Busy September: Preschool Field Trip

The 3 year old and 4 year old PreK classes.

Learning about how bees help make apples.

Finding the queen bee in the hive.

Waiting our turn to pick an apple off the tree.

Lydia and her fresh picked, beautiful apple.

Learning how the apples are sorted.

On the hay ride to the pumpkin patch.

Busy September: Wild Goose State Trail

Hans caught a frog.

Tree climbing!

Now Evan caught a frog.

Evan, Nathan, Lydia, and Hans all still happy after biking 12 miles.

Check out my new bike!

This year for my birthday Nathan bought me a new* bike.  (*new to me, it was bought at a bike swap for about half price!)  It's wonderful.  Seriously, I never knew biking could be so great. What a difference a good, high quality bike makes.  After a few brief rides around the neighborhood we decided to hit the trail.  There are several bike trail heads within a 30 minute drive from here so we did some online research, chose a trail, packed up the bikes, and gave trail riding a shot. It was awesome!  The first time out we biked 12 miles!  We went six miles from one town to the next, geocached along the way, turned back, geocached some more, and made it 12 miles.  It certainly didn't hurt that it was a spectacular fall afternoon.  We enjoyed it so much we went out again a few weeks later.  I see more trail rides in our future, unfortunately I think they won't be until next spring.

Busy September: Ladies Night

During ABC premiere week these three fabulous ladies joined me for an evening of appetizers and laughter. We had planned to meet at Kari's house but due to some vehicle issues I wasn't going to be able to make it. Bekah tracked me down at school to let me know that since I couldn't make the party they'd bring the party to me. It was an awesome surprise. We all enjoyed the evening and should really do it again soon!

Busy September: Our Piano

Something I've always wanted to have is a piano. We had a not-so-impressive keyboard when we lived in SD that didn't make the move. This summer we started watching craigslist and after a few months of keeping our eyes peeled we found this spinet piano for $100. After using the mini van like a truck and with some heavy lifting help from some two hulky high school boys we now have a piano in our dining room. It could use a tune up and has some preexisting dings but it plays well and is perfect for us. I've really enjoyed plunking away on it as I refresh my rusty piano skills. It's fun to play with the kids around and have them recognize the songs I play. Hopefully piano lessons will become a reality for them in the future.

Busy September: A Day on the Farm

In the corn maze.

Look out! Lydia is at the wheel!

Farmer Evan and Farmer Lyd

Farmer Hans and Farmer Lyd

Busy September: Quarry Quest on September 18

Time flies! I know it's been almost two months since I've added pictures and updated the blog. What can I say? We've been busy. For six of the last seven weekends we've had plans that involved some kind of event or trip out of town or both.  I'll try to get caught up with things here since there is a lot to share. 


This video clip is from Quarry Quest which is a fundraiser for children's charities/open house for the quarry in Neenah.  The boys attnded with Nathan last year and had a great time. Lydia was eager to join the fun this year. It was a great fall family day.

Camp Croix 2010 In Pictures

The sunset on the drive north. Red at night promising a great tomorrow.

Look what Lydia found in the boat house.

Ready to canoe with Uncle James.

Here we go a paddling.

Evan's big bass, also the only fish caught.

Around the campfire. The camper in the background is the one I grew up camping in as a child. Lots of memories.

The cousins drinking apple cider in the morning to keep warm.

What did Grandpa so to Jesse, Joe, and Evan?

Building a giant castle.

The boys canoeing on their own. Nathan and Bill rescued/coached them along.

Frog races. Which frog will hop out of the circle fastest?

Tucked in and cozy in the tent.

That's not your bottle, Hannah.

A day at Kohler Andrae

One Saturday in August we found our way to Kohler Andrae State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan for a day at the beach. We picnicked, swam, rode waves on tubes, explored the nature center, played in the sand, walked on the boardwalk through the marsh, found a geocache, & made the most of  a wonderful summer day.

Back to School

Lydia and Mrs.Berg

Hans and Mrs.Strusz

Evan and Mrs.Busse

Left around the table: Melanie w/Cole, Ellen. Paula, Laura, Kris, Annie, Jenny, Stephanie, Stephanie, Joanna w/Ginny, Amy w/ Lucy

After dropping the kids off with each of their capable teachers a group of Martin Luther Moms headed to a local restaurant for breakfast. We all had a great start to our day.

First Day of School: 2010-2011

Back on August 25th all four students in our family headed back to school.
Nathan headed to class before I got out the camera. His classes are only part time this year. Currently he's only in class two hours a day so he's continuing to work full time as a mechanic for a small company here in Oshkosh.
Evan headed to second grade this fall. I was a little worried since he'd said, "School ruins summer vacation." just a few days before school started. Despite this he continues to impress his teacher with his work ethic, to quote her, "Even if he doesn't like it he buckles down and works hard."
Hans is happily in first grade. I say happily because he nearly always is. His teacher even remarked that he smiles all the time in class and he's such a joy to have.
Lydia is only in school three morning a week but don't let that fool you, she's a big girl. All the doubts she had about preschool last year have been replaced with confidence. She eagerly heads to school ready for anything the teacher brings.
I hope all of the rest of the students out there have had just as wonderful of a start to the school year.


ps: Often I let the kids take silly pictures after their good pictures but I never actually do anything with the silly ones.  Here I decided to let a little personality shine through.