Monkeys at the "Ooeseum"

Last week Wednesday, Kate and I went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. As you may (or may not) know in a former life I taught Old and New Testament and reveled in Scripture study. When I'm not doing alphabet puzzles or playing with Elmo and friends these days I do reminisce and try to dig my Biblical knowledge out of the dust of our basement and my brain. My dear friend, Mary Beth (we were classmates and roommates in graduate school) invited us to meet her in Milwaukee on her day off. I couldn't resist as in 10 weeks I don't know that I'll be able to travel on a whim.

To prepare, I was talking to Kate all week about going to see Mary Beth and the museum which she pronounces ooo-see-um. I also found our newly acquired monkey harness (thanks SIL!) and pulled the umbrella stroller out the garage. Katie was utterly excited about the monkey harness and also bringing her sunglasses for the drive. I mentioned this to MB on the phone that morning- I'm bringing the monkey. ;-)

The trip is going down as a success. Though I wish we lived closer to MB so we could have more chatting time. She is such a good friend in Christ!

Here are some shots. The camera wasn't allowed in the Dead Sea and Bible exhibit. :-(

Kate's favorite was the butterfly room. These pictures don't do it justice. I was wishing for a video camera to capture her reactions.

There went a butterfly to the left of mom. ;-)

Kate and MB in the butterfly atrium.

These butterflies are fun!
She knows she's cute.
The makings of a butterfly.

One little cocoon in another cocoon.

We came all this way to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and drink coffee with MB.

The drive home was quiet. ;-) All in all a great trip.

A Beautiful Day Out

Well, it seems that spring has at least temporarily sprung here in Kieler. Today (like the two days previous) was another BEAUTIFUL day. We started seeing robins in our backyard last Wednesday and Kate is still pointing them out at every chance and window. Though, they say that snow is in the forecast for this weekend, I am not worried that this warmer weather will win out in the end.

That means more walking, gardening and just being outside! We did just that today with some friends. A friend and I (the wise one from previous post) decided to take the girls and a picnic lunch to the Mines of Spain just outside Dubuque.

Though a bit breezy the hike (we hiked about 20 minutes in on a trail and then back out for lunch) was good one. And the little girls were thoroughly tired out by the end.

Our picnic lunch.

Climbing up "MYSELF!"

Taking a break for water after all those steps down to the prairie.

After hiking to the Pine Chapel we hiked back up the steps. "Step, step, step!"

There's nothing like a good hike to make a beautiful day, more beautiful. Praise God!

My friend is a genius!

Ok, so it might not seem like much to anyone but me but I was on the phone with a friend the other day and asked what she was doing. She said, "Scrubbing the floor." And I said since it wasn't nap time yet, "How can you do that with a 4 and 1 year old about?" And she said, "I give them a rag and have them 'help' me."

BRILLIANT!




My floor got scrubbed today. Thanks friend for the tip!

Conversation

I had promised a friend I'd post these pictures awhile back now. And finally got around to it. For Christmas with my nephew and niece on my side we decided to exchange gifts with a $5 limit. My fore mentioned friend suggested making Conversation Cards. As an aside, I don't think anyone on my side of the family needs help with conversation its just fun to get some different topics going. Anyway, I decided to bite on the idea and these are the results. It didn't take me long to find TONS of questions online and adapt them for kiddos if they weren't already. There are about 50 questions in each pack I think. It was a pretty cute especially with my nephew, 4 answering questions and asking them left and right. He (like most kids) is so honest! Even told us his least favorite 'class' is clean up time- that's why he asks to go to the bathroom then! LOL!

If you're interested in my list of questions I'd be happy to share them. Enjoy this easy gift idea!

Some weekend pictures- Wordless Wednesday

An Almost Retro Post: Arizona 2009

I promised awhile ago that I would post our trip pictures from this Christmas in Arizona. Well, its now March. Before I post them and the captions, a little update. We are all well and both Katie and I are growing. It has been for the most part a good start to Lent. I was able to go on an all day retreat/conference that first weekend. Confession, Eucharist and many great talks along with sitting with a dear friend for the day made the day really AWESOME. I feel so blessed that Kurt was willing to take on Katie for the day (and practically the weekend as Bible Study started that Sunday and pretty much consumed my time after returning home). He is such a gift to me again and again!!!

Ok without further ado!

Our longest family vacation yet included plenty of hiking, relaxing and fun, fun, fun. We once again hauled the kiddos around in backpacks. They're handy for hauling and napping!

Daddy models how the backpack works.

John trucking Kaylee through the desert.

One of our beautiful hikes with WATER a rarity in the desert hiking.

Time was also spent with the 10 of us in the one bedroom trailer at Monte Vista. The kiddos vied for spots in the only real bed.

The resort also provided Christmas events for families including making photo frames.

All dressed up with no place to go...

Framing it up with Kaylee!

And Trev's work of art looks pretty good, too, I might add.

Kaylee and her mom on Santa's lap at Breakfast with Santa at the park.

These next few are from our visit to the Mesa Museum of Natural History which we also visited last year if you recall but it was worth going again. The kids love it!

Kaylee and Kate checking out Bubba the turtle and his cool tongue.

The girls hanging with Gramma. Check out the kid backpacks/leashes. They really are handy for independent little ones.

Gram and Kaylee in Folsom Prison...can you hear Johnny Cash singing it?

Panning for gold- this is how we paid for the trip!

A new exihibit this visit- Be in a Western!

Check out the faces. Kaylee loves them.

Were they meant for the big screen or what?
Kate and Gram on a Mammoth Dig Puzzle.

And at the Olive Mill tour. The best olive grove in AZ! Thanks for reading. Olive you, too!