Elise's Tea Party 6th Birthday

The birthday girl looking all pretty with her tea party buffet.

The whole tea party set-up. Very pink, sparkly and Hello Kittyish!

The fancy cupcakes Elise designed and Mom made.

Elise's 6th Birthday continued

Hope, Kara and Brook with their game prizes - Cindy Lou Hou headbands!

All the girls with their tea cup flower arrangements they made for a craft.

Hailey, Kara P., Kara T., Becca, Grace, Elise, Brook, Hope

Becca and Elise opening gifts.

Elise's 6th Birthday continued

Hailey, Becca, Kara, Elise...opening gifts.

Elise and Grace enjoying the tea party lunch.

Clockwise from Elise: Grace, Hailey, Becca, Kara T., Hope, Kara P., Brook

Girls enjoying a tea party lunch of bologna and cheese roll-ups, macaroni and cheese, fruit, veggies, jello shapes and pink lemonade.

September 2009

Seth having his first violin lesson, age 1. JJ teaching his first violin lesson, age 7.

Elise all pretty dressed for church. She is wearing a dress that Grammie (LaRayne) made for Megan when Megan was a little girl.

Elise's first day of kindergarten. JJ's first day of second grade.

Madeline Island Part I

We went to visit Madeline Island in the summer. It is one of our very favorite places in Wisconsin! In fact, one of our favorite places in general. The kids love playing in the water, watching sailboats, riding the ferry over, climbing the rocky hiking trails and more. If we don't get to the island at least once a year we just don't feel right. We had a perfect day. It was cool and warm depending where you were on the island. It was warm enough on the beach for the kids to want to play in the water (which means it was just this side of being ice).

Madeline Island Part II

Dad and Seth on the ferry boat looking "out to sea" for sailboats.

JJ and Elise found this rock ledge to hide in.
You can't tell in the picture but it was really high up above the water.

A rare picture of the whole family!
We love Madeline Island!

It is always a blast to ride on the top level of the ferry boat!