Saturday, February 6, 2010

Simple Fun

Running
Fishing (in puddles)
Eating (Root Beer Floats)

Friday, February 5, 2010

John + (trick) Candles

To say John LOVES candles is a HUGE understatement.
Trick candles are even better.
Because he can blow them out
and then...
They light up again.
And again.
And again.
1 Happy Birthday girl. And 1 Happy Candle boy.

1 Katie bug content to watch the action from Gpa Ray's lap.1 Benji.. content to work on his 'lap top'.. .without 1 little brother to bother him.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Carolyn's Bday

We celebrated Carolyn's 5th birthday with Gpa Ray, Gma Joyce, Aunt Jess and Great Gma M this past weekend. A short, but fun weekend.
Yes, Carolyn turned 5, but Gma put 6 candles on the cake by accident. But John Candle Boy didn't mind at all. (I have enough picture of that for it's own post. coming shortly) Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you...
Birthday breakfast request... red/white sprinkled donut with chocolate milk.
Presents, presents and more presents.
Thanks A. Jess!! This is probably her favorite present (and Katie's and Benji's and even John's).

Happy Birthday to Great Gma M!!!

We were SO happy to see you this weekend!

We hope your day is as special as you are to us!!

*Hugs and Kisses*

Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

In just a few days...

We pulled into TN Sunday evening, so we didn't really get to see much. We knew what to except Monday morning, as we saw snow the ENTIRE.TRIP.DOWN. It was unusual to drive thru southern IL, KY and then into TN and see snow all around! For the most part the roads were clear. Until we hit Nashville and headed further south. It's so obvious they are not used to winters like we are, nor are they equipped to deal with large amounts of it.Pictures, (or at least mine) don't do justice to the beauty of ice covering.. everything. Early Monday morning, I snuck into town to get groceries before the kids awoke. The sunrise through the ice covered trees on country roads... sigh... unbelievably beautiful!
And then, the sun came out. Monday morning it sounded like a river roaring, as the ice melted off the trees and everything else. As the temps neared 50, the snow has quickly disappeared. Leaving lots of fishing puddles ponds. We *heart* this TN sunshine!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Happy 5th Birthday Carolyn!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Carolyn
Happy Birthday to you!


We can't believe you are turning 5 today!! We hope your birthday is as fun and special as you are! We love you lots and lots!
*Love*
Daddy, Mommy, Benji, Katie and John




Saturday, January 23, 2010

Frosty



Monday, January 18, 2010

Guess where we are?

Home Sweet Home Wisconsin!
(My sister took this picture when they were here early Dec.. I took a picture of the yard today, but it's too depressing to post. Just think.. no sun and lots more snow)
We weren't planning on leaving TN until the beginning of next week. But a few things came up and we needed to leave sooner. Daddy was able to reschedule his schedule. So we left early Sunday morning. 5ish. We rolled down our driveway around 8ish last night. 15 hours of driving. The kids did well, considering we only stopped for gas and snag some food to eat on the road. In some ways it's nice to drive straight thru and get it over with. And in some ways it's nice to break it up.

Instead of going home to unpack and get settled in, we stopped down at Boppa and Gma's because 'JacobEmilyMeri' where there. I meant to get a picture of the kids seeing each other for the first time since we've been gone. But I had a half-awake John in my arms. Benji and Katie pounded on Boppa's door. Jacob answered. He squealed: BENJI!! And then, Benji squealed: JACOB!! They immediately locked into the biggest, longest, heartiest hug I have ever seen those 2 exchange! The porch wasOnce the girls were able to get thru the hug-fest it was repeated by Emily/Carolyn, Meri/Kaite, Emily/Katie, Meri/Carolyn.

It's safe to say the kids are THRILLED to be together again. It is nice to be home. To sleep in our own bed. To have our playmates back. Until we leave again. (And Mom and Dad were thrilled to have excellent roads and an uneventful trip... much unlike our trip down.. I'll post more about that later on my other blog)