Hello Baby Quinn!

I will have to admit that I found it hard not to be able to see Tony, Tara & Quinn when they first arrived back in the states. And that we were going to miss Quinn's baptism. But, timing is not something you can have a whole lot of control over sometimes and after being emotional for a couple days, I was fine:) 

We finally were able to get down and see them Monday, Aug. 4. Yes, we drove straight back from Missouri on Sunday, Aug. 3 and arrived late at night (though we had a great trip back and made good time!) Dave had to get to work Monday morning and I turned us around and drove with the kids back to Iowa. I actually didn't even unpack, just did a little rearranging and put the bags back in the car. And it did feel good to be home for even 12 hours! We arrived at Mom and Dad's in the afternoon and Dave made a quick trip after he was done with work. He could only stay a few hours, but we appreciated that he did it so we could have the whole family together for at least those few hours! 

(Great) Grandma Oehlke made the trip down on Monday as well to see Quinn, so that was nice to have time with her as well. We also were able to do quite a few fun things even though we were only there for a short time. Monday night was our brief family time together, we had pizza and played cards. Tuesday we went down to Decorah and grabbed some yummy food at the Oneota Coop and had fun out at Phelps Park. 

I think these were the reason she wanted to come here so bad

Quinn also loved it:)

Collin had a great time!

Always trying to get a good pic of them together:)

Big girl

Loved getting splashed:)

Later that night, we all went out to Kruse's and had fun running around outside and getting a special ride on the tractor from Uncle Andy! (well, the little ones and Amanda!)

Playing outside at the farm

I think we all love it when these kids get together:)

Some new pals! Ivy and Collin liked hanging out together

Sweet Quinn enjoying the outdoors:)

They are not silly at all:)

Waiting patiently for their turn to ride

Wednesday we relaxed at home and said goodbye to Tony, who was heading back to Japan the next day. Tara and Quinn were joining him in the Twin Cities that night before his early flight. So it was time to soak them all up!

She's getting so big already!

Kate took this:)

The grandkids

After they left, we played outside in the nice weather and then the kids and I stopped by Wellington to see (Great) Grandma on our way home. She was sitting ready for supper about 45 minutes before they serve:) and it was rather tricky keeping Collin near us. I kept running after him and didn't get to chat that much with Grandma! Then Kylie walked by (she works there!) and she took Kate to go help get supper ready, which she thoroughly enjoyed. So, it was a short visit, but always a good one. Grandma always says how she doesn't see us enough, so I need to try and get there more often! 

She loves seeing the kids:) Always asks me to bring them more

Fun in the Sun in the Ozarks!

We had a week back home after the golf tournament to get ready for a long trip/vacation down to Missouri for Dave's family reunion.  I was actually looking forward to the road trip more than I have in awhile. A year and a half? 17 months? How old is Collin?  :) I think I was very much in need of a getaway and the weather looked good, we were going to have a nice extended visit with Dave's family - awesome! 

We broke the trip up going down (it has taken as long as 11.5 hours and as short at 9ish to make the trip from Wisconsin) Dave had a board meeting and commitments on Saturday so we decided to get to Cedar Rapids Saturday night and have a normal bedtime and then get up early on Sunday and head the rest of the way down. I think it was a good plan and we enjoyed spending a little time in Iowa (getting ice cream:), the kids loved the hotel room and we made Sunday a bit better by having some energy and not needing to recuperate from the trip. 

The kids did great on the ride, when Collin did get fussy, he was just bored and wanted Dave or I to sit back by him and play and it wasn't that often. We got to Lake Ozark right before 2 p.m. and had enough time to head out on the boat and really enjoy the warm weather! Laurie had already arrived and we had the whole family together again:) So fun and relaxing. 

Monday brought more boating and swimming, as well as pedicures for the girls - Kate's first one! She was a little hesitant at first and she wanted me right by her side. So, I waited so I could have the chair next to her special youth/Bear chair. While we waited and watched, she slowly got more and more excited. Surprisingly, she picked a blue for her toes. Lately, blue is also her favorite color. Because of Elsa.  :) She did great with the pedicure and the gal added some unexpected sparkles and art. I have heard much about it lately and she wants to get a pedicure "every day."  :) 

As it got closer to the weekend, there was more to do for the reunion (mostly Bobbi!) but we managed to find time to do a little shopping, Dave and I had a lunch date, Dave golfed and we had a gathering with the friends in the neighborhood at Rich & Robin's (dear friends) pool. 

