A Nature Center Trip to Remember!

 Tonight was the most amazing trip to the nature center...we saw 6 deer a few feet in front of us for about 10 minutes. After Lauren was initially scared, her sisters comforted her (while I took pictures) and then she started "roaring" at them like they were bears:) The one deer kept standing up and eating from the bird feeder high up in the tree! So fun watching the deer but even more precious watching the girls watch the deer.

  I wanted to capture some photos of the girls in the woods, hiking on the trails or maybe some in the leaves but we ended up spending all of our time watching all the animals (we have black squirrels too - which Addison was convinced were skunks)! I figure it was great it worked out this way as I can always take photos of them with pretty fall colors in the Fall. It's not every day we'll get to watch deer this up close:)

Fox Cities Marathon Relay

Some friends and I teamed up to run the Fox Cities Marathon Relay. We had a great time! I am not quite sure of my exact time (because I started my watch a bit late) but I think I ran my 5 mile leg in about 44 minutes. I was feeling good as that was my goal and there were some hills along the way so I wasn't so sure if I would be able to meet my goal. It was a fun experience and now I am inspired to do a half marathon...we'll see!

5th Birthday Yee-haw Celebration

Our "silly" family pose!

The kids caught a toad-a highlight of the day!

Addison had tons of birthday fun. About 2 weeks ago she had a playdate birthday celebration with our Mom's Group friends (whom we met at the hospital where Addison was born 5 years ago)! We still get together meet up for park or for concert playdates in the summer probably almost 2 or 3 times a week.

This weekend she had her cowgirl party and as she put it, "Had a very great party!" She really wanted a horse or a kitten but was perfectly happy with ALL the very fun gifts she received:) She helped plan on the photo booth of the cowgirl cut-out. She went to Texas Roadhouse for her birthday lunch and got to sit in the birthday saddle and say, "Yee-haw it's my birthday!" She was slightly embarrassed during that portion of her birthday!

Addison can check it off her Summer bucket list....

Addison learned how to ride her bike without training wheels! She has been trying HARD all summer. She would literally fall off her bike 15-20 times in a row (without crying or complaining) and get back up and say, "That's okay, I'll just try again..." Well she got the balance and speed put together finally and took off about 2 weeks ago without help! Then the next day we went on a trail to a nearby park (which crosses water) and she rode 1 mile each way (there and back). This girl is a go-getter:)

High Cliff Camping / Fun at Mulberry Farm with the Sewacki Family

The Sewacki Family talked us into going camping with them this year and we were so happy we did! The girls really had so much fun (and we did too)! Lauren and Karla went home at night (as we just stayed at High Cliff State Park, only 15 min from home) so we cheated a little. We visited the Mulberry Lane Farm in addition to the other fun camping activities we took in. The girls only complaint was that we didn't stay long enough:)