What A Weekend

So we had quite a weekend, good thing the girls don't have school for the next two days and can recover. It started on Thursday. Maddie took a ride with grandma and grandpa to Iowa to pick up Nolan. Jana and Mike were moving out of their apartment and so with Nolan not there, they were able to clean it and get all the last things done a little quicker. While they were in Iowa, I actually attended a funeral for a guy I went to high school with. He was sick, but it still was a little sudden. There were a good number of people that I went to high school with there. That is the cool thing about going to a school like Martin Luther. You knew everyone and most likely you had more then one class with them.

Friday we still had school, so the girls went and Lilly got to hang out with Nolan. The rest of the afternoon the girls kept Nolan entertained, chased him, and made him do all his "tricks". Chad came home and I think we just all hung out, I can't even remember Friday since it seems so long ago. Jana and Mike got here late on Friday evening since they made a stop at Direct Buy in Schaumburg to order their cabinets.

Saturday we got ready for everyone to get here. We made a Wal-Mart run, got the house picked up, watched college football, and waited for everyone to get here. Once the Chapman's got here Chad decided that Maddie, Ben, Emma, Sam, Joel, and himself would go see Astroboy. So they got going and since it was just Nolan and Lilly; Jana, Amy, and myself went to see the Hangover at the Budget Cinema. Jana had not seen it before. When we got back the rest of the company was here. Uncle Kip, Aunt Susie, Jared, the Chicago Heffelfingers and everyone was ready to go trick or treating. The problem was that is was only 4:30 and it didn't start until 6:30. So we tried to get the kids to eat something before going and then it was time to get them dressed. It was cold, so we needed to layer under their costumes. So we took our 8 crayons out around grandma and grandpa's neighborhood.

I know that Crayola is spelled wrong, but Sam didn't want to switch with Ella. We also went in birth order with Lilly being the trademark. It is a little hard to see her since she is in the stoller.

Maddie the Orange A

Emma the Pink L


Lilly the brown Trademark

Nolan the Green A, but we all thought he looked a little bit like a gnome




We got back and everyone was not ready for bed, so we let the kids run around for a little while and then it was off to bed. The rest of us talked for a little while and then were all more then happy to set our clocks back one hour and get that extra hour of sleep.

Sunday morning Lilly didn't like the whole daylight savings and thought that 6am would be a good time to get up. She wasn't alone, Nolan was up and the girls were shortly after.

A little cousin love in the pack n' play.


We all went to church at grandma and grandpa's church, since it was grandma and grandpa's 40th wedding annviersary.

Grandma and Grandpa 40 years later- this picture is courtesy of Maddie the photographer


After church the Pownell's and Chapman's headed home. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and just resting up. We watched a little of the Packer/Vikings game, we played some games and even went outside for a little while. The girls were a little wound up, but everyone went to bed pretty much without a fight.


Lilly just hanging out on Sunday night.


The girls are off school and I don't know who is more disappointed, them or me. Now that it is 6:15, I would say me. Let's just say that school does Maddie good. Chad is on his way home from the Dells (Teachers Conference). So tomorrow everyone will be home, maybe we will do something fun.

Hopefully they don't all decide that 6am would be a good time to wake up like this morning. Good thing everyone took a nap this afternoon.

Phew!!! What a weekend and I am glad that it is over. I am tired and now that the Holidays are coming, the weekends may all be like that.

Pumpkin Farm Take 3

Okay so this is our third trip to the pumpkin farm. This time we met some college friends and kids at Swan's pumpkin farm in Franksville. We were a little worried that it would just be too muddy to go, but we took the chance on Saturday afternoon. It WAS muddy,but all of us with our trusty boots, we did alright and didn't come away with too much of a mess. Nick and Ashley came with their son Eli and daughter Addie. Ryan and Kate came with their daughter Michaela, I didn't get any pics of her since she is just about a month old and spent the whole time in the snugglie. We had a great time and it turned out to be a okay day weather wise. The kids didn't want to leave, but we promised them we would get together again soon. So here is the pumpkin farm in pictures.

Emma riding the train- you can sort of see Eli sitting next to her.
There is Eli, he wasn't so sure about riding with Emma, but she did let him drive.

Maddie also took a ride on the train, but was too cool to sit by Emma and Eli.


Maddie and dad took a walk through the kiddie Corn Maze, she did a pretty good job and didn't get lost.Here she is at the end of it- what a big girl.

After the train riding, we fed a few goats and sheep. Emma actually held the food and let them eat out of her hand.

Maddie and Emma, the pirate and fair maiden.

Emma posing for Kate (who was taking the pictures)

Lilly spent most of the afternoon in the snugglie, but at least it was warm in there.

Maddie and Emma posing for Kate.

Emma really enjoying her cookies, she ate them both at the same time.

Maddie, Eli, and Emma measuring up.

Three Girls

Well you can't see Emma's face very well, but here she is on the train at the pumpkin farm. We met Kate, Ella, uncle Alan, and aunt Tracie there a couple of Sundays ago. Emma and I just went since Maddie had gotten to spend the night at Ben and Sam's the night before, it was her special time with mom. She had a blast with the girls.
Here is Lilly sitting by herself. She is getting pretty good at it herself. She is getting better at leaning one way and being able to pull herself back before she falls over. The other two girls haven't quite figured out to not be in her face and force her over. She is okay with falling over as long as there are toys within reach.



Here is Maddie's singing debut. Her 4K class sang before the 11am service on the 18th. She has been singing the songs in the kitchen and I was pretty sure she knew the words. They practiced in the room before hand, but when they got into church she just kind of went into shy mode. You can see that she does sing the song, but we always thought she would be that kid in the front belting out the words as loud as she could even if they weren't the right ones. After she was done I asked her why she didn't do the actions for the second song, she told me that the kids standing next to her were smushing her. What a character. The video is just a few seconds over a minute, so it isn't too long.

