We Let the Good Times Roll!

Started the morning with Beignets. Powdered sugar everywhere!

Jambalaya and corn bread for dinner. Although there isn't a picture, S decorated the chandelier,

 it was dripping with Mardi Gras beads.

Niece J and S waiting for me to take the picture already and get the King Cake cut! 

I bought the cake at Scott's Pastry in Middleton. 

It was totally worth the thirty minute drive to get it. YUM!

J and B. She loved the beads and her uncle.

Christmas Season

Scooping out the army knives, lead soldiers and cap guns at an Gurnee Antique Center.

S and Great Aunt Dorothy reading Press Here by Herve Tullet.
This is my new favorite children's book.

My niece, N, wanted a purple robe for Christmas and Aunt Gwennie pulled through.
She loved it and wore it for hours. She even liked the monogram.

All the cousins.

J can't get enough Legos.

My mother just rolled over in her grave.
This is what he wanted Santa to bring him, I tried to talk him into the Packers,
but S insisted on the Cowboys.

S loves anything soft, and he got a sheep skin, and lots of stuffed animals.

J had a grand time opening her stocking...
but couldn't understand why we couldn't start painting right away!
(It makes my knees hurt just looking at her sitting like that!)

In front of the tree.Christmas morning, J and S, and the new HUGE stuffed dog.

We toured the Wisconsin Veterans Museum on the Capitol Square.
It was really interesting, the boys loved it.

Boys in front of the Capitol "Holiday" tree.

Editorial note: Come on, if it looks like a Christmas Tree, and smells like a Christmas Tree -
IT"S A CHRISTMAS TREE!
And don't get me started on the alternate Nativity scene.

" ...in a one horse open sleigh." We spent some time at the Mitchell Domes in Milwaukee.
S loves it here, so we try to take him every season.

We also took the boys to The Nutcracker Ballet at the Overture Center. There would be a picture of them, except an usher yelled at me from several rows away about how no pictures could be taken. I wasn't the only one who thought she was rude. People around us thought it was completely over the top. I was mortified and annoyed. The ballet had not started yet, and I was taking a photo of my kids. Geez. People were taking pictures of their groups all over the
theater, but I got busted.

Easter

Looking spiffy. They actually fought over who got to wear the bow tie. J finally won, with the promise to S that he could wear it for the Spring Concert at school.
S helping trim radishes. I won't be surprised if he becomes a chef. He loves to help with the cooking.

Teaching my niece, Z, to make mashed potatoes. She was a big help.

All the cousins on the hammock.

J checking out her basket. Everything was fun for her.

And the big guys were less thrilled.

Just Going for a Walk

My niece, J, decided to take a rubber chicken for a walk yesterday.

She kept sayin, "C'mon kicken, c'mon kicken."

J totally cracks me up. I'm glad she is living with us for a while.

Weekend Wrap Up

Took the boys to "Take a Brat to Work Day", that is, of course, brat as in bratwurst.
A great breakfast before heading to school on Friday

A visit from Levi. This was the best thing that happened all week.

And his parents thought I was doing them a favor!
He loved getting sprayed with the hose.

Saturday dinner: tenderloin, roasted onions, potatoes, and grilled veggies

Josie, her Mom and S after dinner

Sunday drive to New Glarus and lunch at Glarner Stube

The world's best cheese curds, in a beer batter.

Every bite was like this.

This was my lunch. A flank steak sandwich, perfectly cooked medium rare. The bun was great, and the roasted pepers were amazing. I would have this again in a heartbeat.

Brenda's Blumenladen

I wanted everything in the nursery and gift shop!

I have to go back (without my husband!)

Went to the cemetary to honor B's father, a veteran of the Korean War

Both boys added flags to his grave site. It joined the one placed by the VFW.

Farmer's Market

Reading in the hammock

We did a little antiquing this weekend, HUGE (and heavy) bowl $35

Silver platter, got for $1.50, yes, that is correct one dollar and fifty cents!

I know! I couldn't believe it either!

Happy Birthday, Josie!

What a difference a year makes!

Josie-girl is one today!

Hey there, Josie girl!

After months of anticipation, I'm an Aunt! Josephine came into the world on Monday, perfect at 8 lbs, 4 oz, 21 inches. I am already shopping for hairbows! Could she be any more precious?