Monday!

Monday morning I got Elena off to school and headed home to pick up Luke and the kids and then we were off to our dear friend's house. We had a great time hanging out with the Thompsons! Thanks for taking the time to fit us into your busy schedules!

Calli did a great job hanging onto Ataly!

Calli, Traeger and Hudson playing together!

While Elena was in school and Traeger was taking a nap, Luke and I got some quiet time out by the pool!

Traeger is having a blast with Elena's guitar and microphone. Elena isn't too sure she likes sharing her things with Traeger yet.

Hanging out in Elena's room when she got home from school!

Luke helping Elena with her homework!

Squeezing in a little more pool time before it was bedtime!

Sunday fun!

The church we used to attend is building a new church, therefore, the new owners of the church have their services in the morning and RBF (soon to be Woodcreek) has their services in the evenings until the new facility is finished. So we had Sunday morning to just hang out together.

I love the mornings when we get to hang out in our jammies!

Our beautiful girls :O)

Of course Mar'Sue bought Ataly her first pair of sunglasses and Traeger had to try them on for size!

Our goal for Sunday morning was to hang out and go swimming. A few of the neighborhood kids came over and we went swimming together! After our time in the pool was over, the boys got in a few rounds of poker with Luke.

Mar'Sue and Elena have 2 dogs and 1 cat. Traeger has been lovin' on the animals. If we don't know where he has gone, we just find one of the animals and he's usually there. Here he's giving Nicki kisses!

.

Elena took a family photo for us! Maybe one of these days we'll get one where we are all smiling. Wishful thinking, I know :O)!

Back "Home"

It was so good to be back in TX. We arrived at DFW around 6 and were home by 7:30. We were greeted by the whole neighborhood who were so excited to see us and the kids. The whole neighborhood came over for supper and to hang out, just like old times! It was a special time to know that even as time passes, the bonds remain. It was a very long day of travel, hanging out with the neighborhood families and unpacking our bags but well worth it! Traeger finally called it a day around 10:15 pm. We also got to put Elena to bed that night around 11. We prayed and Luke sang her to sleep.

Elena, Ataly, Katelyn, Hannah

Elena does such a good job with Ataly. She's a good helper!

Good to be back together!

On the road again!

After preparing for our adventure south for a few days we were finally off and ready. We flew out of Wausau Saturday morning around noon. We flew to MN and then down to Dallas by 6. We all made it through the travel day with no major break downs and to my surprise with much enjoyment.

Daddy and Ataly stretching out their legs before getting into tight quarters again.

Mommy and Traeger worked on a few puzzles to pass the time.

Traeger did an amazing job on both flights down. The first flight he sat on Luke's lap because the plane was full . Neither one of the kids made a peep on the flight to MN. Thankfully it was only an hour flight and of course Traeger fell asleep as we were taxing into the terminal in MN. On our flight to Dallas Luke and Traeger sat together and I had Ataly, at least that's how we started. The plane wasn't packed so we were able to have a seat for ourselves and then the seat next to us to put the kids. The 2 seats to our left opened up too so we had about 6 seats for Traeger to move around in. God answered our prayers for the kids to be good and quiet and for us to have patience. And I was so worried about it.

Ataly hanging out with Daddy on the plane.

and he's out! Traeger needed to be buckled in the last 20 minutes as we were descending and so he finally settled in enough to go to sleep. He was a champ the whole day.

Stats!

Ataly is 5 weeks old (6 weeks tomorrow) and had her 1 month check-up on Thursday! She is

23 1/2 inches long (98%) Her head size is 40 cm (94%) and she weighs in at 11 lbs 12 oz (95%). We have enjoyed her sweet smiles. She is just starting to coo and make gurgling sounds. We are so thankful for our healthy baby girl!

Simple moment to cherish!

New friend!

Traeger and Ataly's new friend, Finley Jo Arndt, arrived today. Happy Birthday Finley!

Tights and ruffles!

Ataly's first time wearing tights. And yes they even had the ruffles on the butt. This really isn't that big of a deal but I guess for me it was. Whenever I thought about having a little girl I always looked forward to dressing her in cute dresses and tights. Doesn't every little girl need a pair of tights with ruffles on the butt?!

Seniors Night!

On Sunday evening Luke had "Seniors Night" at the Youth Center. It was special event for the Seniors and their parents. The parents wrote a letter of blessing to their Senior. One at a time each family went up and the parents read the letter to their Senior. It was a really emotional and encouraging time. This is an incredible group of Seniors and we'll be sad to see them go.

The Seniors

Luke didn't want to miss out on the photo opt.

Fun times!

Pictured above: Sierra O., Simon H., Hudson H., Ataly and Traeger

We got together with a few couples and their kiddos from our small group on Saturday. It was a great way to spend our Saturday afternoon/evening. We're so grateful for these dear couples we've been blessed to call friends and be on this journey together.

Ataly's first road trip!

Last week Wednesday was Ataly's first road trip (2 1/2 hours to Oshkosh). Traeger, Ataly and I visited with the Patrick family and Nonnie and Grandpa. Traeger and Ataly were both were champs on the way down. The way home we made it about half way and needed to make a quick stop to find Ataly's pacifier and then it was smooth sailing the rest of the way.

G and B adoring their new baby cousin.

Ataly got some special cuddle time with her Nonnie. A special thanks to Nonnie for watching Traeger while Cori and I got out for a little bonding time without the kids. We decided it had been over 3 years since we got out, just the two of us. Hopefully we won't let that much time pass again.

Ataly's first sleepover at Nonnie and Grandpa's house.

Ataly meeting Uncle Adam for the first time.




Auntie Cori reading the boys a story.

Ataly is 1 month old

Traeger and Ataly at one month old. It's always fun to see the similarities and differences between the siblings.

Traeger's buddy

Traeger's buddy, Simon, came over today to play this morning.

Cori made the cut!

There is a movie being filmed in Oshkosh starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Cori made the cut to be an extra in the film, "Public Enemies". These are pictures from her casting call. Today was the big day when she hit the streets of Oshkosh as an extra for the film and also hoping to get an up close look at Johnny. Much of her experience today has to be confidental so I won't be able to share much more than this but thought y'all would enjoy celebrating with Cori in this once in a lifetime experience!

When Public Enemies comes out in theatres you'll have to go see if you can spy Cori!

Curious Traeger

Traeger was being a little too quiet in our room so I went to check on him and this is what I found. Ok I have to admit I ran and got the camera for this shot when I should have been scolding him. But don't worry, I did tell him that it wasn't ok to climb in the pack in play and onto the changing table because it wasn't safe, etc. His curiosity just gets the best of him sometimes. No Ataly was not in there. For obvious reasons we keep her close in sight.

All bundled up!

Ataly all bundled up out in the three seasons room while I walked on the treadmill. We're looking forward to the warmer weather coming!

Ataly

Playing peek-a-boo with Mommy

Just chillin'

I just love the sweet, innocent smiles of a newborn.

She was done playing along.

My boys shaving

Luke was getting ready for a funeral on Saturday morning and in the process had to shave. Traeger was quite interested in what Daddy was doing, so Luke showed him how it was done.

Traeger trying it out for himself.

Saturday morning

Traeger often asks us to put Ataly on the bed in the office/guest room so he can be close to her. He enjoys reading to her while they lay next to each other. Of course, this makes my heart melt with joy :O)!! I really love seeing them together and feel so blessed that they're our kids.