July Flew By...

This month was full of fun from birthday parties to seeing Uncle Josh in Madison to two weeks of Vacation Bible School. We don't have many pictures to show those things, but carry the memories in our hearts!! Here we are, getting ready for September 9th! Go Pack Go!

One Saturday morning we took a walk down to Lambeau to watch the Packers practice. There was a large white tent set up with lots of things for the kids to do.

 

I could hardly believe these climbers! Once we took Sy's socks off, he scaled the wall without a problem. Grets and Sam climbed like rock stars. 

 

Future NFL linebacker :)

 

 For my birthday, Gretta, Sam and I went to a movie while Tim took Leila and Sy for a bike ride. Many people tell us Leila looks just like her cousin Hadassah. The proof is in the picture :)

And here is my birthday cake. How pretty!!

Another evening walk to Lambeau Field, this time sitting in front of Curly Lambeau.

 Sy snoozing, but still holding on!!

We took a walk to pizza hut to use our free mini pizza coupons from the summer reading at the library program. Leila's happy with water (and sweet potato) :) Maybe she can try the pizza next year.

 Here we are at the library meeting some turtles, snakes and frogs. 

 

Our dear friends Sarah and Julia (far left) came to visit us for a night this month. We had such a sweet visit and look forward to visiting them in Arizona sometime in the future!!

 

 Our last night with Uncle Phil and Auntie Danielle, helping with the bedtime routine. Praying they have a joyful time in China and can't wait to see them again!!

 

And finally, Sy with his potty poster. He's been doing a great job and is motivated by juice, stickers and hugs!

June Sweet June

 This is our first trip of the summer. We took a weekend vacation to Florence, WI. None of us took many pictures, but here are two sweet kiddos in their life jackets on the boat.

 

"I really have to wear this the whole time?? Its a bit snug :)" -Leila

  

Everyone was so tired, but we told them that if they managed to stay awake half way through our trip home, we would stop for ice cream. They did all they could to keep their eyes open!

At the park with good friends Lily and Logan!

  Roses from Tim. Too bad you can't smell them. They are such a treat! He texted me from work to check the front porch when I have a minute. He was tracking them online :) What a guy!!

         

We watched Ethan a few days in June while his mom was finding more permanent care for him during the day. She teaches piano lessons and works at a music store. We had fun going for walks, playing in the kiddie pool, and practicing walking...

 

He will be on his own in no time!

 

  Here's Sammy on Grettas bike. They are working hard at not using training wheels. I still remember dad taking me and Linds out on our purple unicorn banana seat bikes...one of us ran right into the back of  a (parked) car. The other one was crying so hard from laughter!

"Maybe if I tell her I'm four, she'll let me ride!"

 Our second trip to the cabin, this time without Grandparents and for five days!!

 Getting ready to go for a hike. I can just see it now, "MOOOOOM, why did you make me wear that silly hat??" -Gretta at age 15 commenting on this photo :)

 Beautiful Beansie

 Silly Sam

 Goofy Sy Guy

 Princess Leila :)

 We made it to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Marquette...the view was worth every step!

Off to finish up some yard work...pics to come of our newly built (thanks grandpa!) fire pit. Stay tuned :)

Hip Hip hooray it's a recap of May!

  

Most recent...Sy just got a haircut at Snips and Giggles thanks to the coupon in the mailer. He would not sit still for me, but thanks to this really cool yellow train along with Toy Story 3 and a really fast hair stylist, he sat still the whole time...

Prince Charming! He seems to have aged a year!! At least in looks :)

 Here we are finger painting with acrylics...that is why everyone has their shirt off :)

 We put letter stickers on paper, painted, let dry, and then pealed them off...

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly! Colossians 3:16

 

Leila just started pulling herself up. The trouble is, most often, she can't get herself down...

 The Cellcom Marathon was supposed to run past our house. Here is a police motorcycle leading the pack, or what we thought. With the heat, and not enough medics to help, the race was called off halfway through. They still let the first five finish. We got to see them run through; they did amazing!

 I borrowed this trap from Grandma Marian with the hopes of catching the chipmunk that has been making so many excursions across our deck throughout the day that we were getting dizzy watching. Well, we caught him and (Tim) drove him to a park far away. I wonder if he will enjoy his new home :)

 One of my favorite days lately, a visit to Mom and Dad's pond. It was supposed to be really hot, but turned out to be just right for a swim and fun in the sand.

 Here is Granny enjoying watching the kids play. She is so fun!

 Grets and Sammy braving the cooler water, gazillion frogs, and goldfish.

Leila getting some shade...

 in style.

 Did some one see Silas? Did I ever mention we love hide and seek? We play it at least every day.

 One Friday afternoon Tim took off of work so I could go to some training for Gretta in Neenah. I asked what he planned on doing with the kids and he mentioned Bay Shore Park. Well, that was a no-brainer :) I would reschedule the training any day for some time with the family and a park to ourselves on such a nice day!

 This kid is so sporty. He loves basketball, football, soccer, baseball, tennis, ball-toss, bean bag toss, golf...you name it!

 And this kid is funny. He loves to make people laugh and he loves to laugh. He has a competitive nature, which makes the two bros a great team.

 Oh, and here is the park. All. to. ourselves.

 Daddy and Lei soaking up some sun.

 Before we took the kids to the park, we told them we were going to see a monster truck that Daddy saw on his way home from work. If we had a kid standing by the tire, you could get a better idea of how big that truck was!!

This picture means a lot to me!! Silas is learning how to play on his own, and here he is pushing cars around by himself!! Now, he still finds mischief now and again....

 Sy!!!!! sigh.

 Swimming lessons ended Tuesday. We will probably start up in the fall again, and enjoy the pools outdoors during the summer. Silas and I had class together, blowing bubbles in the water, placing foam hippos on a mat, and throwing rings in the water and practicing kicking to get them.

  Swimming Sam getting his feet wet with Carly. She has the neatest goggles!! Carly and Sam both got to jump off the diving board this year. They were so brave!

Here's Gretta practicing bobs. She hasnt made it to five yet, but we will keep trying!! Thanks Renee for the pictures!!