Father's Day 2010

Luke couldn't wait to give Dave his "man." Luke loves collecting rocks so we made a rock man for daddy. Eva gave daddy a book they could read together called, "Daddy Hugs," by Eva's favorite author and a shirt saying she was Daddy's sweetheart. Luke talks about how he misses Dave at least a few times every day. Dave gives so much love to the kids and they miss it when he is not near by.

I also got to golf with my Dad and Grandad for Father's Day. I am using the clubs my dad used when he was eighteen. My 96 year old Grandy still has a great game. I enjoy every year we play.

Miracle of Endless Love

Eva and I had a great time without the boys when they were camping. I put her hair in pig tails for the first time, she watched her own video (not one of Luke's), and she could do whatever she wanted the entire day. Eva and I also went shopping for bubble bath. She has never taken a bubble bath because Luke doesn't really like bubbles. I was happy to buy her her own Mr. Bubble.

She truly is a miracle of endless love and a masterpiece of grace. (Those words are from her lullby CD she listens to every night.)

Camping with Dad

Luke and I went on a camping trip at the beginning of June with friends from church.  It was our second annual trip. It is a father/children only trip.  No moms allowed.  We camped in the northern Kettle Moraine in a large group site.  The kids had plenty of area to run, ride bikes, ride big wheels, and play.

We had great weather the first night and most of the next day.

Luke couldn't wait to roast marshmellows.  None of the other kids could either.

If the kids could only eat this way at home.....

Luke staying up way past his normal bedtime and looking tired.

The next morning we had time for fishing and swimming.

.....followed by a hike to a lookout tower. We tried our best to get some of the kids in a posed picture.

Then the rain started so we had to all crowd under two canopy tents.  We had great food:  hot dogs, brats, pasta salad, baked beans, fruit salad, chips, and plenty of cookies.

Luke didn't care it was raining.  He still wanted to sit by the fire.

Finally it started to rain very hard.  We were only going to stay one night, so fortunately the tent was all packed up.  Luke talked all week how much fun he had camping.  I had a great time with my son and will remember how much fun he had in our new tent and being with the other kids. 

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.