Neighborhood

There are times that I lOVE our neighborhood...and it feels more like a community within the city. One of those times is Halloween...the other is the annual corn roast...which was today!!! The kids had a GREAT time getting squirted by the fire trucks and everyone enjoyed the corn!

Catching up with friends!!!

This afternoon we met Beth, Rob ("The Lobsterman") and Aelia at a park in Waukesha. It was so good to see them--they live in Maine and were here visiting family. Ben had fun investigating the surrounding area and Sam and Aelia had fun playing together!!!!

Characters!!

This bird (named Pecky- by the boys) has landed on our window and been pecking on our window. I'm not real sure what he wants.
This is Sam in one of his costumes....he is CRAZY!!!!

4th of July

Overview of our week!!!

Monday- We went to the Greenfield Public Library for a program on bugs, insects, and other 'critters'! Here Sam is holding a toad. He also enjoyed holding a crawfish. The program was AWESOME!!! Info on the program http://www.dwstokes.com/

Also on Monday-- we planted sunflower seeds...they were eaten by a pest in the yard....we are NOT happy!!!
Monday night...T-ball started
Thursday- a trip to the downtown library to see a magic show by Labak the Magician (didn't love the show) but the kids thought the downtown library was cool and it was cool to be downtown.

Friday- the pool at the park opened!! We are so happy-- every year there is a threat that it won't open. The boys (and Nick and Zack) had fun in the cold water:)
Today-- we noticed that the little egg planters (given to us by Granny last year!) sprouted. We opened and watered them earlier this week in hopes they would grow!!!

Upcoming events: Wednesday (my last Stats class- which has been going suprisingly well considering my self diagnosed math disability)

Friday to Mt. Morris for the 4th.

A day at the zoo.

On our first day of summer vacation we went to the zoo with our friends Sally, Zack and Nick. The boys all had a great time running around.

Here is the baby orangutan. I am in LOVE with him!!!!!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to Grandpa Buck and Grandpa Ger!!! We like when you do fun things with us.
We love you. Ben and Sam

School's out!!!

To celebrate the last day of school and day care (we will be RICH$$$!!!!) we went to the drive in movie in Jefferson. It was a LONG trip there...due to the flooding and it seemed all roads to Jefferson were closed. We made it though!! I told the guy at the gate about our long trek to get there...and we got a free popcorn:) Nothing says it's summer like a trip to the drive in.
Today it FINALLY was sunny out and the boys were able to play outside. We were able to go play in the sand at the park and visit the pond. Ben is holding a snail he fished out of the pond.

Come sail away, come sail away....

Well...it's been raining a bit the last 24 hours. These pictures show our street (which the sewer drain wasn't working)! We got a little water in the basement. It's supposed to continue raining today...yay:(

Friends

On Sunday we went to Mt. Morris to see my friend Nick and his daughter Samantha!!! Samantha was baptised at the Methodist Church. We were also lucky to meet Rudy and Nicholas (their 7 year old son). Here is a picture of Nick and I and our Sam's!!!!!!!

Tiger Cub!!

Tonight Ben received his Tiger Cub badge!!! We're very proud of him!!!

Memorial Day weekend

We had a fun time this weekend at Nordic Pines campground. Saturday a game of cornboard was played by most. Enjoying s'mores!!!!
Saturday (after the cornboard game) we went to Circus World Museum. It was really cool!!!
The boys rode the elephant!!!!
Rg and Ben hanging out

Congratulations Josey!!!

This past weekend we went to Dubuque to celebrate Josey's graduation from the University of Dubuque!!!!!
Here is Josey and "the grandmas" at her Nurse pinning ceremony.
The kids (of course we needed a photo opp.!!!)
We stayed at the water park. Here the boys are showing their muscles. All the kids had a great time swimming. Sam went down the waterslide 30 times (!!! I'm not exaggerating!!!) on Sunday.

Graduation!!!!

Congratulations to Kyle as he graduates from Lake Superior State University!!! We're proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week...

What an interesting week...Wednesday I went on a field trip to Discovery World...a really cool Great Lakes Aquarium (on the lakefront). I'd never been there before and will definitely return!!! I parked across from the Art Museum (which is next to Discovery World). As I walked to my car-- 75 degree day with the sun shining...I realized that winter really had been worth it and the beautiful weather we have spring is worth the Wisconsin Winter.
Wednesday night was 'scrapping' night with scouts. Only 3 boys showed up..but they met the requirement for a new bead.
A sure sign of spring...daffodils!!!!
Another sure sign of things to come--- the huge weed in the backyard.
Going to end now...Jason was in Georgia Wed-today visting with Joe and Jimmy (who was down there on vacation). Jason's plane should land in about 1 hour...unless the thunderstorm we're having now detours the plane!!!

Nice weather...FINALLY!!!!!

It feels like we have been waiting 3 years for spring to finally arrive. I'm honestly still afraid it might snow...seems like the weather is so unpredictable this time of year in Wisconsin!!!
We all took advantage of the sun and warmth. Ben worked on the firetruck that Grandpa Buck made the boys. Ben needed to do some adjusting on the rear lights. As you can see by his face below, he had a great time outside---being a boy and getting dirty.
Sam was outside too...but we talked him into taking a nap this afternoon!!!! Which will mean a less crabby night for all of us!!!!

Girls night

After a LONG time...Carey, Candee and I (Chris.....hmmm just realized all C's) were able to go out for dinner. We went downtown to The Wicked Hop...fun time!!
Carey and I try a drink...yummy!!! Candee saying "Mama can't really hear you honey'
How many teachers does it take to figure out how much we owe?
Carey and my engagement picture...no we didn't have too much to drink!!

Hawaii!!!