35 Years

So many of you know that Chad's dad is no longer at the South Wisconsin District. His contract was not renewed after President Willie was reelected this past June. Don't worry, he is doing fine. He is doing some consulting for the national group called CRM. CRM is based in California, but they get to stay in Germantown since he doesn't go into the "office", instead he goes to churches around the nation and helps them, so need for moving.

So last night we got to help celebrate his 35 years in the ministry. He started as a DCE, did some teaching in there, also some principaling, more DCEing, and then it was to the district for the last 8 years.

It was really neat to see the people (mostly principals), who he has helped with at their schools. Our Redeemer is one and so I know that the many things that he has taught the staff there will be taught to our daughters someday. All the kids, except Scott were there. The girls did stay home with grandma and grandpa (it was at the North Hills Country Club). We got to hear some amazing stories about Gary and all the great work he has done and that was only in here in Wisconsin. Chad spoke on behalf of all of us kids and managed to make it to about the last 2 minutes before he couldn't hold in his emotions anymore. He did a great job.

So here are a few pictures from last night.


Chad talking about his dad, he is trying to hold it in for as long as possible.
Grandma and Grandpa J
Grandpa J and his assistant Robin
Almost the whole family, well at least those over the age of 10.

Sickness

That's right, sickness season is here. We haven't had it as bad as others, but it has made it's round through the house. It started last week Monday when Chad came home right after school and went straight to bed. Both him and Maddie stayed home on Tuesday from school. Maddie was just very tired and had quite the snot coming out of her nose, so I thought it better for her to stay home. She had 4 kids gone from her class on Monday, so it is only a matter of time before they all share their germs. Wednesday was testing day for Chad, so he went to school for half a day and then was home early, also feeling much better.

So we were all doing pretty well for the next day or two, well at least until Thursday. I had a bad sinus cold and so I went to bed pretty early, Chad and Maddie had been up in Germantown for the evening and so I was sleeping by the time they got home. A few hours later we were awoken by Emma puking, she tried making it to the bathroom, but just didn't quite get there. She went back to bed for a few hours and then was up again getting sick. Maddie too, but we are pretty sure it was just reaction from Emma throwing up. So after getting everyone cleaned up, Maddie on the couch downstairs with a bucket, Chad on the futon upstairs, Emma and I in our bed (Emma had a bucket too), we were off to sleep for a few more hours. Lilly just slept through it all. Emma ended up missing grandparents day at school, she was so bummed, but we didn't want to spread those germs. So the rest of the weekend we took pretty easy. Chad had to work at Buy Costumes both Saturday and Sunday for baseball, so after Maddie sang at church on Sunday we headed up to Germantown to drop off Lilly so I could help in 3K on Monday.


Maddie and Lydia hung out on the couch on Sunday watching a movie. Doesn't Maddie just look like she is in a daze??Lilly just playing, trying not to get her sister's germs.


So we thought everyone was back up and running, the girls were doing great and Lilly picked up a little cough and so we were just watching her. Chad came home from school on Tuesday and again was right back to bed, he stayed home on Wednesday. Wednesday after Lilly got up from her nap, she had a fever and was having trouble catching her breath, so off the the doctor we went. We ended up with a double ear infection and the flu (no piggy flu), he just wants to make sure that there was no bronchitits either, she is doing much better with her being on antibiotics and actually being able to sleep without waking herself up with her coughing. So we have survived the last two weeks, the sickness seems to be gone for now and we are hoping that it stays away for the rest of winter.

So sickness we say stay away, we have done our time and want to be done with you.

Lilly

So today Lilly is 5months old. I don't know her stats, since we don't go to the doctor until next month. She is doing great, rolling both ways. Probably not as much as she would like, since most of her floor time comes after Maddie and Emma are in bed. She is "talking" a lot. She likes to hear the sound of her own voice and she also is starting laugh at being tickled, but also at her sisters in general. She also is able to scoot herself in a full circle and also backwards. We are figuring that by Christmas she should be crawling, just in time to get all those presents under the tree.

So here are some of those promised pictures of Lilly:

Here Lilly is practicing sitting- she likes to practice in the laundry basket while I fold clothes.

Taken a little by surprised.

Lilly is also starting to reach and grab at anything. Nothing is safe, especially her sisters' hair. She has got to fight back somehow, right??

Taking the first taste of cereal- she doesn't think it is too bad.

It is usually better when you can feed yourself though.

I Gotta Feeling

So one of my favorite new songs is "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas. The line is "I gotta feeling, that tonight's gonna be a good night." I didn't have a feeling, but have you ever had a day that was just an ordinary day and then it ended up being one of the best nights ever?? So yesterday (Saturday) I woke up tired, Lilly decided that she wanted to see what kind of night life we had between the hours of 12:30am and 2:30am, she as disappointed because there was none. So as tired as I may have been, I got up and started my day. Lilly, Emma, and I went to Wal-Mart for some staples for the Michigan State/Wisconsin game. Chad and Maddie went to uncle Kurt's football game and brought him back here for the game, uncle Ben came over and also my cousin Jared. While those boys watched the game, Joel, Ben, Sam, Emma, Maddie, grandpa, and I checked out Harvest Fair at State Fair Park. It wasn't bad, it was much better last year, but the kids still had fun.


When we got home, Lilly woke up a little bit and so I decided to get her back to sleep and was going to take a little nap with her. This was a little before 4. Chad and I were going to the Brewers game to sit in the Diamond Box behind the Phillies dugout, so I figured I could get a half hour nap in. So my uncle Kip called to let us know that they were down there and if we wanted to stop by them in the parking lot before going in we could. So we decided to get ready and get going. We made it down there about 4:30pm. We had a couple beers with them and then headed into the game. Eric and Jacquie were at the game to, so after playing where's waldo in the crowd of 40,000 we found them and had fun texting back and forth.