Kate playing in the lake with Aunt Laurie

After watching a few of us go, Kate was ready for the Wave Runner! She loved it:)

Having fun at Rich & Robin's! 

Lots of quality time with Aunt Lou! Yay!

A pretty fun set up! 

On Wednesday, Laurie had to return to New York and Aunt Becky arrived from California. So sad to see Laurie go, but grateful that we got to spend time with her! It was also wonderful to share time with Aunt Becky again so soon! Relatives (the Claussen family) started arriving Thursday night, and we had a fun boat ride out to dinner with Becky and cousin Craig. 

From Friday through Sunday, Ron and Bobbi's house (our home away from home) was the gathering place for up to 40 family members to hang out - eat, drink and visit. The kids did well and went to quite a few of them! I will say that Bobbi, Becky, Dave and I spent countless hours tagging after Collin and going up and down the stairs with him. Thank goodness it is right where the action is and you can still talk with people. Kind of:)

Where we spent a lot of time:)

This drool-monster loves steps!

Highlights for Collin....anything that had a steering wheel or motor:) We knew he liked trucks and tractors and such, but he was completely obsessed with the boat and golf cart. He would throw a fit if he saw them and couldn't ride. He had to "drive" them and was only happy if he was helping someone drive. It was pretty cute, but we did have to take it into account when maneuvering around during the week! 

His preferred position

Collin is flirting with changing his nap schedule. Traveling always messes with it a bit, but he has been cutting a nap many days, which is.....okaaay....:) But I would much rather keep him napping well and often! The first couple days, he would take his morning nap and then we could get him to sleep on a boat ride in the afternoon. Not bad for all involved! Thanks Grandma Bobbi for holding the sleeping boy in his life jacket:) 

Best place for a nap - the boat!

Kate did really well swimming in the lake off the boat. She also used her life jacket a lot in the pool, which I had hoped would change a bit after some swim lessons, but she just loves getting around the whole pool in that jacket. She also met some friends, girls older than her, at the pool. So sweet to see them play so well together. They lived across the street and a few nights they would be shouting back and forth or visiting. Pretty cute. 

All dressed up for dinner. Kate had to have the hat:)

There was a more formal meal at Osage National Golf Course (where Dave golfed with his dad and some friends earlier in the week) on Saturday night, which was a beautiful spot and we had some wonderful photos taken, yeah!

The Heilmman crew at dinner -missed you Laurie!

It was a wonderful, summery week and I am already looking forward to another summer vacation down there next year:) I have a few more to add, but here are more photos from the week - click here. 

Almost Annual Rosendahl Family Golf Tournament

This post is super late, but I do have to say that I had it all typed up and was waiting for one last pic to add in. And then over a week ago, I hit some button that deleted the whole post. Can that really happen? Doesn't Blogger auto save frequently? I don't know what I did, but that was a sad five minutes for me. So, here is probably a very abbreviated version since I have more posts to write that are much more fresh in my brain...

This golf tournament/family reunion is very near and dear to many people's hearts. When I was very little (a baby? before?) they held this tournament in Harmony, MN and it included a big meal and an awards ceremony (usually at a relatives house) that was always lots of fun. I remember running around with my cousins and cheering loudly when my folks would win:) After my Grandpa Mert passed, the tournament no longer took place. A few years ago, there was renewed interest and my Mom along with her brothers have worked to start it up again! It has generally been the last weekend of July or something similar. It has been nice that the relatives that live further away have started to make the trip and come! 

Those that made it to the golf course on Saturday

So thank you to those who helped make it happen, I know that we all enjoyed it very much and can't wait to do it again next year! We had great weather and some great competitive golf at this little course that has been a part of our family for so long. 

The substantial gallery for Grandma's tee shot!

She nailed it! Highlight of the day:)

The "after party" :) was at my aunt and uncle's house and it was a perfect night to chat, play games and visit. The kids did really well for the day (thank you to Randi for watching the kids while Dave and I golfed!) 

Most of the crew that made it to Marc & Kathy's Saturday night

Collin practicing for next year:)

On Sunday, there was more golfing for the individual competition (Saturday was best ball) and though Dave and I didn't compete, we showed up to the course to cheer them on at the end and play at the playground. A really nice Sunday. Kate played on the playground that I remember running around on with my cousins - that was fun for me:) Only one structure remains from "way back then" and it was not her favorite, but I enjoyed the nostalgia of the situation! 

