Notes

Audrey and I returned from putting Natalie on the school bus this morning and Audrey asked if I would help her write. Of course! What do you want to write, Audrey?

This

Then she wanted to find somewhere special to put it for her sister to find after school. In looking for such a place we found this. 

Natalie had taken a piece of paper and asked for alone time this morning because "I'm about to have to be around people all day." 

We are so thankful for the love between these girls. We're very blessed. 

Skittle Goes to 1st Grade

Our eager 1st grader was up at 6:50 am (we were expecting much earlier) bounding into our room with her largest possible grin.  She's been waiting for this day since the last day of kindergarten.

Chris stayed home this morning and made her breakfast request - waffles with colorful swirls.

Then it was off to meet the bus.  In addition to school supplies she took a letter to her teacher (Mrs. Tatar) that she wrote last week telling her how excited she was for 1st grade and handmade gifts for each of Mrs. Tatar's 2 children.

Audrey had the whole playroom to herself.  We played lots of trains, Barbies, doll house, and we colored.

Nat got off the bus this afternoon all smiles.  She said her favorite part of the first day was eating lunch (cheese pizza, tater tots, banana) and recess.  They also had art class today.  She has around 4 friends from her kindergarten class in her 1st grade class and she is excited to make new friends too.

Her dinner requests for the special day - steak, green beans, garden tomatoes, Star Wars Jello, and homemade butter pecan ice cream.

She said she was tired and she's in bed now.  No doubt dreaming about day 2.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

We began Chris's birthday celebration at the beach this weekend. 

We continued it back at home on Sunday night with gifts.  The birthday boy had some very eager helpers.

Monday we had lunch together at home and dinner out at Chalit's for delicious Thai food.  Then home for carrot cake and "Happy Birthday" with Audrey's piano accompaniment.  It was sweeter than the cream cheese frosting.

We love celebrating you and wish you the most wonderful year, Chris!

NJ Beach with the O'Connors

When your dear friend invites you to her hometown on the beach (Spring Lake, NJ) for the weekend you give her a hug, grab your sunscreen, and go! 

These 4 hit the sand running and didn't slow down for 3 days!

 

They also boogied down with the band when we headed out for drinks in Belmar.

Then they took their boogie to the boards.

Lots of sand castles.

 They dug big holes which kept them busy in all kinds of ways.

 The grown ups too.

 Sand crab hunting

 Beach sledding

 Wave diving

 

 Family fun!  We love these guys.

 

They kicked off Chris's birthday week celebrations too.

In addition to the beach other highlights of our trip include:

• Meeting Cronan's parents and grandparents. They were wonderful, so hospitable, and the girls were quite taken with them.  We enjoyed a big Saturday night family dinner.
• Having an adults night out!  Cronan's parents volunteered to watch all 4 wee wild ones.  Us 4 grown wild ones headed to a local bar to see what trouble we could cause.  You can walk there from her house!
• Trying the traditional NJ breakfast known as pork roll. 
• Trying to say "Jersey Shooowh" and blend in.
• Touring Spring Lake.  Gorgeous.
• Walking downtown to a chocolate shop.  Mmmm.

We brought home one tired crew - the sign of a super trip!  Thanks again, Chris, Cronan, Ella, Naish, Nona, GD, Mimi, and Grand Pa Pa.  We couldn't have asked for a better time!

WI Summer Vacation - Week 2 Camping

We left the cabin and headed for Neenah.  Chris popped into the Michels office and the kids and I visited the Olsons.  These kids picked up as if no time had passed.  That's how it is with good friends.

There's a mutual love of Legos.

Next it was on to the girls' and my and Cal's first trip to Bay Beach.  All 3 kids are serious thrill seekers.

Then the Neenah peeps were reunited for a BBQ.  Thanks again for arranging, Kim!  I left with my heart full.  We miss these cool kids.

We headed from there to High Cliff State Park where we camped for 3 nights.  It was time for EAA AirVenture!

 

The girls showed off their riveting experience helping on wings built at the show for donation to EAA chapters.

Chris and the guys split off to check out their must-see's while the ladies took the kids to KidVenture.  There they participated in the Van's Learn to Rivet booth and built a nametag using tools and skills we use at home.  The instructors were impressed.

They also built turbines at another booth.

 They work!

Proud builders

 We got to see a daytime airshow with favorites like Kirby Chambliss.   

 And this.  The F-22.  Man, does it move!

 A salute to war planes over the decades.

Then there was the night airshow.  Seriously cool.  We'd never seen anything like it.

Pyrotechnics on planes!  They launched fireworks from the planes too.  So neat.

The next day we drove to Lake Michigan.  First checkbox on the goal to dunk the kids in all 5 Great Lakes.

One night back in Stoughton at the end and thus concluded our whirlwind WI adventure.  It was such a fun time.  We did and saw things that were firsts for some of us and had so much wonderful family time.  We loved it all and appreciate everything that everyone did to have us and enjoy the trip with us.