Happy 4th of July

We started out our 4th of July celebration with a trip to Cool Waters. Although it was an overcast day we still had a good time cooling our toes in the water.


Surf's up dude!


Jack's fear of water seems to have subsided, but now he has no interest in water slides. It took a great deal of coaxing to get him to go down the kid-sized one.


After going down the small water slide Jack informed us that he wanted to go down the big one with daddy. They marched all the way to the top and just as they were about to sit down in the tube Jack chickened out. Poor Tom had to do the walk of shame and walk back down the stairs with his petrified two year old. Maybe next year?


Papa Tom and Grandma came down to Milwaukee to celebrate the 4th with us. We had a great time taking in the parade, playing bags in the backyard, cooking out, and watching the fireworks.


The marching bands at the parade didn't seem to bother Sam.


On our walk back to our house we ran into our next door neighbors. Dayon, who is 6'9" (and yes he did play professional basketball, but has since retired to become a police officer) had a blast walking back with Jack and his daughter Tatijuana and showing them how to safely cross the street.


Mmmmm, a popsicle with Grandma. I don't know who ended up stickier!


Jack had a different idea of how to play bags.


One of Sam's favorite toys is a balloon. I am seriously considering getting rid of all of his other toys and replacing them with balloons.

Summer is HERE!

What a FUN, yet CRAZY week. Meema was still in Milwaukee hanging out with us when we received a phone call asking if we would be interested in meeting some friends at the zoo. We were SUPER excited for her to come along and meet some of the friends that she always hears so much about!


We patiently waited in "Gathering Place" for Marisa and her daughter Evelyn, along with Jen and Brooklyn. While we were waiting Jack decided he would occupy himself....


This is the only close up I took of Jack and Evelyn together. They are about 6 months apart, and I am sad to say that this is the first time they have met. We sure hope that we can make time to meet up some more!


Attempt #1 of trying to get a photo with everyone. (Thanks Meema for being our photographer!)


Attempt #2


Attempt #3 After the yogurt drink spilled we thought it would be best if we gave up!


It was one of the hottest days we have had so far, so we thought we would cool off by taking a dip in our pool. Even myself and Meema joined in the fun, don't worry I'll spare you the photos of the bathing beauties!


Sam really enjoyed floating around in the boat.


What a sweetie pie!

We had a BUSY weekend in Eau Claire planned so Tom took Friday off and we headed up for all of the festivities on Thursday evening. Both boys did a great job with the drive, but I'd be lying if I said Tom and I didn't discuss getting a dvd player for the van, to help ease the "pain" of the long drive.


What is she doing? For some reason Meema thinks it is super funny to play her harmonica for the boys...hopefully this isn't the only memory they keep of her!


As soon as Jack learned how to walk Papa Tim has been begging us to let him get a tag-along. Tom and I were doubtful that Jack would even get on the bike, but as Dave, from "Papa's bike shop" said, "Don't you know kids will do ANYTHING for their grandparents?!?!" Well guess what?!?!?! Dave was right! Jack blew us away and hopped right on the back all set to go for a ride. At that very moment I realized just how much he has grown. My sappy mom moment was over when I heard Jack say, "Papa I like my new bike!" My dad turned to me and had look on his face like "now what are YOU going to do?!?!" My response was, "don't look at me, I'm not the one that wanted to put him on the thing!" Needless to say Dave ended up working out a deal with my dad and now Jack has his "big bike" (complete with helmet) at Papa and Meema's house.


Yes, even I took Jack for a spin on the tag-along in my pj's.


After the bike shop episode we headed over the Grandma and Papa Tom's to pick them up for an adventure to Minnesota. Tom's goddaughter, Alex, graduated from high school and was throwing a party to celebrate. Before we could leave we had to feed the fish of course!


Somehow Jack got a hold of the camera and snapped this lovely shot.


I think Jack had at least three pieces of cake while we were at the party. Every time I went to check on him he was coaxing someone into getting him another piece! Congratulations Alex!


My cousin, Joy, was married in January in California, to her WONDERFUL husband Rob. We were so excited to celebrate at their reception back in Eau Claire. What a CUTE couple...CONGRATULATIONS!


What a rare opportunity to get all of us (minus Marc, plus our dear friend Adam) in a photo together.


Jack was super excited to play with his cousins. (Let's just say that I learned my lesson about dressing a two year old in light colored clothes and then letting him play with his cousins on a golf course!)


I am very proud to say that I was able to get pine sap out of his hair and shirt, along with the strawberry stain on his pants. Something tells me that this will not be the first time my stain removing abilities are put to the test!


Jack and Ethan had so much fun playing together.


