Auntie Joni Visits

My Aunt Joni came to visit this past weekend. We had a nice time visiting New Glarus. We shopped and enjoyed many delicious bakery items. Mmm.

 We hiked along the Ice Age Trail, too. 

 Joni took each of the kids to do something fun. Silas chose McDonald's (plus a happy meal, which he never gets, so it was a huge deal for him), Lorelai went bowling, Ephraim chose a kids play place and Azael asked to eat out at Noodles. They all had a blast. We enjoyed your visit Aunt Joni. :)

The Pumpkin Run

This afternoon Silas and Ephraim both ran in the Pumpkin Run. This race is for elementary-aged kids. They both did a great job. Silas finished 10th out of all the 2nd graders. Ephraim finished 29th out of all the 3rd graders. I arrived a bit late and missed most of Silas' race, but I snapped a picture of him afterwards. He seemed happy with his performance.

Here is Ephraim lining up to run. He is the boy in jeans. I encouraged Ephraim to wear shorts, but he said, "I LIKE running in jeans!" OK then. :)

Ephraim was quite tired running in at the end of the race...

But he did it! Great job! Unlike Silas, Ephraim was not happy with how he did. I said I was proud of his effort. I also talked about how running every day could increase the strength of his heart and capacity of his lungs. He didn't buy it. He decided he did poorly because he went to a different school last year and "the kids at my old school are just not as fast as the kids at my new school. That's because gym class was way easier at my old school." My idea that he practice running every day was thrown out the window. His solution: "I will be in the oldest class in my race next year. That means I'll be one of the fastest." Here's hoping for a great finish in 2013 then, Ephraim. You did great nonetheless. :) "A" for Effort, right?

Mystery Man is a 40-year-old Gangsta!

Mystery Man is 40. The kids and I had a great time making a cool birthday crown and preparing a secret treasure hunt for him. He had to find each of his gifts. The hints were as follows:

• Happy Birthday! It's a treasure hunt day. Find the present that's hidden in a place where we play. (it was in the doll house)
• Another gift awaits you. You['ll love it, we know. Find this present where the hot water flows. (hot water heater)
• You're smokin' hot at this treasure hunt game. The next gift is near a gray Lego chain. (buried in a box of lego)
• You're on a roll. It's time for some more. Find the next awesome gift behind a closed door. (in our kitchen cleaning cabinet) 
• Found it again! You are smart, we can see. Find the next present where Mom keeps the herbal tea (in an obscure cupboard nobody opens). 
• Today you are 40. That isn't too old. The next gift is in a place that is COLD! (in the deep freezer he found his favorite ice cream)
• We love you Dad. We love you a lot! Find the last present in a place a bit hot. (in the oven - it was his birthday cake with 40 candles).

We then lit the candles and enjoyed cake and ice cream. Later in the day we had a full fondue dinner. Yum!

Two gangstas. 

That's for being so gangsta, Mystery Man. We love you!

Fun at the Kalahari

Last weekend we took a trip to the Kalahari, which includes a waterpark and theme park. 

Here are a few pictures of the weekend:

 This is Ephraim on the ropes course. He was fearless.

Silas did it too. But he was more nervous. 

 Azael and I went together... he was almost ill with anxiety and turned around. 

 I was also ill with anxiety, but I kept going to prove that I could. I was dripping sweat from the adrenaline. 

 Silas scales the climbing wall.

 ... and then falls. Good thing there's a rope.

 Mystery Man went up the wall quite quickly. Many men waiting in line congratulated him with phrases like, "Good climb!" I guess it pays to only weigh 140 lbs. 

Kalahari was a lot of fun.  :)

A Fresh New Year

We've been rejuvenated, regenerated and revived 

throughout a fun summer vacation. 

Now it's time for school.

One last bit of fun to celebrate: Mentos and Diet Coke...

... equal Explosion!!

And a back to school dinner 

This morning we took our annual school photo: Lorelai (kindergarten), Silas (2nd), Ephraim (4th), Azael (6th). 

Silas is being a typical big brother in this one.

 Lorelai's first day of kindergarten. Grandma made her this headband. Lorelai was excited to pick out her outfit, matching things up all by herself.

Getting on the bus. Our bus driver Jill will have her hands full this year!

And that leaves Jane all by herself. Except she's really not by herself, since she'll have 4 playmates every day for our in-home preschool. (also pictured: Mystery Man with a beard. What do you think?)

It's going to be a great year! The house is earily quiet... I'm not complaining. ;)

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. 

:)