Welcome Back!!!

2016 was the last post on this blog. It seems about right. When I look back on life. Everything started to get a little faster paced after that. Kids get older and that means they get busier and then parents get busier.

Today is April, ummm, I had to check my phone to see what date it was, April 24, 2020. We are on our 40 something day of quarantine from the COVAID-19 virus. Some day we look back on this and laugh. I am not a writer. That is my sister. But I wanted to document some of the things that we have done while we are on house arrest. If for some reason we forget this time, let me remind you what that means. No visitors, no going to work or school, no friends coming over, keeping 6 feet between you and those around you. Sports, church, all things are canceled. Some of this is good, and some of it not so good. You really get to know your immediate family.

We have been trying to make some fun out of all of this. I am hoping to get a list of what we have done on this blog so that we can someday laugh about it.

12 and Carrie Underwood

For months the Mueller and Stauffacher parents have kept a secret. For Ava and Jenna's 12th birthday we got tickets to see Carrie Underwood in concert. Last Friday the two families came together along with Nanee Sylvia and Papa Art to "reveal" the present. The girls did not know they were getting their birthday presents so when they saw these packages the were a little confused. Their birthdays are six weeks apart so it was unexpected. Both girls would love to go to this concert. It was a dream come true. 

So the night started with dinner at the Yard House with the Del Duco's. Mia also got tickets for her birthday. The girls were able to get a Chocolate Souffle for dessert.

Carrie put on a great show. She was fantastic!! The girls loved it.

Baker's Flag Football

Some pictures of Baker playing flag football.

Jake and Baker

Happy Times at Hamilton's Lake House

Some of the Countryside neighbors met at the Hammy Hang Out for a last summer party.

 Baker, Hailey Lamb, Alex Hamilton, Evan Bruce, Mason Keller, Kamryn Hamilton, Quinn, Eric K
Ava, Lauren's friend, Lauren Bruce, Julia Lamb and Abbey Bruce

Fun weekend of tubing, boating, waterskiing (Baker and Quinn were able to get up this year)

Back to School 2016

Quinn and Baker enjoying the last day of summer breakfast. Cinnamon Doughnuts

First day of School. Ava-Sixth Grade, Quinn-Fifth Grade and Baker-First Grade

Easter 2016

This year the kids and I tried Tie Dyed our eggs. Here is how they turned out.

This is what was in the kit. (so we remember for next year)

Ava of course loved the tie dyed while the boys just made two each. Quinn wanted a Packers egg and Baker wanted to use all the colors.

Happy Easter to all....

Baker helping to make the rice krispy treats, the next kids bake off champion...

Presidents' Day 2016

Today the kids went sledding at Auntie Mary's and then back to her house for hot cocoa and plenty of whipped cream

Street performer

Kathy and I love street performers. When we traveled through Europe we would give only the best performers our money. 

Today Baker wanted to have a "drum sale". He plays - you pay. This is where I found him. He was a little said that no one stopped to give him money. 

I told him I would give him a quarter but he told me he only plays for dollars.

Just another example of his little personality. 

Intro to Pei Wei

Several years ago while we still lived in Castle Rock Brent and I really wanted to take the kids to our favorite new restaurant-Pei Wei. Off shoot of PF Chang's. We were first introduced to it on our house hunting trip. The only child along at the time was Baker at 6 weeks old.

Ava was dead set on not trying a new restuarant. She was certain she would hate it and it would be the worst experience. We said -- try it you might like it.

We order and sit down to eat. Ava declares that she loves this restuarnt and wanted to come back again.

Ever after anytime the kids do not want to try something new we just say---- Pei Wei!

Christmas bowling

I think we have started a new tradition. Two years ago we took the kids on the 26th of December bowling in Madison. This year the Golden family and our cousins Emily and Allison joined us. 

First Day of School 2015

The first day of school has arrived. Everyone agrees that it seems like yesterday it was the last day of school.  The biggest excitement is that Baker is starting Kindergarten. He is thrilled to wear a uniform and refuses to take it off when he gets home from school. He named himself Mini Quinn because they wear the same clothes now. This morning I asked if he wanted me to walk him he said no that he wanted to walk into the school "like the kids".

Baker's teacher this year is Mrs. Grismore. She is delightful and knows everyone's name after meeting them for an hour. Some of the kids from preschool are in his class (Jake, Carly, Ryan, and Vivie). The first day they read The Kissing Hand and made a puppet of Chester the Raccoon.

Look at the smile on this kid's face he is beyond ready for Kindergarten!

Quinn has Mrs. Stark this year and a few of his buddies are in his class. He is interested in the Civil War and Mrs. Stark teaches the subject this year. It will be a busy but fun year of projects and field trips.

 Mrs. Helming is Ava's fifth grade teacher. She reminds Ava of Mrs. Swihart so I think she feels very comfortable with her. If you ask her what she is most excited about she will tell you THE LOCKER. I have heard about the locker the entire summer. She has spent many hours researching youtube videos on how to organize your locker.

Here is the finished locker. I must admit that it brought a tear to my eye when I saw the picture of Grace Coyne on the front of her locker. She also has a picture of Jenna when they visited Colorado and a Daddy/Daughter Dance picture. 

Quinn's First Holy Communion

May 3, 2014

Quinn makes his First Holy Communion.

Quinn practices taking the Eucharist from his 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Pawlowski.

This is the picture we used for his invitation

 waiting for his big moment with his buddies

 with Nanee Lu and Papa Todd

 and Nanee Sylvia and Papa Art (same smile)

 Father Travis came to Quinn's party afterwards.

 saying a prayer with St. Maria Goretti

 after such a wonderful day, Quinn falls asleep on the couch. It was a long week for all of us considering our moving truck came the Monday before the party.