What Life Has Been Like....

This girl makes life fun. Add a little wrapping paper to the scene and there you have it...

A scientist! (It's what she wants to be when she grows up. Or a mermaid.)

Gretta's class graduated from 2nd grade and now gets to join us during service on Sunday's at Jacobs Well! She shared a catechism question and Romans 3:23 by heart. 

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad around. We are thankful for the way he drops everything to shoot hoops, mans the grill like Steven Raichlin, takes time out of his already busy day to help a friend, provides for our family from his basement 'office' (and we are not quiet upstairs!), & reads the bible morning and night...He leads us well and to God we are grateful.

Going on 11 years with this guy. Crazy about him still!

Can't have summer without feeding the geese at the Wildlife Sanctuary (& sitting on one!). Happy Birthday to Benjamin who turned 7!

Our sweet nephew Porter was born on his due date, June 6th. Sweet boy!

Here we are (all 20 of us...we love group rates!) at the zoo in Weyauwega Zoo. We saw lions, tigers, bears, a Goliath frog, snakes, ferrets, hogs...you name it. Our tour guide was an expert at the ins and outs of these wild creatures.

A few of the kids actually got to hold a baby coyote. 

Wanting really badly to bring this guy home.

Biggest to littlest.

"Awe, shucks! Can't we stay longer?!"

"Everyone look at Porter!"

"Gee, pal. It's awfully warm out here. What do ya say we get some ice cream?"

New day, new adventures! Here we are with cousins Jayden and almost 6 month old Micah at Sunset Park in Kimberly. We used to swim here with our cousins and now its our kids turn. Auntie Heather even gave everyone $1 for a treat at the concession stand. How thoughtful!

The boys went up north for a few days while the girls (and Theo!) inhaled corn-on-the-cob, went shopping, shopped some more, and played games.

Caught reading in the sandbox :)

Theo's friend Sawyer...

...."check this out, you can see a little boy in the mirror!"

On our way to Door County we stopped for a picnic lunch and play at BayShore Park.

Getting excited for the next couple of days in DC :)

A few days in Door County almost always begins with a trip to the Wood Orchard. 

Cherry Jam, Mustard Pretzels & Cider Pops, oh my!

"Hey! Wait for me!" -Leila

Back at Bay Shore Inn, relaxin.

Cooling down with some delicious ice cream...

Out on the porch of our place....

And a view from the heated outdoor pool. Leila, for the first time, used a lifejacket and noodle to get around on her own. PTL! She did great.

Mini golf

Grandpa helping Dootie.

The view...spectacular. We serve a mighty God who causes the Sun to rise and set.

Watching the sun set.

We are so glad baby Porter waited to come into this world until after we got home! 

Proud big cousins!

It didn't seem that long ago that Theo was this small.

Speaking of Theo...he just admired this little bundle, as long as we can leave him 

at Auntie Lindsey's house!

BOYS!!!

7 boy cousins (they take the lead 7-6 on the Stoffel side).

These champs just ran around the block (1/2 mile!!) and some twice.

Prepping for the Bellin Kids Run.

Who can have fun with a 48 inch pool? We can!

We went to a wading pool the next day...

....and got Dilly Bars afterwards.

YUMM-O!

And the actual Bellin Kids Run with more cousins. 

We've got cousins coming out of our ears!! And we love it that way!

If your happy that you just ran half a mile, pull your heel up to your hip!

Great friends :) 

Superheros on site!

How did this bunny picture sneak in there? It's late. The picture is cute. I guess I will leave it :)

 4 Bunnies minus one big brother who just happened to go MIA for this shot.

Gretta and Sam were learning about the history of Sumo wrestling. 

Trying it out in our driveway was fun.

Climbing with some more friends on a beautiful morning.

Sister-sister

Sammy's ice cream cake. It was good!

Theo and Reuel hanging in there :)

"MOM, I LOVE THIS!"-If Theo could talk.

I think this order is 12,11 and 10 months.

"Can I eat you, camera?!"

Theo loves banging pots and pans together. He throws a lot of food on the floor, and loves climbing steps and on chairs, but does not walk yet. He holds up his hands with palms out if he wants a ball or food usually, and says "Ba" for ball, "mom", "da da", "shhh", and sometimes "up". He will look at the right brother or sister when I say their names and he LOVES splashing in water.

