Ataly's festive outfits!

Ataly wasn't at a loss for what to wear for all the 4th of July festivies. Auntie Cori bought her an outfit, then I found one, then Nonnie calls me to tell me she found a cute outfit for Ataly for the 4th. Well, what can I say, this is one loved and well dressed chica. The beauty of it all is that combined we didn't spend more than $6.00 for all 3 dresses because they were all bought at either garage sales or Goodwill.

Here is the dress I bought Ataly. I also made her the bow to match with her outfits! Thanks to Cori's boys, Traeger wasn't at a loss for festive red, white and blue shirts either.

The outfit Cori bought her.

And Auntie Cori couldn't resist buying Ataly this matching bracelet at the craft show.

The outfit Nonnie bought for Miss Ataly.

5th of July!

On Saturday before we headed back home, we went swimming at the Oshkosh public swimming pool. We had a blast keeping cool in the lazy river, tubing down the slides and splashing in the pool.

The P boys and Traeger before they went swimming!

Nonnie set up Ataly with a sweet little play area where she stayed cool and out of the sun. Maybe next year she will join in on all the fun action.

Calling it a day after swimming for a few hours!

4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

We were in Omro for the 4th festivities and enjoyed what Luke calls the longest parade in history. He timed it this year and I think it was at an hour exactly. (Maybe there is a little exaggeration going on in Luke's mind :O)) We were in a different spot than in years past but it proved to be a good one. It was shaded and we weren't sweating bullets through the whole parade. It made for a much happier husband and kiddos! Mom and Dad's VBS float won the Mayor's Choice award. The P boys rode on with Nonnie and Grandpa. Maybe next year Traeger will get to ride.

Traeger really got into watching the parade this year!

Ataly slept through half of the parade and then she woke up and shared Daddy's lap with Traeger.

The P, Bohn, and Hatfield families!

The boys having a little snack after the parade and before we were off to the craft show and lunch.

Enjoying family time and building memories together!

B, Traeger, and G walking together to the park after the parade.

After the fesitives were over in Omro, we headed to the Davis' house for Uncle Larry's 56th birthday party. Here Luke is praying for Uncle Larry.

Auntie Jean and Uncle Larry have a lot of fun things to do.

Here the P boys, Cori and Traeger are playing air hockey!

Then it was outside for some go-kart action. Cori and I took it for a spin around the block!

The P family racing their rides!
What fun would go-kart/skooter riding be without a little innocent racing action.

Nonnie and Ataly were content to stay inside and chat with everyone.

Traeger, Luke, me, Ataly and my cousin Jay!

July 3rd!

On the road again, headed to Omro, for the annual 4th of July festivities!

The boys catching a few zzzz on the road!

We were invited over to Cori's friend's house for their annual 3rd of July party. We enjoyed a delicious spread of food, then desserts and good fellowship!

Then we were off to the Fisk fireworks. I remember going to the Fisk fireworks as a kid but haven't been to them in about 10 years. It was a blast from the past. This time however we didn't do it like the good old days and pop popcorn and sit in the car to watch them. We got down right where all the action was happening, set up camp and enjoyed the evening until the firework show got started. Here Luke is playing football with the older kids that came with the group. Nonnie and Grandpa stayed home and watched Traeger and Ataly for us!

Casey and her family were in Fisk as well enjoying the evening. We met up and chatted for a little while before the firework show got started! It was a really short visit but sweet!

Luke and I relaxing taking in the beauty and power in fireworks.

Are you two twins :O)?!

For those of you who know us you may not see that, but you wouldn't believe the number of people who ask us that question when we're together! We tell them we're not twins and then Cori asks, who do you think the older one is? They typically get it right. You would think Cori would stop asking the question, unless she likes being told she's old :O) haha!

Soccer game!

Tonight Traeger, Ataly and I walked to see E. W. play soccer while Daddy had youth group. The younger two W boys enjoyed holding Ataly. Should I be concerned that the two boys call Ataly their girlfriend?! Korby enjoyed a little girl time :O) Brian W, the head pastor at our church, coaches E's team. After half time, Traeger spotted Brian and walked over to him and was mimicing him as he was coaching. It was really cute. We so appreciate the W family and being able to do life alongside them.

Taco Tuesday!

Last night we had our small group over for tacos. Nothing special but it was so good to get together and catch up.

Traeger and Truman hanging out with their daddies!

The older boys chowing down!

My dear friends who share the joys and challenges of motherhood!

I'm glad we have each other!

Julie and Hudson, Jenn and Finley, me and Ataly, Tawnya and Truman

Tawnya loving on Ataly!

Another first!

Ataly has started not only reaching out for her carseat "friends", now she also is grabbing them, intently looking at them and will pull them to her mouth and give them "kisses."