Can you see Eric and Jacquie??

After a two run walk-off by Braun we met everyone back at Kip and Susie's car.
After hanging there for a little while, we decided that it would be fun to visit uncle Ben at the AMF where he bartends. Jacquie wanted to bowl, so after some deliberation we decided to bowl a game, it was the original Heffelfingers vs. the In-Laws. We had so much fun and just laughed. Even though there was probably some sore muscles this morning from bowling, I think everyone just had a great time and it was just one of those nights that just happened. I always think that those can sometimes be the best kind. We were even home by midnight and so I got a good night's sleep.

Here is our Bowling Team:

Missing: Two weeks of our lives

Here is the missing two weeks in pictures:


We like to exercise. Actually Emma has mixed two of her favorite pastimes, getting her energy out and also playing dress-up. Emma is loving school and I think school is a good fit for her. We miss having Mrs. Willer as a teacher, but we know that she is learning all sorts of wonderful things.
We spent the night at grandma and grandpa J's while they were in Michigan with Maddie and dad. We hung out with aunt Lydia and uncle Josh. It was fun, we went to dinner, we laughed a lot, and Lilly and Emma had a little bonding time. Maddie and dad went to Michigan the weekend after Labor Day to help great grandpa Bickel celebrate his 60 years in the ministry. They went with grandma, grandpa, and uncle Kurt. I think Maddie enjoyed having a little adventure of her own. Since we were hanging out with aunt Lydia, we thought is would be fun to take her to the Zoo, so here is Emma and aunt Lydia posing as Emma's favorite animal.


We took in a Brewers game with Maddie and Emma on a Friday night. Dad and Maddie played a little gameboy while we were finishing up our dinner. Emma's favorite part of the evening was that she chose the Polish to win the Sausage race and he won. She was telling everyone that she picked the right guy. Maddie was so excited to go to the game, she doesn't get that they are out of the race, but she loves them anyways and it is just great to see her get all excited about it.


Of course we had our turn on the jumbotron, Maddie always says hi to the camera guy when we sit down and as soon as any music comes on, she is up and dancing. The Tuesday after this game I had MOPS and Mia's mom (Mia is in Maddie's class), told me that she saw us again up on the jumbotron (that is like the 3rd time she has seen us).

We are finally into a routine of school- usually Mon, Tues, and Wed are no problem with getting up, but once Thursday hits Maddie is wiped out. We have been keeping the weeks pretty low key, but the weekends always seem to be busy.

We have had two new babies born to some of our friends. Nick, Ashley, and big brother Eli welcomed Addie at the beginning of September. Ryan and Kate had their first baby Michaela last week. Just a couple more girls to add to the bunch.

Nolan also spent a week with us while Jana and Mike were in Hawaii. the girls loved chasing him as much as he loved chasing the girls. He did a great job with our carzy schedule and having to pick the girls up from school.

I know I have been slacking on my Lilly pictures, so I will try to get some of her this week.

Labor Day In Michigan

So we took the long weekend to head over to Michigan to do some visiting, but also to go to Chad's cousin's wedding. Jenny and Alan got married on Saturday, but since the girls and Chad had off on Friday we decided to head over on Thursday. Maddie made the drive with grandma and grandpa J and aunt Lydia right after school on Thursday. Emma, Lilly, and I picked Chad up from school and then we were on our way. We made pretty good time and pulled into Dimondale (grandma and grandpa Bickel's) about 10:30 eastern standard time. Everyone was still up including Maddie and so after a little visiting, it was off to bed.

Friday we got to visit with grandma and grandpa, Maddie and dad did some fishing, I made a trip to Meijers and then we took off for Wolverine Lake to spend the evening with the Heidens. We got to meet Aaron for the first time and the kids just had a great time playing together. Saturday morning Sarah was so nice to cut my hair and then we were off to Sterling Heights for the wedding. We all had fun and ended up dancing the night away.

Sunday we were back to Dimondale to celebrate Luke's 3rd Birthday. We had pizza, cake, presents, more fishing, whiffle ball, and again lots of laughs. We were planning on heading home on Sunday, but we were tired and the girls were having lots of fun, so we spent one more night. We got some cards in then it was off to bed.

Monday we got going and made a stop at Grand Mere State Park. Uncle Ben and aunt Christina came with us. We hiked the trail, went up and down some sand dunes and then played in Lake Michigan. We made it home in good time and it was nice to be back home, sleeping in my own bed. We have been back in the school swing and this weekend Maddie and Chad are heading back to Michigan with grandma and grandpa J. Nolan is coming on Friday and staying with us all next week while aunt Jana and uncle Mike go to Hawaii.

There are lots of pictures from the weekend, so enjoy.

First Day of School 2009-2010

Today was the first day of school for Maddie and Emma. They both could not wait for this day to get here, but I'm pretty sure that Emma has no idea what she is getting herself into. Lilly spent the night at grandma and grandpa J's since I was the helper in 3K. Without Lilly here, the morning went pretty smooth, now we will see how it goes tomorrow. We were off and there were no tears and it seemed like we could get there fast enough.






Both girls seemed to have a great day. I am hoping that Emma does okay on Wednesday when I don't stay as her helper. She seemed to not really be clingy, but you never know how it will go. Emma was so excited to tell everyone what she did today and to show everyone the craft she made. We went to McDonald's celebrate the first day of school. We went to go pick up Lilly and boy were the girls happy to see her. I think deep down Lilly missed them too. The girls were so excited that naps didn't happen, but on the way home from Germantown Maddie just couldn't keep her eyes open any more.


