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!

I'm baaaaaaack!

So, have you been wondering about us? We're here, and this is what our week has consisted of:
UNPACKING! Here's the office. Probably the least organized room in the house!

The great room, and three little heads over the couch. They have been complete troopers--with all of this rain, they've been a little stir-crazy. They've each organized their rooms, and thank goodness that cable was hooked up on Monday

The first (and only!) completely unpacked room--the kitchen!

Here's our very own mudslide--our backyard. This picture doesn't show it, but from where I'm taking the picture to the end of our lot is a 12-foot drop. There are two retaining walls. What you also can't see is how much of our topsoil in our new next-door-neighbhors lawn. :(

Here's your room, Dawn! (The basement) :)

Things are going well....slowly but surely we're getting settled and trying to learn things about our new community. Remember, we love visitors and are a short drive from Elkhorn (just ask Ted!)

I'll post more as we progress. We're having a big g-sale in September!

We love you Elkhorn!

It's hard for me to believe tomorrow is moving day. It has been such a long transition for us, it sometimes felt like it wasn't going to happen. Who would have believed when we arrived here SEVEN years ago (almost to the day!) that I wouldn't want to move back to where we came from. Our years in Elkhorn have been the best! From our awesome church, where God has really grown both Ted and I spiritually, to our fantastic neighborhood where we made life-long memories, to the great school system, to being able to spend such quality and quantity times with Ted's family.....I could go on and on. We leave with heavy hearts, but also know that God has gone before us and has a new adventure for us. Like having Ted home more!!! Yipee! And another friendly, welcoming neighborhood. We'll be back reguarly, and would LOVE guests!

This blog is a great way to keep in touch--so those of you who are reading it, but not commenting, go ahead, just click on the "comments" button!! You can do it! Otherwise, you're going to be labeled "blog stalkers!"

Thank you to each of you who touched our lives. WE LOVE YOU! We'll see you at the fair.....

T, K, W, K and A

Packing.......Moving

Oh, did I mention we were building a house? We closed yesterday and move in a week. I'm quite sure I have ADD when it comes to packing. I pack one, maybe two boxes, and then I need to check something on the computer, or go outside to play with the kids (actually chat with neighbors). Everything is done but carpeting and seeding (well, almost everything). Ted told our builder to leave some trim off because I won't know how to live in a finished house! Here's the latest:

Look at that cute guy checking something out in the kitchen

The office