SNOW DAY!!

This was the view out the back door this morning when I got up to let the dog out. She did not want go because the wind was blowing right in the door. I had to carry her out because she refused to go. She weighs 45 lbs... so that was fun.

Yay - winter has returned to Wisconsin!!

Our house in the snow. There is not much snow in the driveway because of the wind, it is all piled at the bottom. The picture doesn't do justice for the drifts at the bottom!!

A pathway from the back door. They say we only got 6 inches of snow, I don't believe it... we have way more than that!

Looking down the driveway across the street. The bare spot is from the wind, so less to shovel, however it is piled deep at the bottom of the driveway!!

The Governor closed all University campuses today across the state, along with all state offices. Every school district was also closed. I can't remember when that happened last.

Boy Scout Camping

Some pictures from our camp out last weekend. You can't ask for better weather in November, 65 degrees! The boys cooked dinner and breakfast the next morning.

Roasting hot dogs over the fire...

Making pancakes the next morning...

Working on the Indian Lore Merit Badge...

Hazel, our new addition

Here is Hazel, our new dog. She is a sweet mutt. A mix of Blue Heeler and Coon Hound. You can tell the coon hound when she barks. She is pretty mellow, but is a good runner. We adopted her from the Human Society, she came in as a stray so we don't know her history. She is nice mid size dog, short hair and loves to lay on the couch!!

Erika and Hazel

Max and Hazel

Hazel

Chalkfest, August 2009

Justine participated in Chalkfest this year as an artist. Chalkfest is when local artists gather in Wilson Park and draw their art all over the sidewalks for people to enjoy. They are also judged and reviewed. There is music, and all sorts of stuff going on throughout the day. Start one in your city!

I know, I know, I haven't written anything for over a month. I was swamped with finals and getting some painting done on the house, both of which are now done!

Check out her art below...

More Marley!

Here are few pictures of Marley - she is growing so fast! She is 3 months old already. And this is pretty much how she is all the time. A very happy and content baby, her mother is sooooo lucky!

Camping in Door County

For the 4th of July this year, we returned to our tradition of camping in Bailey's Harbor which is on the peninsula of North Eastern Wisconsin. It is beautiful up there, surrounded by the Great Lakes. We used to do this every year when we first moved here, but have done other family activities over the 4th for the last few years. We changed to a new site, it was huge! Skott and Jodi came with us also and we all had a great time. We got a new tent this year, it is kinda big, 9x13, and 80 inches tall so I can actually stand up in it!! That is why I bought it! We also got a new air mattress, so we were camping in style! The camp ground is awesome, a nice pool, playground, free popcorn and tv in the game room, nice bathrooms and showers! We already made our reservations for next year! There is a big parade, craft show, music, food, all that fun stuff to on the 4th.

Here is a picture of our campsite, there were 4 tents for 9 people. It has a lot of trees, and parking for our 4 cars! We have the same spot next year.

Marley went with us to, it was her first camping trip and she did really well. She loved to look at the trees and especially the fire! She was mesmerized by it!

A picture of the kids just before the parade started, it draws a huge crowd.

This is Kenalee licking Jodi's dirty foot for $1.00!

Camp Phillips - Part 2

Here are a few more pictures of Boy Scout camp.

One of the many knots they learned...

The cabins we get, they are pretty nice, the "windows" open to!

This is a plane crash site they use for survival training. It is an actual crash, they just relocated it to the camp.

A map that shows the camp and its many lakes!

Camp Phillips - Part 1

Last week we spent 5 nights and 6 days at Camp Phillips Boy Scout camp for Max's summer camp. It was a lot of fun and we did not get any rain!!! He earned almost two full rank advancements, 2nd and 1st Class Scout, we just have a few things to finish up. He also earned his Reptile merit badge and Mammal Study merit badge. There were about 250 scouts camp wide, with 33 of them just from our Troop. With the 7 adults that attended we had 40 people at camp. It was fun, noisy, active and a great learning experience for the boys. Oh and lots of fishing to as there are 4 lakes at camp. (Part 2 will have a few more pictures.)

Max at "Fort Knots", a group of platforms made entirely of knots!

Four-way tug of war.

Getting ready for the 5 mile hike. Gunder, Max and Sam

Getting their awards for the 5 mile hike. Sam, Gunder and Max

4 Generations

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Childs came for a visit from Utah to see their first great grandchild. It was a quick visit, but a great time. We also had the opportunity to have Marley blessed in Church on Sunday. Justine's dad and her sister Carrie were also able to come to the blessing.

Top - Pat Childs, Jim Childs

Bottom - Nikki Childs, Marley Rae Larsen, Kelly Childs

Great grandparents enjoying some time on the porch with Marley.

Getting their first look at Marley.

A close up of Marley. She is changing soooooo fast!!

Memorial Day!

We had a great Memorial Day this year, the weather was great! A little windy, but sunny and 70!! Started out with the parade, the grillin' out with some friends, which of course we ate way too much. And to finish off the day, makin smores in the backyard.

This is the Gold Star Mother's. They have lost sons in war. They toss a wreath off of the Veteran's bridge, it is quite moving. 

Max marched in the parade with the Scouts. 

Justine, Max, Kelly at the end of the parade.

Erika and Max - makin' smores in the backyard!

Spring Time in Wisconsin

Spring seemed to come late this year, it was a long cold winter. But now that a few things are blooming I thought I would post some pictures for those who believe that we only have snow in Wisconsin!!

A few things are starting to bloom on our little hill out front. Other things are starting to grow to, and later on in the summer we will have Sunflowers and Black Eyed Susans' taking over this hill. 

Last year Justine did a great job a getting some grass growing. However, the stupid people at Menards gave her annual grass, why would you want annual grass??? This year I went to True Value instead and got some perennial grass. I just planted this the other day so I hope it grows as well as Justine's did last year.

This is our little back yard. We put the patio in 2 years ago and we eat outside as much as the weather will allow. We have a little fire pit to that makes for a nice evening to hang outside and cook smores. We also planted a lot of flowers along the edges to so we hope those grow fast too.

Grandma and Grandpa time!

We got to babysit for a little while today while Nikki got caught up on some homework. Ain't she adorable? 

Marley Rae Larsen

Marley and aunti Kenalee, we let her hold her once in a while...

Marley and grandma Justine.

Marley and grandpa Kelly.

Heirloom Trunk

While we were out in Montana my dad gave me this cool old trunk. It was made by my great-grandfather, Frank Raymond Koontz for his daughter (my grandma) Ethel Rae Koontz (Childs) when she was a teenager. We are thinking it was built about 1932 or 1933. Her initials are on the front of the chest. It needed a little TLC and some new paint. Since this is going to be Max's new toy box he got to choose the color. We were a little hesitant about the bright green color but it looks really nice. Below are some before and after pictures. 

It was a little beat up and needed a little bit of repair.

Did some sanding, a few nails and screws, some of the pieces are oak I found out the hard way! I have a few broken nails to prove it.

Here is the finished version - we added some bun-feet to it

We also painted the inside to help preserve the wood and give it a clean look. I still need to add a hinge to help keep it open.