Not only was it the first day of school, but it was also grandma Heff's birthday. We celebrated with cupcakes after dinner that the girls picked out at Wal-Mart. I think they were enjoyed by all. Maddie is back to school tomorrow since she is going 5 days a week. That is going to be an adjustment for us also having to go to OR everyday. So we will see how the rest of the week goes. We are off to Michigan on Thursday for a wedding. The girls and Chad have off on Friday, so it will be nice to get an extra day in Michigan.

Last Week Of Summer

So we have started school, but you probably already read about that in the post above. So we spent the last week of summer enjoying all we could. We did make it to the Zoo on Wednesday and it was almost the most perfect day for the Zoo. It was nice and sunny- and not too crowded. So we did the normal circle at the zoo- saw everyone's favorite animal and then it was off for a train ride.





Thursday we spent a rainy day inside playing, coloring, and waiting for dad to get home from school. For being a rainy day, it actually went pretty quick.

Friday looked like it was going to be rainy, but ended up being a pretty nice day-that was until we were walking back to the car after the Brewers game and got poured on. So Friday we went to go get a Bumbo seat for Lilly that I found on Craigslist. We figured that since we were out in Menomonee Falls we would swing by grandma and grandpa J's house. Maddie decided she didn't want to stop at the house- so she spent about 20 minutes just sitting in the car. She finally decided that playing in the front yard was better then sitting in the car waiting. Grandpa Heff was with us- since he has Fridays off- and so we stopped for some lunch and then it was back home. Actually we did make a stop at a rummage sale, but I just got out. The girls were very disappointed, but I reassured them that there were no toys to even buy. Chad and I were off the the Brewers game that evening with Ben W. We had a good time and saw a good game. It was nice to actually see the game and not have to be running out to the concession stand for some cotten candy.


We got to see Prince hit a homerun, Coffey Time- he didn't beat his best, but was about 2 seconds more. As you can see from the picture they post his best time on his stats. We also got to see Hoffman pitch. The roof and panels were closed, so Hell's Bells were pretty loud.

Saturday morning, Chad was nice enough to let me sleep in a little. That was also because he was up at about 6:30am to have the BFL draft. Ben was also over for the draft. Maddie and I headed up to Germantown for a Mary Kay party- now Maddie didn't put any makeup on, but she did play Wii and football with uncle Kurt.

After the party was over, we headed over the district office to help grandpa J clean out his office. We all had a lot of laughs and had good times remembering lots of memories. We finished the afternoon off with an empty office and a couple of beers.



Maddie spent the time playing in the empty shelves.

After we got all the boxes back to Germantown, we headed back home. We decided to take a little walk down the Boulevard since there was a block party happening. The girls had fun listening to the music and then we saw Jan and Sharon out front, so we headed over by them so the girls could play with Lucy. We said goodbye to Alex for about the 4th time that week since she was heading off to college on Sunday. Yes, IT IS August, but Lilly needed a hat on. It only got up to about 63degrees on Saturday.


Sunday was the OR church and school picnic. Actually for church, g and g J, uncle Kurt, aunt Lydia, and aunt Kendra joined us at OR, so it was nice to have some of the family there. Grandpa was giving an award to OR school for NLSA. After church, Lilly was headed to Germantown for the night, since I had to be the helper at school. We headed to the picnic for just a short time, since we knew that Amy, Joel, Ben, and Sam would be coming back to the house after the Brewers game. We got home relaxed for just a little while and then when everyone got back to the game, we headed out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner to celebrate Grandma Heff's birthday, which is today. If you have a bigger group of younger kids, it is a great place to go, because it is once of those noisy places, so you can't even hear the noise your kids are making over everything else.

It was home to get ready for the first day of school.

Falling Behind

That's right, I am falling behind again. Good thing school starts in a week and we will have some schedule to work with. So when I last left you we had just gotten home from State Fair- I still laugh when I see the picture of Maddie and her scared face.

We had spent the next few days just hanging around the house and then on Thursday we packed up and were on our way to Iowa. We made a stop in Marshall WI- it is pretty much in half way between Watertown and Madison. So you may be wondering, Marshall, really?? Well let me tell you- the girls had a blast and didn't want to leave. They had no idea what town we were in, but we were at this place called Little Americka- they loved it. I have a feeling that wasn't the last time we go there. It had a roller coaster, jump houses, a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, bumper cars, go karts, putt putt, a monorail around the park, a train around the park, and all the kiddie carnival rides you can imagine. The girls loved it, even Emma- it took her one ride and she was hooked. The nice thing- you only pay for those people who are going on the rides, so like Lilly and I didn't pay, we just watched. You also pay for a "level" of rides, sorted out by height of person. So Emma wasn't able to go on a couple of the rides Maddie could, but she was also 2 dollars cheaper. I think Maddie is now hooked on roller coasters- there was a wooden roller coaster, and she went on it twice, but each time you got to go around 3 times. We spent about 2 1/2 hours there and when we left there were tears because they didn't want to leave.

Emma trying not to look like she actually likes the ride.


That is Emma's arm up and having fun- she just didn't want us to be right.


Waiting for the little kiddie coaster- look they actually like each other.


On the boats- I was surprised Maddie or Emma didn't try to jump in the water.


Taking flight- Emma is really concentrating on her pilot duties.


Emma and dad keeping that Zebra in line.


Maddie doing it all on her own- that is the way she likes to ride now.


Getting ready to go up on the Ferris Wheel- again Emma not so sure, but she was smiling in no time.

The Mad Mouse- looked a lot like the Whizzer at Great America


At the end of the big roller coaster


Going down the first big hill- Maddie even had her hand up, well almost


Getting ready to start the ride- I think this is the 2nd time on.


Lilly was pretty content to just hang out in her stroller and check everything out.