You don't see see-saws too often anymore:)

This is what I played on at her age!

She was taking care of and feeding her turtle

Golfing on Sunday

Collin out watching the last group

Collin's view from the stroller

Kate practicing at the course

Our busy July is finally over, so if you want to see the photos, click here!

Wa Du Shuda Days

Aha! I held a wet and squirmy Collin to grab some photos of Kate during her lesson last week:) Collin is doing well too, we are not pushing too much, just trying to do the beginner stuff and if he doesn't want to, we just splash and bounce in the water. The hardest part is him once he is out of the pool. I wish he was happy to just sit in one of the floaty things like last year! So easy:)

Practicing front float with Stephanie

Getting ready to jump

Having fun!

Here is just a little clip of her in the water. 

We have a very busy month coming up and our weekends are taking us away for the most part. This past weekend we were going to be home and Dave' wasn't on call! Hooray! We were hoping to make the most of it. Of course, I made my long to-do list and Dave had a yard that needed mowing staring at him, but we ended up doing mostly fun things..oh well!  (at press time: the lawn did get mowed:) 

Saturday morning we were invited over to Ryan and Angie's house for breakfast and then some berry picking in their woods! Sounds like a perfect way to start any day:) We had a nice time inside where Ryan made baked french toast with berries:) and bacon. Yum.

Clara, Kate & Harper. The girls!

It was very overcast and very humid in the morning and since we were trekking into the woods, we were wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts:) On top of the length of the hike, I think we lost a few pounds! Angie and Ryan pick berries very frequently and they had some cool harnesses for the buckets to free up your hands. Dave was brave and had Collin in the backpack the whole two hours, very impressive! Clara and Kate were free to roam and pick and Harper was in the stroller. They have mostly black raspberries and we would all get excited when we spotted a patch of red raspberries. I found the picking kind of addictive, you wanted to just keep going and get more or reach those just beyond. The lovely thorns kept us on our toes. Clara ate all of her find:) and Kate ate quite a bit but had some left in her bucket at the end of the hike. Those two also had lots of fun doing "trail maintenance" and throwing sticks as far as they could. Collin was such a trooper, he missed his morning nap, but was completely content in the backpack. 

This was Dave's workout for the day:)

The girls pickin'

This is what she came out of the woods with....not bad, considering:)

We hiked for a long time, such a beautiful place (south of Mauston, in the hills) and when we returned, we just hung out on their wraparound deck and let the kids run around. I think we could have stayed there all day but it was getting to be lunch time and I was dying to go see Wa Du Shuda Days in New Lisbon. 

Wa Du Shuda Days (Wah Duh Shooda apparently means "rest your canoe here" in some Native American language)! We have never been able to attend our local town fest but this year we were here! I was excited to go, Dave and I like to go "festing" though I know Dave was very conflicted and wanted to be on the boat:) Well, by the time we arrived in New Lisbon, it was raining, so that helped him shift a bit. We braved the rain with some umbrellas (and just plain let it rain on us, felt good!) and walked around Riverside Park. The rain foiled some plans (flea market, rides) but we got some cheese curds (how can you not?) watched the canoe race (I am doing that some year!), Dave chipped some golf balls into the lake, Kate got some balloon art and ran around with her friends. 

My cheese curds in a canoe:) 

At first, she was trying to stay dry...

Later, she did not care:)

Side note: Kate is our social director. She has gone to Leap of Faith preschool/daycare for awhile and then summer school at NL Elementary and knows all the kids and recognizes the parents that pick them up. Dave and I are getting there, knowing more people and actually running into people we know more often, but Kate is always shouting out and naming people everywhere we go!

After we were good and soaked, we headed home and decided to have an easy evening. It had started to really pour and so we thought pizza and movie sounded perfect. I am so lazy. We watched The Lego Movie and picked up some Pizza Hut and listened to the rain. Early bedtimes for tired kiddos and that is an amazing Saturday. 

On Sunday, my plan was to see the parade but we woke up to sunshine and Dave said before he even opened his eyes, "Breakfast on the boat?"  :) Okay, so we got dressed quick and headed out on the water. It clouded up quick and I was only slightly nervous about rain but the sun came out and we enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast outside watching boats on the lake. We then looked at the clock and had to race back to catch the parade! 

