Serenity Lake

What great family shots. Thank goodness for the tripod and double px take on the self timer. For the complete show go to my Photo Gallery.

I had a great time in Wisconsin. It was the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken with the least amount of traveling and the least amount of things to see and do. I anticipated getting more reading done but forgot what it's like having a 2 year old around. The weather was almost perfect with having only one full day of rain. We all went stir crazy that day except for maybe Bob and Matt. They did their best to master the Wii game Tanks. One day Susan, Jenny, and I took a walk and realized the ticks were thick. We had to do thorough body checks when we got back so that put a damper on walks. I think we were still finding ticks around the cabin and vehicles days later. Dad rented two canoes so there was much time spent on the lake. The lake itself was black due to the pine needles in it. It was extremely cold so the only swimming we did was in the hot tub. Grace loved this. We used our new fry daddy on cheese curds, onion rings and of course fish. The fishing rules were very strict so we mainly only ate 4-6" bluegill. They were still tasty, just small. I didn't get any px, but there was a momma duck with 8-10 ducklings that waddled through our camp quite often. Grace loved this. After the lake we went to Baraboo for a night. We toured the Ringling Bros. circus where they stayed over winter. It was a great place for kids. We were disappointed to find out our motel only had an outdoor pool that I think was colder than the lake, so once again no swimming for Grace. On our way home we stayed a night in the Cities at a Holiday Inn. Grace got to go swimming twice so I think this appeased her. It was all she could talk about. This week has been back to work and trying to catch up. Only a few minutes for blogging!

Graceless

Wow! This is called service. Where else can you go 600 miles and get a free car wash without asking? I believe Grace was the first one to get wet by Grandma of all people. Good thing it was a hot day. Grace Susan and I had a water balloon 'toss' afterwards. Grace was scared of them at first because she thought they were fireworks. I think 4th of July won't be very fun for us this year. Grace travelled the best she has yet to Grandma and Grandpa's only asking 900,000 times if we were at Bapa Koch's house yet. Saturday night we had supper at Bob and Jenny's. It was delish, especially the volcano cake. After was Susan's testimony. One memorable question was how Susan typically made friends. She answered: by showing off. I inwardly chuckled, and groaned later on when Grace was the main attraction of the young group that night at lunch call at my parents. Maybe I made friends the same way when younger:S I choose to forget certain parts of my childhood and some of it is reliving through my daughter. Monday morning we left at 5am (and in IL it is not light yet at 5am.) I was pretty tired but got voted for first shift driving. Grace got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's all week. I think they all forgot what it is like to have a 2 year old around, but I know she is having a blast. Every time I call she has little interest in talking on the phone especially if she is going to be around Jessie soon. Rustin left Monday night for Colorado and didn't get back until Thursday night. Let's just say I was ready to see a human being in the house. I worked for the city all week so was able to stay busy. Today I have been running errands and packing and getting the house ready for when we go on vacation next week. I'm excited to see my little peanut and my family of course.

I have to share a revelation I had the other day. I was mowing at one of the parks and came upon a bird nest that had fallen from the picnic shelter rafters. One of the baby birds was dead and the other looked and sounded like it was going to die soon. At first I mowed farther away from the shelter, but when I came nearer I noticed the mother was laying on top of the dying bird sheltering it from harm and showing it she cared. It just hit me that no matter what race or species, a Mother's love is universal. Maybe I was missing Grace or maybe I'm just plain weird but this experience even brought a tear to my eye. A few minutes after, a bunch of kids came over and were looking at the bird, so I never saw the Mom again and don't know what they did to the bird. Not every day I have revelations on the lawn mower. I do find it is a good prayer time!

Sunday Afternoon 'Drive'

We took a Sunday afternoon boat ride on Minnewaska with my co-worker Stef and her family in their new boat. Grace wanted to drive it.



It was a little windy on the lake, but perfect temperature.



After grilling hotdogs and hamburgers the kids played on the beach and around and in the boat. During the ride they all fell asleep except for Grace, who slept on the way over.

Grace pretty much stayed on the beach since A: the water is still freezing cold, and B: she fell off a rock and face-planted in the water. She was not real impressed with that, but I was thankful she had on her life jacket. I'm hoping she remembers this experience in a couple weeks when we to the lake in Wisconsin. It seems she has no fear of water, but this might have broke that!

This week has been in the 80's and I'm loving it. It's so nice to feel some summer weather. Tomorrow we head to IL for Susan's baptisms and Memorial Day weekend. I'm ready for some R&R!

Is it April or May?

We definitely were spoiled in April with nice 60 degree days. So far May has been dreary, cold, and rainy. That's life, so I'll quit complaining:( I have 3 months to go until baby #2 arrives. I find I am more tired and more whimpy with this one. Grace is excited about "her" baby coming. It will be interesting to see how she interacts with him/her.