We got back in the car and were on our way to Iowa. We made pretty good time, even for a short trip I am always glad to be out of the car. We made it to Kirk and Jodi's, Leon met us there while Luke (he's a 5th grader) hid in the basement because he was afraid of our girls. The rest of the weekend was filled with seeing old friends, talking way past my bedtime (every night), going to the Kernels game with uncle Mike and cousin Nolan, going to the Children's Museum with aunt Jana and cousin Nolan, celebrating Trinity-Cedar Rapids 125th Anniversary, spending an extra night that led to way too many laughs to even begin to count. The girls loved playing with all their toys and by Friday morning Luke wasn't afraid of them any more. Hannah- who is the same age as uncle Kurt helped a ton and I know that the girls loved playing with her.


Front row seats at the Kernels game, right by the visiting team's on deck circle



Nolan I think was more entertained by our girls then by the game


Nolan and his godfather doing the grumpy face



Maddie and Nolan- she was more interested in Nolan then the game


Emma and her rally cap- they were playing the Wisconsin Timberrattlers, you needed a rally cap if you were a Kernels fan- 13-2 after 3 innings.


I figured this was just to hard to put into words, but it is just a great representation of what Maddie is.


The Timberrattlers are the Brewers single-A team


Chad tells me that this guy is going to be good- he hit one onto 8th Avenue over the left field wall in the 2nd inning.


The Janetzke kids and Jonasson kids: Lilly, Hannah, Luke, Joe, Emma, and Maddie.
Their mom, Jodi used to babysit for Chad and Kathy.


Monday morning came way to soon after we went to bed, but we had such a good time on Sunday night, it was a nice split second decision to stay the night. So we got our things together and started for the drive home. We stopped for lunch, but that was about it. We made it home and grandma was making an appetizer dinner and then we also had birthday cake, since it was my big 3-0 birthday and everything. The girls were just more excited that we were having cake on a random Monday. They helped with the candles and of course with the eating of the cake.


Finishing putting the candles on.


The final product


Uncle Kurt wearing the stupid helmet, but now I can't even remember why.


Chad started meetings on Tuesday and had them through Friday. We went and spent the night in Germantown on Tuesday because Emma had her Therapy Evaluation on Wednesday morning. We did manage a few hands of cards that night. So Emma had been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorder. She doesn't have as much trouble with the physical part of it- she can handle the itchy clothes or different textures of food, but she has more issues with the emotional aspect- like transitions from one thing to the next, needing to know where we are going and how many places we are going to go, she notices that things in a room have been changed around, she doesn't like interruption to her routine (bedtime, school, etc.), she needs warning if those routines are going to change. There are a couple of main physical ones too- that would be she does not like when a brush touches her hair and water that would be lukewarm to you and me is too hot for her. We are hoping to get some therapy in a couple times of month, but insurance is not real cooperative- and at other times we will have to adjust and make some changes in our reactions and also try to be proactive in certain situations.

Wednesday evening, Kate and Ella came to stay for two nights. Not too much Wednesday since they didn't get back until 6, but then Thursday we went to Stone Fire Pizza for their mommy and me breakfast. The girls had a blast playing on the jungle gym and also painting their faces. They even managed to eat a little breakfast while we were there.


Kate eating her cereal- she was a little disappointed that there wasn't any Cap'n Crunch- that is her favorite


Ella enjoying her coco krispies



Emma with her face drawing- this is after we had to scrub her hands since she colored them completely green


Maddie's face drawings- not as much as Emma, but she did manage to get her neck


Ella and her goatee- this was the first picture I never got her after she went back the second time.


Friday night Chad went to go get Kurt and they were off to the movie theater to see G.I. Joe- I told Chad I wouldn't go with him. So then Kurt spent the night, I think some video games were played- I was sleeping. Saturday morning I was off to a couple of rummage sales- I was planning on flying solo, but then miss Emma was up and wanted to go with me, so she went and of course found things she couldn't live without, i.e. dress up clothes, barbies, jewelry, etc. We were then off to Germantown again- this time to help rip up the backyard. They have been talking about clearing stuff in the back and so we started the job. By the time we got there around 11:30 they had cleared stuff around the big pine tree and between the rock wall. We helped with rebuilding the rock wall, clearing the big bush and all the things around there. The girls even helped, Maddie had on her work gloves and was all about dragging big branches over to the burn pile. We got a lot done, but there is still some more to do. The backyard will just seem so much bigger when there is room to run. We stayed around for some brats for dinner and then the whole day the girls were asking about s'mores, so I had run to the grocery store for those supplies and they had a blast roasting and eating their marshmallows.


Sunday we spent over at Jan and Sharon's having a little going away party for Alex- who leaves for college this coming weekend. It was nice to just sit outside and hang out in the beautiful weather. The girls just love going over there to be able to play with Lucy the dog.

Eric getting his practice in since he will be a dad in March


Chad started school yesterday and so we have been getting things ready for school to start for the girls next week. Maddie is so ready, Emma says she wants to go, but I don't think she completely gets it. Luckily I am the helper on Monday in her class and I think that that will make the transition a lot easier.

I think we are planning on heading to the Zoo tomorrow- we have been to the playground and are getting the last few days of fun stuff in before summer vacation is over.


Just a couple of pictures of Lilly from the playground today.

A new Do for School

Maddie and I went to go pick out a backpack for school today- while we were out I told her that she needed a haircut before school started, she decided that she wanted to get it cut today. Here is her new do- she looks like aunt Lydia who always sported the shorter hair when she was younger.

State Fair

Monday the girls and I ventured to State Fair while Chad was at school working. We went with auntie Susie, uncle Kip, and Jared. The girls were so excited to go- they just wanted to see all the animals. Of course the first barn we went into was the horses and it was a changeover day, so there were none in there. It was dog day so there was the dog show going on in the coliseum, so they both loved all the dogs just walking around and being able to pet them or just see them up close. We went over to Saz's to see cousin Alex at work. Maddie wanted to go on the big slide. She was just big enough to go on herself, so up the stairs with her potatoe sack she went (in the pic below she is almost at the top with the hot pink tank top on the right side)

Then down she went, she was good about half way down and then fell backwards and couldn't get up until she was all the way down at the bottom. I think that is what freaked her out the most.


