My Favorite People

Blokus Champion Hanger?

If you are lucky enough to play Blokus at our house - well you might have an opportunity to sport the Blokus Hanger. 

I know what you are thinking?

Yep. 

Weird.

Well thats a D thing. So if he's gonna send me pictures like this well they will be published.

This kid rocks at and has been beating us. In fact I don't think I have won a game in quite awhile. But Shadd does analyze the game afterward already. Not sure where he gets that???

So far the hanger hasn't left our house so call us if you want to try and win the hanger!!

10 yrs

So what does 10 years later look like...

4 children

3 houses (getting ready to tackle #4)

5 plus jobs

1 business

and probably more and more things I could start counting but I'm scared too

and thats just marriage - who counts dating for 8 plus years before that uh? I mean we have been together longer than apart. Crazy. 

D's mom sent us this as we were headed up north for a little golf getaway. An engagement picture. Haven't changed a bit uh? Way more wrinkles and age among many things.

So I totally wanted to surprise D with a trip to Whistling Straits (a beautiful golf course in Wisconsin)
but well practicality kicked in and I had to tell him to let him help me iron out the details and well just plan it which was way better than I could do.

We had a blast. A long drive to jam out to music, listen to sermons, chat uninterrupted. Heaven!

Our hotel was a little above our normal. Like a 5 star which I have never stayed at I believe. Like mints on your pillows kinda stay. It was different and historical as it used to be an immigrant worker bunkhouse. So it has an Irish European feel and its located right across from the Kohler plant.

Where we were shocked was when we returned one morning, housekeeping had folded every piece of clothing that was out of our bags. Like everything. Sweaty clothes and undergarments included. And wrapped up cords to chargers and piled and organized the whole room. It definitely felt clean but also a bit creepy.

The courses were beautiful. Like gorgeous and its early so they aren't even that green yet so I can only imagine what they look like now as I type this post a month later. And we will see the Straits course late summer when they play the PGA championship there this year. And let me tell you I'm so so thankful I didn't play that course. Can you say water like everywhere!

I did play Blackwolf Run and shot a 94 or 96 and only took one mulligan I think. The greens were slow so that helped me a ton and really hurt D's play but he still shot low 70s of course.

The Straits was along the coast of Lake Michigan and well felt like you had crossed the ocean and were golfing in Ireland.

Thankfully I didn't play so I got to be the professional photographer. Minus the professional part.
It was fun though. Cold but fun. Like multiple layers and a sweet ugly golf hat cold.

Plus D's caddy. You have to walk. So like 8 miles but it was worth it and fun. His name was Terry and he was loads of fun. Crazy but said he doesn't see that many good golfers like D out there much and especially who like to play the professional tees. Made for some interesting shots and fun to have someone to tell us fun facts and history about the course.

If you can believe it - the land just used to be flat farm ground and they made it look like the hills and dunes of ireland with lots and lots of dirt, imagination and well probably a few bulldozers.

It was quick and well (exhausting for this girl) trip but it was a beautiful fun getaway. Of course, super grateful for our parents and their willingness to watch our kids. We had a blast.

I'm sure it will be a destination we try and get back to at some point because well good golf is usually a little further away.

Kindergarten Screening

The big day had arrived. Kindergarten screening and well she is ready. So this little sweetie will be headed to school in the fall. 

She was so so pumped and ready for that morning. Like helped D with his belt and pick out his shirt kinda ready. 

She had a blast and was ready to go back again the next day. 

She is pumped for the fall and has already wanted to go and get those school supplies but I'm trying my best to slow her down. 

I really think I will be a crying mess this year. I was last year but also pretty distracted due to being in the hospital and z being brand new but during nap time this year I will probably just sit in mourning for a few days. 

Ells Birthday

So I'm a little well a lot behind and i have one week till school is out and then maybe no blogging will ever take place unless I make Shadd do it. 

Drum roll... how is this girl 5?

      

We spent the whole day and next celebrating this sweet girl.
Spoiled by her brothers with fun gifts in the morning. I love how perky Sager is this morning.

I personally love her E pillow. And check out that stroller. She's been requesting that for quite sometime. Its large and in charge and looks just like mamas.

And her birthday cakes and special crown headband (gap does it again)

Then later that morning

She celebrated Bitty Baby style with her friends... aren't they adorable with their dollies!

We ate cupcakes, had fruit cups and pink lemonade

Then we decorated shirts for our dollies (not the easiest with fabric markers on onesies plus it was so nice outside I think they were all itching to go play without any boys around). Of course these shirts went with their tutus that Ells and I made. 

Then we opened gifts and Ells was so blessed by her thoughtful and generous little friends. She introduced them all when they arrived and I can definitely see her as a budding hostess as she gets older.

After the party - Ells and I hit the road and went and saw Cinderella at the theatre

Of course the parties wouldn't be complete without the family! We love these parties and often can't wait til the next one on the list. Thankfully our family grows by the minute it seems so they are more and more often.

Grandma D never ceases to amaze us with her beautiful and delicious cakes. Kinda spoiled there for sure. And daddy didn't disappoint with some homemade cookie dough ice cream and lots of liquid smoke on the pork (the guy thinks it smells like heaven)

This year even Ells made the decorations - glitter stars. The picture really doesn't do them justice. And everyone brought their dollies even the grandmas and greats which I totally forgot to take a picture of. One of these days I will be better at documenting all the details. Well maybe when someone other than the host has to take the pictures really. So like never.

Still can't believe that Ells is actually 5. This is a big number because it implies kindergarten etc and well just big changes on the horizon.

Ells,
You have really blossomed this year. Last year and still every now and again we were really struggling with you. You were spirited and we just weren't trained and versed in how to handle it. But this year with patience and diligence and well just maturity you are one of my favorite people to just hang with. I can't even imagine how much fun we will have in the years to come and the relationship we will have that well just can't seem to be replicated. I am lucky and honored to have you call me momma. I just pray God will help me live up to that famous title. Love you more than you will ever know.
Your one and only momma