I know, I know

Okay I know that I have been a bad blogger and have been slacking, but I think that I can be forgiven given the circumstances of moving half way across the country.

So where should we start- Chad accepted a call to Martin Luther High School is Greendale Wisconsin. It happens to be my alma mater and I even have a couple of cousins still there. He will be teaching Theology, coaching basketball, and also is the head baseball coach. He is pretty excited that he gets his own classroom again.

So 5 days after accepting the call we packed up and headed to Iowa for Nolan's baptism. We arrived on the 3rd and got to hang with the Pownell's for an evening by ourselves before everyone arrived on the 4th. We were in Iowa for the weekend and then it was back to Wisconsin for a week. We celebrated Chad's parent's 35th Wedding Anniversary, Emma's 2nd birthday, and Chad's 29th birthday. We managed to get a few Brewers' games in. Chad went to three and I went to two. We took Maddie to Monday's game- she had a blast. She actually sat for 7 innings and watched the game. I managed to spend a little time in Chicago. I took the train down there and picked up Anne from Midway. We rode the train home and had a great time. I surprised Chad with the Grepke family joining us for Chad's birthday tailgate.

We headed home on the 14th and then all the packing began. We had about a week of packing and then the movers came on the 24th, packed up and on the 25th they loaded the truck. We headed to Dallas on the morning of the 26th to hang with the Wilde family. Sunday morning we took off for Saint Louis. We spent two nights at the Kiessling Hotel. We got to the zoo on Monday (with cousins Ben and Luke too) and also the arch. Then headed to Milwaukee on Tuesday. We morning. We relaxed for the evening and the Wednesday it was unloading the truck. We spent most of Wednesday in Germantown rearranging boxes and furniture. Thursday was unpacking at the Heff house and today we are waiting for the Pownell's to get here to spend some time with them.

We are happy to be back in Wisconsin. We will miss Texas and all our "family" there. I did make the promise that if the football team gets to the state championship we would be there. The next couple of weeks will be adjusting to everything new. Chad starts meetings on the 15th, school starts on the 25th. Maddie starts school on the 3rd and we are hoping to get Emma into some swim lessons this fall also.

Slide show above is from our first trip to Wisconsin.

Coming Soon to Wisconsin

We are in Saint Louis and will be on our way to Wisconsin tomorrow. I have lots to blog about and will in the next few days. My pictures from our "vacation" to Iowa and Wisconsin were left on grandma Heff's computer and so I'll be putting those up soon also. We can't wait to see everyone. Our truck is coming on Wednesday and then it will be time to get settled.

Water

Water seems to be the fun of choice for us lately. The last couple of weeks we have been out and about a bit. Last Thursday we headed to Chad's baseball game. It is the prep team aka JV- they are all played at the same place and there is a playground there, so we decided to go. The girls had fun even though Maddie asked about 10 times where Hannah is (I guess she thinks baseball games equals Hannah to play with). We only went away with one casualty. Emma fell going down the steps, luckily her hands hit first and she just ended up with a scraped nose. After the game we headed over to Odinga's. We ordered pizza and played some Euchre. In case grandma Bickel is wondering Steve and I won. The girls were enjoying playing with the dogs and didn't even make it out of the subdivision before they were sleeping.

Friday we hung out at home, did some laundry and the like. Around lunch time we headed down to the Schneider's house. They live down by Lutheran South, which is down by NASA. We hung out for awhile and then headed out to the lake to go out on their boat. Emma wasn't so sure about the boat while it was moving, but when we anchored and just hung out she was a much happier camper. Maddie was ready to jump in right away, Emma hesitated but then didn't want to come back into the boat. I decided that I was best served staying on the boat. On the way back to the dock Maddie got to drive the boat. She still isn't so sure about how to do it, but she thought it was pretty cool. We ate some dinner with them and then it was time to head home.

The rest of the weekend was a pretty normal one around here. Sunday we set up the little pool with our swing set slide in it. Maddie was having a blast. It was a little too fast for Emma so we would have to put her only about half way up otherwise she would go down too fast. They played for quite awhile out there and were just laughing the whole time.

