What a guy!

At bed time I usually tell Traeger that I'm grateful he is my son and how proud I am of him for having a good day and we talk about the great things that happened that particular day. The other night Traeger's response made my heart happy. I said, "Traeger, I'm grateful you're my son. You had a great day and an awesome attitude all day." Without missing a beat Traeger said, "Well, I'm grateful that you're my mommy and teacher and that you teach me to have a good attitude."

What a guy!

Welcome Home!

We were welcomed home from our vacation by the Patrick family. They had been camping near by and the rain wasn't letting up so they decided to pack up camp and "break in" at the Hatfield house for cover. It was a great unexpected quick visit.

The boys playing "Guess Who" while I unpacked.

Sunday morning cuddle time with cousin G.

The boys settled in watching morning cartoons.

Making cool pictures.

Annabelle's 3rd birthday party

We are not always available to make it to the Hatfield kid's birthday parties but it worked out great this time to be around for Annabelle's 3rd birthday party.

Everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to Miss Annabelle.

We are thinking Ataly might be showing a left handed dominance. It might still be early to tell but maybe?!

Madison and Ataly chowing down on their cake.

Presents are the best part :O)!

Hatfield family vacation-Tuesday

Tuesday morning we headed south to Mom and Dad Hatfield's for a week of fun with family.

Our first stop was at Auntie Casey's new house. Congratulations Casey, we love your new home!

We arrived at Nana and Grandpa Tim's around 5:30 and were ready for the fun to begin.

Traeger hanging out with his buddy Jack.

We arrived, chatted a little, unpacked and got the kids situated. Then John, Nicole, Luke and I were off for a night on the town, just the 4 of us minus the kiddos. Grandpa and Nana were so great and braved all 5 kids (under the age of 3) and allowed us to enjoy our evening out AND we were instructed not to come home until the morning. How great is that! What a great way to serve parents of little ones!

We ate supper at Panera Bread (which is always a special treat for us since we don't have one by us and it's super delicious) Then we stopped by Luke and John's alma mater, Concordia University to check out the new bluff.

Here we are close to where Luke proposed to me. The gazebo isn't there anymore but it was still fun to go back and check it out.

Circle B bowling alley was our next stop for some fun on the lanes. I somehow managed to pull my quad muscle after my first ball but I managed to nurse it through two games.

Circle B is near where Luke and I lived when we were first married and where I had my first job as an interpreter. While we were bowling some high school kids came in and I was checking them out wondering if I would recognize any of them. I figured it has been 6 years since I was there (and they were in 3rd grade and now they're in high school-yikes),what are the chances-right?! I did recognized one of the girls and went over to see if she remembered me as Abby's interpreter. She didn't but then a few other kids that were there did. And I recognized a few of them once I got closer.

Hatfield family vacation-Wednesday

Our first full day at Nana and Grandpa Tim's was a blast. We headed over to Random Lake for some water time. It was super hot and humid so this was refreshing to play in the water.

Daddy and Traeger racing into the water.

Ataly was a little hesitant at first. After a short time she decided it was just a giant bath tub and
couldn't get enough of the water and went under several times. She had no fear.

Sunshine, fun at the beach, family time...it all makes this momma happy.

Building memories with Grandma Nana and Grandpa Tim.

After lunch and naps the ladies were off to scrapbook for the evening (5-midnight) with a few other ladies at the community library. It was a great chunk of time to really get at my Christmas book and I'm proud to say I'm up to date with that book. I still need to start Ataly's baby book and Traeger and Ataly's birthday books but that will just have to wait for another day :O)

Laura stepped out for a few minutes to make a phone call and came back with police officers in tow. She went out one of the library doors and set off the burglar alarm. Oops! It made for some fun laughs and stories to tell :O)

Me, Nicole, Laura and MaryAnne ready to head home after a great night with many laughs, lots of fun and scrapbooking.

Hatfield family vacation-Thursday

Thursday got started by the men waking up to practice up their golf game before the big scramble. Nana made chocolate chip pancakes with the big kids for breakfast.

Each kid "patiently" waiting their turn to stir.

Around 2:00, Auntie Casey, Ariel and Autum (Luke's cousins) came over to watch the kids so the adults could have some fun out and about.

Our first stop was John and Nicole's house to pick up a few things. While we were waiting for the movie to get started, we got started in a game of bocce ball.

Checking it out to see who scored the big points. John and Nicole came out victorious. Then it was off to see Night at the Museum 2 and then dinner time.

BD Mongolian BBQ is always a favorite.

