East Troy Electric Railroad

I'm working on our summer fun list and today happened to be a day without anything scheduled so I thought we'd take advantage and head out somewhere.  We drove out to East Troy and boarded the Electric Railroad Car.  

Braden and Olivia had fun sitting in the pretend rail car before we left.

I told them each they could bring one toy.  Braden chose a pair of binoculars and Olivia her Pinkalicious wand.  They took hold of their tickets and on we went.

They train cars were beautiful.  They were originally run in Chicago in the early 1900's I believe.  I loved the fancy seats, the pretty light fixtures and of course imagining what life was like back at that time.  Braden and Olivia had a great time looking out the windows and searching for animals. 

The stop left us at The Elegant Farmer (an orchard we freqent each fall) for a quick snack of homemade muffins and then back onboard for the ride home. It was really fun and I was so proud of them both for what GREAT listeners they were and how well behaved they chose to be.  Norah was of course a trooper in her Bjorn. I don't know what I would do without that thing!

Speaking of Norah I don't feel like I blog much about her so here is a picture I took today while the other two were napping.  She is getting so big and continues to be the happiest baby on the block.  She smiles almost non-stop and is very calm and easy going.  I'm glad I am at a point in my mommy hood that I appreciate her demeanor for what it is! I'm able to relax and play with her a lot instead of worrying or feeling like I should get things done.  It's such a treat.  

She is eating two meals a day and loves everything we've given her. I have yet to make my own baby food and am feeling really guilty about it from both a health and monetary standpoint but plan on changing that soon.  Maybe I can make it my weekend goal to puree up the peas and squash I have on hand.  

Okay - Off to play.  Now she's napping and the other two are up!!  Never a dull moment at our house. :)  

Welcome to the World Lola Leigh Potter!

Congratulations to Nikki and Steve who gave birth to Lola Leigh Potter yesterday. 

I could hardly contain myself the entire day as I knew Nikki was in labor and I just wanted to be by her side rooting her on!  She wanted to have a natural water birth and I am soooo proud of her for doing it.  Lola was a trooper and cooperated with all of mommies wishes. :)  Hopefully that's a sign of a very agreeable personality. hehe  

She was born at 2:48pm yesterday, July 8th.  Lola was 18.5 inches long (a little peanut) and was 6lbs 14oz.    

Lola is a very lucky little girl to be born into the Potter family.  She will be extremely loved by a very special mommy and daddy.  We love you both and cannot wait to meet our newest little family member.

4th of July

We had a blast once again this year.  Thanks everyone for coming to celebrate with us!!

The parade is the highlight of the weekend for me. I truly enjoy watching the stream of floats, bands and groups but more importantly watching the kids enjoy it all.  They of course love the candy tossed into the street and make a mad dash each time it rains down.  

Happy 4th of July!

Pictures of the Kids

My friend Jen (who took pictures of Norah when she was born) took some pictures of the kids this week.  I called her when we were on our way over to a park by her house and she joined us with her new lens!  She is a really awesome photographer. I love the colors and the moments that she is able to capture.  Thanks Jen!  Click HERE to see the pictures.  If you need a password use "sunshine."

First of Many Hiking Trips

Our family LOVES to hike.  I have a list of local (within about 1 1/2 hours) family friendly hikes.  My parents bought us this great backpack when we had Braden and it started to fall apart so REI replaced it for us and now it's brand new for Norah!

We're on our way... hats, snacks and all!

Steve and his kiddos!  

Thankfully Steve carried Norah because we ended up hiking up and down really steep hills.

At one point we walked past this big tree/bush that was surrounded by hundreds (no lie) of butterflies!  I happened to catch one sucking nectar on the flower.

Hiking seems to bring out the best in us!  Braden and Olivia make a GREAT team helping each other when the trail gets tough, showing each other new discoveries and just plain having fun.

Our family shot... too bad you can't see Norah!  She sure enjoyed traveling on Steve's back!! 

Braden is completely in his element when we are outdoors.  He is entranced looking for bugs and trying to figure out how the world works.  

