Even longer time no blog...

Ok, so my EXCEPTIONAL blogging updates are starting to get away from me. Here's the latest:

The first sprinkler run of the season! Yipee! That's what's so great about spring, we know summer is coming...

Will has had some excitement in his 4th grade life. His Haiku poetry was "chosen from thousands of poems submitted by 4th grade students from So. Wisconsin to be honored..." at a talented and gifted reception. Who knew we had a poet and didn't know it!

I LOVE his teacher....each of his 26 classmates had a SPEAKING part in two plays they put on this week. Here he is in his role as a forgetful grandpa....

And finally, a picture that we hope to show at this couple's wedding in say, 20 years? They both became top-teeth-toothless within a week of each other (our sweet neighbor, Payton)

Long time no blog....

Yeah, it's been a bit, so here's some of what we've been up to....

This is in the empty lot next to us. It's our very own private driving range. Reservations are being taken, for a small fee. (Kaleb's in the gray sweatshirt)

Here's Anna's FABULOUS (if I say so myself) b-day party at a gymnastics center. A great time was had by all

We HAVE had some warm weather. Well, two days. This was a week ago. It's been snowing all morning again. I'm not kidding.

Celebrating somethin' on April 9th....

Kaleb's front two teeth were finally loose. Here's our very multi-talented friend, Steve, helping along the process....

And the final product two days later! I love toothless!

Happy Birthday Anna!

Our baby girl is 5!!! What joy and a different dynamic you bring into our family with your girl-ness...but you can hold your own with any boy! I love your pursuit and your will. One of my favorite things is to watch you and your "snuggler". Your laugh is contagious and you make us complete. I'm so thankful for a partner in our girl team! Happy Birthday, Sweet girl! We love you!!

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter! Started out with church and a superb message about God's GRACE. Easter has become a favorite holiday of mine, as my faith and relationship with Jesus Christ has grown.
Here's the happy family. Except for one of us. Zoom in on Anna if you can. She didn't particularly care for her easter bonnet.

The Easter meal. We even used our REAL china (Ted always complains that we registered for the stuff and never use it).

My sweet Easter Bunnies.....

Anna and her good friends Payton and Zoe. The moms went shopping together...can you tell?

This was the day before, at an Easter Egg hunt. We had 9 inches of snow the day before. Nothing like hunting for the buried eggs!

MAC Doggie Day care

I've always thought I'd might like to run a doggie daycare. Seriously. So we are checking out how it might be today. You know the big rolled-over one and his smaller tan friend, Cooper, who has been featured before. The one in my lap is Tinkerbell, Ted's boss' dog. Here's the story. His boss is on vaca and their normal dog-care providers were unable to finish out the week's commitment. So we are. And Coop's family is stranded in Milwaukee because, SURPRISE, it's blizzarding AGAIN here. That's why the light coming in behind me is blinding because it's so WHITE outside. We are also watching our neighbor's two cats, but bringing them here would be a bit too much.....

Happy Birthday, Will!

I can't believe you are already 10. TEN. The joy you've brought this family from the minute you arrived is immeasureable. From the baby who didn't cry, the toddler who was never terrible, to the boy who always has to pave the way for your brother and sister....your calm and sensitive spirit is a blessing to those around you. Thanks for going with the flow. We are so proud of the young man you've become. We love you!

And Will's birthday party ROCKED. We played Laser Tag. Ted did both games, and I even got in the action for the second game. Will's guests were even impressed with my skills (or at least that's what I'm telling myself. The party rocked? I ROCKED!)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Guess what? We have a cool tradition in our family....Will was born on my Dad's birthday! And it's a tradition because Ted was born on his grandpa's birthday! So, we hope to continue the tradition, which means that Will's wife will need to birth their first child on her father's birthday. No pressure there. ANYWHO....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! I so treasure the time we are able to spend with you--we always have many laughs together. Thank you for working so hard for our family--we were very blessed. And thanks even more for the role model you are, and your faith that is so clear and is an example to us all. I LOVE YOU!!