Grandpa Ed

Cassie

My sweet friend Cassie and I both happened to be dressed in black and white at church a few weeks ago. Don't we look cute?

Memory Monday: Backyard Camping

July 2007: J (age 2) and S (age 4) with Daddy.

Lemonade Stand

Our neighborhood had it's annual garage sale this weekend, so after spending our big bucks ($1 per kid goes a long way) at our neighbor's sales, we set up a lemonade stand to refresh weary customers. I love going to garage sales but I know how much work they are, so I've never held one myself. I just donate the goods (junk) and write it off on our taxes.

The lemonade was free but the kids made $5.50. Explain that.

(How do I do a strikethrough format on my text in blogger.com? I couldn't figure it out. If you know, will you comment? Thanks.)

Grandmom and Grandad's Backyard

J checking out the diving board.

Swinger Z.

The hot tub.

Roast Dad

To celebrate my dad's demotion as president, his Rotary Club held a Roast for him. A fun (and delish) dinner at the country club, roasts are definitely a guy thing. My brother James and sister Stacy even flew in from Colorado to surprise my dad (and boy was he).

Dad's friends dressed up as Popeye and Olive Oil during their roasting.

My Grandpa helped present my dad with his Rotarian President's Plaque.

The Sullivan 5 together again!

Dad, Stacy, Mom, me and James.

My dad's theme this year was sailing, so many of the guests came decked out in sailors gear. Some showed up in pirate garb (the evil overthrowers). Mom worked so hard to help organize the Roast, which included coordinating my brother and sister's surprise arrival(s).

Alas, the evil pirates eventually showed up and overthrew Dad. It was inevitable. He ended the evening in this small life raft wearing floaties and holding a gallon size bottle of Geritol. Much better than having to walk a plank. Dad brought his swimsuit just in case they were actually going to make him get wet. He was a great sport, and a great president.

He'll enjoy the break now, though.

Swinger Z

Memory Monday

Dinner at the Ketchum home, June 2007. My how kids grow up.

(We miss you Ketchums and Gurnseys!)

Guess who's sleeping in a big boy bed?

(Note to Susan: Z still loves the red/blue blanket you made him. Inseparable. Oh, and it's your bed too!)

Guess who lost her first top tooth this weekend?

Keeping the tooth fairy busy: This is tooth #4.

Keep 'em coming.

Father's Day Fun

We celebrated Father's Day today with a bike ride to the lake, a nice long nap, then swimming at the Y. We love our Daddy!

Tennis, Anyone?

Giggler in the Middle

Great Dads

For the great Dads in my life, from the eldest...

My Grandpa and me.

My father-in-law having basement fun with his grandkids.

My dad at his post.

Jeff: Bestest Dad to our 3 kids and most incredible husband to me.

"Wrestling with daddy is my favorite." -S age 6.

We celebrate you awesome dads today. We love you.

Drive Thru Ditty

This was too funny not to post (thanks Matt!):

Grandparent's home and pool fun with the Sullivan Fam.

Warning: Oodles of photos ahead.

Jumper N.

Poolside fun.

And yes, someone very innocent was pushed into the pool.

(Me.)

Without consent.

Revenge is sweet, Crazy Uncle James.

(Notice how he's hiding behind his wife Lauren?)

Ahem.

Try to sleep well, James.

N, T and S.

My mom, sister in law Lauren and Lauren's daughter B (10 mo).

My Grandpa sits down to draw with Z. So so so sweet.

Now that's one busy pool.

Yummy meals out on the back deck. (Thanks mom!)

Z in the playhouse mixing up some "tea."

My Dad has the best cannon ball.

James starts his approach in the back garden. Of course.

Such a wonderful week with awesome people!

(Well, everyone's awesome except for "mean people" who push other "nice people" into the pool.)

Memory Monday: 40 Years of Marriage

My awesome parents, Ed and Peggy Sullivan, were married 40 years ago today: June 15, 1969.

(Overwhelming applause, whistles and cheering!)

Way to go mom and dad! Must. Celebrate. We tried to plan a suprise party for our folks on May 28, 2009. But, well, uhm, that didn't work. So we had a "they already know about it" party on the same day and it was just as great.

We held the party in Geneva Hall, the basement of our home town church, First Pres. in downtown Visalia. If you know Visalia at all, you know that it gets extremely hot in the summertime (105 degrees is typical). We were tempted to have the party in the backyard, but there was a freak wind and rain storm that night, during the party, which made us especially thankful that we weren't outside for the evening.

My brother James was the MC for the evening and he did a wonderful job with a personal song, games for all, photo slide show and the beloved tootsie roll toss (questions about our honored couple, correct answers get a tootsie roll prize flying at your head at 20 mph).

I just love this sweet photo of Joni and little S.

James came up with some great activities for our guests.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

We love you.