She just can't get enough

Ariel just cannot get enough of Elsie. Ariel wants to "hold it" or "hold that " all day. She calls her cute baby, little sister and Elsie. Whenever Ariel slips out of sight, I have to beeline to Elsie's bassinet or my bed and it is guaranteed that Ariel is there giving her kisses or something. Of course, this is always during Elsie's naps when I am trying to get other things done. Just to name a few incidents: Ariel was brushing Elsie's hair with a little sponge brush they gave us at the hospital. The sponge was soaking wet and at this point so was Elsie's hair and bedding. Ariel crushed tortilla chips and put them on the tray on the baby swing for Elsie to eat. She gave Elsie money - I found a quarter in the crease of Elsie's neck. I have to be a very quick and observant mother hen but Ariel still seems to find Elsie at unsupervised moments before I notice.

Back to School Night

My blog is acting up. These pictures are in random order and the underlining will not stop. Lucas is thrilled about kindergarten and very excited he and Lola from 4K will be in the same class again.

Isaac is now a cool 3rd grader and it shows.

Survivor Man

Isaac's very favorite show is Survivor Man. Lucas tolerates it. But when it comes to acting out Survivor Man challenges on the dirt mountain in their back yard, they both love it.
This mountain is steep and rugged enough to pose a real challenge, especially after a downpour.
Here, Isaac shouts to Lucas, far below, tips to help him make it up the scariest cliff.
Far below is a dried up stream bed.
Fortunately, Grandma & Ariel discovered an access road up the back side. While they wait for the boys to reach the summit, Ariel collects rocks in her plastic bottle...
And Grandma enjoys the Kodak moments.
Here Isaac sits on the edge of a steep ledge eyeing the situation.

Lucas has the eye of the tiger when it comes to survival.

Once up on the mesa, a celebration is in order.
The zoom lens makes the Clinic seem much closer than it really is.
As a rain storm moves in, we know we only have minutes to make it home.
The boys climb back down the hill to the field below.
And race us home.

Elsie's 1st outting

Elsie's 1st outting was a stroller walk to Culver's on Friday evening. The temp was 60 degrees when we started and had fallen to 53 degrees 1/2 an hour later as we walked home. Thank goodness Elsie has a Swedish heritage and a New Zealand sheepskin. Both girls loved the adventure.

Home Cooking

Lucas calls himself a chef and gets upset if Webkins has a cooking class without him. Baking is his favorite pasttime.
Today everyone helped make cupcakes from beginning to end.
Mike finished his dinner while the kids put the finishing touches on dessert.

Loved baby

Elsie cuddling with grandma and wearing cute little outfit from my cousin Sarah

Elsie's Shower in a Box

Laura came up with this creative idea for family members in Idaho, Utah and Korea to throw us a baby shower. She pulled it together and sent it to Wisconsin with Mom. Thank you, Laura!
Tuesday night Mom told us that she had a "surprise presentation" for us and she needed to get refreshments. We thought it was a slide show for FHE and we made brownies and ice cream for it.
Wow, were we ever surprised when we walked into the dining room and saw this display!
The colors were gorgeous and the photos made us feel like everyone was there with us.
Katie thought to include gifts for Isaac, Lucas and Ariel -- genius. And so festive!


Mike tries some burp cloths on for size.
Elsie modeled everything for us as fast as we could get it unwrapped.

The first thing Ariel said when she met Elsie for the first time was, "I want to see her shoes." Well, Elsie has shoes now. If that is the sign of a darling girl, Elsie has arrived.

Elsie now has the SWEETEST blankets, most DARLING bracelets, ADORABLE shoes, PRECIOUS outfits, FASHIONABLE headbands, CUTEST onesies, PRETTY hair clips, FUN legwarmers, and DASHING hooter hider.

Thank you Laura, Haley, Mom, Katie, Karin, Melinda, Mandy, Sarah, Annee and Robbie Jo for coming to my Shower in the Box and for your generous gifts. We had a great time!

Her name is

Elsie Anne