Pudding face:)

Thanks to Elise for the cute pic today:) It's hard to believe school is starting up on Wednesday. Eva is already back to Marian U, as well as Paul who's teaching piano classes. I just returned from a nice visit with Aunt Jeanette. It's wonderful that she is so close. I brought along some old pictures and we thoroughly enjoyed them. Elle is back to the hectic fall schedule of bell choir, jazz, Cardinal Singers, play practice and dance, all around a 7 to 3:30 school schedule. It seems crazy but she enjoys ALL of her activities and can't wait to start her days. She takes an anti-inflammatory daily to hopefully ward off any flare-ups. They usually come in the fall and winter. Yoga and Zumba are offered at the new Y, and we're toying with getting a family membership, although it would be mostly me and Eva who would have time for classes. Happy also to be getting back to a day schedule at work, with some time in the classroom as well. September, here we come!

choir gathering

Here are some pictures taken at the choir gathering last evening. Thanks to the sisters for hosting the event...very pleasant company:)

Baby Belle pics:)

Thanks to Elise and James for the newest baby pics taken in Minnesota. Paul and I are just back from a choir get-together and lovely supper...will upload those pics tomorrow.

28 years ago...

Thanks for all the well wishes! Even the radio station got a 'congrats' in, but I must confess I missed it:( Planning a little lunch celebration at Salty's and later hiking through the Horicon marsh. This year has been great as far as swimming, and we're stretching the season with lots of pool parties. Tonight is the first Fondy football game, and a chance to hear the pep band, and tomorrow's our road trip to Madison. Sunday should find us in Chilton visiting the Great Aunts:) Busy weekend ahead!

Celebrating 9 months with Belle:)

Congrats to Elle:)

It's a great day for Elle...just found out she has the lead in Bye Bye Birdie! WooWoo...the performances are in November at Fondy High. Today I'm taking Jacques to the Eldorado Marsh for a 7 mile hike. The weather is just perfect for it, and he loves to escape off of the trail and go swimming. For the locals, tonight is the last Symphonic Band concert at Buttermilk. I think it's the 'Night in Old Vienna' which is always a big favorite. Elle can take a little break tomorrow...quiet day with nothing planned. Paul and I continue to plan for our anniversary on Friday. We're thinking of going away, but need to make a stop in Madison too, so maybe we'll combine things.

Concentrating baby:)

Great Great Aunt Jeanette with Belle

Lovely wedding but no pics just yet...

I will wait and let the photos from the wedding speak for themselves...it was a fabulous wedding and was very beautiful. The setting was unique, of course the music was great, and everything else was too! Congrats to Rhen and Kylie. XXOOXXOOX. We'll switch gears tonight and share some photos from the cousin's visit today, and also a GREAT photo of Paul at the "Kids from Wisconsin" concert. Thanks to Bob Milanowski:)

Elle's big band debut:)

Elle was asked to play on Tuesday night at the Windhover with the Lighthouse Big Band. She had band camp all day at the high school, and was a little nervous because she had to sight read everything. It would seem to be a little intimidating to be in the middle of 2 college profs (1 is her instructor) and also her band director, but she did very well and really enjoyed it! The crowd was really fun. Tonight they open for the Kids from Wisconsin at the park, and they estimate about 1200 people will attend. Local folks may want to come early (Buttermilk Park) and don't forget the bug spray:P Thanks to Elle's friend Sarah for taking care of the animals while we're in Houghton Michigan attending a niece's wedding this Saturday. Looking forward to an enjoyable and memorable weekend! Baby, Elise and James arrive late tomorrow night.

picture perfect

After mass this morning, I visited Aunt Jeanette in the St. Francis courtyard...a really beautiful place. Elle and I shopped a little for school supplies, and later, we're planning a BBQ with steaks, chops and homegrown grilled corn on the cob:) Also planning our usual 5 mile walk followed by a swim. Not too many days left for that!

Happy Birthday to my oldest nephew Jason:)

Today we celebrate with Jason who is 36. Here are 2 nice pics...a blast from the past, 1984 with Jason in the back of the porch swing, along with Paul and Tyler and Hannah. Also included a pic of Jason and Greta at their son's baptism. Paul is booked later in Green Lake at the Heidel House, and Elle and I have a quiet day planned with friend Katie visiting. Maybe a little swimming...