Sam was content to just hang out with me for the evening.

Happy Father's Day and Belated Mother's Day

I mentioned at our last Well Baby Check-up that Sam would have to have surgery to correct his tongue. He was born tongue tied and we decided to wait rather than have Dr. Kessen snip it right away in the hospital. We were watching him carefully to see that he nursed well and had a good latch. OBVIOUSLY he doesn't have ANY problems nursing. The reason for the correction was that he had a hard time getting his tongue up to the roof of his mouth, which could cause speech issues down the road.

So off to the ENT we went. Dr. Kass performed the outpatient surgery, and assured us that he would be done in 10 minutes or less. He wasn't kidding! Once they took Sam away, Dr. Kass was back minutes later saying that everything went well, and Sam should be back in the room in just a few more moments. I couldn't believe it!


After the surgery, and happy as a clam...yes, another new nickname...Sam the Clam!


A view from Jack.


Remember how I saying that I thought it was interesting to look at the photos Jack has been taking...yeah not so excited to see this one! BELIEVE me I caught a bunch of flack from Tom. I normally do not take a nap during the day, contrary to his belief of me eating bon bons, watching Oprah, and napping all day. (I know he really doesn't think this, just likes to tease me. Who Tom? Tease? No!) The one time I do lay down for a few minutes I am totally busted!


Jen and Brooklyn came over for a visit. Jen was my saving grace on the whole tongue surgery event. She was so helpful, as Brooklyn had the same thing done awhile back. I bet I called/emailed her 20+ times with different questions. Thanks Jen!


My mom had a few days off, so she decided to come down and hang out with us. I took advantage of having her down and had a rummage. I ended up making a killing on all of my maternity clothes, the clothes the boys have outgrown, and my teaching stuff.

Jack enjoyed the extra freedom, as mom and I were occupied getting stuff ready for the rummage. Here is our little mastermind at work!


When my parents were down for Memorial Day weekend I had hoped to sneak away with just my mom and go out for dinner, to celebrate Mother's Day. That obviously didn't happen with Sam's little hospital incident a few weeks ago. This time we were able to head out for a delicious dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. We had a great time, and it certainly made us realize that we need to do it more often!


My helpers, helping to wrap Tom's Father's Day gift. Lucky guy received a new cordless drill. I figured maybe it would help him get the bathroom finished a little sooner!


Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the WHOLE world!

I must say that Jack and Sam are so lucky to have a dad like Tom. He is so patient, caring and loving with the boys. It is very evident that they think the world of him too. Each day when Jack hears the backdoor open he stops whatever he is doing, gets a look of sheer excitement on his face, and excitedly exclaims "Daddy's home!!!!" and then runs off to go give him a hug. Sam gives him the biggest dimple-showing smile when he sees him. I'm sure by next Father's Day he'll be getting tackled by having both boys race to greet him when he gets home each day. Thanks for being such an AMAZING father!

Day Out With Thomas

We made a trip to Green Bay with the Jaegers for some camping, and a little surprise for the boys...a visit to the National Railway Museum, complete with a ride on Thomas the Train! It was so much fun to see Jack so excited about this adventure. So many times in the days leading up to the trip I wanted to tell him what we were going to go do, but I held out for the "big" day!


"What is that I hear? Could it be a train whistle?!?!?!" It amazes me how tuned into train whistles/horns Jack's ears are, we live about a mile from a set of train tracks and can often hear them. Whenever we are playing outside and hear a train horn he stops what he is doing and lets you know that he heard it.


Can you EXCITED?!?!?!?


"I'm all set with my ticket!"


Sam was more interested in eating his ticket.


Tom and Jack testing out the handcar.


We're not really sure why, but when Jack gets scared he covers his ears, it cracks us up every time he does this. He did not like Sir Topham Hat at all!


Enjoying the campfire back at our campsite. We were pleasantly surprised by how well both of the boys did camping. We're excited to take them on more camping trips this summer.


At least one day each weekend Tom treats us to pancakes. This weekend was no exception. Tom and Chris decided to try their hand at a little pancake art. Lindsay was the lucky recipient of this work of art.


Each week when I download pics from my camera there is always one or two, and sometimes many more, that Jack has taken. Sometimes they are pretty interesting, seeing the world from a two year old's view. I must say that he did a pretty good job taking Miles' photo this time.

7 Months!

On June 17th Sam turned 7 months old. Man how time flies when you're having fun! As usual it was a little difficult to get a pic of Sam holding his sign, but that is half the fun right!?!?! (At least he thinks so!)


C'mon mom, just a quick little taste!


You can't see me!!!!!!


A little help from mom.