This week is VBS. I think that Maddie is enjoying herself. She is all geared up to go every morning. Monday Emma and I dropped her off. Her teachers are kids from Concordia- so that helps. When we left on Monday it was Emma who cried because we left Maddie behind. Tuesday and Wednesday there were some tears. Today she didn't cry, but needed to make sure that dad went with her to crafts and then she was fine.

It is raining pretty good right now, so I don't think we are going to get outside this afternoon. We will have to see what we can do otherwise.

Nothing too pressing this weekend. I'm sure I will be getting ready for us to leave next Wednesday- we are looking forward to our trip.

A New Cousin

We want to welcome Nolan Michael Pownell- he made an appearance at 12:18 this morning. Weighing in at 6lbs. 9oz and 20 inches long.

Jana and Mike are doing well and so is baby Nolan as he is known in our house.



Other Texas News: Trinity dedicated it's new sanctuary this past weekend. It was a very beautiful service with wonderful music. President Kieschnick was there from Saint Louis. Lyle Lovett who is member at our church- sang three hymns.



We also have a dog for the next 10 days. Wilke's are on vacation and asked us to watch Sam the dog. She has been here since yesterday- she loves when the girls drop food, but doesn't always love them in her face all the time. Maddie thought it was so cool this morning when she woke up and Sam was sleeping with her. We are hoping Sam helps us out by keeping the cats out of our yard.

We are starting to get ready for our trip. We are looking forward to spending a few days in Iowa meeting Nolan. Grandma and grandpa Bickel will be at Chad's parents house while we are in Milwaukee, so it will be great to get to visit with them. I am hoping to maybe catch the last day of Summerfest, I know we will get to at least one Brewers's game, and we will be celebrating Emma's birthday.

I had found the girls some roller skates at a garage sale and we had been waiting to use them until we got helmets and pads. Well we got Maddie her helmet and pads (we figure Emma has enough trouble just walking- skates probably aren't a good idea) and she had her first turn on skates the other day. She did pretty well, but did fall on her butt a couple of times.



We just made a date to the drive-in tonight for Maddie and Isaac- so I better go get lunch ready so they can take good naps this afternoon.

Maddie's Birthday

So Maddie is three- can you believe it?? We did some celebrating yesterday, but her party isn't until tomorrow. Yesterday we headed to the Nuk Store (aka Toys R' Us) to trade out nuks in for a toy. She had been talking about getting a robot for the longest time- we even found one, but she decided she didn't want it. We walked up and down every aisle and finally giving her a 10 more minute warning she picked out the Tika elephant (it's a Barbie toy) with 4 minutes to go. We headed to the checkout where she handed over her two nuks (in a plastic bag) for her toy. I had to do a little explaining to the lady, but she thought it was a good idea. Maddie handed her nuks over pretty easily and walked out with her toy.

After the nuk store we headed over to ITZ (just like Stone Fire Pizza- if you don't know what that is- it is like an upscale Chuck E Cheese with better food). Maddie had fun playing the games and riding the rides. Of course Emma was also in on the action. We headed home in time for our naps. Maddie did ask for her nuk, but after just a few minutes she was sleeping.

After dinner the Wilke's came over for cupcakes and to open a few presents. We had gotten a few cards and a present in the mail, we had also gotten her a couple of things and so she enjoyed opening those. Last weekend we also put together the new swing set in the backyard for the girls to share. Okay, I didn't put it together, but the Wilke boys, Chad and Karner did. It took them about 6 hours to put it together and the girls were more than happy to break it in that evening.

Maddie also decided to give herself a birthday haircut. Well she decided her bangs needed to be cut. She did a number on them this time. I figured at least she didn't cut one of her pigtails or her sister's hair. I'm just waiting for that day.

The night concluded with a little crying because she wanted her nuk, but she did fall asleep and didn't wake up during the night looking for it.

New Orleans

Sunday morning after church and lunch we headed on I-10 to New Orleans. We would have made great time, but had about an hour delay in Lake Charles because of construction. We rolled in about 8pm. The girls did great in the car- they napped, watched movies, and stared out the window.

They were excited to see grandma and grandpa and thought that jumping on the bed was lots of fun. We had talked about going to the beach on Monday, but decided against it since that would be more time in the car. So instead we headed out and just did some walking. We hit the Riverwalk, the girls got to ride on the ferry over to Algiers and back, we went down to the French Market where they both got some beads, took the trolley back to the Riverwalk for lunch, back to the hotel to swim, and then we took a little ride out to Camp Restore. We took the round about way and got to see some of the city and the damage that is still there from Katrina. That evening Chad and I went out for dinner and some beignets.

