China Reunion #2

Hard to believe, but Kayla has been part of our family for 2 years already! We recently celebrated our 2nd China "sisters" reunion at the Rademacher home in central Illinois. We all had a great time. It was wonderful, and at times amusing, to see the girls together again. They each have their own distinct personalities, but also have many similarities.

I didn't take nearly enough pictures, but here's a glimpse at our weekend...

Summer "busy"ness...

We went to Andy's sister Julie's house in Oshkosh for the 4th of July once again. They have a prime location for fireworks and Sawdust Days going on only blocks from their home. The kids all had a great time playing together. We took the classic line-up picture that we've been taking for years. Together our kids are currently: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 3 and 1. Yeah, the house was a little loud at moments :) Oh, how they've all grown- but they still aren't overly cooperative for our photo sessions!

We recently had Jen's class reunion and stayed in a cabin at Eagle Cave, near Blue River, WI. Natalie also just returned from a 5-night stay at Girl Scout camp almost 4 hours from home, near Antigo, WI. She had a blast and can't wait to go back next year. She could have done without the 100+ bugs bites she came back with, but I guess that comes with the territory. Not a lick of homesickness, but she sure was missed at home!

Off to the China travel-group reunion in Illinois next weekend. We certainly are buying our share of $4 per gallon gas this summer :( But we're having a lot of fun burning it up!

More spring-summer photos :)

Spring-Summer 2008: Where does the time go?

This spring has been fast, fun and furious. We've all turned another year older since our last post. Four birthday parties later, we're all still standing- though the last one was a bit much. Earlier this month Natalie celebrated #10, with a sleepover that was about 10 times too big....just kidding. Last weekend Nate stayed with Grandma Knuth because he had a birthday party he desperately wanted to attend on Sunday, and Kayla stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Mullendore because she's not the happiest traveler. The rest of us put on 1200 miles in a 3 day weekend. We stopped by Amery, WI to visit Andy's brother and family, just long enough for Natalie and Noah to decide we need a Wii. Then we continued our northern trek to Blackduck, MN for Mike and Sarah Zachow's wedding. Mike is one of Andy's friends from college who was in our wedding and still keeps in touch pretty regularly. It was an adventure for sure, but everyone handled the weekend just fine.

As we've rolled into summer, the kids have me running every which way. Currently Natalie is in gymnastics 5 times per week and piano. Nate is in basketball, karate and piano. Noah is doing t-ball and basketball right now. Kayla is not so patiently waiting for swim lessons to start, because she spends her days watching everyone else, since her gymnastics class time was moved to 1:30. Which is right in the middle of her nap, which is NOT to be messed with. So, I promised her that she can try it in the fall and we're also looking into a boogy babies dance class for her age, offered at our local Forte studios in town. Natalie heads to Girl Scout camp right after the 4th of July, and then we move into swimming lessons for all, rec soccer and soccer camp for Noah, a couple short trips around Wisconsin and Illinois and then in mid-August we are attending family bible camp at Sugar Creek for 4 days, near Ferryville, Wisconsin. Before we know it, we'll be turning around and heading right back to school. This summer is surely going to be a quick one!

Just chillin'

Double trouble!

Can't lose me in these pants, Mom...