We love you a bushel and a peck!

At the zoo with friends.

Sammy and his buddies going birthday bowling. He turned 7 in March and loves to have a good time with friends. He loves machine pitch baseball (his team is the IronBirds), and throughout the day asks if he can hold Theo. He is so smart with numbers and loves reading too.

Dino-style

Tough Guys

In Waupaca at Auntie Lisa and Uncle Travis's house. We went sledding and played upstairs.

"Mom, you are so funny!"

The sledding hill

From my valentine. Reminds me, I still have to use that gift certificate!

Haircut? What's the hurry?...

....the next day, waiting at Snips and Giggles (or what was Snips and Giggles)....

This looks fun!

I wish we had one of these to put the boys in while I cut their hair!

Hold still...

So handsome!

Pizza afterwards. Two stylin dudes!

Shopping the next day at Costco.

Awana is finished for the year. Lots of verses memorized and lots of friends made.

Just because he's cute!

"Dude, red, it's my favorite color." "Mine, too!"

A pepper for our princess.

Gremore Avenue

Silas' t-ball team, The Philies

Fish faces at the Shed Aquarium

We went with Uncle Phil, Auntie Danielle, Reuel, GG and Gampy.

Do you like my fish hat? No idea who that boy is. Oops.

Sister love.

My beautiful sister-in-law, brother Phil & nephew Reuel. We ain't afraid of no sharks.

Pancake breakfast with cousins- yum! The theme was dress up. 

We've got Belle, Elsa, Anna & Mulan.

Cool dudes Noah, Sam, Sy and Johnny.

One more close-up. 

We did not have these at the pancake breakfast, but on St. Patrick's Day....see the green cool whip? mmmm!

I like taking pictures of food. And my cute date! Sy and I had a mom-son time at Smart Cow. He gave it two thumbs up, but will skip the gummy frogs next time. Good choice!

This is sometimes how Theo sleeps- completely in half. He can touch his toe to his ear no problem. He did not get that from me!

Four babies on girls crafting weekend. This mama didn't get much done in light of crafts, but had a blast getting to visit with other moms & eat yummy food. Still a small vacation!

Who ever said it's not smart to suck your thumb? Leila stopped after some friends gave us this amazingly gross tasting polish that did the trick. I thought we were in the clear, and gave it back. Apparently too soon, though. Old habits die hard.

Happy Father's Day Dad (see picture #1 if you recognize the wrapping paper)! We got Tim a shirt, a new basketball, and shelled pistachios. 

We played lots of basketball, and went to the park to celebrate.

Some of us at the park...

Lunch with friends for Sammys 3rd 7 year bday celebration. 

Cousin Reuel turned one two weeks before Theo. Such serious faces!

Sharing toys...

Lou with her Easter Basket. 

Gretta used the picture on the right to paint a matching face on the left. Great job!

The proof is in the pan (see note one picture #60. Wow, am I behind on blogging or what?!)

Sweet Lou. This girl just LOVES clothes. She lights up when it's time to get another "bin" out of "the Attic". To her, it is like Christmas. Leila loves dancing when nobody is watching, playing barbies and dolls, and is currently sneaking up on her littlest brother while in a mesh frog hamper.

Here is Theo on his first birthday. We decided that he loves rock n roll, and Gretta helped make some fun posters to put our faces in....

Rock Star!

Playing the guitar...

This cake may look normal on the outside, but on the inside it was everything from normal. My first epic fail at making a "cake" with beans and without sugar.

"um...mom...what in the world is this stuff??" We all had a good cry laugh.

At the airport picking up the Golacksons. Here we are at one gate, waiting for them to walk through the doors. I so badly wanted to record it in slo-mo, until Josh tapped us on the back. They apparently came in through the other of two gates. What are the odds?! Oh well! It was a happy reunion!

This is the first day these two went off to play. They came back in identical dresses, with identical dolls and strollers, all initiated by themselves!!

Reunited at last!

Hadassah and Vivianna taught Silas how to ride a two wheeler in the parking lot by their apartment. Check that off of his bucket list for the summer!! Thanks girls!

We had been apart of a STEM group in late spring. Leila's job was to create something using only cardboard pieces.

The goal for the big kids was to send a marble from one end of the table to another while working in teams. The girls team won, but the boys put up some great effort.

Gretta's highlight of the hear- here she is with the Sound of Music cast!

