Last Hurrah!

We went to Ella's Deli to celebrate RyAnne's (and Dad's) last day of summer before school starts. We had supper and had a LONG ride on the carousel!

Our first baby - a kindergartner (ho-hum!)

Dakota and Bailey - all smiles!

Go Brewers!

We had a BLAST at the Brewers game. As Dakota and Bailey napped in Grandma's air conditioning, we sweated it out in the Miller Park parking lot and grilled out.

However, it was all worth it when the sausage racers came through! Here is RyAnne with the Italian Sausage.

Inside Miller Park. RyAnne loved watching Bernie go down the slide and the fireworks after the Brewers five homeruns. The Brewers won against the Padres 12 to 9.

Of course, we always have to stop at Autograph Alley to see Uncle Ryan's ball.

Fun in the Sun!

Ahhh.......SUMMER! Our family LOVES the water and we have been taking advantage of the warm weather we have been having to get in it as much as possible!

RyAnne has made huge strides in the pool this summer. In this picture Zach's friend (our neighbor's grandchild), Neal, is catching her down the slide - but now she can go down on her own!

And here she is jumping in the pool! We are so proud of her!

Dad taking the family through the sprinkler. This is the only way we could get Dakota to go!

Zach, RyAnne, and Bailey had a blast running through it.

Milwaukee County Zoo-Tuesday, August 4th

Here we are...excited to see all the animals! It was a beautiful day to visit the zoo!

Oh no....not a great start...our 'sensitive' one wasn't too happy to get SO close to the animals. Hey, who can blame him - most of the goats were bigger than him and very aggressive. It didn't help that at first we were the only ones in the petting zoo with our hands full of food!

Phew, after awhile he came around - especially after watching his sisters having fun petting and feeding the goats.

RyAnne's favorite- the elephants!

Dad, look over here. Dad, look over there. Dakota and Bailey were so excited to see all the animals!

The seals were so active! First, we saw them swimming, then they sat and sunned themselves for awhile, and when we were just about to leave the trainers came out and the seals did tricks for food! The kids got a kick out of it!

We had a lot of fun!

Pickin' Time!

Our garden is blooming! We've enjoyed eating our green beans, zucchini, and carrots so far. The tomatoes and watermelon are coming along nicely and will be ready to be picked soon.

RyAnne proudly showing off a zucchini - this one was HUGE!

Chula Vista

Taking a rest after hitting the waves!

Bailey had fun with the sprayers.

RyAnne giggles the entire way down the slides.

Watch out for Dakota...he likes to spray others!

Zachary on the slide.

Picnic in the Park

The kids really enjoy having picnics in the park. We usually eat and then hit the playground...their favorite part!

Here we are enjoying our lunch at Vilas Park after visiting Grandpa Franklin at St. Mary's Hospital.

Ready....Set....Go!!!!.....Dakota and Bailey ready to race down the slide.
RyAnne always enjoys meeting new friends at the parks.

Raspberry Pie

Great Uncle Terry and Aunt Carol came over today to bring us some of Uncle Terry's YUMMY mini raspberry pies! After warming up, Dakota and Bailey were all over them. At least they are not afraid of other people besides Dad, Mom, Zachary, and RyAnne anymore!

RyAnne enjoying her pie!

Aunt Carol reading to Dakota.

Yep. Uncle Terry got stuck with both of them on his lap. He had to read two different books at the same time (they are not into sharing)!

Dad and his Buddy.

Dakota has become a complete Daddy's boy. Mom can't even throw something away for him - Daddy has to do everything. Mom is not complaining!

Dakota and Daddy 'resting' on the couch.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Our first baby is growing too fast! She turned 5 on July 10th and is starting kindergarten in the fall. Just thinking about it brings tears to Mom's eyes! For her birthday Grandpa and Grandma Carter, Grandpa and Grandma Franklin, Great Grandma Huebner, Aunt Jennifer, and Cousin Dana came over. She had a lot of fun and was very sweet.

RyAnne blowing out the candles on her Minnie Mouse cake.

Cake and ice cream - yummy!

Aunt Jennifer, Cousin Dana, Zachary and RyAnne enjoying their supper.

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, BUG! DAD AND MOM ARE SO PROUD YOU ARE OUR DAUGHTER AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH!