Gearing Up for Fall

Jack enjoying the splash pad on one of our scorching summer days. We had Jack's back to school open house, met his new teacher, explored (aka. staked out where all the cars are) his new classroom, and we are all geared up for starting next week.

Here is Miss Stella picking out the perfect pair of "flip-flops." Stella will be starting a new "school" in a couple weeks too, she will be spending two days a week at a daycare center with lot's of little friends. She is excited for the cool play kitchen in her room, doing lot's of painting, and picking (and eating, yes Stella loves fresh basil) the basil from the garden there.

Madison Zoo

Zoo - flash slideshow maker

This spring Jack & I sat down and made a summer bucket list of all the fun things we want to do this summer, well we have been busy checking things off the list left and right the last few weeks! One thing checked off the list is visiting the Henry Villas Zoo in Madison, here are pictures from our visit to Madison to see Auntie Heather and the zoo!

Stella's Minnie Mouse Party

Stella Minnie Party - how to make a free slideshow

Stella is 2

Stella's 2nd Birthday - slideshow dvd

Our little Stella turned 2 on June 23rd! Her little fun, social personality is constantly evolving. Stella loves playing with other little kids....she calls anyone else at the park "friends"....."look, those friends momma" or "where friends go?" Before going outside to play she know we need to put on "unscreen" (sunscreen). "Hey guys, look at me!" is something we here very often from Miss Stella now. Stella has always had the best laugh, if you get her going it's just priceless. When at home she can usually be found "cooking in her kitchen" or "play babies." We took the kids to the pool on the 4th and much to our surprise Stella loved going down the huge water slide on our laps, over....and over again. Stella's favorite foods are pizza and fruit and any kind of "Treat." Unfortunatly, having an older brother Stella has learned all about various "treats" much earlier than Jack did. Stella loves to sing and dance, she has had rhythm from day one (well pretty close to it!) Her favorites right now are "Twinkle, Twinkle", "The Wheels on the Bus", "ABC's", or anything from music together class. Stella absolutely loves "Mumu class", the other day I was telling her where we were going for that day, and she said, "no momma, how 'bout mumu class?" Here talking abilities are expanding very quickly and it's so much fun listening to her formulating her own ideas. Stella has grown quite fond of Minnie Mouse, so of course that's the theme we settled on for her second birthday bash........stay tuned for a glimpse of the party!

As Promised

Crivitz 2012 - flash slideshow maker

I did not forget..........here is a glimpse of our weekend in Crivitz camping!

Happy Birthday America!

July 4th 2012

a look back.............July 4th 2011

I can't believe how much Stella has grown in a year......she is so much fun now (and so much more independent), but I can't help but feel a little sad looking at this.

Happy Father's Day!

Crivitz

Here are a few "previews" from our weekend camping in Crivitz with Grandpa & Grandma Mott.........more to come.