Mom and Dad came up the last weekend in April. Unfortunately Grace was sick with fever and flu all weekend. You know that Grace is sick when all she wants to do is sit on your lap and snuggle. Poor thing. One of the blessings of daycare! It was rainy most of the weekend so we sat around and relaxed alot. One great thing about when my Mom is here is that the dishes get done after each meal! I can't say that happens all the time otherwise. They left Sunday night and the next day I got a fever and pounding headache. I layed around for 2 days and popped tylenol. It was bad enough that I sent Grace to daycare for a little peace and quiet.

Thankfully we are all healthy and looking forward to some warm weather. This Friday is the Hancock City-wide garage sales and we are doing one with Brent and Susie Wulf. I am ready to unload my junk! Hoping for no rain:)

We are anticipating Susan's baptism on Memorial Day Weekend and then a week later going to Wisc. with the family for a week on the lake. We'll see if our family can handle the outback!

Mid-April Madness

So I've been feeling a little guilty that all I do is check blogs and don't update mine. I feel like my updates are boring and I am not a good picture taker, but I'll try and catch you up.

Busy would be the best way to describe us right now. 2 weeks ago the City called to see if I would work Monday and Tuesdays until summer. During the summer I plan to work 4 days for them, so it will be a little less hectic to just have one job. The thing is, when it's nice I love working for the city and can hardly turn them down. I've decided that being pregnant really slows a person down. Oh well, it's probably good for me. Rustin's loads have been steady so that's a good thing. Last week he went to Colorado. He had to take two-lane out there because of bio-security. That was somewhat annoying, but you gotta do what the farmer says. His bonding day with Grace is Saturday if I have to work. We have had amazingly warm weather lately so they spend alot of time tinkering in the garage or taking 4 wheeler rides. She loves 4 wheeler rides. She has a little one of her own, but for some reason the knack of steering hasn't set in yet. Grace loves to be outside playing, but if we are inside she entertains herself by reading books outloud or dancing to the piano, or messing with play-doh. She also has a doll that she yells at. Sometimes I hear sayings to that doll that I think I've said to her:S

Sundays are somewhat of a challenge because we have a very active, loud daughter. I teach Sunday School in the morning so Rustin has her most mornings. There isn't really a baby-room to take her so sometimes they have to visit the car for 'gentle' reminders. Everyone tells us they don't care and love having her around so I guess I have to get over my own complex. She really is a joy and some of the things that come out of her mouth are down right hilarious. The other day she told a group of ladies she was three. I didn't even know that she knew that 3 came after 2. I guess she's practicing for November.

Sunday eve. we went to Russ and Beth Koehl's for pizza and the evening. Dawn and JR and Mike and Carmen R. were up for a visit. It was so good to see Tremont folk. The highlight of the night was Beth calling her girls Pekin kids when they imerged from the sandbox. I could've taken offence being one myself, but rather found it amusing. Many laughs and a few squabbles constituted a nice evening. Grace thought she was queen-bee being pulled around in the wagon all night, but didn't like to be told that she had to take her turn in pushing. I of course forgot my camera but I'm sure Beth and/or Carmen will have some on their blogs.

On Friday my parents are coming for the weekend. We are anticipating a nice time with hopefully the nice weather!!!

I'm back...at least for now

Well in case you were wondering, the month of February is over so hibernation is officially done. I honestly think the the shortest month of the year is the longest one. One thing Grace and I have done this winter to pass our time is go to Nancy Wulf's for quilting on Tuesdays. Grace plays with Kara's kids and Kara, Susie, and I have been knotting comforters for overseas. Then after supper we have been battling out Monopoly Deal. If you haven't played this game I would recommend it, even if you hate Monopoly.
We have had a straight week of rain so the snow is definitely melting. Now we are back to a lake in the backyard. Oh well atleast Spring is in the air!!!
We made a trip to Illinois at the end of February. It was nice since we hadn't been back since Thanksgiving.
Here's a few px from the month.


Grace and Kylie at a calm moment.


Grace has discovered she loves puddles. Good thing for frog boots.

I can't believe Grace and Abbi would sit in the car together without fighting.

Meadowland is branching out to Morris, so we have been busy with stocking that store. Grand opening is next Friday and we are excited.

Happy Birthday to me

28 years ago my Dad and Mom struggled up the icy road, calling neigbors and uncle for help, so they could safely arrive at the hospital and have their firstborn child. It kind of reminds me of the weather we are having right now. Thank goodness for front-wheel drive and 4wheel drive technology.

Also...we are expecting #2 in early August. Maybe on Grandpa Koch's Aug. 6 birthday! Grace is excited as a 2 year old gets. We are excited for some competition for her!