A Fun Day

Our family has become enthused about the Ice Age Trail this summer. We have a goal to hike every segment in our county. This weekend we hiked another fun segment near Merrimac.  Here is our photo-log:

We started the day at Krispy Kreme donuts. The kids were over the moon excited... they even got hats. (we don't buy donuts very often). 

Then we drove to Merrimac and took the ferry across the river.

Our hike began on the south side of the Merrimac Ferry landing. The kids found the Ice Age Trail markers and we followed them for about 2 hours round trip. Here are Lorelai, Mystery Man and Jane. Jane walked nearly the entire hike! 

Lorelai found and carried this walking stick for the entire hike.

the boys

Ephraim decided he wanted a walking stick like Lorelai's. 

"Wow cool! A machine!" (turned out to be a wood chipper).

The view at the top. Breathtaking! Remember, we started down by the river. Our hike included many switchbacks because it was quite steep (for Wisconsin). 

Ephraim & Silas, the intrepid hikers.

Walking back down...

The bearded Mystery Man.

Azael hates having his picture taken. 

Azael's shoes didn't fit so he decided to pull out the laces and wear them like this.

Resting at the end of the trail.

"Hey mom, take a picture of me looking like THIS!"

"And THIS!"

"Take another one Mom."

"See! I'm SO TIRED!"

Ephraim, taking Silas' cue, also wants to portray just how exhausted he is. 

Ephraim falls to the ground ... barely... holding on...

Going... going...

...gone.

It was a perfect day. We're very grateful to live in such a beautiful place.
And to enjoy each other's company -most of the time. 

:)

Fashionista

I mentioned in a previous post that Jane likes to match up fairly unique outfits. Today she came up with a doozy: 2 skirts, one pulled up under her arms like a tank top. Our little fashionista...

Ladies on the Lake

My friend Amy recently invited several women to go boating/waterskiing/tubin with her. Three of us were able to make it (plus baby Katalyn) and we had a BLAST. Amber & Amy waterskiied and Amy & I tubed behind the boat. It was great being out on the lake as the sun set and the moon came out. You can kind of see the crescent moon above the boat. 

 Amy

 Amber & Katalyn

Divas Divas Divas

Lorelai and Jane LOVE to have their pictures taken. Here are a few I took of them recently:

Lorelai

Jane modeling one of her many cool outfits she puts together each day. 

 A cute and flirty smile...

 And yet another amazing outfit... a tutu with another skirt on top of it. Nice Jane. She wore this for 2 days straight. :)

Jane has Fun

Recently Jane had the chance to get to know her cousin Mason. It's fun to have cousins living fairly close to us. Here are Jane & Mason:

Jane also has a blast with her siblings... I randomly captured this photo of Silas & Jane playing in a pile of blankets. It's just cute and nice to think they all like each other so well. :)

Break out

Ephraim made a video trailer called Break Out... It's on You Tube.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=makUaqIgOe4&feature=player_detailpage

What do you think?  We loved it.

Pop Pop Fizz Fizz - Summer Fun

We've had a fun and busy summer so far. Each of our boys has done some type of camp. All 3 boys have taken tennis lessons. Silas attended Camp Invention. Ephraim was enrolled in a dance class. And Azael took a drama class. All of them enjoyed their respective activities quite a lot. 

I only managed to snap a photo of Azael because he had an "end-of-camp" performance. His character was "Man 3" and he played the part of an insane man who thought he was a bottle of champagne (the play was a shortened play based on "The Mansion of Madness.") His main lines involved saying things like "Pop, Pop, Pop!" It was fun. Here he is before the performance. 

Currently each of the boys are enrolled in enrichment courses through our school district. They even are bused to the classes - can't beat that! Azael is taking a computer technology class called I-Tech. Ephraim is taking a writing class. Silas is enrolled in a fun science class. He just brought home a meal worm last week. :)

What else have we done? 

*Swimming at the local pool (many, many, many times- we love it!)

*the zoo

*the Children's Museum

*Ice cream at the Union Terrace

*the library (several times)

*ordering Papa Murphy's pizza (too many times)

*hiking (sans Mom & Jane - it was too hot.)

Here are the kids on a hike with Mystery Man. They all came home very hot & sweaty (and tired!)

Summer isn't even half over, so more photos and activities to come...