day a couple weeks ago, and spending simply 3 hours there made me realize there is not enough money in the world that could make me be a kindergarten teacher! The patience of those women is something I will admire until I move on to my resting place!!!

Lauren & Mrs. Rolling, the principal:

This is a picture of the Kindergarten quilt that was auctioned off. Each student decorated a square for the quilt:

Their "graduation" program lasted about 45 minutes and was 100% adorable. The program consisted of a series of songs, which were hilarious and each student receiving an award, from the Sugar & Spice award to the Best Buddy award to the Technology award, which is the one Lauren won. The Technology award was given to a student who excelled in technology and was willing to help teach their classmates. She looked very proud winning this award.

After the program, we were able to spend 10 minutes in the gym getting some precious photos of the class. It was kind of a bittersweet moment for us because Lauren won't be going to school there next year. We loved St. Columbkille's and the friends Lauren made this year, but I know she'll do fine next year too!

Lauren & her best friend Emma (Please note that Lauren has to "duck down" to be eye level w/ Emma. She's such a giant!)

Lauren & Elizabeth:

Lauren & Sophia:

And finally, yesterday I took Reese out to New Wine Park in New Vienna for a picnic, hiking and come creek stomping w/ Wagner and her girls, Claire & Carley. No need to say a word about these pics, the adorable-ness speaks for themselves! Enjoy!