Grammie and Pop Camp 2010

(Colin's self portrait--to show of his missing teeth!)

For the first time this year, Colin and Ethan visited Grammie and Pop for "camp". It was much more difficult for me than it was for them. Mike was traveling as well, and though I enjoyed the total silence, and Charlie liked actually being walked for once... it was a little too quiet! They had an amazing time that was filled with activities. We drove to Indianapolis to pick them up and were able to spend time with the adorable Grant--and Jenna and Jeff of course. We also had a great time at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. It's one of the nicest museums we've visited.

Official "Camp" pictures coming soon!

End of the Summer Party

Maria from Poland with me... Most of you have heard my Maria stories throughout the year. She's something special for sure.

We had quite the spread with foods from literally all over the world.

(And now I have the entire month of August off!)

Trip to Three Lakes

(Ethan requested this photo himself... at a Dairy Queen stop along the way.

He adores Dairy Queen because he can eat their ice cream... no egg!)

We made it up to Three Lakes at the end of July, just the four of us. It was fantastic to get away and we always feel refreshed when we leave. The boys are in heaven there--fresh air and lots to do outside. It was a little chilly so we didn't do as much swimming as we wanted to, but tons of kayaking. Colin is getting very confident paddling solo!

Summer is making me tired...

Photo taken at 11:25 a.m.

4th of July

Check out my amazing bike that I decorated!

We like this ride! (The cutest thing was that there were multiple open cars, and they decided to ride side by side together).

Colin and Ethan's first mini-roller coaster.

Ethan loved it.... Colin? Well the photo speaks for itself.

Walking to the carnival and fireworks with the Weigels. Colin pulled Isaac most of the way.

Emma and Ethan, bestest buddies! And yes, Ethan's bunny likes to travel.

We had a busy weekend, just the boys and I... while Mike played concerts in Minnesota. Friday we spent at the carnival and fireworks, Saturday we went to Madison to spend time with our dear friends and their kids... and Sunday after church was the gigantic Whitewater 4th of July parade! Such fun for all of us.

Mr. Cool Man with his shark hologram goggles.

Dylan and Ethan = trouble

Check out my hair!

Colin is loving his long hair! He refuses to let us trim it, mainly because we can brush it to this beautiful goodness!

Summer Teaching

I've been working since the end of May with my new summer group of students. I am teaching two classes twice a week, a level 2/3 which is still a beginning group, and then a level 4/5 group which is much more advanced. I have really enjoyed getting to know a new group of students and using a new text. We also spent time June 23rd visiting Lake Geneva for a special mail boat tour. Yes, we watched mail be delivered to the docks of various homes on the lake. It was an experience for me and for the students! (And I knew there were large homes on the lake, but wow. Just wow. And most of these are summer homes.)

Happy Father's Day

The boys planned almost every minute of Mike's Father's Day this year... and the best part was that he was able to spend the whole day with us. We made a special breakfast, went to church, then went mini-golfing. It was the boys' first time, and it was hilarious! Ethan holds his club consistently like a hockey player for the record. Then we walked around Lake Geneva and had ice cream and watched people walking through downtown. Finally, we finished up the day with a big steak dinner. A treat for us all. And the boys gave him the sassiest card ever, not really fit for the blog and some "super cool push up bars" for his "P90X and diet".

Summertime!

It's my LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

And, only one hour after school was over....

We've started our summer with a bang, and that includes some non-stop fun! Who said summer was for relaxing hasn't been around our house for long! Whew.

Let's see, we started off by surprising Colin after his last day of school. We picked him up with the car packed and headed down to St. Charles. Our original plan had been to go to the cottage, but an 80% chance of rain for four days put a wrench in the works!

Spending time in St. Charles is always fun, and although Mimi and Bubba weren't there, they were kind enough to let us use the house.

Colin was SO surpised when he got in the van and noticed that there were duffels in the back, along with Charlie. He loved it!

