"Another Saturday night...

and I ain't got nobody..." Okay, not exactly my situation. Mine would be more like, "Another Saturday night and I got too much proofing."

We had our first ever garage sale. We participated with quite a few other neighbors. I would have never imagined it would be SO much work. I got 5 hours of sleep on Thursday night. Mackie came down with a low grade fever Thursday evening. So, both her and Eli were up that night. So, it wasn't even a solid 5 hours of sleep. Friday went well. I was exhausted afterwards and sat down on the couch around 8:30 after a glass of wine. Mark said I was out within 5 minutes. Today was busy but I wasn't quite as sleep deprivated!

Here are a few pictures from our trip to GA.




I love this photography except for one thing...Can you guess what it is....?
Our feet are chopped off!!

Back from Georgia!

We're back, from Georgia that is! In preparation last week, I neglected the blog. I had the best intentions to write a brief update but there was just too much to do. So, I'm sure this will be lengthy.

To start, Mark and I took the girls to their first ever Husker volleyball game at the Qwest Center in Omaha. (Sunday, Sept 2nd). We joined Mark's Dad, brother, and our niece and nephew. It was a fun time and the girls really enjoyed it, especially Schuyler who is a HUGE Husker volleyball fan. Eli stayed at home and bonded with Grandma. He also decided to get another tooth. Instead of one of the middle top teeth, he decided to pop out an eye tooth on the top. The other one is starting to get close. We might have a little vampire for Halloween = )

Tuesday the 4th, Schuyler began her first day of kindergarten. She was so excited. We picked out some cute matchy outfits for the girls and I did their hair for them. Both Daddy and I dropped her off on her first day. It's fun to ask her what she did during the day.

Wednesday we drove with Eli to Kansas City since this is where our flight was departing from. We spent the night with my bro and SIL and got to meet the puppies, Eernie and Sophie. They are so cute!!! Thursday a.m. we set off for Savannah, GA. We had a great time! We actually spent most of our time on Tybee Island, just 30-40 minutes eash of Savannah. We stayed in a cute little beach house literally just 4 blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. The beach was beautiful and the weather perfect. Eli and I got to experience the ocean for the first time. He loved it when the waves would roll in and would squeal with delight. We had some fabulous seafood, barbecue, grits, and other southern traditions, such as Low Country Boil. For a Low Country Boil, all you need is huge pot and burner of some sort and you toss everything in. Ours consisted of shrimp, sausage, chicken, red potatoes, corn, and rice. It was delicious! Eli and I spent a morning in the historic district of Savannah while Mark took in 18 holes at one of the local courses. The main reason for our visit was the wedding of Mark's best friend, Justin Fogo. Mark ended up standing in as the best man since Justin's bro couldn't make it. The wedding and reception were beautiful! I can't wait to share pictures but will warn all of you it will be a while as I have a large back log of proofing I must do. Other tid bits: It was high tide while we were there so when we were driving through the intercoastal areas, the water was probably only 5 - 10 feet away from the road. We saw turtle crossing signs. Just a few things you don't see in NE!! I saw my first ever jelly fish (it was washed up on the shore). That's probably enough of GA for ya'll!

We returned to mini-van trouble! It's getting a new transmission which comes with a hefty price tag so my bathroom remodel will have to wait =( Great Grandma has been gracious enough to lend us her car!!

Mack had her first gymnastics class last night. She caught on very quickly. Schuyler begins dance again tonight. Let the activities begin!

Here is just one image from the previous wedding I did...

Schuyler's changing so much!

Sometimes I feel like my kiddos are changing before my very eyes! It seems so much is happening with Schuyler! The tooth fairy came to visit again this weekend. She now has lost both bottom-middle teeth. She also played in her first soccer game on Sunday. If any of you want a good laugh and are in the Lincoln area you should stop out for one of her games. It's too cute. It's the first time playing for all these little girls and there are some moments where they just don't have a clue. Schuyler scored a goal, although it was for the other team = ) Monday, she learned to ride without training wheels. I'm not sure *learned* is the correct word. She wanted to try riding without training wheels. I gave her a little push and began running after her, only to see her continue riding off without any assistance. She got a little tipsy the next house down but no major fall. She got right back on and off she went again.

Eli has learned to kiss. Well kind of. He smacks his lips together and then smiles. He has been giving daddy and I the most gigantious bear hugs.

The wedding I shot last week went well. I know I have a blog stalker out there who has been waiting so I'll post a few.

I'm off, tomorrow, Thursday as the girls don't have school. Busy weekend ahead with family coming for the first Husker game. Schuyler might get to see her first Husker volleyball game. We have not told her so no spilling the beans (grandparents I'm talking to you)! Her official first day of kindergarten will be Tuesday. Dance will also resume that night. Wed we leave for Savannah. Actually, our flight leaves from Kansas City on Thurs a.m. so we're going to spend Wed with my bro and SIL.