Tuesday morning we got packed up and headed out to the Zoo.


They had a very nice zoo and the girls were loving it. We headed toward to airport to get some lunch and then to drop grandpa off at the airport. Then the rest of us headed back to Houston.

School's Out For Summer

I know, I know it has been awhile. Chad has been done with school for almost two weeks now. Graduation was the 25th. The Wilde's also visited that weekend. We started out the weekend by going to a grad party on Friday evening. The girls had a great time because there was a playground to play at.

The Wilde's arrived in the morning. It was perfect timing because we had another grad party in the morning (a brunch) and we all got to the house at the same time. Chad had a few other parties on Saturday to go to, but the rest of us just hung out at the house. Sunday was actual graduation and one other party. On the way home from graduation the check engine light went on and of course we all thought the worse. Since it was Sunday and the next day was Memorial Day we had to wait a few days to have someone look at it. Luckily it just turned out to be a valve that needed to be replaced.

While the Wilde's were here we took advantage of the sandbox and pool. The girls love having other people to play with. We played a lot of cards and talked a lot too.

The rest of the week Chad had meetings and got his office cleaned up. We had the faculty end of the year party on that Wednesday. The girls loved playing with all the other kids. It was at a park and I thought that it was pretty funny when more of the people were over by the playground with their kids then by the actual party.

Swim and Sand

Here are the girls in their new sandbox. I decided that the batch of dirt that was being used as a litter box for neighborhood cats would be better suited as a sandbox. I laid a tarp, built a frame, added some sand, and a tarp for the top (to keep the cats away). The girls could and do play in there for hours. We are still working on keeping the sand inside the box, but I figured that at $3 for a bag of sand it will be just fine.


Sunday afternoon was the first swim of the year. We actually got a bigger blow up pool and came to find out that there were holes in it, so we went back to the old one yesterday. I got a different bigger pool and the girls are ready to play. I have a feeling we will be getting some use of it this week since the temps are suppose to be in the 90's.

Emma vs. the Swing

Emma- 0
Swing- 1

That's right the swing won. Last Friday evening we were at softball's quarterfinal playoff game (which they won). It was at Second Baptist- a mega church, they had a playground over by the softball field. I had taken the girls over there earlier in the game and then Chad and I swapped. Emma decided that it would be fun to flip off the swing onto the rocks on the ground(see picture above). Let's just say that there was a lot of blood, but no stitches were needed. She was back to jumping around by the time we got home. So after our excitement on Friday we decided to take it easy on Saturday morning.

The weekend seems to be a blur right now, but then I remembered that I was trying to forgot the horrible baseball game I attended on Saturday night. Chad, myself, and some friends headed down to the Brewers/Astros game. After blowing it on Friday night I thought that they might actually show up for the game. So as most of you know how the game went and the rest of the series too, let's just say that I was not a happy person on the ride home.

Sunday we decided to go to St. John's because it was confirmation at Trinity and we don't know anyone in this class. Chad had to go to the musical (The Sound of Music) in the afternoon and then we went over to the Wilke's for a little while in the evening. Chad decided that he was going to let Phill give him a haircut. So be got his hair buzzed and it was home to put the girls in bed.

This week we have been just hanging out at home. Literally on Monday it was home all day because it rained the entire day. We entertained ourselves with coloring and play-doh and the like.

Softball is in the final four and play on Friday morning. We won't make it up on Friday, but if they win we are planning on heading up to Waco on Saturday for the championship. If they don't win, I'm sure we will find something to occupy us this weekend.

Happy Birthday to Mom J and Josh tomorrow!!!

Happy Mother's Day to everyone too.

Minnesotans Visit

It has been awhile since I have posted. Baseball is over so you would think I would have more time, but the girls keep us busy that there doesn't always seem to be time. So here goes:

We had our friends Jill and Jay visit us last week for 5 days. In those 5 days we had lots of fun, lots of laughs, and may have even convinced Jill that Texas isn't such a bad place to live. They arrived on Saturday the 26th. We planned on going down to the beach. We drove down there and it would have been great conditions if we were all surfers. So we drove by the beach and Maddie is still waiting to go. I'm sure that we will be able to get there sometime this summer. So we headed home and just laid low for the evening. Sunday was church and lunch. Jill and I got a chance to go and check out the new outlet mall- it is a pretty good one. They have some really good stores and we even found a couple of really good deals. They have a Coach outlet and there was a line of like 30 people just waiting to get in the place and then the line to check out was about the same. We didn't go in- even if it is an outlet, I'm sure it is out of my price range. Sunday evening Phill and Shelly came over for Sunday Night Baseball (the Tigers were playing). We didn't have anything mapped out for the week, so we just saw where each day would take us. Monday we ended up at the jumping place where Maddie thought that the big slide was the best. Emma prefers to just play with the toys an could do without the inflatables. That is why it is nice to have a two for one. Monday evening we headed to Harris County for dinner. We promised Jay BBQ and I think he enjoyed it. Tuesday was the Zoo. We spent most of the day there and the girls were wiped out. They had fun running around with Jay and being silly. Wednesday we went to chapel (Chad had it), then we headed to the big playground. Jay was determined to see the nutria (the river rats- they're gross). We all agreed that they are disgusting, fed the ducks and turtles, play on the playground and headed for lunch. We ended up at ITZ, which is near our house and just like Stone Fire Pizza. We watched Monster's Inc, while we ate and then it was off to play games. It was great because it was the 5 of us and about 5 other people there. Maddie loved playing the games and Emma even got into it. When it was finally time to go we went to pick out our prizes and Maddie just thought that the whoopie cushion was the funniest thing, so that is what she got. We headed home to get their bags and then it was off to the airport to say good bye. We had such a fun time and can't wait to see them again. Hopefully sometime this summer will be able to meet up with them.

New Babies

There are two new babies to introduce.
The first one is Micah Ruben Truwe. He was born April, 2nd (I know I am a little behind). The Truwe's live in San Antonio, so we are hoping to make it there sometime to meet the little guy. This weekend is his baptism, but we are not going since we have friends from Minnesota coming to town tomorrow.

The second baby is Gavin Max Frixen he was born this past Wednesday, April 23rd. We are hoping to get the chance to meet Gavin this summer when we are up in Wisconsin.


(Don't mind the Michigan hat- Karl is a huge fan)

Jay and Jill from Minnesota are coming to town tomorrow. We are planning on going to the beach at Galveston, so pray for no rain tomorrow. I'm sure I will have some pics after the weekend.

Wisconsin Part 2

Thursday is grandma's day off and so we headed to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. The girls loved all the Curious George things and also all the other things to play with. We were there for a good part of the morning and into the afternoon. Friday was a pretty slow day, the girls and I just hung out and played at home. In the evening I went to dinner with Josh, Ben, and Christina. We went to Front Row Friday's. It was packed, there was a game on. It was nice to see people actually cheering for the Brewers. I think I might have even seen more Brewers clothes than Packers while in Wisconsin. After dinner we met up with Eric and stayed out for a little while. Saturday the 5 of us plus the Chapman's went to Stone Fire Pizza. The kids had fun playing games, painting their faces, playing in the water table, and on the playground. The Chapman's came back to grandma and grandpa's house. They kids played and played until their energy ran out. The Chapman's went home and it was off the bed for everyone else. Sunday was church, we headed out to breakfast, then grandpa, the girls, and I got some gym time in up at M.O. Maddie was having a blast playing hockey. We watched a movie and ate ice cream in the evening (movie and ice cream per Maddie's request). Monday morning I got us packed and ready to go. Grandma went into work for a couple of hours. When she got home it was sunny, 40 and so we finally got the chance to go to the zoo. Our zoo pass works in Milwaukee, so we didn't have to pay. There was no one there and so Maddie and Emma had a great time. We got to see all the animals that we don't have: polar bears, penquins, kangaroos, and the like. We left with enough time to go back home get our bags and then headed to the airport. Our flight was uneventful, the girls did great and were happy to be home. We have been settling back in. Chad had a game on Tuesday and we have been just getting back into a routine.