A few of the guests...

and new best buddies Gretl and Marta!

The Golacksons at the show....

...and more family :)

The Von Trapps at their best. The show was amazing. We can hardly wait to watch it on DVD!

This is Mrs. Meder, Gretta's fabulous voice teacher.

Here she is waiting for her call to sing "Scarborough Fair" and "Lord, I Need You" at a talent show. So excited!

In May, the kids and I had a practicum for Classical Conversations in Plymouth, WI. GG came along and watched Theo each of the three days as we were being equipped & equipping for another season of learning at home. 

Sam and Gretta had a GeoCamp all day, where they played games and drew tons and tons of maps.

Silas and Leila had play camp where they also colored pictures and played outside.

The following weekend, we stayed a night at some great friends house where we had a talent show, stopped at Iggy's for ice cream, and went for a long walk.

Boys on one half, girls on the other!

Silly faces...

Is this really the last picture?! One of my favorites of Sammy getting ready to scoop up a ball. He is in machine pitch this year and plays for the Iron Birds. 

You made it to the end and so did the battery on my laptop! We praise God for giving us so many adventures the past couple of months. He is our Greatest Adventure!

My Dear Family

"Happy February! I recently turned 9 months old. I love sweet potatoes and avocado. Peaches and pears cause me to make a silly face that gets quite a funny reaction from my brothers and sisters. I am never by myself. Someone is (almost) always holding me. I just got over an ear infection, but mom is wondering if I still have it because I have not been sleeping very well. I love spinning the tires on trucks and cars, and I love looking at the baby in the mirror. He is funny! Bath time is another one of my favorite things. I cry when I have to get out. Crawling isn't quite my style, but mom says it won't be long. I love signing "more" and sometimes "so big". 

Clapping is fun too!" -Theo

Late in January, we got together with GG, Gampy, & Reuel and his parents to celebrate Christmas Stoffel-style: fire in the fireplace, gifts, lots of food & football!

This may have turned out better if we took the picture right when we got there. These 5 little monkeys just wanted to play!! 

Mom came over and brought with her all the essentials for gingerbread house- making. 

Here is Lou Lou's.

And GGs!

And mine! 

The same day, we had some friends over to make another ginger bread house.

"Hmmm. Which piece should I eat next?" -Ethan

"I just want to live there!" -Clara

"Who is going to pull this thing??" 

It's sooooo cold outside. Let's bring the snow in!

Theo and his friend Leroy... It is so amazing how "big" he looks by such a new baby!

We all loved this jungle book that Grandma Nelessen bought. Laughs all around!

Tim has been helping coach a boys basketball team this year. We go to the games to eat popcorn cheer him on. Go Eagles!!

A-L-L-I! G-A-T-O-R! Alligator, Alligator, Eat em up! Eat em up!

We had Granny spend the night & we played Skip-bo & hide-the-(really small)tea cup with the kids. She is such a blast. The next morning I took her to the airport to head to CA.

She loves sweets and coffee (though generally eats things like red salmon and steamed spinach)....well, here we are. I love this picture. Moments later we thought we would check what time her plane was boarding. We looked at our watches- WHAT?! One minute ago?? Run!! So there we ran, she, up the steps, and Theo and I in the elevator...and she was stopped in security for her "large" container of face cream. Since it was almost empty, they let her through. She had a smile the whole time, and ran on to catch her flight. The security guard assured me that she is in good hands. I praised God that we made it literally in the nick of time!

This is our families' second year in Classical Conversations and my second year tutoring. These gals are all 5 year olds in my class. One boy was sick, and Silas just didn't want to be in a picture of all girls. They are so fun!

One night, Theo would not go to sleep for anything, so we let him play on the floor. 

Here he is, folded in half, asleep!

Our dear friends from Arizona sent us some fresh oranges, tangelos, lemons and grapefruit...along with some great herbal medicines, cars for the boys, paper cut outs for the girls and a sweet homeschool book. The timing couldn't have been better after the long day we had. We are so grateful!

The School House by us has activity days that we love to be a part of. This time, we made ground hogs coming out of their den. These hats were on major clearance. Though we didn't buy them, we just couldn't resist a few pics!

"Were you looking for Silas? I ate him! AH AH AH!"

Adorbs as usual.

Ha Ha! He will get me for this some day!!