This was the first of hopefully many family hikes this summer!

Summer Fun!

A few days ago the kids and I sat down and brainstormed all of the fun things we'd like to do this summer.  We wrote them down on notecards and then decorated them. :)  They are hanging on our kitchen window which overlooks the back porch/playroom.  We'll take them down as we accomplish them.  I had been planning on doing something like this but wasn't sure how to put it together and at my friend Kate's baby shower last weekend her sister had this notecard idea!  Thanks Jen.

On our list:

Go to State Fair

Visit the Central Library (downtown)

Eat breakfast at AL Johnsons in Door County

Go to the Family Farm

Go to Great America

Make Smores

Catch Fireflies

Eat at Alterra by the Lake

Swim at Cool Waters

Get Olivia Baseball Stuff (created solely by Braden!!)

Play at the Beach on the Lake

Eat Pizza from Lalis

Get a bird feeder and hang it up

Attend a Brewer Game

Go on a Train Ride

Sleep in a tent

I am so excited!!!  Today we are going to try to accomplish the bird feeder.  Wish us luck. :)

The Last Month in Pictures... Yet Again!

Wow - it's hard to believe that it's already the end of June. I'm not quite sure where the time goes but I do know that there isn't enough of it!!  This last month in no particular order...

Braden finished up with soccer

and started T-ball which he is truly enjoying!  Steve is helping out during the practices and is having fun as well.

We celebrated Fathers day on Saturday at Ravinia with my dad and on Sunday boating in Oshkosh with Steve's dad.  We are lucky to have such wonderful fathers who we see fairly often.  

Braden had some alone time up at Steve's parents and Olivia at mine.  It was a treasure for each of them being gone... but also being home and having some one on one mommy and daddy time.

My friend Meg and her three boys came to visit.  This is the only picture I took.  Hmm I wonder why I couldn't find time to take pictures with six kids running around! :)  She is one of my dearest friends and I leave my time with her so refreshed and happy.  I just wish we had more of it.

Olivia turned three!  She had a small friend party in the backyard during the day and then my mom and Emily came down that night for dinner.  One of the highlights... when you turn three at our house you get to chew gum!!

Many of our flowers are blooming. I learn more and more from my mom each year and am happy to say that I did a lot of the planting on my own.  I have yet to go and prune(it's on my "Short-term To Do List) but my pots and flower boxes are beautiful!

Our niece Nikki had a shower up at Steve's parents.  It is so fun to watch her go through this pregnancy and have her enjoy it as much as I have.  I cannot wait for her to experience labor, birth and the overwhelming love that comes the instant you meet your baby.  She doesn't know what she's having but we're guessing boy right now. Good luck Nikki! :)

Norah turned 6 months and started eating food!  She doesn't like cereal but loves carrots, pears, apple sauce, sweet potatoes, raspberries and banana.  I have to get my food processor out and start to make my own as I did with the other kids. I just haven't been able to find the time yet but will soon.  She remains my peanut.  

She is in the 50% and still has lovely thighs and a little belly but is about 2 lbs smaller than both Braden and Olivia.  She is the happiest baby around and is extremely easy-going.  I'm a lucky mommy.  Our favorite thing to do now is to sit up (supported by the boppy) and play with toys from her small toy basket.   She takes them all out, chews them and then goes on to the next one.  Such fun.

Braden finished up 4K.  This is he and his teacher, Mrs. Ashenberg, on the last day of school. I asked him last week when he and I were on a little date if he missed school or if it was kind of nice not to have it.  He smiled and said it was nice not to have it.  I agree... I love having lazy mornings, being able to march to our own drum and to play outside so much.  Hopefully we can change that around though come September!!

Steve, Norah and I traveled to San Diego.  My mom and Judy took turns watching Braden and Olivia.  We appreciate their time immensely.  It was very special to have that time with Steve and Norah.  We relaxed, swam, walked, ate great food, went on a harbor cruise and even toured Petco Park.    

The last month was filled with family, friends, and jam-packed with memories.  I am sad that June is gone but am looking forward to all the fun that July and August will bring.