Long Time, No Blog?!?!

After two visits up north (with a forgotten camera)... and a crazy busy start to the school year... I am finally sitting down to blog again.

We headed out to the Brewer's game last night... first and last game of the season for Madeline, Lydia and I.  Had a nice time - ran into the Stetler clan.  Always nice to see the cousins!

Made it to the bottom of the 7th and the girls were CASHED as were mom and dad.  All and all, nice day!

Daddy and his girls!

Batter up...

Hangin' out with the sausages...

Enjoying batting time with daddy...

Silly faces...

Like mommy, like daughter...

Distance makes the HEART grow fonder...

We had a WONDERFUL surprise on Thursday evening... got a call from Uncle Gregor at 6pm and said he'd be heading home and would be in town Friday at 11:15am.  Wow!!! That's great!!! What a super surprise.

Picked up uncle Gregor from the airport with Dad and Lydia, headed to lunch and down to the Yacht Club for a bit.  Come to find out that Lydia loves cottage cheese!  Ever notice how cottage cheese always tastes way better in a restaurant than it does at home?!?!?! hmmmm..

The weather was cool, and a nice reprieve for Gregor.  Hung out for the afternoon with Nunna and Auntie Amy (Happy Birthday to her!!!!) 

It was finally time to pick up Madeline from school, and she got a huge surprise and greeted her Uncle Gregor with the biggest hug in the world!!!!

Lots of just hanging and family time.  We so enjoyed Uncle Gregor staying with us... guess we'll need to make the basement bedroom a permanent fixture for him... maybe add some "man stuff" to the walls :)

So while we were "hangin' out", Madeline decided to hand uncle Gregor a broom and a swiffer sweeper and say "build me a fort." Yeah, with a beach towel and two vertical poles.  After many laughs, it was completed.

Needless to say, uncle Gregor came up with a better alternative.

Lydia is just so INTERESTED in technology... she's checking out herself in the pictures!

Nothing like enjoying the beautiful weather with a few spins!!!

Pretty funny... not sure either of them would be UPRIGHT after these...

What a great visit... so glad to see Gregor!  Can't wait until we see him again at Christmas!!!!!

We love you uncle Gregor!!!

Random Summer Fun

Our first family bike ride... very, very fun.  Both girls enjoyed being pulled in the trailor. 

The girls enjoyed a little sprinkler fun... and Lydia took it to the next level.  Enjoy!

The First Day of School

Well, it's been a whirlwind kind of summer and now it's time to settle into routine.

Madeline and John both started their first day of school!!!

I hope Madeline has a great day at Kindergarten with Mrs. Murphy at Highlandview Elementary!

Man... When did she grow up???? I am sure my parents say the same thing...

Lydia is excited for her big sister too!

Madeline at the playground.... standing by Alaska... symbolic?!?! Only time will tell... :)

I hope John has a great first day, as he embarks on his career change, at Carroll University (too bad they have the Bears colors and Bears logo!)

Here's to a wonderful September 1st!

Madeline's 5th Birthday Party

Madeline's party went off without a hitch!  Well, the weather could have been a little cooler, but I suppose it could have been hotter... better to count your blessings, right?

Had lots of people, and lots of "little people!"  Seems that families and friends are growing in number.  The more the merrier.  It was fun to have everyone.

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Madeline (and her cousin Kourtney)...

Madeline & Lydia with Emma and Gunnar

Madeline with her Stetler cousins... Nate, Chase and Kourtney

The girls swimmin...

Madeline with her girlfriends from school... Marissa & Sophia

Madeline and Jaelyn having a dance party...

Auntie Amy snugglin up with Lydia and Baby Morgan (Gutbrod)... Gerard, really?!?!? I think he wears this jersey just so people talk about him!  LOL cuz!

Daddy and Lydia

Daddy is grillin... with Aunt Mimi makin' sure everything passes the "taste test"...

Cousin JZ affixing the crown...

Kim and Ryan... sitting back and "soaking up the madness"... must be wondering what they've gotten themselves in to?!?!? Can't wait for December Kimmy!

Nunna and I... "sans makeup"... couldn't we have done this before we sweat our faces off?!?!?

Random pics... Random summer fun:)

Lydia discovered that she LOVES the hose... and being in control of the water flow....

Madeline loves being a model.... and I love her blue eyes:)

Happy 5th Birthday Madeline!!!

To celebrate... we decided to head to the Dells yesterday for a little R & R.  We stayed at the Kalahari and had a blast!!!

Both girls loved playing in the water parks (inside and out!)  John LOVED the flowrider... almost got up to "surfing mode."  Wish I could attach a video to this blog, but I can't.  He did awesome!

Madeline has "got her groove back"... no fear!  Loved the slides and taught herself to swim... she's persistant... not sure where she gets that from...

Lydia had her first day yesterday without a nap (in her entire short life.)  And it was interesting... but she made up for it today.  She loved the water slides and wanted to do everything her big sister did.  It made it fun. 

This morning, we sang to Madeline and she had a HUGE cupcake for breakfast... I am sure that was the highlight of her trip.  She also had a blast with her new PINK baseball bat, I Carly "writing kit", I Carly remote, and pink dumbells.  She wants to get strong for her gymnastics that she'll be doing this fall:)

All in all... great couple of days!  Madeline was exhausted and fell asleep at 6:30pm... we we not even home yet!

Thanks for all the phone calls and texts... Madeline REALLY looks forward to those... it is so sweet to see her LIGHT UP... she loves her birthday and all the conversations!  I don't think the HAPPY BIRTHDAY song could ever get old to her:)

Daddy and his GIRLS!

Momma and her GIRLS!

Happy 5th Birthday Madeline Amelia - 5 is going to be a FANTASTIC year for you.

PACKER FAMILY NIGHT

Headed up to Green Bay on Saturday for PACKER FAMILY NIGHT.  We had a WONDERFUL time.

Met up with Chad, Missy, Jaelyn, Amaya and Morgan (3 weeks old.)  Whew!!!! What a trip!  We are so glad that the Gutbrods decided to go.  We grilled out, the girls ran around and had a blast.

We had great seats in the stadium... close to the field - great views! 

Madeline was loving the cheerleaders, Lydia loved all the excitement and clapped and cheered all night.  John loved getting caught up with the players, and I just loved being with family and great friends.

At the end of the night, Madeline said, "mommy, did the Packers win?"  And I replied "yes they did."  And she cheered and jumped up and down.  Guess she's been watching her daddy for a few years!

Can't wait to make this an ANNUAL TRADITION... Calling all families... join us next year for a huge family tailgate...

Lydia was all about cheerin on the PACK....

Daddy and his girl (who's been eaten my mosquitos... hence the red welts all over her body:()

Momma and her "little cheerleader"... rooting for Greg Jennings this evening... sorry Uncle Gregor.. Jennings won out over Driver....apparently she likes pink over white....

 

Madeline and "her girls" - Jaelyn and Amaya - tailgating...

 

Madeline and Amaya... lovin' life!

Madeline and baby Morgan... happy as a clam...

GIRLFRIENDS for LIFE!!!!

The KOSHUTAS first Packer Family Night together!!!

Go Pack!!! See you in Dallas!