Wisconsin Part 1

Well we made it to Wisconsin in one piece and it was only a little chilly when we arrived. We managed to survive the plane ride without the DVD player and I was pretty impressed at that. Grandma met us at the airport, we had to make a stop at grandma's office and then we went on got some lunch. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and unpacking. Friday was Opening Day, I didn't get to go, but still enjoyed watching it on TV and even watching some of the people in the parking lot as we drove by. Friday night Mike and Jana got there and we sat and talked for awhile, but then it is early to bed for most of us. Saturday Jana and I were getting ready to take the girls to the Zoo, we got there and saw how long the line was to just get into the parking lot (it was family free day), so we opted to go to the mall do a little shopping and then head home. We did make it to the playground in the evening for a little while. Sunday was church and baby Pownell's baby shower. The guys went to the baseball game, the kids all stayed home and played fairly well together (as well as 6 kids 4 and under can play). The first couple of days of the week were just waiting for grandma and grandpa to get home so they could play with the girls. We would run some errands in the mornings and then come home to wait for them. Tuesday evening grandpa and I went to the Brewers game. They played the Reds, won and it was a really good game. Wednesday morning uncle Josh met us and we all drove down to the Huster's house in Matteson. The girls and I got to meet baby Ben and the girls loved playing with cousin Luke. We hung out for most of the day. We went up to Scott's school to say hi and bye in the same sentence (it was dress rehersal for their dinner theater). Then we started the trek home. We ended up taking Harlem most of the way, made our way past CURF, stopped at Gene and Jude's for a hot dog and then it was home. Josh stayed for a little while so he could watch Criminal Minds. Then it was off to bed for the rest of us.

Happy Birthday Uncle Phill

So Wednesday the 2nd, we celebrated Phill's birthday a day late. We had the usual people over for dinner and some cake. Maddie insisted on getting Phill a birthday crown, but we couldn't find any so she settled on Spongebob party hats.

Going Home

We are getting ready to go home. Our bags are packed and we are waiting for grandma to get home from work so we can play for a few more hours before we head back home. We have had lots of fun the last 11 days, but I think we are all ready to be back home in our own beds and back into our "normal" routine. After we are settled back in I will make sure to post our doings and some pictures from our trip.

Spring Break- Part 3

So our two hours between visitors went quickly and the girls and I got in the car and headed to the airport. Neither of them made it there without falling asleep. We met grandma and aunt Amy at the baggage claim to pick them and the bags up. Then we went over and met grandpa, uncle Joel, Ben and Sam at the car rental place. We headed toward the house and grabbed some lunch. After we got home and semi-settled, we went up to school to get Chad and to play on the big baseball field. Sam was in seventh heaven having "that guy" (Phill) pitch him the ball and him run around the bases. Ben and Maddie just had fun playing in the dirt. We headed home and had a quiet evening. Thursday we all went down to the Zoo. It seemed as if everyone had a good time and by the lack of sound in the cars on the way home it was confirmed. That evening Joel, Amy and I went to Chad's game while grandma and grandpa stayed home and watched a movie with the kiddos. Friday the three older girls headed out for a little shopping while the boys headed to the playground to play, eat lunch and then put them down for naps. After naps we headed down to Lutheran South for yet another baseball game (do you see why our life is all baseball). The Saders pulled out a victory and once again Sam got to play a little on the big field. We got home in time for the massacre of Michigan State, I don't think Chad would have taken it so easy if they would have lost their baseball game. Saturday grandma, grandpa, Emma, Ben, and Maddie headed to the German Heritage Festival in Tomball(really to just ride the rides) while the rest of us headed to the Tigers/Astros game. It was not a good weekend for Michigan sports team in Houston. Sunday we went to church, then of course to Aviator's for lunch, the boys had their fantasy baseball draft and then we went to Harris County for dinner. Shelly and Phill met up with us also. Amy, Shelly, and I took a quick trip to Target across the street and then it was home. This morning dad and Joel took Chad to school and then to Harris County for breakfast (Joel's 3rd breakfast there this trip) and then they will be heading to the airport later this morning. We have a couple of days to get the house in order, to pack, and to just get ready to go to Wisconsin on Thursday.