So she got off, she was about white as a ghost- which is hard for her to do, since she is already pasty white, and she was shaking. She said it was fun, but also scary. She decided that a tatoo would make all the fear away. Her and Emma got a tatoo from one of the students at Hamilton- which is where auntie Susie works. Maddie got a Hello Kitty and Emma a Barbie.

So it was some walking through the exhibits and what not- a big pickle for Maddie who was disappointed that it didn't come on a stick and then some ice cream for Emma, Blue Moon of course. We saw pigs, sheep (Maddie will tell you about the one that looked like a referee), and then the Budweiser Clysdales. Emma loved that the horses had bows in their manes and tails.


Maddie got to ride a camel, Emma said she wanted to, but of course when she saw how big the camel actually was decided against it.


So Alex was getting off of work at 5pm, Lilly was getting some dinner and she met up with us. We sat and talked for a little while with her, Emma enjoyed some of her chocolate covered cookie dough, then Maddie decided she wanted to go on the big slide again, this time with Alex. So off we went over to the Big Slide again. Maddie made the trek up the stairs again, this time Alex carrying the sack, they got on at the top and off they went. She is still thinking it is okay in the picture below.



Here Maddie has changed her tune, she is not having fun, she made it all the way without crying, but has said that she will never go on it again. She is still singing that same tune today.


Emma wanted nothing to do with the slide and this is as close as she wanted to get- posing with the board cutout.


That was our adventure at the Fair. Thanks to Susie, Kip, and Jared for helping with the girls.

These are for Anne

Wisconsin Fish Fry

Being back in Wisconsin gives the opportunity to take advantage of having a Friday Night Fish Fry, but we have only been to a few in the year we have been back. Friday morning we headed up to Germantown to hang out and spend the night, but early evening (I'm talking grandma and grandpa dinner time) we headed over to Hartford to the Mineshaft for their famous $4.99 all you can eat fish fry. You might be thinking $4.99?? Really?? Can it really be that good?? Well the always packed place that seats many hundred, the 45 minute wait and the satisfied look of everyone leaving tells you that it is a good fish fry. We took g and g J, uncle Kurt, aunt Lydia and Kendra, then uncle Ben and Christina met us up there. It was good and we all went home full. Even uncle Kurt who said he didn't like fish fry, had a second helping of fish.

We headed back to the house, but made a quick stop at Cabela's- the big hunting/camping store. They have an aquarium with lots of fish- Maddie even saw a Northern Pike just like the one she caught at Bickel Camp. They also have quite teh collection of stuffed animals, deer, bears, porcupines, wolves, a polar bear, a lion, a rhino, even an elephant. It was pretty cool.

After our safari adventure we got home and even managed to get a few hands of cards in. We had some laughs and then headed to bed- I think Chad and Kurt played a game on NCAA Football or something.

Saturday morning everyone slept in since it was rainy and dark, we hung out for awhile and then after lunch we headed home. We came home and had some roasted corn and watermelon for dinner- it was yummy.

Sunday we decided that since it was so hot we were going to head out to Pewaukee to my aunt and uncles house- they live on Pewaukee Lake. They had the boats ready to go, the girls got some swimming in and then the dark clouds rolled in and in came the thunderstorms. They had fun even if they didn't get a chance to go out on the fast boat.

Vacation Week

So Chad decided that this week was his one whole week at home. He didn't go in for Speed and Strength, he hasn't gone in to do any work, but instead has been at home and hanging with us. Monday Ben, Sam, and Amy came to spend the night since their bathroom is getting redone. So we had a movie night outside with the help of grandma's new projector. Eli- the boy who lives next door came over and watched the movie with us also. Tuesday the Odingas came and we got to meet Raegan (who is exactly 2 months younger then Lilly). We went to lunch at Miller Park and then just came back to the house to hang out for the rest of the afternoon and part of the evening. It was so great to catch up with them and hear how everyone in Texas is doing.




Wednesday Chad took all three girls to the library for story time, it was quiet around here, but it sure was nice. The rest of day we just spent as a family, most of it outside. I managed to get some laundry done and we even had dinner outside. After dinner we took a walk to Walgreen's to get some drops for Emma's eyes. Ben and Sam had something (not pink eye) and Maddie must be a carrier, because she spent the night down there last week and brought it back with her, she got it a little over the weekend, but my mom said it wasn't bad at all. Emma wasn't even here over the weekend with Maddie, but she seems to have gotten the brunt of it. She has been really good at letting me put some drops in her eyes to help with the red and the itch.

Today I ran over to Our Redeemer to hand in the final stuff for registration. Emma still has some accidents, but I am hoping that in three weeks she will be going to school. She wants to, so that is a good thing. This afternoon we are heading down to Racine to hang out with the Nate Bickels- it is funny that we live so close, but don't see them all that often. Tomorrow we are heading up to Germantown we will probably end of staying over and just hanging out there for part of the weekend. Next week is Chad's last week before meetings start on the 18th. Hoping to get to the fair one day so the girls can check out all the animals, Maddie has a playdate on Wednesday and then we are off to Iowa on Thursday for the 125th anniversary of Trinity Cedar Rapids.

Now I am all caught up- other exciting news is that Anne and Fritz set a wedding date and so we will be heading to New York for their wedding which will be July 23rd, 2010.

