Trip to Minocqua - Pictures of Grace

While in Minocqua, we got some cute photos of Gracie.  She is such a ham and loves the camera - can you tell?

Trip to Minocqua

 

For Labor Day, we went up to Minocqua with my parents.  We had a great time and the 4 hour drive wasn't too bad.  The house was amazing, set on a beautiful lake, with tons of outdoor spaces and lots and lots and lots of stairs!  And, most importantly, we found two places in town for lattes. 

We made smores with PopPop.

 

We went to Paul Bunyan's for donuts.

 

We went on a boat ride.

 

I spent the whole weekend on this hammock with a book....ha!  Seriously though, I did get a few hours of relaxation time.

 

With all the stairs and decks, it was a little crazy having to watch Mae constantly.  We then discovered that the pontoon boat was like a giant playpen.  Add wine to the mix and you are in for a good time!

 

Thumbs up for the pontoon boat, good parenting!

 

And finally, the kids spent a ton of time fishing off the deck.  You basically stuck the pole in the water and a fish bit immediately, so it was perfect fishing for little kids.

Thanks for the fun weekend JuJu and PopPop!

In over my head

 

Today, I am feeling like I am in a little over my head with these kids.  

1.  The kids all got happy meals for dinner.

2.  Andrew came home with this picture from daycare.  Lets ignore the fact that they think he calls Kevin "Duda".  And lets ignore the fact that none of these drawings resemble a person.  And lets ignore the fact that he looks like a giant octopus. Lets not ignore the fact that Grace is not pictured!  I asked him about it and he was all confused, like why would he include Grace?  Uh oh, we may have some sibling rivalry going on...which would explain all the fighting.

3. The  icing on the cake was when I picked Mae up from daycare.  Apparently during naptime, she and a little boy were sleeping next to each other.  They put their heads right next to one another and were looking at each other, stroking each other's faces and Mae was giving him KISSES!  When the teacher told them to knock it off, she laughed.  Yes, my 18 month old got in trouble for making out at school.  

I have said it many times and I'll say it again, that girl is trouble.  

On a side note, my carpet runner was installed today.  Only curtains are left and then the kitchen is DONE.

 

Visit to meet Evelyn

 

Grace and I had a great trip out to visit our newest family member sweet Evelyn Jane!

These photos are all from my phone so they are in somewhat random order.

 

Grace was very sweet with Evelyn and they had a lot of cuddle time.

 

Grace was a great traveler, she kept up with me and didn't have to go to the bathroom too many times on the airplane. 

 

Justin already has put Evelyn to work on his spreadsheets. 

 

One morning Grace and I were up very early with the time change, so we got dressed and headed out to do some sight seeing.  We took a cable car, went to Fisherman's Wharf, ate ice cream at Ghiradelli square (at 10am) and climbed Russian Hill to walk down Lombard Street.  Grace thought she would need suction cups on her feet to walk up the hill, but once we got started she began running.  I was not running.  I was huffing and puffing up that hill.

 

 

 

Sunday morning we took a walk to Alamo Square and saw the famous painted lady houses.  You know, the Full House photo op. 

 

Since there is an unfortunate looking portrait of me at my parents house where I very closely resemble DJ Tanner, I had to have Grace take my photo.  The caption on this one is "DJ Tanner returns home."

I had promised Grace that we would defnitely see some weird people.  And while we definitely did, I am not sure if Grace was actually the weirdest.  We brought a little crazy to town!

 

And of course I did not forget Princess.  Sweet Princess Watzka.

RIP Patty the Pug

 

Patty the pug passed away this week.  She was a wonderful dog, who will always be remembered for her funny habits (licking the air compulsively...scooting around on her backside), adorable looks (a little too short & a little to chubby, but still never grew into her skin) and sweet disposition.

Patty loved her Uncle Kevin and was a great cuddler.

 

She used her cute looks to get away with being a little naughty.

 

She loved a walk, when she got one (about once a month).

 

Grace and Patty, Summer 2008

 

She was great with the kids.  Always putting up with their teasing and rough play.  Remember Mae headbutting her not so long ago? 

http://themalonefamilybridgetmalone.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-friendly-visitor.html

She was a great friend to JuJu.

 And to Monty.

She didn't mind being the butt of jokes.

Grace and Patty, Fall 2008

And was always willing to help clean up a mess.

 

We will miss you Patty!