Some of these pictures of from Spring Break- Part 2. (All our pictures started blending together)

Spring Break- Part 2

Well we got the house all cleaned and ready for the first set of visitors. Chad's parents, Ben, Lydia, and Kurt all arrived on Friday evening just in time for pizza and a movie. I think all of them were just thankful to be out of the car. Saturday morning came the Easter Egg Hunt at church. Maddie was ready to go, but it took Emma a little coaxing to have her start the egg hunt. That evening we relaxed by watching NCAA basketball, playing some games, egg dying and visiting. Sunday we did not go to sunrise service, but we were all ready for the 8am in plenty of time. We had some breakfast at church and then we headed home so I could start cooking. The girls had fun looking for their Easter Baskets(they weren't too hard to find). Then they all went to the playground so I could get our meal ready. We didn't have ham, even though I wanted it, but it seems that my husband despises it, so I thought it would be better not to have it. That evening I did get my ham, since Phill and Shelly brought me some leftover from grandma and grandpa Wilke's house. The Wilke boys decided to come over and play some video games with Ben and Kurt, Chad and Mike played too, but didn't do to well. Monday the boys all went golfing while the girls just stayed home and got some laundry done and relaxed. Tuesday Chad had to go back to school, so the rest of us headed to Old McDonald's Farm. We spent the morning petting animals, feeding the animals, taking pony rides, riding the train, and playing on the jungle gyms. I think I even saw Ben, Lydia, and Kurt having a good time. I'm pretty sure I saw some smiles out of them. Tuesday evening we went to Chad's game. It was a long one so grandma, grandpa and aunt Lydia took the girls home, while the boys and I waited for Chad. Wednesday morning I got Ben to the airport by 6:20am, then did some grocery shopping, then Lydia, Kurt and I went up to school for Chapel, which Grandpa J was doing. The Janetzke's left around 11am and the girls and I had a couple of hours before the next round of visitors came.

Some of the pictures are from Spring Break- Part 1.

Spring Break Thus Far (I guess it is almost over)

Spring Break might be ending for Chad, but it seems like it is just beginning since all our visitors start coming today, but here is what we have been up to this week:

*baseball practice
*got in one baseball game of a doubleheader before the rain came
*celebrated Christian's birthday with pizza, cake, the play in game, filling out NCAA brackets, and the Rockets
*cleaning the house
*going to the drive-in to see Horton Hears a Who, with the Keipers
*Chad and I even got the girls to fall asleep at the drive-in and we got to stay for the second show
*Church
*Eating our normal Sunday lunch at Aviator's on Thursday
*getting yard work done
*potty training (I should probably put this one on about 10 times)
*fighting with Verizon Wireless
*fighting off Emma's cold on top of allergies
*HAVING FUN

Looking back at the week we didn't go do anything exciting, but I know that the girls have really enjoyed having Chad home this week. I know I have because I have been able to get a lot done without them at my feet.

What have we been up to??

One word: Baseball. That's right baseball season is in full swing. District started this week and the girls and I even managed to go to both games. There should have been three, but Tuesday's had gotten canceled because of all the rain we had on Monday. If you would have looked outside on Tuesday you would have never thought that the game would be canceled, but there was standing water everywhere on the field. Thursday we headed down to Lutheran North. The Crusaders lost 2-1. There was one very bogus call at the plate. Tyler slid into home, hit is with his hand, the catcher lost the ball, Tyler stood up and touched it with his foot, the catcher got the ball back, tagged him and the ump called him out. I thought Chad was going to get thrown out, but he had every right to be upset. Friday came and this time they played Northland at home, I'm pretty sure that most of the boys were already thinking about Spring Break, they lost 6-1, it also didn't help that they had 6 errors.

So yes baseball is upon us and this week there is practice today, suppose to play two games tomorrow (there is an 80% chance of rain), a workout on Wednesday and then 4 days of no baseball.

So what else keeps us busy this time of year, well all the playing we have to do outside, potty training, yard work, getting ready for visitors, and just the normal everyday life here in our house.

We usually get outside everyday for a walk and to play at the playground. On Saturday we got out to the Zoo. It was a beautiful 85 degrees out. It was a little crowded, but I think more of the crowd was just at the park, since there is a new train that can take you through the park that the Zoo is in. Maddie told me that she wants to take Ben and Sam to the Zoo while they are here, I'm pretty sure that if I let her, she would go to the Zoo everyday.

