Family Fun

This weekend was incredibly busy. We kicked off our weekend with some of our friends and neighbors. We just happened to move onto a street that has about 8 teachers, principals, school board members and lots of families that go to our church. It's a small church too, so it's interesting that so many of us live on the same street. Anyways, after the first week of school we were all ready to kick back and relax. So we ordered pizzas and let the kids play while we all enjoyed some wine and beer. It's so nice to hang out with other families who understand the chaos involved with little kids and it's even better having friends with kids who are of a similar age. Our kids literally occupy themselves when they are all playing together. It's awesome to enjoy some adult conversation and watch your kids have a blast with other kids from the neighborhood.

Mia and Sofia with Tyson, Everett & Sully

On Saturday morning Sofia had her first ballet/tap class. I almost cried watching her class, it was just so sweet an innocent watching the girls dance around with their teacher. At the end of the class the teacher opened the double doors of the studio and Sofia walked out, stopped, opened her arms and proclaimed, "Wow Mama, I had fun!" Tim's parents had arrived that morning to hang out with the boys so I was able to run downtown with Sofia to make a trip to the bank and farmer's market. I really treasure my one on one time with each child. A simple trip to the grocery store with one baby really becomes and event for me. For the rest of the weekend our house was basically a revolving door for family. We had a ton of Tim's family over because they were all doing the Tough Mudder together on Sunday. Tim's Uncle Craig was diagnosed with lung cancer a little over a year ago and has battled it like a true warrior. He really wanted to do a Tough Mudder race so he flew into Wisconsin from Colorado to compete with other guys from the family. My parents arrived early Sunday morning to watch the kids so I could go photograph the race for the guys. I would like to participate someday but this race is one pricey little event. The Tough Mudder is basically a 12 mile obstacle course race. The obstacles are absolutely crazy, the craziest one in my mind was running through live electrical wires. The guys said when they got shocked it felt like someone was punching them in the head. The guys finished in about 3 hours and then we all raced home to watch the first Packers game of the season. We also got to sing Happy Birthday to Andy.

Jim going through the live wires.

Post race

Sofia and her Godfather/Uncle Andy

Ev relaxing with Uncle Craig

Blowing out Andy's birthday candles

I feel so incredibly happy with where Tim and I are at.  We live in a beautiful community that truly looks out for one another. Sometimes we think it'd be fun to live in the Pacific Northwest or California but I can't explain the joy my children have when they are with their extended family and grandparents. Every time Tim and I see our kids with their family we are so happy we live in Wisconsin. We live about 45 minutes from my parents and over two hours from Tim's parents, so we would love to be closer but it would be tough to leave this amazing little community that has grabbed a hold on our hearts. And there is something really neat about raising kids in the same state you grew up in, especially a state like Wisconsin that has such a rich history, hard working people, and so many fun traditions. I absolutely LOVE my job (details to come in a future post).