Chicago

So last weekend Chad and I got away for the weekend to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Now Chad turned the big 3-0 on July 11th, but I still have about 10 days before my actual birthday. So we decided that we needed to get away for a weekend. We didn't want to go to far, but somewhere that we could go to hang out and have some things to do. So after dropping the girls off at grandma and grandpa J's (no they didn't keep all three all weekend- grandma and grandpa Heff picked Maddie and Lilly up after work), we were on our way about 10am. We made a stop at the outlet mall in Pleasant Prairie and then some lunch in Gurnee. We left the car in Oak Park with my brother, talked with Tracie for a little while and then took the El downtown. Our hotel was at State and Wacker, on the river. After checking we we walked on State Street and ended up in Millennium Park. We of course took the mandatory picture of the "bean" and then people watched. We just watched a group of 20something yuppies and wondered what it would be like to have that kind of life.



After deciding that we were going to go to a movie, we walked around the Tribune Building to look at all the pieces or rock or buildings from around the world. I never even knew they were there until I watched an episode of CSI:NY this past year. It was pretty cool to see them all. There is a rock of some sort from all 50 states, many monuments that are known around the world, and then some that are pretty unique- like the fact that they had a piece from the place Luther lived in Wartburg.



We headed to the movie theater- saw The Proposal. Funny movie- didn't think it was going to be that funny, but it was. We stopped at the Jewel for some snacks and drinks and then it was back to the hotel to people watch out the windows. Some weird people come out after dark in Chicago. We had a corner room, so looking north on State Street you could see the river and the Wrigley Building and then looking south you had a perfect view of the Chicago Theater(picture at the top of the post).

Saturday we slept in, took our time getting ready and then we thought we would try something a little cultural. Chad had found this photography museum, well it was cool, but not very big so it only took us about 30 minutes to go through the whole museum. We headed over to the Sears tower, but the line was way to long. So instead had some Chicago deep dish pizza for lunch and Garrett's popcorn for dessert. The line at Garrett's was a little long, but we met a really nice lady who is a CTA bus driver. All day we saw people who were doing the Great Urban Race- we looked at the website, it looks really cool if anyone is interested. We did a little shopping on Michigan Ave (had to get the girls something from American Girl for their Bitty Babies). Went back to the hotel for a nap- that doesn't usually happen unless you are napping with a kid, met up with Renee and Karl for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen- good food and good company. Then it was to Mother Hubbard's (a sports bar) to meet up with Amy and Joel for a couple of beers and to watch the Brewers game.

Sunday morning we got ready, checked out of the hotel, and then it was back to Oak Park to hang out with Kate, Ella, and Tracie. The girls were just a hoot and we were on our way by about 2:30 to head to Germantown to pick Emma up. Our girls had a great weekend with their respective grandparents. Emma talked grandpa J's ear off on their walk to Walgreen's, Maddie got to go to the Blueberry festival and a movie. Lilly just went with the flow. It was fun to be away for a couple of days, but it was also nice to be home with my girls.

The week just flew by

So Monday was a typical day here, laundry, playground, catching up on everything that got pushed aside during the weekend. It was Chad's last day of baseball for the summer and so it was a long Monday, but one of the last before school starts. Tuesday we were headed up to Germantown so the girls could hang out there while we went to tennis that evening. Amy and the boys were coming to go to the Brewers game on Tuesday night and planning to spend Wednesday with us. We ended up at the Zoo and just walked and saw all the animals. The girls love the zoo, maybe not their dad so much, but they sure do. Maddie got to go home with Ben and Sam for the evening and she of course had a great time. Emma was a little sad she didn't get to go, but she got to pick either going to get a movie at the video store or walking for some ice cream. She chose the ice cream. Thursday morning it was quiet, but then Emma, Lilly, and I were off to meet Maddie in Lake Geneva to pick her up. While we were picking Maddie up, Chad was able to meet up with some former students from Minnesota and play a round of golf with them. They came back here for some dinner and then I was off to a MOPS planning meeting. It was nice to see the MOPS ladies again and we got a lot accomplished for this years' meetings. Friday morning we were out of the house around 9am and back up to Germantown to drop the girls off and we were on our way to Chicago to spend the weekend away for our birthdays, yes that is right our 30th birthdays. Chad has been 30 for about 3 weeks and I have about 2 weeks to go. More about Chicago in the next post. The girls were off and running to the backyard as soon as we got there and didn't even mind us leaving. Here are a few pics of Lilly- the first one is of her talking to the baseballs on her carrier and the second on is her showing her Brewers pride.( now mind you that is the helmet you get at the stadium with cheese fries in it).

Babies Everywhere, CURF, and Airplanes

So we made it through the week to Thursday- we were excited because Jill and Jay were coming to visit us. We spent most of the day up in Germantown and met them back at home since they couldn't leave until after work. We stayed up for a little while and visited, but then it was off to bed. Friday we were headed out to Oconomowoc for a baby shower for Ryan and Kate. Now out of the group of 5 couples they are the only one without kids, but will be having their first in September. The Petersens were so gracious to have us at their house, they have two kids; Clayton is 5 1/2 and Ava is almost 3. The girls love going there because there are lots of toys to play with. The guys headed off to play golf and the girls headed to Olympia Resort to go to the spa, that is where Wendy works. Nick and Ashley G. have little Eli (almost 2) and are due with number 2 at then end of August. Nathan and Katherine G. have little Nora (almost 3)and are due with number 2 in December. Then there is our family with the three girls. There are going to be 4 born within 7 months with Lilly being the oldest of that group. It is kind of neat knowing that when we get together there will be kids to play with.

We spent the majority of the day there and the evening too, we got a fire going and enjoyed just sitting around talking and catching up.



