Monarchs

 The Kremers found many, many monarch caterpillars on milkweed around the area.  Because monarchs are endangered, people are encouraged to help them by raising them at home, away from predators and the elements to increase their chance of survival.  They offered us the chance to raise some, and we jumped at the opportunity.  The caterpillars ate SO MUCH milkweed.  I was shocked at how quickly they went through it!  We got to watch them spin into their chrysalises, which was absolutely amazing to see...especially when their heads fell off!!  We got to see them emerge at butterflies, with their shriveled wet wings eventually drying into strong, beautiful, orange and black wings.  We released them in our backyard and it was so fun to watch them fly away into the big blue sky.  We can't wait for our next butterfly raising adventure!

Happy Birthday, Olivia and Mommy!

 Olivia just turned six! It's hard to believe how fast she's grown! We celebrated with an awesome safari birthday party with her grandparents, Uncle Luke and Everett, Great Grandma Ruby, and Auntie Brigid.  She had so much fun with all of the cheetah decorations, the treasure hunt, and the photo booth.  She got roller skates which she has been asking for for a while, a makeup set, some awesome new cheetah things, and her very own leopard she calls Jiaru.  

Olivia,

Your spark and spunk bring so much fun to our family.  You bring joy with you to all you do.  You have a wild and creative imagination and are so confident in who you are.  I am astounded by you and feel so lucky to be your mom.  You are the best birthday gift I ever received.  I love you so very much.  Happy 6th Birthday!

Your Birthday Buddy,

Mom

Ten Years

Ten years have gone by in a blink of an eye.  The details of our wedding day still seem so vivid...the overwhelming feeling of the love and support of our friends and family, the car ride with my Dad to the church, walking down the aisle with both of my parents, the sound of our wedding choir singing "I Love Thee," the beautiful song that Patrick wrote for us, when Tom almost dropped the wedding rings, our first kiss after we exited the church, the rain on the way to the country club followed by the stunning double rainbow, having our whole family greet us in fancy hats when we arrived at the club, our first dance with the jazz combo with Brigid singing "All the Things You Are," beautiful toasts that *almost* made me cry, a special dance with ALL eight of our grandparents joining us on the dance floor - we have lost half of them which makes that memory even more treasured, the brother dance off, and having the dance floor packed all night.  I remember feeling such deep love and happiness, seeing all of the people we love most sharing those special moments with us.  It was the perfect day.

The last decade has been filled with moves, career changes, and the joys and challenges of parenthood, but each day I wake up filled with that same deep love and happiness,  knowing that Eric and I will face whatever is ahead together.  He is my very best friend and I am so thankful that I get to share my life with him.  This year for our anniversary, he bought me this beautiful anniversary band. He picked it out himself and I was blown away with how beautiful it is.  

Eric, thank you for being an amazing husband, partner, and father to our children.  What a beautiful life we've shared so far. I can't wait to see what's next!  I love you!

 

Nicolet and Ice Cream

 During lockdown last year, we discovered the beauty of a walk/ride at Nicolet College.  It is peaceful and beautiful and so, on a day when everyone was a little fussy, I decided we needed some fresh air and ice cream.  The big kids did well on their bikes and there was very little complaining, as they enjoyed looking at the giant rocks and the big old trees, especially my favorite gnarly old pine.  Simon fussed a bit in his stroller, but he was happy as a clam when we finished and headed to A'la Mode from some delicious ice cream.