Friday we took the train, along with thousands of other Blackhawks fans, into the city. They went to the parade, and we high tailed it south to the Museum of Science and Industry, a favorite. Saturday we spent time with Chris, Colleen, Helen, and Maeve.

From the backseat

Tonight we were driving the boys to swimming lessons, when Ethan's serious voice popped up from the backseat, "Dad, I just really need a crowbar."

Mike said, "What?"

Ethan's reply, "A crowbar. The Littlest Pet Shop toy is stuck inside the Dragon Fortress and I have to get it out."

Because of course that would be the first solution, a crowbar!

Words of Encouragement

This afternoon I was working on finishing up my latest P90X workout, the plyometrics. Brutal on a hot, humid afternoon! Colin was exercising with me, and watching me, and yelled out, "Mom, just do it for the cheese curds!"

Overheard

Mike: Hey guys our little garden is coming along nicely. Colin, your blueberry plant is looking good. Ethan, what do you want to plant next year in our little garden?

Ethan: A Kit Kat plant.

A moment in our life...

In the last ten minutes...

Mike decided to clean the gutters... in the rain! (I asked him if he was Terry Mundt.) Needless to say I was NOT happy with this unsafe choice. As I was running to the porch to tell him after I noticed debris flying off the back roof, I ran right into the screen door. Please note, my nose is not broken, my lip is a little puffy, and the screen seems to be intact. Ethan landed in time out yet again today for being, shall we say a bit sassy. He's already off of anything dessert related until Monday for helping himself to a handful of chilling cookie dough. "I was being sneaky!" And our Colin is laying low having been diagnosed with pneumonia/bacterial bronchitis. He's floating around trying to clean up toys and figuring out if he needs more medicine.

All in the last ten minutes. Never a dull moment!

Makes Mom & Dad Proud

On Friday, Mike, Ethan and I attended Colin's first ever performance at school. He decided to participate in "Forensics for Fun" an enrichment opportunity provided through the school. It was his idea to be a part of this, and it was his idea to do a demonstration speech. The topic? The Star-Spangled Banner, of course. Because that's what every 6 1/2 year old boy is interested in right? (The other speeches were about hunting, animal trapping, and how to build a volcano.)

He told me what to type out as far as the speech was concerned and then he practiced at home, and practiced, and practiced some more. Friday morning we were a buzz with excitement and he had to make sure he had an outfit, "that will make me comfortable."

Here's the official video--quality is poor due to the fact that we take videos on our little digital camera! We were so proud of him. And for the record, now he wants to learn Yankee Doodle.

Fun Times in STC

Last weekend was a busy one... we drove down to St. Charles on Saturday afternoon. After playing in the sun, a fabulous dinner, and a trip to Colonial for my birthday PBF Chipper, I got to go out! Mandy, Mike, Steve, Denise and I headed to Alley 64 to hear the Lazy Maybes. It was great catching up with Jake Brens while they band took a break. We had tons of fun! Who knew STC has such a happening nightlife? On Sunday, we celebrated Grandma and Great Grandma Smith's 95th Birthday. It was wonderful having everyone together and she was tickled with the whole thing--especially her "younger" brother (who is 92) who surprised her at the party!

(Side note: I'm not sure why these photos appear so much smaller... work in progress!)

Ethan doing his tricks on the scooter. He's our wild man!

Posing of course!



The sweaty, hot, but oh so happy boys.
We're actually going out! To a bar! On a Saturday!


Me and my beautiful sister!

It's 1am... of course you must eat a doughnut!

This is Mike cheating on Tony Horton after fun times, a few beers and a shot at the bar!

Mandy, attempting to show Mike that she too could do at least a few push-ups.

Grandma's Party!Uncle Bob, Aunt Judy, my Mom, Kim, Denise and Steve

The cake.

Sweet Miss M played her violin for Grandma!


The boys... Colin and Ethan adored spending time with their big cousin Mitchell. He's "so cool". And Alexander is holding his own too! (These boys are outnumbered so they have to stick together!)

Eric and Teresa hold down the fort with little Alexander and the girls. Their matching outfits were adorable!

The May birthday girls!