Memorial Day Weekend

Every year we spend Memorial Day weekend in Madison to celebrate our anniversary. This year we had a great time. We went to the Madison Zoo and hiked on a boardwalk with my parents. Dave and I went out to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant at night. Eva and Luke had fun going to special park with them and making long and fast race car tracks. It is fun to see the kids so excited to see Nana and Papa.

The next day Luke and Eva spent the day with Dave's parents and we spent some time in the Third Ward. Luke and Eva had an equally great time with Grandma and Grandpa. We were not missed. We walked along the river and got a chance to enjoy each other without worrying that Eva was going to fall into the river or that Luke was going to run too far ahead on all the bridges. It seems like Dave and I have been married for much longer than eight years. It was great to have time alone to be able to tell him that I am so lucky to be married to him. I always try to plan how we would have met if we both would not have attended UW. There would be no other way to live life than be married to Dave. There is no greater earthly thing than a husband of honor. I am so thankful.

It is going to be a great summer

Last year Eva could not walk since she was only 6 months old. How much fun can summer be when you can not walk? This year is going to be great. Here she is full of sand and has dirt in her mouth and loves it. She can climb ladders and climb up the slides. She would love it if she could ride Luke's bike and scooter too.

More of my favorite Pictures from PA

We were having technical difficulties with the computer last time. Here are a few more of my favs.

Pennsylvania Famiily Trip

We just got back from our trip to Pennsylvania. We spent two days in the Laurel Highlands. We stayed in a home on the mountains that overlooked a golf course. Luke was skipping around saying how much he loved the house. The kids played in a stream on the property and ran on the golf course. We biked 18 miles on the Allegheny Passage one day and hiked near Cucumber and Ohioplye falls the next. After that we spent the next two days in the city. We walked on the campus of Carnage Mellon, and the University of Pittsburgh. We rode the incline to the top of the city to see the skyline with the three rivers. We also went to the Frick museum and toured the Car and Carriage Museum and walked on the beautiful Victorian grounds.

Leah and Zac are great hosts. Luke loved playing catch with their dog Tula. He would really like one at home. Zac really enjoyed watching Luke's boat and car videos. Leah really loved holding Eva. We will miss you when you are in Spain.

Shoes drying out by the fire...

Luke is inspecting the cannon at Fort Pit. Eva set off the security alarms twice. The first time there was a voice over the intercom scolding us. The second time a security guard came in person and reminded us we were on video camera the entire time.

Luke and Eva with their new best friend.

Patio Graffiti

We finally bought a power washer to cure our moldy patio. Here is its first work...

What more could a mother ask for?

I really don't know how God created Eva. I didn't know it was possible to put so much joy and love into one small package. These pictures are for Eva at 18 months.

Luke tells me he loves me many times a day, asks to pet my tummy, and tries to quantify his love with the biggest number he can think of. Right now it is, "I love you one thousand four hundred and eighty!" He created a beautiful clay necklace for me and couldn't wait to give it to me. He got his special eye sparkle and his eye lash batting and added a shy smile while he gave it to me. He was waiting to see if I thought it was as special as he did. Oh, the joy. It still makes me cry. I don't have a picture of Luke on Mother's day, but I will add one in with the necklace.

Montessori Auction

There is no community that I have experienced that so deeply believes in the potential of the human spirit. Luke's Montessori teachers respect him so much and and treat him wiht so much grace. They admire him because of the awe they hold about the minds capabilities between ages 3-6 years old. The study him to bring out his best. They are able to get the students operating in a beautiful way where they teach each other and help each other. It is remarkable. Needless to say we love his school.

We went to a silent auction so support his school that is in need of financial support. It was very encouraging to see the generosity of those willing to support the school. It was a reminder of what is important and what is truly valuable in life. We helped by creating the children's creations. Each student contributes to the piece of art that we sell on the day of the auction. This year we did clay flowers by the children that we composed into a bouquet of flowers and the hung and framed. We also created puppets that were sewn by the children with a puppett theater. Together the pieces earned $2,900.

Road Trip x 2

Girls weekends are the best. I got to spend time with five great girlfriends. We shopped, tasted wine, ate great food, went in the hot tub, and enjoyed the beauty of Door County. It was great to have time to unwind and reconnect. Jenny got us all hooked on the show, "Glee." Next girls weekend we may come home with a new swing choir routine... but I will only lip sync

My cousin was married in Indiana so my brother, sister, and I drove down to Indy together. It was a beautiful wedding and reception at the Indianapolis Arts Garden. It is a all glass enclosure over a four way intersection so it was very unique. I had fun reconnecting with the sibs. You will notice a super cute nephew in the pics, he was the ring bearer in this wedding at age 11, he was also the ring bearer at my wedding at age 2.

Easter Day

Luke and Eva spent the Sunday of Easter with Dave's family. We enjoyed playing in grandma and grandpa's backyard.

Happy Easter

I love spending time with family at the holidays. This was the first year that we did not hunt for Easter eggs in hats and coats. Luke and Eva were the last off of the starting line when Papa said "go," but they collected all their eggs and had a great time. Everyone got new scooters or roller blades so the kids had fun looping the house on the scooters. Luke and Eva enjoyed new wagons, trucks, play-do, swimsuits, connect the dot books, and stuffed animals in their baskets. I love you.

I love you.

I love you.

Time has taken my three year old

Three was a fun age. Luke learned to communicate all his questions, concerns, love, and came up with a wonderful translation of the world he lives in. I love to see things through his eyes. I love the way he jumps with every word while he is excited. I love that he says I am the best mom in the whole world with no prompting - and that I believe he is genuine in what he says . I love when he wakes up all warm and with rosy cheeks from his nap. I love when he wraps his arms and legs around me and makes it so easy for me to hold him. I love that he gets excited about anything...going to the grocery store or Walmart. I love that he works so hard with his line ups, trains, and sand piles. I love that God gave me a whole year with my three year old.

Luke is looking for March 31 in my planner so he can find his birthday and then we can make the cake.

"It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us" -Dickens

I can't believe how much I love my kids. I never imagined that God would create such a strong love. I feel close to God by holding my kids and thanking Him for creating them and giving them to me. If they only knew how precious they are and how much they give to me. I love every day and every moment with them.