It begins..."Happy Birthday, Gemma!"

September 1st: "Two years old!" 

and she continually makes us laugh with her funny sayings and her constant talking. From the moment she wakes up, we also are awakened by her commentary on the day and whatever is going on - "I see flashing light under there!" (trans: the hallway light is now on, and Dad is going to open my bedroom door and come get me). Then throughout the day we listen as she describes whatever she sees and whatever she is playing with. Last week she set a personal best with a 9-word sentence. Not to mention all the singing she is doing these days! "Music on, Mommy! More music!" she insists as she points to the CD player in her room or requests music in the car. Some favorites: Are you sleeping, brother John; Jesus loves the little children; Baby Beluga; Twinkle twinkle little star; Do Re Mi; and a smattering of lyrics she combines into one continuous song. 

We didn't originally plan to celebrate her birthday with Granddad and Nonna in Wheaton, but since the big day coincided with a "25 years of women's soccer at Wheaton" reunion, we got to Live It Up over a long weekend visit. We're talking balloons and birthday cake and party hats (at Gemma's request) and waffles and soccer games and playing with friends in the tree-house and going for a walk with cousins and long sessions at the piano with Nonna. What a good time.

Friday afternoon we arrived in Wheaton and walked around campus a bit - fun and busy with students since classes had just started two days earlier. That evening was a reception (dinner, short progam, and time to chat) for the women's soccer players. Everyone from the last 24 seasons was invited; there were about 50 players and their families in attendance. It was simply awesome and amazing to see a few old teammates who I hadn't seen since graduation!! (we forgot to take the camera to that event...)

 Saturday dawns... Gemma's 2nd Birthday! A special breakfast of waffles! All for Gemma! Well, we shared.

 

Then off to East McCully field for a Saturday morning romp with former teammates and their kiddos. The alumna women had one side to run around on, while the alumni men had a scrimmage on the other half.

Abi Woody Hardy and her three oldest boys (and now we are related! "Cousin" it is, for ease of explanation to the kids.)

Jul with Fo (Pete's wife. Where would a great coach be without his supportive wife?)

with Rebecca Mouw, also currently pregnant

with Paige and Jamie

Some of the ladies playing small ball. I was amazed at how fit many of the women still were!

The men's team of 1997 also had a reunion this weekend, and all the players on this national championship squad were inducted into the Wheaton Hall of Honor. It was cool to see guys from that team (when we were freshman, Jul playing and Jim doing photography for the men), back in town and playing together. Here's the former, long-time coach Joe Bean with Pete. Two amazing coaches. Joe Bean: men's coach with the 2nd-most wins in NCAA history (all divisions). Pete Felske: in his 25th year with the women, and 8th on the most-wins list in NCAA.

the alumni men in town for the reunion (with current Wheaton president, Dr Ryken, also suited up to scrimmage, back right)

 What makes a birthday more special than helping Nonna make chocolate-chip cookies?

Saturday afternoon and we were back to the soccer field, amidst the wind and drizzle, to watch the women's team and join all the alumna for half-time recognition. We all wore matching shirts and marched on to the field together. Pretty cool.