I was nervous about finding parking spot and knowing were to go but as Dave often tells me, there is no need to worry! We found a nice spot to park by the bridge and an easy spot to sit and watch the parade. By then, the sun was really out and we were enjoying just laying on the blanket and watching the cars/trucks/motorcycles go by. After a late start (and we were near the end of the route) we finally saw and heard the fire truck leading the way. Kate inherited my gene of not liking loud things (see 4th of July fireworks) so the sirens are always a bit much for us, but Collin loved it:) 

Waiting and waiting for the parade to start...

Here they come!

Collin liked almost everything:)

It was a good parade! We were near the end, so there were plenty of floats/cars that didn't have any candy left. And then there were the ones that had a lot left and we got tons! We didn't bring a bag for the candy, but of course some political person gave us one (brown sandwich sack) and it was completely full at the end. One memorable moment - Kate looks down the road and sees a big truck with some soldiers in uniform on it and walking around it. She shouted, "Look Mom, Americans!" The people near us started laughing and thought she said, "American" in reference to the cool, old restored Ford truck that was in front of it. Oh well. She struggles with what to call some of the military, it might make more sense if I just said they are all Marines, maybe. We have a big air field near us and we see a lot of soldiers and airmen around, but I don't think she grasped the different branches of the military yet:) And honestly, she knows Tony is a Marine but hasn't seen him in uniform besides the wedding and I'm working on explaining what they do without scaring her (was trying to explain the tank that sits outside the Legion Hall) She often says "they save us" or "they protect us" but it's not like we've gone into what they are protecting us from. Oh, and when she sees  4th of July decorations or flags, she always refers to them as "July" things. Like she wants to wear her "July shirt" or look at that "July candy" (tootsie rolls in a flag wrapper). So, we are also working on the American flag and understanding it is not just a decoration at this time of year! (we have one on our house!)

But I digress....after the parade, we just walked down to the park to watch the UW Marching Band (a portion of it) perform. We were able to get seats right in front and first they had Miss Wisconsin come out and say a few words and then the band came out. They were in shorts and t-shirts and played probably a half dozen songs, but they were SO fun. They were dancing around and being silly, playing to the crowd. Kate clapped along and enjoyed it. Collin clapped too, but he was getting blocked by a huge guy taking pictures, grrr. It basically made me want to be young again and play in a band like that. They said that the band played in 6 or 7 places last weekend for the 4th and I'm guessing they do so all summer. In the heat, all over the state....what troopers, they had the best attitude. Of course, they played On Wisconsin and Varsity, which all the UW alum (everyone?) knew and there were moments that I was really wishing it was the UI marching band:) but oh well. I want to keep exposing Kate and Collin to all of this. I hope they play an instrument and would be overjoyed if they were talented and dedicated enough to do what these kids are doing. 

 Check out the bass drum player! Played the whole song that way.

Meeting Miss Wisconsin!

They announced that you could get your picture taken with Miss Wisconsin and I asked Kate if she wanted to. She said no. That is what I figured. Miss W (I don't know her name) was super nice and very put together. I was impressed. Well, after Kate received a flag from one of her 4K teachers we ran into, all of a sudden she wanted to go over where Miss W was. I asked if she wanted to talk to her and told her to say, "Nice to meet you." She was very intent on, "I want to show her my flag!" There was a tv crew and photographer there to speak with her and they moved her right as we came up. Then Gracie (a future classmate of Kate's) snuck in and met Miss W first. Kate was patient and though it looked like Miss W was about done with her day, she was so sweet with Kate (and Gracie). She knelt down and had very long conversations with them. She seemed very genuine and kind. I am definitely rooting for her in the Miss America pageant! 

And lastly, we have quite the raspberry patch growing along our property line and we picked more today, so there is currently another berry cobbler in the oven...we love the fruit but are probably not going to love the change in our waistlines! Oh, there are also a TON of wild grapes growing in among them. I've never done anything with grapes...is there anything we can do? The garden is doing pretty well, we are losing a couple plants, but we will be producing quite a bit of tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, carrots, jalapenos; a little bit of lettuce and parsley, and lots of cilantro! On top of gathering lots of berries, that sounds like enough/plenty to me! At least for our first year attempting it in Wisconsin. 

******you may note, as I did last night, I took lots of pictures of our super fun weekend; however, I appear in exactly zero of the pictures. Argh. *******