What a Beautiful Day....

Yesterday was a the perfect weather day. Sunny, 75 and beautiful. My kind of weather! Today will be another day just like that. Hopefully I can get some photographs taken of recent projects. And the weeding....oh, I think there are some weeds in my backyard taller then me. Really. I am hoping the kiddos will think they are super-kids and get using those muscles! We shall see.

We took full advantage of the weather yesterday and attended a Bluegrass Festival put on by our local community radio station. It was really fun. The festival was at a local park on the lake. The area of the festival was fenced in, so the kiddos could play on the playground, dig in the sand, hula hoop, dance, make art projects (more on that below) and the big boys played Kubb. Jackson knocked the king down, winning the game for the boys. He was VERY proud!

Back to those art projects. Jackson created a rain stick out of, get this, a fabric tube! They had cut the fabric tube into pieces and he hammered thin nails in to it. Taped the bottom closed and added rice. Taped the other end closed and decorated. Fantastic toy. Hailey made a drum out of another wide fabric tube. They cut the top off a balloon and stretched it around the form. Decorated it with colored duct tape there you have it, a drum.

Soon we headed back home and enjoyed some grilled dinner and homemade ice cream. Excellent day. Here are some photos.....

I would also like to take a moment to ask you a favor. The Guestbook Store has always donated to kids in need around the holidays. But this year we expanded that - and will be continue to do more things soon (I will tell you about that later). Please take a moment to read my sister-in-laws story on her blog.... School Supplies The start of school is right around the corner and the thought of kids not having supplies breaks my heart. So if you are out school shopping, pick up a few extra things and drop them off to the local school. The front desk will gladly take them and see they go to children in need of them. Or pick up a supply list by the school supplies and fill a backpack. After school starts, these items go on clearance....feel free to do it then as well!

Cheers!

To a new camera! Of course I cheers with a cup of coffee....it is 8:30 in the morning. :)

The good news is the new camera and that I am back to blogging.

The bad news, the old camera is missing. Simply missing. I have looked high and low, and again, and again. Right now, I think Jenna did it. Why? Cause she takes everything! Really. I am sure someday it will show up in the bottom of the pantry, or in some random cupboard....but until then. I enjoy my new little point and shoot (someday I will upgrade to a big girl camera) and try not to think about my boy boy turning 7 and all the photos from his special day -- poof.

Going back in time....

Have you been wondering if I left the blog world? Nope. Just trying to keep up with summer and life!

Lets go back to the beginning to of July and show you what we have been up to....

A litte water fun on the 4th. We went to a friends cabin (thanks Bob and Colleen!) and had a great day.

Summer is not complete without a fair. Jackson and Hailey had a blast riding the rides this year. Jenna enjoyed chillin' with her cashews!

Jenna makes sure her new best friend Elmo is fed.

Stuart left for Typecon mid July. He was presenting his new Filmtype book. So, while he was away, we kept ourselves busy.

Family Camping. We headed up to my brother's cabin for a weekend of R&R. And that is was :) It was so nice to have cousins that love to keep busy and let the parents relax. Here I am relaxing with my folks and cuddling with the girls.

Summer is not complete without good old Wisconsin corn on the cob.

We took a drive to visit Vino in the Valley. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and took a stroll around the yards.

To be continued....

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Hope you all are enjoying a nice relaxing holiday!

Here are some photos from our last weekend of camping with some friends.

(Thanks Sarah and Dave!)

Here is the fam... Notice that huge strawberry in Jenna's mouth?


Here is a bit closer view. She was very happy and messy!

Where did we get those wonderful berries? Hailey and I picked them! We had a blast picking the most beautiful strawberries ever!

And look a those strawberry thieves!

Handprints

The kiddos are adjusting to life at home since the school year ended. We are getting into our routine and the sitter is working out wonderfully! It is so nice when things go as planned! :)

My most recent quilt is for the director of the kids daycare. Where Jackson and Hailey both went, and where Jenna will start in the fall. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor and has started radiation in Mayo every week. The kids and teachers placed their hand prints on a two yard piece of ivory fabric. I brought home and turned it into this:

Once again, blogger rotated my photo and I don't know how to change that!

I am off to spend the day with my sister and shop, shop and shop! Whoo-oooo!!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Amy's Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Amy! Yes, my much older sister celebrated her 29th birthday! :) We took the day to visit her at the lake. Here is where I would normally insert a photo of Amy fishing, but since I am such a nice sister, I won't! And because I know she would be really, really mad at me!

Jackson and Hailey had a blast fishing. Well, Jenna did too...the pontoon rocked her right to sleep! Here are some photos of the kiddos....

Jackson fishing with Grandma and Papa.

He practiced casting in the yard before we went out. He cast perfectly the first time!

Hailey and her first and only fish. She decided that one was plenty.

And Jenna. She spent the better part of her day chasing the dog around. All we heard was "My-OOO, My-OOOO." Translation in adult English: Milo.

The Graduate!

Here she is, the newest preschool Graduate! Hailey was so proud. She woke up bright and early at 6am for her big day. (Usually I am tugging her out of bed at 7:30am.) She woke me up with a hairbrush and barrette in hand so she would look nice for her big day. While I was brushing her hair, and trying to open my eyes, she let out a little whimper. On a normal day, this would have lead to a big scream and some tears. But not this time, she just said, "Oh, no more crying for me, I am a graduate now." She then proceeded to tell me how she will only cry when she gets really, really hurt. And then asked if I had finished sewing the buttons and pockets on her dress so she could wear it. So off to sew at 7am! Only a handmade dress will work for this girl on her big day!





During graduation the teachers asked, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" And Hailey's reply, "A Fabric Designer!"

That"s my girl!