The Girls Hit the Road

This past Monday the girls and some of our girl friends headed out on a roadtrip to Medford. My friend Rachael and her girls, Miriam and Lucy along with Kate and Julia and I packed the minivan to enjoy some time away at the lake. Perhaps we're half crazy with four girls under 4. We enjoyed ourselves so much that both of us neglected to take many pictures of the week. But here's a recap. After a LONG day in the car on Monday we made it to the lake for supper and a swim. Tuesday was our rainy day. We were at the library by 8:30 a.m. and hit St. Vinnie's for some thrift shopping after that. Had lunch with the crew at Tom and Trina's and then back to the lake for naps. That evening we had pizza with extended family at Mondeax Dam. It was DELICIOUS!

Wednesday was No Carseat Day. Walked to the Red Rock in the morning. We spent the rest of the day on the beach and enjoyed some visitors. The cousins were out most of the day and night. Topped off the evening with grilled chicken, swimming and smores! Initially we planned to head home on Thursday but after talking with the husbands (they had made plans for the Tractor Pull Thursday night in DBQ) we opted to spend one more day.

Thursday was our Splash Pad adventure. Drove to Wausau's Marathon Park for a picnic and took the kids to the Splash Pad, which is this place with cool sprinklers where they can play and get wet. It was a deal 'cause kiddos were free and adults just $0.50. Couldn't beat it on our hottest day up north.
Here's some of the crew. Kate, Julia and I in the background. Trevor, Heidi, Kaylee and Miri posing after some time in the water. That evening we went out to High View with my folks and My aunt Mag and Uncle Steve visiting from CA. Went for a swim that evening and a pontoon ride, too.
Julia really enjoyed that day. She was such a good kiddo the whole trip. Definitely another Gramma's girl.

Oh, and the girls got a bath (amidst all the time in the water).

Friday morning we went to Mass with Mom and Grandma Helen. Stopped at the Uncommon Ground for coffee and treats and hit the road. The trip home seemed to go faster than the one north. We listened to "Ernie Get's Lost" at least a half dozen times. At one point all the girls slept- a minor miracle. All in all a great trip! So glad to have the company on the journey and the hospitality of family.

Windows

I've been meaning to get some picture of the new window treatments we put up in our home this summer. You may recall that we got the bay and rear patio windows replaced in May last summer. I loved (and still do) the window trimming and hated to cover it with curtains shades and the like. However, recently there was a series of events that convinced me that it must be done (its quite humorous but don't know if I can blog it as Kieler is a small town and everybody knows everybody, if that's not a teaser!). If we lived in the country with no front yard and backyard neighbors I could continue enjoying my view with out curtains and wouldn't have to worry about others getting the reverse view but alas, such is not the case at the moment.

So without further ado- my not the greatest pictures of the curtains/windows.

This is the pick for the patio door/window. It has a bit more of a finished look with a valance and fancy rod. I think the style is called opera stripe or something like that. The colors are a gray/brown that matches our window and they're striped with a cream color that goes with the walls. I really like the look of the valances especially since I couldn't get around covering the wide wood trim.

A second shot of the same window treatments from a bit further back.

Then in the living room (I know the pictures are poor) we jerry-rigged a cafe rod to fit our extra long window and put up a satin like goldish/cream curtain. I've got to shorten these yet so that they hang by the sill instead of to the floor. Otherwise, though not as fancy as the dining room curtains, I am still pleased to be looking at my wide wood trim.

As I sit and nurse looking mainly out that bay window, like this, numerous times a day. Kurt took this shot while playing with the camera. I am pleased with the result.

On the same topic of windows, I hope you like the new look on the blog. I'm quite pleased. I received notification that The Cutest Blog on the Block was changing their location (or something) so I would have to reload my background. Lazy and efficient as I am ;-) I opted to check out Blogger's new options. And was pleased to find this "looking out my window" effect. I think it really brightens things up AND it does remind me of the view as you drive into Kieler from the south.

Tractor Riding

Spent some time yesterday evening bringing in hay at a friend's farm. Kurt was out there driving tractor well into the evening. The girls and I were there for an hour or so and Katie got her tractor driving fix. I might have ridden too if there'd been room...she was having so much fun.

Backing up the wagon.

Look at that grin.
She won't admit she's Daddy's girl but regardless, she's got him wrapped around her little finger.

Mom! Mom! I'm riding here!

A sunset shot of the tractor and skidsteer in the field as we headed home.

Blessings

One of the really special gifts we received on the occasion of Julia's Baptism was this holy water font for the girls' room. It came with a holy water bottle in which we saved some of J's baptismal water and marked it with her name and date of baptism.

Yesterday, I finally got to hanging it up and of course Kate had to try it out.


She is really getting good a learning her prayers. She's got down the Angel of God ('cause we sing it each night) and is getting proficient at the Prayer Before Meals. The Sign of the Cross she has the words down on but sometimes (most of the time) messes up making the cross with her hand. Here she is showing me how we bless ourselves. Numerous times since hanging up the font I have found her standing by the door blessing herself over and over. And once she even found the holy water and was attempting to refill it!

The font is also pretty special because Providentially it goes with the Guardian Angel picture I have hung in the bedroom. Neato!

Finally, a picture of our other growing girl! Looking very girly in this picture where I was 'trying' to get her new smiles caught on camera. I think it would have taken hours and I still wouldn't have captured the moment. Anyway, she's awfully cute and nearing 13 pounds. I love the rolls! You should see her legs!

Well be excited- I posted twice now in July! Perhaps we're getting in the swing of things. This week is Vacation Bible School at our parish so the girls and I are planning on spending our mornings there Monday-Friday. Today went really well with both girls in tow and I was able to help teach and pray with the kids, too. I so love that part! More the latter part of the week!

Baptized in Christ!

I've been intending to post for a while now but life with two girls at home seems to be all consuming and when I do have a moment being online is the last thing on my list. My apologies to those who continue to check back regularly.

Here are pictures from Julia Ann's baptism, June 20th, 2010. It was a beautiful morning and a beautiful extended weekend with my family. They came down Thursday night and stayed till Sunday afternoon. What a treat!!

Fr. Bernie marks Julia with the cross on her forehead. Everyone wanted to do the same.

Julia and her "god-family" - Uncle Tom and Aunt Katrina, her godparents and Trevor and Kaylee her godbrother and godsister.

Getting wet! "I baptize you in the name of the Father,and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!"

Fr. Bernie getting his picture with the newly baptized.
Welcome to the Church Julia Ann! We are so happy to have you as part of our family!