We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

It may be September but the weather has been perfect for bike riding. We live on a dead end road so there isn't much traffic, plus we have riding trails along our pond at the end of the culdesac. The kids are so cute to watch, here is a sequence of Ian learning to ride his tricycle all by himself First he needs someone to give him lots of pushes. Next he can do it but needs a push here and there, then he is doing it so well on his own that he is going so fast that I have to stop the video to grab his tricycle before he rides into the adjacent road.     Madelyn is getting so much better, especially with turning around, she still does not like hills at all! She had found a toad/frog earlier that day, she had been toting it around with her outside for a couple hours, so of course she would like a bike ride!?! Madelyn claimed that it was a she, because all animals would be a "she" if it were up to her.        ...

  Our primary at church took the kids on a field trip to the Chicago Temple The kids were very reverent on the temple grounds.  They aren't allowed inside for regular worship.  It was really special to share even the outside of the temple with them.  It is so peaceful and special, and I have very sacred feelings about the temple.  It is where I married my sweetheart for eternity not death do you part, but for forever. I feel very close to my Savior when in the temple because of the promises and covenants that I have made with him and with Scott. If you want to learn more about temples click here: http://mormon.org/faq/topic/temples/question/use-of-temples I hope that each of my children will remember the feelings they felt while there, and that we can continue to come back and share how special the temple is.  I also wish that they each will someday be able to make the same covenants that I have made with our Father in Heaven,...

   Madelyn's 5th birthday started off with her opening all her many birthday cards she got from Grandparents.  She holds each of them very special, and has been opening them up over and over, and carrying them around with her.   We had a busy day of playing with friends, going to the dentist (who Maddy loves), getting some party supplies,  and making her My Little Pony Cake.  I love letting the kids help me with their birthday cakes,  especially since Rylan had just snubbed me a couple weeks before and sad that he didn't want to make a cake with me.  We found a picture of a cake and decided that was the one we were going to make.  It was my first time using fondant.  Madelyn started the rainbow  Then completed it with marshmallows for clouds  and some premade flowers, a pony and some candles.  Then we had some extra skittles to line the bottom edge  All done, my happy 5 year old!  ...

On Labor day we were going to drive to Wisconsin to the beach but it ended up being in the lower 70's and we thought it was too cold to swim so we went to the gorgeous Morton Arboretum with friends,   They have a maze made out of giant bushes and this is a look out station that is high up above so you can find your way out.  All the kids  It was such a fun place for the kids to play in, they had little houses for the kids just Ian's size, creeks they could wade in, ropes to climb, and gardens for them to explore.       Montana and Jillian love Ian!  We had a picnic there before driving an hour to the Jonamac Orchard to pick some apples.  or just ride the wagon, I think they liked that best!                               ...

Late August means back to school time! Rylan is in 4th grade this year which is the oldest at his school!  We walked Rylan to his bus stop early so he wouldn't miss the bus. Ian had to wear his backpack too, (thanks Oma)! Dad was even with us because he had the day off, why?  He drove to a Packers GAME!  We will get to that later . . .  He doesn't look quite awake does he?                                                          Can't believe he is in 4th grade! Off he goes with his buddy Megan    The preschools here are very expensive especially since Madelyn would be switching from twice a week to three times a week.  Her teacher last y...