Thie Family Heads North

We spent three wonderful days up at the cabin in Happy Jack. It was a much needed little vacation. Carrie and Jared invited us up. It is Carrie's company cabin. The drive up was nice with all the trees. Kayleigh asked, "Mommy, why are we driving in the jungle?" This was definitely my idea of camping. The cabin is a beautiful three story log cabin in the middle of the woods with a wrap around porch, nice kitchen, fireplace, beds, and showers! We watched NO TV for three days. I loved this!! I get so sick of noggin and sprout- this was a great break. We hiked, had a campfire, ate yummy food, danced to the Beatles, and best of all spent time with family.

Taylor and I snug-a-bugging in the hammock outside.

Papa Mike and Kaykay falling off the hammock!

Taylor's favorite game is to pretend like she is sleeping. She makes a snoring sound, then yells, "Wake Up!"

Uncle Jared and Addison.

Having fun at the camp fire!


Kaykay kept saying, "Everything tastes better when you're camping!" Which we later realized is a quote from one of her movies.

Making the perfect smore!

Eating the perfect smores!


Kayleigh loves to paint. The view behind her was the perfect inspiration.

We hiked down to the bottom of this beautiful reservoir.

Gpa hiked down holding Taylor. I hiked up with her and yes I felt the burn.

This ferocious snake tried to attack Josh. It brushed right next to him. We feared for our lives. (That is not a cigarette next to him- but something much much larger.)

Papa Mike taught Kayleigh how to skip rocks.

That hike exhausted little Addie!

The girls just love Addie. I think Taylor gave her a hundred kisses a day. Addie is getting more used to their loud noises also.

We went on hike around the cabin both days. Kayleigh peed in the woods for the first time- I did not post that picture.

Kayleigh's favorite place is outside. She loves to explore, look at animals, and play around.

We had a great time! Thank you to Carrie and Jared for inviting us. Thank you also the Gma Lisa and Gpa Mike for all the great food and fun!

Kaykay vs Street

Street Wins!!




The sad part is that I almost think it look worse in person. Poor babe. We were getting into my mom's van and Kayleigh had a flower. I was standing outside the van helping her in. She decided she wanted to pick the petals off the flower and throw them outside on the parking lot, she was standing inside the van. Well, one petal dropped inside the van, she reached down to pick it up and lost her balance. She went face first into the street and then flipped over. I was standing right there, but it just happened so fast. She cried for just a minute and then was over it. I think she cries more when I won't give her a snack. She really has not complained about it since. I told her to tell people that she got into a fight with a bobcat (she always talks about bobcats) and to say she won. If you think she looks bad, you should see the bobcat!

Schnepf Farms 2009

We went to the pumpkin patch again this year. We went with Gma and Gpa Jarecki, Great Gma Gerre, Jared, Carrie, Addie, Tom and Sharon. Daddy had to work. I actually had to work also, but was able to sneak out a few hours early. The weather was perfect and we had a great day spending time with family.

Kaykay and Great Gma Gerre

Puppy petting

Jared, Carrie, & Addison on the carousal

BFF

Kayleigh starting off with the bumble bee ride

Then going on the roller coaster with Tom. She screamed and laughed and loved it!!

Uncle Jared was so very patient as Kaykay took forever picking out the perfect little pumpkin.

I just love this picture of my sweet lil' pumpkin.

Happy Birthday Papa Mike

Happy Birthday Papa Mike!! Your girls just adore you!

We spent the evening at Jared & Carrie's house eating Oregano's and watching the Packers. The best part was watching the girls play together. Taylor and Addie are best friends. They probably gave each other at least a dozen kisses. The girls just love their Papa. They love going to the park with him, swimming, and of course going to Costco with him. He is the best Papa and we are lucky he is ours!!

Office Assistant

My new office assistant started today. It is so nice to have someone help organize, scan, copy, and print for me. She even helps go through boxes. She is excellent on the computer and knows how to text on my phone. I am so glad I hired her!

15 years ago...

...is when it all started. September 23, 2004. I remember it so clearly. I was watching My So Called Life (great show) at my bff Kristin Wallace's house. I talked to my dad on the phone and he said a boy named Josh called the house. Whatever Dad. He knew I had a huge crush on this boy Josh Thie, but of course had never talked to him on the phone. So he was obviously giving me a hard time. I get home later that night and my dad asks, "So what did Josh want?" Oh my god, he was serious! Josh really called!! Freaked out I immediately called Kristin-screamed with her a bit, then nervously called Josh. Turns out he had a crush on me and he asked me out! Which for everyone my age this means we are boyfriend/girlfriend, hung out in groups, talk on the phone, you know "going out." The next night we went to St Tim's carnival with all our friends. We held hands and he went on a spinning ride, which I later found out he despises spinning rides and felt really sick. He also won me this ugly little (like can fit in the palm of my hand little) orange dog stuffed animal. It probably cost like $10 worth of carnival games, but I still have it. We talked on the phone for like 5 hours that night, then another 5 hours the next night. We could not get enough of each other. We have been through junior high, high school, college, weddings, and children together. Has not always been an easy road, but one I would not change for the world. I do have boxes of pictures from 15 years ago, but they are all in the garage and there is only so much I can get done at nap time. So you get some pictures from our wedding (5 1/2 years ago) which are already on my computer. Maybe one day I will scan all those old photos. Anyway, kind of a memory filled day.

Happy Birthday Grandma Mo

It was Grandma Mona's birthday on Sept 16 and we had a little Sunday dinner for her. Kayleigh's very favorite part of birthdays is getting to blow out the candles.

Uncle Mike and Taylor looking a pictures of cousins...

Kayleigh helped Gma open her gifts...

...so she could cuddle with Gia!

My babes was tired after a hard day of playing...

Gma Mona always gets chocolate cherries for her birthday. Kayleigh of course had to try them out and Gma was nice enough to share her treat...

Both of them loved 'em!

Happy birthday Grandma Mona! We love you (even more than chocolate cherries)!!!

Jena's 30!!

Happy birthday to my beautiful friend Jena! I had a much needed girls day celebrating. We spent the day at her parents house. It was the nicest house I have ever been in! We each got a massage. Then laid out by the pool. We had fresh Sangria, snacks, Oregano's, and more sangria. After the pool, we got all dolled up and went to The Melting Pot. Red wine, delicious food, and the greatest friends ever. It was so relaxing and I just love spending time with the girls. Happy birthday Jena, love you old lady!
Shannon, Nerissa, Kristi, Annie, and bday girl Jena...

Jena and me...

Yummy dessert...

Tuck and Riss...

Annie was really excited about the dessert :)

Jena not letting chocolate go to waste...

Annie really not letting chocolate go to waste...

Princess Tent Fun

I got home from work after a very long day. Tired and crabby, I just wanted to put the girls to bed and crash. Then I saw a package by the door addressed to Kayleigh. I so wanted to ignore it, but my motherly guilt said that she should get her bday gift. It was this beautiful Princess Tent from Sharon and Tom Wester. Kayleigh and Taylor fell in love immediately and insisted I put it together instantly. So we stayed up a bit past bedtime and had so much fun playing. I was so glad I decided to spend some fun time with my girls to really make my day. Thank you so much to the Wester Family because we love this gift!!!