Saturday I was in the car with mom and dad headed down to CURF for the Women's Athletics 50th Anniversary Celebration. We met up the Jana, Mike, and Nolan. We walked around the track while talking with the new Track and Field coach. We went to breakfast and then to Jana and Mike's hotel. They headed off to Direct Buy to get some things for their house, which they have broken ground on, and we took Nolan off their hands. They actually dropped me off at the movie theater and took Nolan for a walk at the mall. We met up back at Alan and Tracie's to head over to the banquet. We had a nice time and saw a few people and had a few laughs.




Sunday after church Jay and Jill headed home. I'm pretty sure Chad was thankful that he was able to play man to man for all of Saturday with the girls, otherwise it would have been quite a long day. Amy and Joel headed up this way and then we all went down to the lakefront to see the air show. We took our picnic lunch and watched people, airplanes and then the Fabulous Thunderbirds. They were quite as loud as I remember, but we were saying that we don't think they flew as low as we have seen them fly before. There were a few times they flew low and Emma of course had her ears covered. It was fun to see them and even though the kids weren't as excited, I think they had fun just being with each other.

1/2 Birthdays

After Anne and Fritz headed to Chicago- we spent the afternoon just hanging out and resting. Friday night we went to the Zoo for the evening. They have this during the summer for Zoo members. Uncle Kurt joined us for the evening too.






Saturday morning Chad and the girls headed to the library. The big news from the library was that there was a Lion there- someone dressed up as one. Emma of course was not happy, but still came home wanting to go back to the library. While they were at the library, Lilly and I ran some errands and did a little shopping. We were gone most the morning and afternoon. Grandma Heff was in Boston all weekend for a conference for a new study. We met up with Grandma J for dinner to give uncle Kurt back. Sunday we headed to early church- we were one of the few families there. Then after church it as down to O'Hare to pick Grandma Heff up and then over to the ChiHeffs(my brother Alan and sister-in-law Tracie, Kate, and Ella) for Kate and Ella's 1/2 birthday parties. The girls birthdays are close to Chritmas, so they never really get a birthday party so Tracie thought that having one in summer would be better anyways. Chad, myself, Maddie, Kate and Ella went to go visit Alan at the Rock Shop.

Maddie was shopping for a Van Morrison album. Uncle Alan came through and we got that record and a couple others for G and G J's house. Chad even got a couple Bill Cosby cd's. We spend the afternoon hanging in the backyard playing in the sand, eating very yummy food, and some awesome cakes. The girls opened their presents and it looked like a tornadoe went through the house will all the gifts. Ella also got an American Girl Bitty Baby from Grandma Heff.


Kate was a little disappointed that she didn't get a doll, so Monday morning Grandma Heff ordered one for Kate and Maddie. Maddie and Kate both had babies on Thursday. Maddie was so confused about it coming in the mail- because she kept insisting that babies come from your tummy and she was way to young to have a baby. The rest of the week was just hanging out and waiting for Thursday.

Anne and Fritz

So Anne and Fritz were here for Lilly's baptism back in May, May 24th to be exact. Fritz had taken a call to the same school as Anne and was in the process of getting ready to move down to Florida. The following weekend Anne headed to Baltimore for one last weekend there before Fritz moved- that weekend Fritz proposed to Anne. It was very hard for me to keep it to myself the whole weekend before. I knew that he had bought a ring and was planning on proposing that following weekend. So he was in a wedding the beginning of July, they drove down to FL and then decided to take a road trip with a stop back here in Milwaukee. They got here on Tuesday- we met them after tennis for some dinner- it was fun to just sit and talk and catch up.

Wednesday the girls were happy so see Anne in the morning- it took a little longer to warm up to Fritz. Chad headed to school for speed and strength and we got ready to head to the library for story time. Anne did such a great job that she got to go to Kopp's for lunch and custard.

We met up with Chad and then it was home to celebrate Emma's birthday after dinner. We had a little celebration the week before at camp, but we wanted to celebrate with G and G Heff. They got her an American Girl Bitty Baby- Emma was in heaven. G and G J was there too- it actually happened to be uncle Kurt's birthday that day- so we made sure we had a cake for him too. He didn't have to share Emma's princess cake, but got a Detroit Tigers cake (it was for him and Chad). Emma played with her doll until it was bedtime and then of course took it to bed with her. We were planning a day at the Zoo Thursday, so we wanted to be well rested.


Thursday we were off to the zoo, the girls were pulling Anne and Fritz in every direction. They didn't know what direction they wanted to go, so we went in all of them. We had a minor incedent with the Tiger coming way to close to the glass for Emma's liking. We ran into our neighbors and also a girl from Maddie's class. The boys headed to Germantown to drop Emma off at G and G J's for the night and they went off to golf nine holes. Anne, Lilly, Maddie, and I spent just a little more time at the zoo. We were then on our way home so Maddie could spend the night over at my aunt Susie's house.



With Emma up in Germantown and Maddie over at my aunt's house, we decided to leave Lilly with grandpa and head out to dinner. A night out with adult conversation. We went to Fiesta Garibaldi as many of you will remember as the place of the mole incident of 2004 for Chad. That was the night of mom and dad's surpirse anniversary party. So after dinner no one could decide what to do or where to go, so we went to Rounding Third and had a couple drinks while watching the Brewers. We were home pretty early, but still had a fun night out. Uncle Kurt was dropped off a little after we got home by uncle Ben since they were in Madison for the Mallards game.

In the morning we headed out to breakfast before Anne and Fritz were on their way to Chicago. Chad had to take Kurt up to Germantown for his baseball game, but then they were back so we could head to the zoo in the evening. Anne and Fritz were on their way about noon and I had a couple hours to myself while waiting for Maddie to get home from Susie and Kip's. It was so great to have Anne and Fritz here. I am honored to be a part of their wedding and can't wait to see them again. I have been given a free pass to go see Anne in either Florida or New York before the wedding to help her with some planning or the like. Good thing that Southwest is starting to fly out of Milwaukee beginning in November.