A Deacon In The Family

Today was a very neat day for the family.  One of my cousins (Ryan) was ordained as a Deacon.  Our family rented a bus and ventured to the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist (in Milwaukee) to witness the event.

Just arriving at the cathedral.

  

A family photo.

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 These are the five to be ordained.  My cousin, Ryan, is second from right.

 Promise of Obedience

Each candidate kneels, placing his hands between those of the Archbishop, and promises obedience and respect.

 Litany of Supplication.

While the candidates lie prostrate, the assembly kneels and unites in prayer with the entire Communion of Saints.

 Laying on of Hands.

Central to the rights of all ordinations is the practice of the "laying on of hands."

In silence, the Archbishop places his hands on each of the candidates as they kneel before him.

There is also a prayer of Ordination, Investiture with Stole and Dalmatic, Presentation of the Book of the Gospels, and then the Fraternal Welcome.

The mass continues with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rite.

A very big day for those ordained.

A very special day for Ryan.

Next May (2012) will be Ryan's ordination and we will be able to officially call him Father Ryan.

 Congratulations Ryan!

We're proud of you!

Spring Break Begins!

Today was the last day of school before spring break.  

The first graders had a little Easter egg hunt.  They each had to bring in a milk jug to make their own Easter baskets.  The idea is super cute!  Jack wanted everyone to see one of his good finds.  He got such a kick out of an Easter egg he found that was in the shape of a frog!

The fourth graders had their quarterly awards ceremony.  Cheyenne was so excited to show us the awards she won.  She got an "Outstanding Reader" award, an "Outstanding Social Studies Achievement Award", a "2nd Place Math Recognition Award", and a "Responsible Assignment and Behavior Award".  We are very proud of her!

As for the sixth grade, well....it was just another boring school day which even included getting assigned homework over break.  Bummer!  But I guess that is what makes you look all the more forward to having some time off!

Now we get to enjoy one whole week plus one day of no school!!!  I am not sure who is more excited.  Wait, I guess I do know....WE ALL ARE!
 

 

Spring Cleanup Begins

The lawns have finally dried out enough to start raking, pick up branches, trim trees, cut down trees, and all that good stuff.  Tonight was the official beginning of spring clean up around our place.

 The little guy in the skidder. 

Funny how the girls are no where to be found when the words: "pick up" or "clean up" are said.

"Trimming" the trees.

Jack found many trees/bushes to trim.  He also found three trees and an overgrown lilac bush to cut completely down.  

The boy is making me nervous as he walks around the yard!

His next project are the apple trees.  All of them need a good trimming.  There are also a few dead ones to cut down.

Lets just say Jack loves using his chainsaw (that's the part that's making me nervous!).

Just A Night At Home

Other than a hair cut and a few other errands, tonight was a night we could hang out at home.

It's so nice to not have anywhere to go!

 Dad and his mini-me after haircuts.

 Having fun outside.

And this is what I get when I tell them to make a goofy face for the camera.

And then comes night time.  The monkeys (kids) get ready for bed and most of the animals settle into either the barn or their coop.  Of course not at the Krell's!  Instead, the goats find their "nest" under the pine tree (in their left over hay) and one chicken roosts on their back 'til morning.  I tried to sneak up and take a picture without startling them (kind of tricky to do, but I did get a picture so you can see).

 

Opening Night

Tonight was opening night of the middle school's production of the Sound of Music.  I still cannot get over the fact that these kids are middle schoolers.  They did such a great job!

This is the design of the casts t-shirts.

They looked great! 

Some of the nuns getting ready to sing.

Practice, Practice.

These past few weeks Hannah has been keeping plenty busy with the middle school production of The Sound of Music.  I got to see a little bit of a practice.  Couldn't resist taking some pictures (seeing we won't be able to during the actual show)!

 Hannah is playing a nun with about 80 other

girls.

She also gets to be a neighbor. 

And also has a little part of a trio that goes on stage, bows, and then exists.

This week Friday is opening night.  They will be putting on 6 other shows.  7 performances total. 

Can't wait!

A Great Day To Make Cookies

Today is a very gloomy and wet Sunday.  It rained out a bunch earlier.  It even hailed for a short while.  Not a whole lot to do outside on a day like today.  However, it is a perfect day for making cookies!