A blessing!

A girl from our church, Katie, is a sweetheart! She has been bugging me since before she got out of school that over the summer she wanted to come over and play with the kids. I wasn't going to argue with her. This week Tuesday she came over and played with the kids while I was able to get out, go exercising, shopping, and have a quiet, uninterruped and hot lunch in a park. It was glorious! I told Katie someday when she has kids she will understand why I am so appreciative of her kindness and generosity to let me get out of the house for a few hours while she loves on, who she calls, her brother Traeger and sister Ataly! I'm looking forward to next week Tuesday already :O)!

Softball/Hardees/Settlers

On Sunday evenings, Luke and I play softball with the First Baptist's Youth team. It's tradition that after the games we go grab a bite to eat at Hardees. This week after the game and our stop at Hardees for supper, some of the kids came over to play Settlers. We won the softball game and I beat the boys at Settlers!

One of the Wernberg boys playing in the balls with Traeger at Hardees! Last week they even jumped on the little merry-go-round with him.

Brittany braving Ataly after she ate. She wasn't afraid of puke, which is good because Ataly likes to share her food with others after she eats :O)

Traeger was showing off his ABC skills to the boys. It was pretty cute to see 4 high school boys surrounding Traeger and cheering him on as he finished his ABC puzzle.

A meeting that made my day!

On Sunday, I walk into church like any other Sunday. Well, I was actually on a mission to find someone to help in the nursery since there were a ton of kids and one of the volunteers didn't show up, but I digress. So from the back doors in the church I was scanning the crowd to find someone to go upstairs and someone in the back row, who I didn't recognize, waves at me. Now this isn't that strange for someone to wave at me and for me to not know them. Since I am a Pastor's wife, some people know me but I don't always know them. I kindly waved back and was thinking to myself, was she waving at me?, and I don't have a clue who you are but hello :O) . I then glanced at her husband and it clicked, THAT'S KELSEY! I quickly ran up to her and gave her a hug and we agreed to catch up after the service. The reason this was so crazy and special was because this was a friend I went to college with and it's been about 5 years since we've been in contact. After college she got married and moved out to Colorado and then from there moved to Chippewau Falls. I lost contact with her sometime after she moved to CO. We now live just over an hour away from each other and agreed to meet up again soon. Kelsey and her family were in town and at our church for her nephew's dedication! Her husband's sister and family attend our church. How random and awesome and special is that! It sure is a small world.

Me and Kelsey!

Bows!

I'm not sure if I've confessed this before or not... before having a daughter, Luke and I weren't a big fan of the headbands for babies. But since having Ataly, we have warmed up to the idea. Not sure if it's because she has a full head of hair and so it looks like it fits or what?! Well anyway, I like the classy looking bows I used to see a lot of girls in TX wearing. I have attemped to make a few for Ataly. I bought headbands at Kohls and had the ribbon laying around. I made this one to match her outfit for church (brown headband with off white ribbon) and have made another to match her outfits for the 4th of July! It is so much fun playing dress up with a girl!

Happy girl!

Tummy time/photoshoot time :O)
p.s. I didn't set it up for her to flick you off.

Adventures at Nana and Grandpa's house

Since we were in the area to visit the Truwes, we made a swing over to see Grandpa Tim and Nana Monday night-Wednesday afternoon. It just so happened that John and Nicole were putting hard wood floors in their house and were staying at Nana and Grandpa's house too while their floors were drying. So it was a party at Mom and Dad Hatfield's house.

Tuesday morning the guys went out to breakfast, then John headed off to work, while Luke and Tim went golfing. When the guys got back from golfing, we walked down to the park with Traeger and Annabelle. Nana stayed home while Madison and Ataly were sleeping.

Traeger wasn't that into a swing, he just wanted to climb.

Tim and Annabelle---Luke and Traeger

Heading home from the park.

Annabelle and Traeger raiding Nana and Grandpa Tim's cupboards. Those sneaky little kids :O)

Ataly sitting on Jackson :O) and cuddling with Auntie Nicole

Ride 'em cowboy!

Annabelle and Traeger 'helping' Nana make a strawberry pie.

I guess they had more fun eating the strawberries than putting them in the pie.

Sweet hugs!

Since we don't have a bath tub at our house, Traeger loves taking a bath at Nana and Grandpa's house.

Ataly thought Uncle John was pretty fun!

Traeger and Annabelle making sure that Grandpa Tim and Nana's motorcycle helmets will work ok on their 3 week long motorcycle trip.

Enjoying a bon fire all covered up, protecting oureselves from the pesky mosquitos .

The a/c was out in our van so we all crammed into the Saturn for our road trip south!

Here we are headed home after a fun and special last minute road trip.