Thanksgiving 2009

Lucky Gma Kathy and Gumpy - Ben, Brianne and Mackenzie were able to fly last minute to Wisconsin to visit for Thanksgiving. Popsicles were a sure hit throughout their visit. Here the cousins begin their wonderful journey of getting to know one another better and better, since their last encounter at Ben and Brianne's wedding. Let the adventures begin!

Future Rock Star

You guess which one is going to be on American Idol one day! Or maybe both will? Daddy and Zoe rock!

We Are Family!

Much fun was had by all, during Beatles Guitar Hero jam sessions. Definitely, bonding time!

Girly Girls Love to Have Fun!

The Iz and the Zo share a happy moment. Such joy the cousins shared. There were games of hide and seek (nearly always finding one another in the same spot), jumping on the bed and just plain ole hangin' out. Two peas in a pod.

The Wonderful Chef Team

The meal was absolutely outstanding. I have never tasted gravy so delicious. The brined turkey was savory. Cranberry salad - ah, yummy and tart. The potatoes were smooth and flavorful. Most of all, the meal was made with LOVE.

Oh Yes!

The cousins enjoy some luscious cupcakes, licking the frosting off, natch!

Dinner is Served!

Here, Mama Judy Zeman looks on with love to her niece Mackenzie and daughters Zoe and Isabel as they enjoy their private table to eat.

Bathtime for Mackenzie

Ah, here's Mackenzie in the very same bathtub her daddy used to be in. Daddy is trying to convince her to do be a mermaid so that her hair could be washed.

CozyWarm

Daddy Ben and Mackenzie after Kenzie's bath. Brrrrrr.....Wisconsin is COLD!

Proud Papa

The Zemans enjoy a bit of computer time on Friday afternoon, while Mama is at work.

Izzy's Centerpiece

Izzy created this centerpiece at school to bring to Thanksgiving dinner.

Creative Iz

Isabel created some works of art for Mackenzie. Love and flair!

Time To Kick Back

Izzy and Zoe enjoy a Mickey Mouse Christmas DVD after their naps on Friday. Cozy Time!

Nap Time For Zoe

The cousins headed on over to Madtown Twisters on Friday after Thanksgiving to enjoy some trampoline and rope swinging and bouncing and climbing fun. The Zo Zo did NOT want to nap with Gma and Izzy afterwards, settling in for a snooze while watching Daddy play Guitar Hero.

Rock On!

Thursday and Friday, we kept busy with a Beatles Guitar Hero concert. The boys scored in the 95 to 98% for accuracy. SInger Mama was mostly in the mid-90's. It was great fun!

Our Annual Family Shot

Yearly, we try to pose for a picture to frame, showing Good Ole Mom (aka Silly Mama) with her wonderful three sons, Craig, Andy and Ben. Here's the 2009 shot. Fun!

Pre-Wedding Fun

On June 20, 2009, Benjamin Holt and Brianne Fellbaum became man and wife in California at a beautiful site - Rancho Wikiup, near Santa Rosa. Several days before the wedding, Ben, his brother Andy, and the other groomsmen traveled to Lake Tahoe for a fun couple of days at a cool motel. At groomsman Mike's suggestion, Ken and I drove on over to breathtaking Tahoe to surprise the fellas and take the brothers out to breakfast. It was a great way for one last hurrah before Ben and Brianne began their journey.

In Windsor at the Town Square

Granddaughter Mackenzie and I enjoy a few laughs at a music fest the Thursday before the wedding. It was very fitting that the group performing was a reggae rasta kind of band. Mackenzie delighted her Grandpa Tim and aunts and uncles by dancing with her mama.

The Stage Is Set

The wedding took place in the inner courtyard of a restored, historic stable. Flowers and love bloomed everywhere.

Ali and Andy

At the wedding rehearsal, there were many smiles. I wonder if Ali and Andy hatched up the introductory entrance they used the next day here. It was marvelous! After the wedding, when each couple was introduced, they put on a little creative dance or sauntering as they walked on the grass "stage." Ali and Andy pretended to trip.....and they somersaulted quite athletically on the field, much to the delight of the crowd.

Three Little Pearls

At the wedding rehearsal, I enjoyed the playfulness of my spirited granddaughters. Zoe and Bela immediately hit it off with Ben and Brianne's daughter Kenzie, acting as if they had known one another forever. Brianne had purchased many little rubber balls for the children to play with at the wedding. Shortly after this picture was taken, Mackenzie spirited away to the balls' location and distributed them to the children. What a hit!

Hide and Seek

Bela and Kenzie and another little friend enjoyed making up their own games to pass the time after the wedding rehearsal. Much silliness and giggles!

Tiptoe Through The Tulips

Papi and Zoe enjoy a stroll by the outdoor lap pool of Wikiup the day before the wedding. Zoe is in her element.

Cousins Made Out of the Same Mold

Mackenzie and Isabel thought the outdoor lap pool was the greatest. The day before the wedding, the girls tossed a bit of water around. Spunky lasses, the two.

We Are Way Cool!

Ben and Brianne's daughter Mackenzie and Brianne's brother Aaron enjoy posing just prior to the wedding. Proud uncle, that Aaron, and Mackenzie adores him.

Let's Do This!

Ben, Jared, Andy and Mike make their way to the appointed spot shortly before the ceremony. It's a good, grand day!

It's Good. It's All Good!

Ben and the groomsmen all dressed in one of the bedrooms at Wikiup. Handsome as can be. A celebrity chef in the making. No more pictures, Mom!

Anticipation!

