My baby...

Hard to believe, right? Six years ago he came screaming into this world and boy has he already left his mark. Remember the song from Sound of Music, "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" Well my song for Christian is, "How Do You Leash a Child Like Christian?"

So energetic, I hate to use the word "Leash," but I tell ya, there's just no telling with this not so little one. His spirit is an overabundance of positive energy that sometimes gets mistaken for the term "naughty." And don't get me wrong...he can certainly show us his "rowdy" side by getting carried away and out of control, but really for the most part, this child of ours is a keeper!

Our laugh for the day on his birthday (July 26th) : he woke up to a loving sister, showering him with birthday wishes. I made them pancakes with mini-chocolate chips and he sat down to eat his food, sprung off of his stool and said, "Hey mom, I gotta use your bathroom." I knew he already did his morning duty, so I asked him why. "I have to see if I weigh anymore since I am a year older!" Off he ran down the hall. (needless to say, he was a little let down.)

Once you go to Minocqua...you'll always go back

We had an ablsolutely wonderful time in Minocqua camping with Brian & Lynnell Lichtenberg July 10-12. Dan didn't get to fish as much as he would have like to, and when he did, didn't catch much. Other than that...no complaints, only compliments.

We relaxed, swam, played cards, went to the lumberjack show, and went to the petting zoo. As usual, not much time for details, and there are photos aplenty (as always with me!!)/too many to post.

I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine
and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon
a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets. It has given me
blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern
day. It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful.
Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my
brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the
yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy. ~Hamlin Garland,
McClure's, February 1899

Dance like nobody's watching...

Mallory's Recital...so I'm a bit late in getting this out there, but I keep thinking I need to get it done, so here it is! (Above: Haley Kooiman, Mallory, and Shayane Anderson, below: Mal and Ms. Cindy) Dance is a passion of Mallory's. If she is having a bad day, it is nothing a loud song and free expression of dance can't solve. Watching her , you can just feel the energy radiate off of her.
I cannot believe she is already 8 and in just over a month, my first baby girl is going to be 9. Mallory continues to amaze me with her patience, her understanding, and her maturity. If there in one thing in life here on Earth that Mallory loves (besides dogs), it is DANCING. I am so proud of her and not a day goes by that I don't look at her in awe for all that she has already become!

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." ~Mark Twain

PS: Thanks to Hannah Hinrichs, Shelli Roedl (& Parker), Lisa Roedl, Grandpa & Grandma Topel, Great-Grandma Vitense, Grandma La La, Haley, & Shayane for making the recital day an unforgettable one!