Littlest Sailor

On Memorial Day weekend I grabbed Jack after school Friday and we all headed to the Sailing Center downtown for possibly the most picturesque sail we've had as a family.  The wind was perfect, the sky was a gorgeous blue, the sailboats were out in force, and to top it all off, it was Charles' first sail.  He had no fear of anything to do with the boat or the water, or even his life jacket (which made it a bit tricky to hold onto him when we were heeled over).  It was a fabulous sail and hopefully the beginning of a long summer of sailing for the littlest Mitchell.

Seasoned Sailors.

Christian got creative when we had to tack - he and Charles would hold the tiller while I took care of the jib and shuffling the kids to the other side of the boat.  

Manitowoc on Memorial Day

Every Memorial Day since we moved to Milwaukee has been spent on the lake sailing. Admittedly it has always been a little chilly when the wind picks up, but this year it was just too cold to go out on the boat.  What happened to global warming?  Does that kind of thing just sweep past the north?  So, without sailing, we Mitchells headed out to do the best next thing - tour a submarine at the Maritime Museum an hour and a half away.  

Manitowoc is a tiny town north of Milwaukee and on Memorial Day much of the town was closed, so we ended up eating at McDonald's and Subway before heading home to do yard work for the rest of the day.  The time at the museum was really wonderful, though.  It is a jewel of a museum with a great water room for kids and incredible boats.  The Submarine was very cool, but it was an hour-long, detailed tour and Charles was not happy about it.  We left a few minutes early from the tour, but I think the boys really enjoyed it in general, and by boys I mean to include Christian who loved it all.  

East Egg Hunt

Yummy marshmallow Peeps.

Yea! I found my first egg (while my brothers collect every other egg in the entire yard).

Such an adorable crew of cousins, all ready for the egg hunt. Christian and Adam hid the eggs (one unfortunate one got stuck in the BMW tailpipe - Christian's not-so-great hiding place)

I love these boys. They are my life (if I could just photoshop Christian into the picture). I am so grateful to be a mother and I could go on and on about how lucky I am, but I think this picture says it all. How could you not love these boys?

More Funeral Pictures

Grandma with all of her grandchildren.

Bagpipes Done Right

Although this happened back in September, I wanted to post this video, taken on our flip camera, so it may be a little jumpy. While we were in our favorite town in Ireland, Kinsale, we happened upon a bagpipe band warming up for a birthday party. We followed them down the street (apparently traffic stops for bagpipes in Ireland) and along the pier. It was a gorgeous night and I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I always get choked up when I hear bagpipes live. I don't know why it happens, but it always does - at the St. Paddy's day parade in NYC, or right there in Ireland, it happens without fail. This was just about as authentic as you can get. I was in heaven.

Grandpa Jack Mitchell's Funeral

Two weeks ago Christian and I took Charles out to Utah for Christian's grandfather's funeral. It was a wonderful funeral with many loving and humorous memories of Grandpa and just a good spirit there. Christian gave a beautiful prayer, all of his uncles and father gave touching tributes, I played Danny Boy on the viola, and even my dad spoke. It was a very full day and I couldn't help think of him as a young man, happy, full of energy and youth. I'm just so grateful that we know about heaven and that he is in a wonderful place.

Mark held Charles during the dedication of the grave and then the two of them "said" goodbye to Grandpa. It was very sweet and made me all choked up.

Chapman leaving his boutonniere on the casket.

All of the grandsons as pallbearers. Grandpa was buried in the Lehi, UT cemetery.

Aunt Genevieve keeps Charles happy and sleeping.

All the Mitchell sons with Grandma. She looked amazing since losing a ton of weight after having both knees replaced. What a machine! That woman has some serious endurance. She and Grandpa raised four really great men who have some really quality children. I should know, I married one!

Clothes? Who needs 'em?

Winfield definitely wears fewer clothes in the winter than he does in the summer. I honestly can not keep clothes on him. He especially likes to hang light sabers on his underpants. What a crazy kid! Seriously. This one has ideas.