About that time!

It's hard to believe it's about that time already to be thinking about potty training. Right now we are putting Traeger on the big potty when HE asks for it. Soon enough the fun will begin where we are putting him on the potty every 30 minutes, wearing big boy underwear and cleaning up more messes than we would like to count.

Lately Traeger has been saying, "ouch" when he has to go #2. So today we asked him if he wanted to try going on his special seat. So we pulled out the seat that goes on the toilet and he was so excited to try it out.

He was maybe sitting on the seat for a minute and then asked for a book.

He read, we chatted and were his cheerleaders and all that time we had the water running in the background to encourage #1. We were also encouraging him to go #2 and before we knew it there was success! Not too bad for his first time on potty with his big boy seat!

Yeah for Traeger!

Swinging!

Last year for Traeger's 1st birthday Nana and Grandpa got him this swing. We thought it was a great idea last year but Traeger wasn't a big fan. This year however is a different story. We tried it out again for the first time tonight and as you can see Traeger loved it!

a side note about Traeger's shirt. The Beutel/Skutka family got Traeger the basketball shirt. I guess Traeger's now at the age where he is aware of the clothes we dress him in because since he got the shirt on Saturday he has asked to wear it everyday and for jammies too. I'm not sure if he likes it so much because it's so comfortable or because it has a ball on it? I'm going to have to say it's because of the ball factor. Many times throughout the day he'll say, "Traeger's shirt basketball"

Day off!

Thursdays are Luke's day off...

so that meant he was off to play golf with Brian and Traeger (second time out this season)!

Ataly and I were off to Wausau for my 6 week check-up. We were also able to take some time to go shopping! It was Ataly and Mommy's first shopping trip together. We hit Old Navy, Kohls and Nice As New. The beauty of it all was that we had some gift cards to spend at Old Navy and Kohls and we didn't even spend all the $ so we'll get to go back again soon :O) Thanks to Nanny and Buddy and the Billingsley family for sending us those gift cards.

Out and about!

We are loving the opportunities we have been given to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather! Thank you God for the sun and warmer weather!!!

Note the jacket Traeger is wearing...that was Luke's when he was Traeger's age. Laura had found it when she was rummaging through her things. How cool is that! It's in amazing condition too considering it is over 25 years old.

Back to reality!

We were greeted at home after our trip to Dallas by our dear Nana. She got to our house Friday around 10 and we got home around 1. She woke up to give us hugs and then was back to bed. Nana was kind enough to wake up with Traeger so we could catch a few extra ZZZ. It was back to reality for Luke on Saturday as the Mission Team had a Brat Fry Fundraiser at the local grocery store.

Luke and Traeger selling some good ol' WI brats

(I know you can't see Traeger but he got in on the action)

Nana treated us to our first brat (we actually got hamburgers) of the season. It was so cold outside that we went into the deli area in the grocery store to eat our burger and chips. Traeger getting a ride from Nana after we ate.

Luke and some of the kids going on the Mission Trip.

building memories with Nana

It warms my heart whenever Traeger loves on his sister. She thinks it's pretty special too :O)

Friday!

Friday had quickly arrived and it was time to say our good-byes! We had a wonderful time hanging out with Mar'Sue and Elena, the neighborhood kids and our other 'old' friends from TX. What a blessing it was to get away from cold WI air and be refreshed by the warm TX sun. We're thankful for the opportunity we had to travel south for the week! And of course the fun had to come to an end all too quickly!

Elena and Traeger watching cartoons together Friday morning.

Elena enjoying every last minute of cuddle time she got with Ataly.

Traeger passing the time in the airport!

The travels home didn't quite go as smoothly or quickly as the way to TX. And it wasn't because the kids didn't do well. It was because we started our adventure to WI at 11:15 and didn't walk in our door at home until 1:00 am. We arrived to DFW airport about 2 hours early (1st mistake) only to find out our flight was delayed. So after waiting a total of about 4 hours at DFW we were on our way to MN. Even with the long delay at DFW we still made it into MN with enough time to catch our flight to Wausau. But of course when we got off the plane and were making our way to the next gate we learned that our 7:40 flight to Wausau was...you guessed it-delayed! So we waited some more and didn't board our plane to Wausau until around 9:00 pm. We were finally on our way-or so we thought. After everyone had boarded the plane, we had to wait for an hour and a a half on the tarmac before the plane finally was in the air and on its way to Wausau. We arrived in Wausau at 11:30 pm only to find our bags didn't make it on our plane. Thankfully, there was another plane just 5 minutes behind us that had all of our luggage on it. So needless to say it was an exhausting day for all of us and I think the kids had better attitudes along the way than we did at times. Traeger and Ataly slept on the flight from TX to MN and then again on the flight from MN to Wausau. In the end we we praising God for answering our prayers for safe travels and for the kids to do well!

Thursday!

Thursday was our day to tie up any loose ends for Mar'Sue and say our good-byes!

For lunch we met Elena at school and enjoyed the 'yummy' cafeteria food!

The Thompson family came over to swim, have supper and hang out for one last time. The neighborhood kids came over for part of the evening as well! Here some of the kiddos are eating together.

Of course we had to fit in one last dip in the pool.

Elena loves the adventure Luke brings to the scene.

Here Luke is throwing her from the hot tub into the pool!

Traeger winding down for the evening with Katelyn.

The boys came over to hang out with Luke one last time!

Wednesday

Before we dropped Elena off to school, we made a stop to the nearby donut store. This was another special place we would occasionally frequent when we lived here. Wanting to keep those memories fresh in Elena's mind. Another favorite memory of hers is going on Nature walks with us. This morning (Th. am) she asked why we haven't been able to go on any Nature walks. First of all I was so pleased she hadn't forgotten those special times we shared. Secondly, I had to remind her that she didn't go to school all day while we were here, didn't have any homework and went to bed a lot later than she is these days. Oh how times change so quickly. But it's fun to be remembering old times and at the same time we're creating new memories!

Bathing beauty.

Mar'Sue bought Ataly this adorable swimsuit and sunglasses!

Elena and I got to sneak away for a little one on one time after I picked her up from school. We headed off to "Classy Nails" for a pedicure. It was so much fun to spend time chilling and giggling with Elena again. We got an hour of special treatment including a foot soak, nail and foot care and then we moved to these recliners for the remainder of the treatment including hot stone massage and then the final touch, the polish!

The final product!

Trager thinks it pretty fun to tickle Elena and she does a good job playing along.
I have gotten much enjoyment out of hearing Elena and Traeger playing and giggling together!

Traeger got to jump on the trampoline again to burn off some energy just before bedtime (hence the jammies for the picture) .

Reading bedtime stories as a family!

This says it all! It has been a fun but exhausting week and this was the day I hit the wall.

I was pooped after all the anticipation of coming and then chasing 3 kids around (technically more because the neighborhood kids have been here all week too), running errands and taking care of other stuff around the house for Mar'Sue. I crashed with Ataly before her 11:00 feeding and then called it a night after her feeding was over.

Tuesday

A little morning swim before we got showers and were off for the day!

In between running errands and doing things around the house for Mar'Sue, we stopped by Potbellys for some delicious subs. The best part about it all was that we got to eat outside!

After we picked up Elena from school and she finished her homework and Luke and the Lange boys finished playing some games, we headed off to our local CiCi's Pizza. This was a favorite place we used to load up all the neighborhood kids and go to. The Lange boys were the only ones missing out on our tradition! Maybe next time boys :O)

Mar'Sue getting some cuddle time in with Miss. Ataly when she got home from work.

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!