10 week old baby Charlotte:)

Thanks to Elise for the cute picture for today! Elle and I wrapped up shopping for school, and are all ready to start on Friday. Thursday will be a great day, as we are attending the Badger's first game of the season against UNLV. It will be broadcast on ESPN. We want to thank Jason for offering the 2 extra unused tickets. We can't wait for the game! Now it's off to the Mascoutin Trail to make our daily 5 mile walk. Starting tomorrow, we are increasing our distance until we get to 10 by next week. The new job will be starting up soon, so I want to make the most of the days left:) Tonight it's a BBQ here with friends, and then jazz night at the Windhover.

29 years:)

Thanks to everyone for the anniversary wishes and cards. Paul spent the day doing several weddings, and Elle and I managed a nice work out. Afterward we went out for dinner. Today it's back to a more normal routine. Elle has play practice, Eva is teaching, and Paul is at the Holy Family office. I'm heading up to Oshkosh to get my work schedule for this fall, and looking forward to a new and exciting job with the school system. Still doing local respite on the weekends here, so I'm plenty busy. Belated birthday wishes go out to our friend Jon, who shares his birthday with our anniversary. Stop by anytime Jon for a Jameson shot to celebrate! We're also in the process of planning a September camping trip. Anyone with ideas for something new, text or call me...always open to new, local places. Tonight we will use up some of the plentiful basil, with a Thai chicken and basil stir fry. Mmm, can't wait.

Congrats to Elle!

Elle will act as one of the leads in Pirates of Penzance in November performed at Fondy High. Cast list just came out this morning! We're super excited for it. Elle will be taking fencing classes for the show. Here are a few samples of her senior portraits we just picked up. Elle's pumped for her senior year:)

Lake Michigan:)

We wish our friend Kim a speedy recovery after knee surgery today. We spent some time with her before and after the surgery, as well as Grandma Mare. Aliyah showed off some of her jump roping skills. Tonight a quiet evening is planned with a favorite of Ellie's for supper...homemade mac and cheese and onion encrusted chicken breasts. If we get the predicted rain, it will nice to relax inside.

26 mile hike on the Green Circle Trail!

Paul and I spent two long afternoons hiking the Green Circle Trail in central Wisconsin. It is a beautiful set of trails, which combine to circle Steven's Point and Plover. The weather was perfect; not too warm, and some cloud cover. Now off to Manitowoc to visit family and take a friend to a Dr. appointment.

Elle's flight:)

Thanks to Elle's friend Andy for taking her, Jake and Amanda to Madison for dinner via his 4 seater Skyhawk. They enjoyed perfect weather, and perfect views of the countryside. Now it's off to college for Andy and Jake, but we're sure to visit often when they come home!

Superman fun!

As Ellie trots off to her last day of band camp, she does so dressed in style! They are doing the Superman music this year for competition. How fun! A special thanks this morning to childhood friend Mary Beth who introduced us to the Green Circle Trail around Steven's Point and Plover. Paul and I are taking the weekend off to hike/bike it...we'll see how many of the 26 miles we make:)

http://www.greencircletrail.org/

different directions...

Today we said good-bye to Elise and the girls as they travel back to Nashville. We will see them again in the fall when Charlotte will be baptized. Eva and Mike are headed north to visit a friend near Athens Wis, and Ellie and Jake are going to a Brewer game tonight. The way they've been playing, it should be a lot of fun for them. She left for band camp this morning with her Brewer shirt and cap. I had a nice visit with Nellie and her new baby Peyton this noon, and baked a double batch of raspberry brownies for a Wildtree party at Stephanie's tonight. As the summer draws to a close, we can reflect a little on how wonderful it has been. We've welcomed new babies, enjoyed some traveling, and got several projects done at our house and the rentals. We also have a special celebration in the fall planned, as we have successfully paid off 3 of our 6 houses:) It has been a long and difficult 17 years of work, but it is finally paying off. So we think a mortgage burning party may be in the future. As the kids head back to school, I think I may sign up for a yoga class through UW. Elise and I, and our friend Debbie have enjoyed the class for many years, and it will feel good to get back to it. Also psyched about getting all my old silver fillings replaced with the white composite...feels and looks so much better. It was just a small goal, but having the summer off, I decided to go for it. Now it's off to band camp to pick up Ellie so she can grab a ride to Milwaukee. Just took a little break to check email and get caught up. Thanks to our FedEx guy who found Eva's lost cell phone, and dropped it off here! There are still some nice honest folks around!

Happy Birthday to Mary Jo and Jason:)

Today we send greetings out to Mary Jo in Atlanta, and my nephew Jason in Manty. I hope they are enjoying their special day. Last night we attended a dinner and dance to honor a retiring UW professor and friend for many years. It was also her birthday. After the meal a local dance instructor taught folk dances. The babies were very well behaved, and little Charlotte was passed around the crowd for hours. Belle enjoyed a taco salad and a few cookies and brownies. Today we're welcoming Donna and Clyde to celebrate Donna's birthday which was last week. We got an early start so we could hit the farmer's market for a bouquet of flowers and a Amish blackberry pie for the celebration! Thanks to Jo today for sharing the pictures from yesterday's pool party. It's nice to have Great Grandma and Charlotte together:)

Such wonderful weather!

We surely have been blessed with perfect weather this week! We've been enjoying the Grandbabies visit, and finding all sorts of great things to do outdoors. The trip to the NEW zoo with my niece's children was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera along. I encourage anyone who hasn't been there yet to go. It is very affordable and a perfect size for young children. Gretchen's baby shower in Manitowoc last week was a success. She received some very lovely gifts, and of course it's nice to see the relatives and get 'caught up' with everyone. Last night we attended the Symphonic Band concert in the park, and it was terrific as always. Thanks to Michael, Ellie and all the musicians for a great performance:) This morning I have a dentist appointment (ugh) but then I'm looking forward to a hike after lunch on the Mascoutin Trail. This evening we'll have some friends over for BBQ, and finish up with some games, or maybe another walk. So much to look forward to yet this month. On Saturday, we welcome our Valders friends for a birthday party for dear friend Donna. We always have so much fun with them. Sunday is our parish picnic, following mass, at the Fondy Fairgrounds. There will be games and raffles of course, and Holy Family has many ethnic groups offering food choices, so I hope there will be a nice crowd to enjoy the festivities. This has been a wonderful summer!

Miss Charlotte

The many faces of Miss Belle...