Wisconsin Vacation

We're back! We were in northern Wisconsin last week in Eagle River. It was beautiful. We had a good time, relaxed as much as Laura would let us and saw some beautiful trees changing color for the fall. We saw several bald eagles, deer, and a black squirrel. We fished, took out the rowboat and paddle boats, hiked around a gorgeous waterfall (Bond Falls in Michigan), went to a farmer's market, children's museum, a wildlife rehabilitation center, read some books, played golf, and stopped by Aunt Kim's on the way home. I think we were all glad we went and glad to be back home. I can't believe how tired a vacation can make you.

That's our condo peeking out from the middle of the picture. This was taken on the rowboat.

Relaxing...

I was fascinated to see a black squirrel.

She was so tired by the time we finished 9 holes. But a very good sport. She ended up taking a 4 hour nap this day.

Her favorite thing at the Children's Muesum was the grocery store.

ahhhh.....

this goat kept walking back and forth on this bridge and bleating (braying, bahhing?) at us. It cracked me up.

A very friendly kangaroo

Bond falls in the upper peninsula of Michigan:

Notice the white knuckle grip on the kid:

Ha ha. And I thought being an "East Kitten" in junior high was bad!

Told you we were pooped! She stayed awake through 11 hours each way to Oklahoma earlier this summer and the entire trip to WI and to Kim's only to fall asleep as soon as we left Kim's house. I had completely lost hope that it would ever happen, but here's the proof.

Belly comparing

Ok, this shot was taken 17 days before I delivered Laura. My stomach looks the same size as it does in my shot 2 posts below - RIGHT NOW! I'm telling you, this kid is going to be huge.

Laura's First Day of School

Laura's first day of "school" went very well. Its a Parent's Day Out program at a local Christian church from 9:30-2 once a week. I was much more anxious than she was that morning. I was able to go in with her to get settled and when I left, she was walking around quietly with her hands in her mouth nervously. I steered her toward her friend Odin and she followed him around for a while patting his back. I'm glad Odin's mom and I made an effort to get them in the same class. I realized after I left that I had forgotten to tell them that she wasn't in diapers anymore and I fretted about that all day. But when I picked her up, she came running to me yelling "my mom's here, my mom's here. I gotta go get my stuff!" It was pretty cute and she seemed happy. They figured out the diaper thing with no problems, so that was a relief. She ate her whole lunch that I sent with her (well someone did, it was all gone) and it sounds like she had a good time. There are about 8 or 9 other kids her age in the class and 2 very nice teachers. Weather permitting, they go out to a playground every day and they will make crafts to bring home everyday too. This week, they glued paper to popsicle sticks to make lollipops. While she was at school, I had coffee with a friend, went to the MOA and bought clothes, went to a doctor's appointment and went to the library. I think it was a success and we're both looking forward to this week again.

2 more months to go??

How is there going to be room for this kid to grow for 2 more months? I gotta say that I am feeling it much more this time around. Spending all day with a 2 1/2 year old while 7 months pregnant is VERY different than sitting at a computer all day at work while 7 months pregnant. Its probably much better for me since I'm having to move and use my muscles and exercise all day, but it gives me more to whine about! And I swear he's already bigger than Laura was at birth (which wouldn't be hard, she was only 6lbs 6 oz). I can feel him on all sides at the same time already. I was hoping he'd be small and healthy too, but I'm guessing I'm not going to luck out on the small part. Anyways, everyone's healthy and happy so far and planning to stay that way.

Ladybugs

found a ladybug Halloween costume for $0.80 at the thrift store yesterday! It even includes a headband. Laura loves it, so it looks like that is taken care of.
She starts "school" tomorrow. Its a Mom's Day Out program from 9:30 - 2. I'm a little anxious about it, but she seems pretty comfortable with the idea. We'll see. She has a backpack and a lunch bag to bring. Will have to get a picture up.

Our house projects

Just want to document all the work we've been doing or having done to our house this summer so that I can remember it all. No need to read unless you're trying to kill time.

Siding repaired - Imhoff Painting - great work, still having issues with the bill

Siding painted - College Pro - good work, little messy on the grass and deck

Basement remodel - Ashland Builders - work completed includes tearing out old panelling, electrical, lights, and carpet ourselves; contractor moving the door at the bottom of the stairs, new framing to get rid of shelf around perimeter of room, new sheet rock in newly framed bedroom, hallway and under the stairs closet, raised ceiling (no longer tiles), moved some HVAC, added can lights, re-routed dryer vent; Jim painted walls. work to be completed includes builders installing millwork and door, finish electrical; we will put down carpet and tile. ugh

Lawn care - Organic Bob - had a consultation for how to get more grass and less weeds. Apparently we don't water enough. Appt. tomorrow for a free irrigation estimate. We're also considering replanting some of the HUGE lot with native grasses instead of imported European water sucking grass; less mowing, less water, weeds will no longer be weeds, but beautiful additions to the landscape!

Gutters - Tom's Seamles Gutters - will come in a few weeks to install new gutters. We took down the old, holy, pieced together pieces of junk before the painters came so we need new ones.

That's all I can remember. I'm looking forward to not having so many appointments during the day so that Laura and I can get back to our regular non-scheduled time. But its been nice to be able to have other people do the work so that its done timely and correctly.

Being silly, the zoo, and Odin

I went through a couple weeks when I had very little interest in blogging or tweeting or emailing or doing anything computer related. I think I'm over my internet strike now so here's the pictures I took in the interim.
Laura was covering up Jim so he'd be warm for winter. Check out his "mittens". He's such a good sport: Total skater chick:

Movie star in the making?

Here's some pictures of Laura and Odin when we he stayed with us a few mornings last month. They had a great time:

You can almost hear them saying "cheese":