Happy 40th Dave!!

I've been out of touch because I TOOK A VACATION BY MYSELF! SERIOUSLY.

My Mom and I went to California to surprise my brother for his 40th b-day.

It was so so so fun--hanging at the pool, his birthday party at the beach, breakfast on the ocean, and flying on an airplane with no kids! WOWEE!

Ted did a fabulous job of handling the home front--not only did he run day-to-day operations without incident (I think), but got his house "honey-do list" done, built shelves in the basement, and cleaned the house the night before I got home. He thinks he'd like to retire and send me back to work!

Just a note for Dave, my brother, my friend, my hero--I LOVE YOU! Here's to 40 more blessed years!


Tough day on the ocean

Pool time with the fam

My nephew, Christopher, doing my hair!

Anna's turn!

And here she is! She could hardly wait for today...well, sort of...

She was thinking she didn't want to go to school, until the "open house" last night. But, she told me it shouldn't be an "open house", it should be an "open school"! That's right, sister!

We've had fun, quieter times since the boys started school a week earlier. We've had lunches with Daddy and Grammy, and a few shopping adventures too. She wanted to go look at the camels in Mt Horeb (you didn't know they had camels, did you? Actually they are llamas). One day, we were at Woodmans (you know I'm loving that closer!) and she was watching a toddler scoot away from her Daddy. "Come here, pumkin, " he said to his daughter. I was ready to go too, so I said to Anna, "let's go", and she said, "I'm busy watching Pumpkin!"

My baby is growing up quickly.

On a somber note, say a prayer today for our country, and our soilders.

School Days, school days.....

Here they are! The boys had a great first day. Anna wished she could go with them. Preschool starts next week.

Please notice THE LAWN in the background! Yipee. And the sprinklers.....

Here are most of the 17 kids at our bustop, all from our neighborhood! And there are another 9 not old enough for school yet. Wowee!

The BEST county fair in the Midwest!

We couldn't miss wristband night at the Walworth County fair...our first visit back was fabulous. Had tons of fun and saw lots of friends!


The gang!

Ted got a wristband too, and this group stayed 'til closing!

This one was priceless--this was the "preparation" before the ride even began! "Breathe Deeply....."

My sweet bees!

This for sure makes the short list for one of the annual visits back!