Labor Day Weekend Part 1

We've been busy enjoying our family time this weekend! Take a look at part 1. We've got another fun-filled day tomorrow so check back for part 2.

I'm Thankful For...

Tonight during dinner we sang our prayer/song called "Gods Good Hands" which for those of you who know our thanksgiving traditions know that song has been a part of our lives for a long time!  Braden wanted to sing it by himself tonight which he did.  We were so proud of him.  Then we started talking about things we were thankful for.  Steve said he was thankful for all of our family time that we've had this beautiful weekend and then Braden said he was thankful for "cheese."  Steve and I giggled but confirmed that it's good to be thankful for cheese.  Braden interrupted us to tell us that it wasn't cheese but trees that he was thankful for.  We talked about all the ways that trees help our lives.  Then he moved on to being thankful for dirt and we talked about all the bugs that live in the soil and all the things it does for us.  It never fails that somehow in a conversation with Braden we end up talking about bugs, dinosaurs or cars! :)  Finally it was my turn so I said I was thankful for all the love we have at our house because some people don't have that much love in their houses.  Braden asked about why some people don't have love in their houses and then suggested that we share some of the love from our house with them.  It was the sweetest, most innocent, thing he's ever said.  Steve and I melted and both looked at each other with proud eyes.  We talked about how to share our love with others and then the conversation moved on ... back to bugs, dinos or cars I'm sure!!!  Children are the greatest gift to the world.  They remind us how pure and simple love can be - we are put here to enjoy life and according to Braden share the love that we have with others!  We love you all!!!!!

Back to School

Wow - it's already that time of year again. I can hardly believe that it's time to go back to school and once again I am mixed with a myriad of emotions.  I am excited to be teaching again with Kristin and love to get the classroom ready and start the year with a new group of students.  With that though comes leaving the kids, and shortening my time at home and inevitably with Steve.  I go through this every fall and of course - it always ends up just fine.  This will be a big week for the kids with a new daycare and for Steve and I with getting ready, packing them up, etc.  I feel so thankful that I am able to work part-time during the year so that I can once again try to find that delicate balance of hats that we women wear!  Wish us all luck!

Girlfriends!

I feel very lucky to have so many great friends that live right here in Wauwatosa/Milwaukee.  It's especially fun to have Katie, Jenny and Sara here.  Katie I've known since I was 12 and Jenny and Sara I met when I was 15.  It's a small world that we grew up in Appleton and ended up within about 5 miles of each other.  

Steve was gone with Braden this weekend so I had the ladies over for dinner.  Sara joined us later after putting her daughter Ava to bed.  We seem to have endless things to talk about and always enjoy our glasses of wine!  Thanks for such great friendships Katie, Jen and Sara!  You're the best. :)  

My little Sleepers

Braden is visiting Grandma and Grandpa in Arpin this week. He left last night and Olivia and I have been missing him already. It's quiet around here without him. Olivia keeps walking into her room and saying "bayba" which is what she calls him. I took this picture of her today during lunch and then looked back remembering that I had one similar of Braden. Olivia is 14 months and Braden in his picture was 16 months so not too far off. I love my kiddos!

House Painting Done!

Yeah! The painters are done and the house looks amazing! We are super excited about the changes. The first picture is the before shot from last summer when we moved in. It was yellow with green shutters. The new shots are from today and the house is tan with maroon shutters to match the door. Yipee, one more project done and it's lookin' good.

Tosa Tonight

Steve and I took Braden to Tosa Tonight's Flash Light Walk and Festivities. We were there with our buddies Kristin, Cory, Evan and Andrew. The boys had a blast on all of the bouncy toys and then we ended the night with a long walk. Braden in typical Braden fashion wanted to ride in their wagon while both of their boys wanted to walk! :) We had minor set backs like flashlights burning out which brought tears from Braden but Cory came to the rescue and replaced them with his camera batteries! Go Cory. As always - it was a great time.

Puzzle Master

Braden is quickly taking after his Great Grandpa Snyder. He had a standing puzzle table in their extra bedroom and would sit for hours putting them together. Braden LOVES to figure out where the pieces all go and can do them over and over without blinking an eye. Yesterday we bought a 70 piece and a 100 piece puzzle and they are both together on our dining room table. He had some help but did the majority on his own! Way to go buddy!

Camping in Door County

We took the kids camping with my parents and Sam and Em this weekend. It was our first camping trip in probably 5 years and now I remember why it's been so long!! Ha! We had a great time going for bike rides, exploring the woods and visiting around the fire. Unfortunately it rained Saturday night so we had to head into town for dinner. Sleep that night was less than restful so we packed up and headed home early on Sunday. Overall it was a great trip and nice to spend that time with our family. I don't know that we'll be going again anytime soon but maybe we'll make it a once annual outing.

My cousin Brad and his fiance, my aunt and uncle Nancy and Harry, my parents and my brother came to visit last week.  We had a great time catching up - it's been a long time since we've seen Brad and appreciate that he took the time to drive up.  We feel lucky to have had so much time with family this summer!  

Visit to Minnesota

The kids and I traveled up to Minnesota for a visit.  We stayed with Meg, Joey, Vincent and William.  The drive went really well and we enjoyed our time playing as usual.  We even took a trip to visit another friend from college, Sarah, and her boys.  Kim stopped by as well.  It was great to catch up with everyone.  Meg and I never seem to run out of things to talk about and always enjoy our beverages - be it wine, coffee, or water!  The kids did wonderful together.  William and Olivia discovered it was fun to play together for the first time and Braden and Vincent are so interested in the same things.  Although our visits are not as frequent as we'd like them to be, we cherish the time we are able to spend together!

ZOO Class

My mom was also able to take Braden to his zoo class during the afternoon. It was a packed day but tons of fun.  The class was all about "Gentle Giants" which turned out to be giraffes.  Braden made a giraffe costume and learned all about them.  He came home and told me that giraffes are from South America which he later corrected himself and said South Africa. He also learned that they have long tongues that are black on the end and they live in large groups for protection.  Braden had a wonderful day with his Nana.   

WI State Fair

My mom came down yesterday and we took the kids to the WI State Fair.  It was so much fun.  We saw lots of animals, watched a dog show and even went down the big slide.  Olivia was a trooper, hanging out in her stroller the whole time.  Braden said that his favorite animals were the goats and the chickens.  

Bathroom Update

Our bathroom project has been underway now for about a month and a half.  There are still a few things that need to be finished but here are the before and after photos as of today.  The lingering jobs won't change the appearance much.  We love it!!  

Packer Family Night

We went to up to Green Bay with my mom last night for Packer Family Night.  It was really fun.  Steve has been working on a project for them called the Tundra Tailgate Zone and we were able to take the kiddos and play after everyone else had left.  It was a blast as you can see in the pictures.  Then we went up to a suite and ate yummy food and attempted to watch the scrimmage.  Watching a game with our two balls of energy is never easy but always fun!  

Buddies

Evan and Andrew came to play one morning last week so that Kristin could have a mommy morning.  She had taken Braden and Olivia earlier in the week for one morning.  They have sooo much fun together.  We played in every corner of our house, outside and even went for a bike ride.  We are so lucky to have them in our lives.  Braden and Evan have grown up like brothers!

Fun in the Sun

Yesterday was a beautiful day outside!  We did some house projects, aired out our tents for camping in a few weeks and made some time for sprinkler fun.  Olivia just hung out in her chair not sure about the whole thing but Braden and Steve had a blast!