Okay random pictures to leave you with...

Ian...this is for you!!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had brought my camera to the funeral. So, is it a bad sign when the first words out of my nephew's mouth after he see's me and the camera are "Are you going to blog this?" Of course! Ask and you shall receive. Here is the very handsome young man himself. (I'm sure right about now he's making gagging faces at me=)

Just so things are some what fair, here are 2 of the girls. Flying high in the very cool old swings.

Here is one with my cousin (technically Mark's cousin). Our girls love their cousin, especially Schuyler. I have no idea what Schuyler is doing in this picture. Justin - I'm giving you a break at this time but only b/c I get the real deal for senior pictures come September = )
Here is the inside of Assumption Church.
Guess who came to our house this weekend? The tooth fairy! Schuyler pulled her own tooth shorty before dinner on Saturday. She was so proud of herself (and so are daddy and I!). She calls the space where the tooth was her *door*. Can't wait to show you her new grin!

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers

I just wanted to say a quick thank you for the thoughts and prayers that so many of you have extended to our family. We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful support system of family and friends = )

Not being Catholic, I was unaware that the day Gpa was buried was Assumption Day. Or, as I have learned, the day Mary was assumed into heaven. (Hope this is correct, if not, please correct me). So, Gpa was buried in Assumption Church, which fittingly, is located in Assumption, Nebraska on Assumption road. The town consisted of 5 houses. (This is not an official count =).

Is it morbid that I brought my camera along. Hope not! I took a few pics of the church as well as the kids playing with their cousins.

Not much planned for the weekend! Mark and I may go shopping in Omaha with the kids. We'll see.

I just want to say, I LOVE repeat customers. Why you ask? Because I can watch there kiddos grow! It's so cool to go back and compare. Here is Anna last year. And below is the little sweetie now = )

I like this one. I call it "I lick you"!!!

The good Lord called Mark's grandpa home just before midnight on Saturday. Mark was able to spend some time with him and the rest of the family Friday and Saturday. He even spent the night in the hospital with him on Friday and got to see him open his eyes. Funeral will be held on Wednesday in Hastings and the rosary will be tomorrow night.

Schuyler is old enough to understand what is going on so we have been answering many questions regarding death (to the best of our abilities). "What is a funeral? When will I get to say good-bye? Are they digging the hole?..."

On another note, there is a lot of teeth going on at the Riese household. I failed to mention Eli got his frist tooth back on July 29th. It is the middle-right bottom one. The other one is taking it's time coming through and is causing issues for poor Eli. Meanwhile, we found out on last Wednesday (Aug 8th) that Schuyler has her first "wiggly" tooth as she calls it. It's the bottom middle-left. The other middle one is ever so slightly loose. She is very excited. Heck, I'm excited too!

We had a busy weekend. I made it through the wedding just fine. Then, Saturday and Sunday the kids' had pool bday parties to attend. One was Mackie's best friend from school. (Remember Katie?) The other was the little neighbor boy who just turned one. Can't wait for him and Eli to be running around next year (or maybe even this fall).

I will be out of town the next few days. Any emails, phone calls, etc... will be returned on Thursday. Here are a few pictures to leave you with...

Jumping in the house of God!

Okay, strange title I know. But the kids finished up vacation bible school last week and they were always dancing/jumping to this song. It's kind of Christian rap like! Mack changes up the words to "Jumping in the house with God!" There goal for was 350 kids and they surpassed with 358! You should have heard the worship area when they announced it. It was louder than a high school basketball game! On the final day, they sang all their songs and we watched a video of all the activities. Sunday, they got up on the risers in the worship area and performed. Both girls did fantastic! It was Mackie's first year and I think she was overwhelmed at times. She took Tuesday off to stay home and recoupe. This year's theme was Avalanche Ranch. Sunday was a bittersweet moment as we said goodbye to our Director of Children's ministry. Our children's program is so successful, due in part to her committment and dedication. Oh the bright side, God has answered our calling and has found a fabulous replacement!

Schuyler had her kindergartne appointment last Mon. She is 90% for height and 80% for weight. Can't remember what this corresponds to in inches and pounds? She is tough as nails. The girl didn't even flinch when she had 3 shots and hemoglobin check! Maybe I should take a lesson from her! Her hearing will have to be recheched as she was hearing 10 decibels less in one ear. Dr. thought it may be due to a large chunk of ear wax.

Mark had a golf tourney this weekend so we didn't see much of him. The kids and I had a good time. We went swimming in Gma's pool, even Eli! I even managed to get some much needed cleaning in!

I have a wedding to shoot this Friday for the couple below. Send positive thoughts my way = )