Potty training has begun for real and Maddie is doing well. We have one week under our belt and so for so good. She is just wearing pull-ups right now, but she doesn't usually put up too much of a fit when she has to sit on the potty. She loves to put her sticker on her chart after she has gone and every couple of times she gets a couple of pennies, she loves coins right now. We will keep working at it. She actually used the bathroom at North the other night, so that was pretty impressive.

Yard work- we are almost done with what I want to be done with for now. We have cleared out all the bushes and extra stuff and now we are just putting in what we want. Our yard is easy to take care of which I think for now is what suits us.

This week our to-do list is about three pages long since it is spring break, but we also have house guests starting on Friday and until the 31st. Chad's parents, Lydia, and Kurt will be making the drive on Thursday and Friday. They will be here for Easter and then be heading up to Dallas next Wednesday. My parents, Amy, Joel, and the boys will be flying in that same day and be here until the 31st. We are looking forward to having everyone here and I'm thinking that they are looking forward to some warmer weather.

Both the girls are growing and talking more. Emma is just trying to keep up with Maddie. I'm pretty sure she is ganging on her. She tries to say and do everything that we are all doing. She is a pretty typical little sister. She still has some dramaness, but it is getting better. We don't have as many screams of death in the day. She is starting to just fight back when Maddie is annoying her.

Maddie is starting to use her imagination more and starting to take things more literal. She also loves to tell you everything. Like the other day she informed me that Target is red and Wal-Mart is blue. Yesterday we were leaving Sunday School and I told her we were going to cut through the pavilion and she asked me if she could use the blue scissors. She loves to play dress-up and rock her baby dolls, but she still can leave a ring of dirt in the bathtub.



Emma actually going down the slide the right way


Maddie just hanging out at the playground


Our little Texan cowgirls


Maddie decided that the floor was more comfortable than her bed


Maddie is ready to go shopping, don't worry I don't let her out of the house like that


Cool Emma in cool shades

Rodeo Houston

Monday morning I got a call at about 8:30am from Rita asking me if I wanted to go to the Rodeo and Tim McGraw concert. She was given tickets and couldn't use them, so she offered them to Chad and he said yes. I was on a mission to find a babysitter and see if anyone else wanted to go. So I called Shelly left a message and then realized that they had the winter sports banquet, so that meant a lot of people were going to be out.

We were up at school showing Greg, Jamie and Naomi the school. They were in town for a baptism. So I started working on the babysitting part. We knew that Michael could stay over, but he had to work and so he couldn't get here until 8:30ish. We needed to find someone from about 6:30-8:30. We asked a couple people and everyone had something. I was starting to think that I wasn't going to get to go, but finally we found a senior girl who offered to babysit. At that point it was just Chad and I going. We headed home for naps and to get ready. We went back to school to pick up Chad at about 5:15 and he said that Kim and Andrew were going to join us and so the four of us went and had a great time.

We got there about 7:45, saw barrel races, bull riding, chuck wagon races, calf scramble, and of course Tim McGraw. The concert only lasted about an hour, but it was a good one. There were some older gentlemen sitting next to us and it was cute to see them dancing along to Tim McGraw. Then it was on to the adventure of getting home. We had taken a shuttle down and now had to wait in line to get back. It was like waiting in line at Great America, weaving and always seeing the same people. It was a long line, but it went pretty quick. We were almost to the end and over in a different shuttle line there was this girl who was so drunk she was making the biggest fool of herself. The four of us just stood there watching and laughing. I even had to take a picture of her. So we finally got home about 12:30, the girls sleeping in their beds, Michael sleeping on the couch and us just ready to crash.

Chad got Michael out the door and to school in time for him to get to their choir contest and the girls and I have just been hanging out today. I figured today is a good day to get laundry and other stuff done around the house.

This weekend is another baseball tournament. Thursday's game is at 1:45, Friday will all depend on if they win or lose. They could play twice on Friday, so we will have to play it all by ear.

The girls are waiting for their company to come. Everyday Maddie asks me when people are coming. She knows that she has both Janetzke's and Heffelfinger's coming, so she usually asks about someone from either family. Maddie is always coming up with some crazy ideas and there is Emma just following behind.