Happy Birthday to MJ:)

Today we wish friend Mary Jo a Happy Birthday! She's back home in Atlanta now, following a nice visit home in Wisconsin. Hope she has a great day. There is so much happening here from the State Fair to the PGA tournament at Whistling Straits, that there's never a dull moment. My brother Jeff and his wife Mickey were invited to the Lifetime Golf Achievement award banquet this week, which was held at the American Club in Kohler. Billy Casper was the recipient, and he held the audience captivated by his description of his signature triumph at the 1966 U.S. Open, where he rallied from a seven-stroke deficit on the final nine holes on Sunday to tie Palmer, then won an 18-hole playoff the following day. He's an incredible man and what a great honor! Yesterday I stopped in Manitowoc for a little lunch and a visit with Kim and G-Mare, while Mike and Jeff worked on the truck's brakes. Later today, we'll enjoy a visit from little Tanner, his Mom Krissy and Aunt Gretchen:) Can't wait to get him in the pool. With water-skiing parents, he's in the water all the time and loves it. Sweet!

What Belle thinks of Daddy's singing:)

Back to work...

I have 2 long work days this week, a break on Wednesday and then another 2. That's nice because the 'South of the Border' concert is Wednesday night at Buttermilk Park. Elle's playing Copacabana, and I just love the arrangement. Today Henry and I travel to Oshkosh for 2 therapy gigs. He is enjoying this tropical humidity and heat. He loves to be outside it in, mosquitoes and all:) Want to thank all the church folks and all the Marian kids for visiting Eva and keeping her in their prayers, while she recuperates with 2 broken ribs...ouch:( She has lots of time to sit and do nothing, so yesterday Elle and I bought her a lot of yarn and string so she can knit, and make bracelets. She's also reading a lot on the new site Bookrix, where you can upload whole books for no cost. She has another pain med and this has helped her get some much needed sleep. Paul is busy today painting the exterior of one of the rentals. It has to be done and he's got the day off to do it, but he would have welcomed cooler and dryer weather. Off to start the day!

kudos to elle

These photos were featured on the 91.1 The Avenue jazz radio website. (Lawrence University) They are from a recent jazz concert at the High School. They are captioned: "Ellie Thelen sings Is You Is or Is You Aint My Baby" and solos on "Again and Again." Nice photos, and a GREAT station!

playdate:)

Belle played today with Amaya, the daughter of one of Elise's classmates...good friends!

Lakeside Park

happy baby

Had another nice visit with Aunt Jeanette. She held Belle, and was thrilled that the baby was so easy going. Jeanette said it was years since she held a baby. She just had her 89th. birthday, and is still sharp as a tack. Even managed to speak french to Elle:) Other than that, Eva and I cut grass as 2 houses, and cooled off with a swim in between. Paul is due back tonight from Milwaukee and his diocese business regarding the changes to the Roman Missal. He's been there a couple days...hence the reason Eva and I cut grass:) The girls have been using the stability ball for exercising, and later we're heading out for our 5 mile walk in Lakeside Park. It's nice that the air is less humid.

Giggly Belle:)

Mel and Belle

Elise and Belle visited with theater friend Mel earlier today. Now it's time for a little lunch while baby sleeps, and then off for our 5 mile walk:) Later it's a jazz concert in the park.

10 year look back

This photo is dated August 4th. of 2000. It was taken near my Mom's house while we were swimming in Lake Michigan. Elle was 7, Eva 12, and Elise 16. Fun times:)

Great Great Aunt Jeanette:)

Shopped a little before enjoying a visit with Belle's Great, Great, Aunt Jeanette. She was thrilled to see the baby, and we're so happy that she is living in Fond du Lac now...literally 2 blocks from our house:) That's great...we can see her more often. Elise and Elle are planning to go to Paul's jazz gig tonight at the Windhover, and Eva is singing tomorrow night at Buttermilk Park with another jazz group. Busy few nights!