From backpacks to the Pack and everything in between

A view from the AT somewhere in Maine

Tim and Uncle Mike took a 10 day trip hiking the Appalachian Trail. While he was gone we....

Had a Classical Conversations 3-Day seminar in preparation for school this coming year. Gretta is to the far right, singing a song about countries. Then my phone ran out of power! The boys performed a song as well! They loved making new friends and learning new games. Today in the car I heard Sam ask Gretta if she wanted to play "Fruit basket upside" for quiet time. A CC game they wont forget, and one they haven't taught me yet, but apparently like to play.

We celebrated Phil's birthday on the 9th and mine on the 14th. For Phil's, we had a yummy dinner at mom and dads, and for mine, we went out to eat for lunch and dinner- woo hoo- thank you Lo & Jer and Mom & Dad...no cooking and clean up for a day! Tim asked what I wanted before I left, and I said just a call from him. We got to talk for a few minutes as he was on top of a mountain and had found reception-  another woo hoo!

And...our newest little nephew Jaxon Gerald Gremore was born on the 16th!

 Leila held him for a long time. She loves anything to do with babies!

Sammy did a great job holding his cousin too! They were all so excited!

Our ride back home, so glad to have Tim back (did I mention I love his new look??)

If you haven't been to the Book Worm Gardens in Sheboygan, it's one of a kind :) Over 60 story books represented by kid-friendly (yes, KID FRIENDLY!) little gardens of all kinds. Here is our group of friends taking over the moss-covered rock couch, representing a story book.

Cheese!

Leila walked behind this frame and posed like a natural :)

Phil and Danielle right before the Bellin 5K....looking ready!!

Sam, Gretta and I walked to Lambeau with them after we all polished off a heavy spaghetti dinner...oops, bad timing! We watched them run the last part of the race inside the stadium which was really cool- they did awesome!

The night before the race, Tim took the older three to a movie at the stadium. After some dark rain clouds along with lightning, the movie got rained out. We ended up renting the same movie and watching it at home. Late night for them, but they loved every minute.

Did I mention we live less than a mile from the stadium? Here is a sweet tradition of the players riding kids bikes after practice. See Clay?

So humble!

Bye for now!