Good Ol' GeoCaching

Monday we headed out southwest of town to a "wilderness" area for some geocaching. It had been quite awhile since our GPS had been put to good use and we were antsy for a hike. It was nice to just be outside enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and time together. We actually found three different caches of varying style and difficulty. Two of the caches were near a creek which is always fun but the area was relatively crowded. The third was 1/2 to 3/4 mile hike along a trail, leading through grassland, taking us up a hill, and eventually over looking a small lake before we turned around and headed back. Ah, solitude and elevation. It was blissful. As we headed toward a grove of trees to look for a clues along the way we startled a deer that then ran across the open meadow. While in the waist high grass within the trees I almost stepped on the fawn of that startled deer. It was so tiny as it curled into a ball blending in with the dry glass of the field. We left it alone, found our clue, and headed on leaving the momma deer to return. What I still can't believe is that I forgot my camera!! The only picture I have of the days events is the one Nathan took of the GPS when we got home. You can see our path and the caches on the screen. Sorry, I'll try not to let it happen again. :o)

Backyard Camp Out

As much as I'd have loved to pack up and camp out this weekend it didn't fit our plans. I did let the kids set their tent up in the yard for fun. They came up with the idea that they'd sleep in it Sunday night. We had no school or schedule on Monday I figured we could try it and if it ended up being a crazy night we'd at least have Monday to recover. Since the tent is small I zipped the boys sleeping bags together to make a double sleeping bag that all three kids could share. They were tucked in about 8:15pm but kept chatting until closer to 10pm. Evan came it to use the bathroom once and needed a flashlight to go back out but otherwise they slept till after 7am without major incident. The whole thing was pretty sweet but the sweetest thing was overhearing both boys telling Lydia that if she got scared she could cuddle in the middle of them and they'd keep her safe and warm. Warmed my heart.

Nathan suck out and snapped a few pictures once they were asleep.

Sunday Afternoon

We enjoyed our Memorial Day weekend very much. After graduation on Saturday we headed to Menard's to get working on our garden. We (Nathan) made three garden boxes that are 4x4 for some tomatoes, peppers, peas, beans, corn, carrots, radishes, and lettuce. We also have pumpkins and watermelon not in the boxes. Here is the start of the project. When everything is growing I'll share more pictures of the advanced stages.

1. Evan not helping with the boxes but on the hunt for bunnies that might eat our garden. With some more practice maybe he'll wrangle a rabbit.

2. Hans and Lydia "helping" Dad.

Graduation #2

Tis the season of graduations. Last weekend we headed down to Watertown to Luther Prep School to attend the graduation. This time the graduate who had our eye was Wyatt, a former student of Nathan's and the son of our good friends the Smiths. It was a quick visit but it's always wonderful to get to spend time with them. Wyatt is off to USD to pursue an organ degree. He'll keep blowing the dust out of organ pipes along the way.

Kindergarten Picnic

As the school year winds down it's been filled with those fun last things to do. Last week we enjoyed the kindergarten picnic at Menominee Park. We arrived mid morning, toured the small zoo, picnicked for lunch and spent the early part of the afternoon playing on the Little Oshkosh playground. How far the kids have come since the first tentative days last fall.

1. The class with a few extra younger siblings too.

2. The prairie dog exhibit.

3. Monkeying around.

and she graduates

Saturday morning Nathan's "baby sister" graduated from college. We made the trip to New Ulm to spend the day with her and much of Nathan's immediate family. After graduation and a quick luncheon in her honor at the home of dear friends turned family we learned where she will start her career as a teacher. Joanna is heading to western Illinois to teach K-4 in a small WELS school. She's excited and her family couldn't be more proud.

1. Joanna with three older brothers, two sisters-in law, two nephews, and a niece.

2. The proud parents and Grandma with the graduate.

3. We had great seats with the exception of being "backwards" for pictures. Here she is about to receive her diploma.

Congratulations Joanna! Serve HIM well.

On the Shores of the Zumbro

Friday morning we left for Nathan's parents house on our way to his sister, Joanna's, graduation from MLC. We arrived by lunch and the boys spent the afternoon fishing with Nathan, Jordan, and Kevin while Lydia "had some quiet time" with Mary. What could be better than fishing with Grandpa and cuddling Grandma? Not much in these kiddos eyes.

1. Kevin, Hans, and Jordan reeling in a sucker.

2. Happy Hans.

3. Elated Evan.

4. A little friend they found on their afternoon adventure. They got pretty close but didn't touch it.

Kindergarten Track Meet

Last Thursday morning the PreK and K classes at four local WELS schools gathered at a park for a mini track meet. The kids competed in events such as hoppity-hopping, tug-of-war, races, and an obstacle course. Even though Hans and Lydia aren't official preschoolers they were allowed to participate as well.

1. Evan hopping along.

2. The first of the grass stains on Evan's pants happened during tug-of-war.

3. Hans joining in.

4. Lydia, complete with sunglasses, tugging too.

Springtime means T-Ball is in the air!

Sunday evening was the first T-Ball game in Evan's sports career. He started practice a few weeks ago and was very excited to play a real game. At the 5&6 year old level they don't really keep score and the length of innings are determined by the number of batters rather than outs. Evan was the last better in the order this time so after he hit the ball the runner all got to run home. As a result he hit a home run every time! Also each inning they rotate positions so he played third base and catcher. He plays Sunday nights from now until the end of July so if you're in the neighborhood we'd love to have you join us.

1: The Blue Team

2: The coach helping him get ready to bat and making sure he knew to run to first base. I like how it looks like he's saying where he's going to hit the ball.

3: Ready to round home and high-five the coach with the RBIs in front of him.

Up, Up, and Away

This past weekend Nathan took the time for a well deserved vacation and went with his brother Michael visited the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH. Nathan made this trip with his brother Matthew before we were married and has wanted to go back ever since. It worked out that the brothers could meet in southern MI and head to Dayton together Friday afternoon, spend Saturday touring, head back to Michael's Saturday evening, and they Nathan made it home by Sunday evening. From what I understand they were at the museum by the time the doors opened, stayed until they were kicked out at closing time, and then spent over an hour wandering around the outdoor exhibits. Now Nathan has been there twice and talks about going back again. Some men catch fishing pox, other's are affected by seasonal hunting issues, but Nathan has been inflicted with the aviation bug. They had a great time.

Being boys most of the pictures are of airplanes that I can't name without help but there were a few pictures with actual people in them.

1: Micheal was there.

2: Nathan was there.

3: Some airplane I can't name but liked since it has a pink elephant on the nose.

4: A cool shot of a shiny plane.

Some SD "Family"

Our dear friends the Smiths (no, not family even though we share the same last name) came to visit last Saturday. Their oldest son is a bit of an organ nut and he had a concert in southern WI on Sunday. That was the "real" reason for their trip from SD to WI but they threw in a stop here as well. Part of the lure of Oshkosh (besides us) was the EAA museum since Kim shares Nate's love for all things aviation. After a bite to eat we headed over for a tour. Our kids could go to EAA every other day if we'd let them. I think the same could be said for Nate. And after the few hours on Saturday afternoon the SD Smith have decided they're going to be coming back to visit it again too. We're glad. :o)

1. If you take the time to watch the Space Ship One movie at the museum you'll see one of the test pilots floating around M&Ms on a flight. There is an interactive projector set up so you can play with floating M&Ms too. Here you can see Denise, Kelly, and Lydia's shadows and Evan playing.

2. Future pilot? Hmm?

3. The three amigos, or Smiths as it may be.