Brianne's bridesmaid friend, Ali, saw me taking pictures before the wedding and suggested I pop in to see Brianne before the ceremony began. I was SO happy at her suggestion. Here's Brianne about 20 minutes before the ceremony. What a beauty! It's almost party time!

Such a lot of Fun!

Here are my son Craig, his wife Judy and their daughters Zoe and Isabel during a rare stationary moment.

Table Decorations

The tables are set in the eggplant and orange color combination. It's rumored that father of the bride Tim, while setting the tables, actually measured the distance between plates. Most certainly, Tim is talented and organized! Note the walls of the former stable in the background.

It's REALLY happening!

Note the beautiful colors of the wedding.....eggplant and orange. The oh-so-lovely dresses were original creations of Kim, mother of the bride. Outstanding! Father of the bride Tim and his crew put up all the colorful paper lanterns.

Here Comes the Gorgeous Bride!

Father Tim escorts the very relaxed and joyful Brianne. The guests stand by, thinking that perhaps Brianne will be a famous model or movie star one day.

It's Official!

Yippee! The deed is done. They are now one. Hooray for Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Holt!

The Mother and The Groom

When Brianne asked me what song I would want to have played for the traditional Mother and the Groom dance, I immediately knew the song: "I Hope You Dance." The history is that when Ben graduated from high school, the song was popular. So as a graduation gift, I printed off the lyrics and framed them. The words speak magic. "When one door closes, I hope another door will open....."

Pose for the Camera

The Zo Zo has a charming way of inserting finger in mouth, especially if her nay-nay is not around. So what better way to have a little fun than for Mama and Papi to imitate the lovely lass? Lots of smiles all around!

Dance The Night Away

Grandma Kathy and Zoe enjoyed nearly every dance together at the wedding. Zoe has remarkable rhythm for such a young lass. I think we'll see her on the silver screen one day. Crinkly nose and all!

American Idol Here We Come!

Ah yes, these cool dancers and singers may just be the latest sensation in Hollywood! Among the tuxeodoed fellas, left to right are Ben, Ben's brother Andy, and Jared. Let the party begin!

Mimi and the Girls

Mother of the Bride Mimi has a daycare in her home. (Mother of the Groom Kathy teaches at a daycare). So both grandmas were in their element with the little ones at the wedding. Here Mimi helps Isabel and Mackenzie explore all the wonders of the bride-created kiddie table. Books and balls and stickers, oh my!

Kathy and Ken Are Proud

Mother and Step-Father of the Groom are so pleased with all aspects of the wedding. Indeed, Kathy thinks Brianne should be a wedding planner!

We Are Family!

Ah, we are such a happy family. Here are Brianne and Ben with Mackenzie and cousin Isabel, enjoying a creative dance of their own.

Time To Hit The Road

Ben and Brianne Holt pose just before being driven to their hotel room for the night. Whew - what a wonderful day, what a splendid wedding!

Easter Egg Coloring 2009

A few days before Easter, Isabel and Zoe came over to Gma Kathy and Gumpy's house to visit while Mommy and Daddy went on a date. Gumpy helped Isabel put the colored tablets in each cup of water and then Isabel supervised Gumpy pouring a little white vinegar in each cup. Zoe, who is known to eat or drink anything in sight, kept a respectful distance. Here the girls are experimenting with their first egg.

So Much Fun!

Zoe is wondering if a chicken is going to hatch from the egg!

The Magic Moment

Isabel gently places the egg in one of the magic water cups. Zoe is amazed.

We're Here!

From February 20 to 27, 2009, Grandma Kathy, Gumpy, Craig, Judy, Isabel, Zoe and Craig and Judy's friends Larry, Buffy and Dan vacationed, flying from Milwaukee to the Dominican Republic. Here is the Zeman family after having arrived at the Punta Cana airport. Soon after, we boarded a van to transit us rather dramatically for two hours through several colorful villages. We arrived at the Dreams La Romana all-inclusive resort in that early Friday afternoon, reluctantly leaving the following Friday morning. What follows are a little over 30 pictures (of the 350 taken), documenting amazing adventures and fun.

Peaceful Pier View

Grandma Kathy poses on the pier overlooking a yellow water trampoline and the beach area. Every morning, Grandma would exercise on the beach right behind the trampoline. Grandma and Gumpy's morning beach reading session took place near this pier.

Fabulous Flamingos

Eight flamingos and a peacock enjoy an enclosed pond area near the buffet restaurant. Every day, Grandma and Gumpy would enjoy hearing them "chat." We were able to actually count the rhythmic group chants, which ended with a flapping of wings and showing of feathers. One day, we counted two sets of 13 chants, and another day, sets of 9 chants. It was quite enchanting!

I'm On Vacation!

Here's Grandma Kathy in the resort lounge, enjoying a "Banana Mama." It's the Dominican answer to the Caribbean "Bahama Mama." Lots of coconut and pineapple, a splash of rum. Grandma is contemplating her answers for the Oscars Awards competition. The day after the red-carpet/champagne festivities, Grandma won prizes for correctly predicting 18 of 24 categories. A bottle of rum and a picture album were the prizes.

Let The Vacation Begin!

Zoe, Grandma Kathy and Isabel relax prior to dinner. It's a balmy 80-degree night, and you can see how the rustling palm trees and salty sea waves have taken effect on the trio.

Zoe Loves Her Mama!

Here's Zoe giving Mama a big hug, while Buffy and Dan beam. Dan is looking for his usual high five. Zoe became an expert high-fiver at the end of the trip and indeed, went to Dan a couple of times. We enjoyed the flair and atmosphere of this restaurant. Zoe enjoyed walking around the restaurant with Gma Kathy after her meal, one shoe on, one shoe off.