(Tim is not too sure what to think of it all--jk)

Our second encounter with the police (see Hatfield family vacation-Wednesday) John and Nicole's van broke down on our way home so the police was just checking to make sure all was ok.

Auntie Casey came to watch the kids for us and then hung around after and chatted. So good to get in some time with Casey too.

Hatfield family vacation-Friday

Friday got started with the ladies driving to Sheboygan for a little pampering. Nails World provided a relaxing place for our pedicures and Laura treated.

Who doesn't love a little pampering once in a while?

I loved it and even tried a new color that had a touch of red to it.

We headed to Hobby Lobby to check out their scrapbooking papers and stickers. We weren't disappointed. The stickers AND paper was 50 % off...you gotta love a good deal.

The pampering didn't last all day as the men headed off for a golf scramble from 12-9 so it was our turn to care for the kiddos.

Traeger reading to his buddy Jack.

After naps we rounded the troops up, packed a picnic lunch and headed to the park.

Ready, set, slide!

Bath time is always a big hit with Traeger and Ataly.

"This little piggy goes to the market..."

"...and this little piggy goes wee, wee, wee all the way home!"

Nana reading stories to calm the troops before it was off to bed.

When the guys got home from their golf scramble it was GAME TIME.

Daddy's Home!

It was so great to welcome Daddy back home Sunday night. Thank you to those of you who prayed for the mission team and their adventure south and for me and the kiddos at home. God was gracious and loving and answered prayers. The mission team had safe travel and a fruitful time serving and loving on the people in AL. The kids and I did well. It was helpful to have babysitters come in to relieve me each day so I could exercise, go to an appointment, play softball, have a little time alone to scrapbook or hang out with a friend. The kids slept well and didn't wake up before 8:00 each day and took solid naps which made for happy attitudes all around. There were different times throughout the week that Traeger would anticipate seeing Luke at certain destinations we would normally see him at but quickly accepted that we weren't going to be seeing Daddy. We serve an awesome and mighty God. We made it through the nine days and are so thankful Daddy made it back safely too!

We love our Daddy!

We pulled out our "We love Daddy" shirts and wore them to church on Father's Day.

I thought you would enjoy the play by play of trying to get them to say, "Yeah for Daddy!"

Whoohoo, we get to sit up on the table.

Hey Ataly, look at me and put your arms up in the air.

Is this how it works?

You're a funny brother, Traeger.

T for Traeger...

Traeger is really into drawing the letter T with sidewalk chalk.

He has one letter down and only 6 more to go :O)

"I'll protect you mommy!"

One of the activities we did to pass time while Daddy was gone on his missions trip was go on a special date together. We went to my chiropractor appt., checked out a garage sale and then ate at Subway for supper. On our way to my appt. Traeger said, "Mommy I will protect you from the doctor." I'm not exactly sure what he thought the doctor was going to do but he was sure he was going to be there to keep me safe.

Yeah for mail!

Thanks to Nana and Grandpa Tim and Nanny and Buddy for sending pkgs. to the kids while their daddy was gone. Getting mail on two different days was a huge hit! What a great idea!

Just putting the puzzle together would be way too boring in a boys world. Jumping over it is a neccessary part of the process. Gotta love the way boys work.

and then there's Ataly, just sitting playing with her stickers from Nanny and Buddy and checking out the puzzle.

Play time with friends

A play date with the boys was lots of fun.

Playing house

Owen showing Traeger all the tricks of the trade.

Maybe they will be golfing partners like their daddy's when they get older.

Clean up in aisle 1...

Ataly is a great "helper" in both making messes and cleaning them up.

Ataly spilled some of her milk, so she walked over to the washcloth drawer, got out a washcloth and went back to where she spilled and started...

to clean up the mess all without prompting from me.

Bananaboo -burp clothes

For those of you out there who aren't crafty yourself (like me) but love the look of adorably made burp clothes using cute ribbons or fabrics, check out this website www.bananaboodesigns.com

(take a sneak peak at their special offer section too :O))

Grandpa Bruce, Nonnie and Great-Grandma Jo visit!

Grandpa Bruce, Nonnie and Great-Grandma Jo came to visit over the weekend.

Traeger and Nonnie making beautiful pictures.

Taking a little rest while Nonnie went in to grab a cup of coffee.

Our after supper special treat. We walked to Hardees for some ice cream.

Traeger is eyeing up Grandpa Bruce's cone and thinks he got the short end of the deal.

Nonnie joining the fun!

watching a show with Grandpa Bruce, while we wait for Sunday lunch.

Great-Grandma Jo reading stories to the kiddos!

Thanks guys for coming and loving on us. You're the best!