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

Everyone Wants a Turn

Everyone wants a turn to feed
Elsie Anne.

Meeting our new sister

Homecoming



So glad to be home. Ariel is thrilled with her new baby doll and wants to help Mom with everything. Her face reflects how she feels about Grandpa's efforts to keep her from being on top of Mom and sister 24/7.

Little Miss Marion

After 2 hours of labor, Daddy delivered a healthy baby girl. She weighs 7 lbs 11 ozs and is 20 inches long. She was born @ 12:49 PM CDT. Mother & daughter are both great.

Broken Water

lisa awoke to a wet bed last night. Her water had broken without much for contractions. We are now at the hospital getting labor started. Results pending...