Lazy day at the Cottage

Matt's parents have a cottage that is about 45 minutes away, and we try to spend most of our weekends there. Today we went to the cottage in the afternoon and had lunch on the pontoon boat, swam in the lake, played a crazy form of baseball with Grace and Durlin (with Matt convincing the kids to let him hit too), swung on the swing, and played in the sand (Ava's very first time). I thought she would try to eat it, but she didn't. Uncle Corey grilled us some fabulous burgers and we had the sweetest corn on the cob I've had all summer. I'm hoping for an Indian Summer this year so that we can have more dreamy weekends at the cottage.

Ava is walking all over the place these days and loves to carry things . Here she has a leaf and Daddy's baseball cap. She also likes to carry around anything that has a handle on it. She carries it like a little purse on her arm. She really is a crack-up.

Hiking with the Girls

Don't Lori and I look like we are about to start an expedition? We hiked up the East Rim Trail at Devil's Lake Sate Park on Thursday afternoon. The girls loved being outside in the fresh air. It was great weather and there was plenty of shade. Lori was such a trooper. She was a little scared of physically carrying Maya in the backpack for more than 5 minutes (we did a trial run at the house first just to make sure), but her super power strength kept her going for an hour and a half. She vowed that next year we are going to go even farther. We were both a little sore the next day, but it was definitely worth the aches.

The Nelson Crew.

1. Here are Kate, Paul, Ella, Grant, and Dallin (not in that order). Don't they look like a happy family? They are in front of the house the bought 2 yrs ago.

2. Ella is decked out in her new helmet, gloves, elbow and knee pads. She insisted that daddy put together her scooter while she put on all her gear so she could ride it that instant.

3. Paul gets a minute to cuddle with baby Dallin after T-ball.

POOL TIME!

My sister Lori and her daughter Maya came to visit me in Wisconsin last week while my husband went to Canada on a fishing trip. We decided to drive to St. Louis and visit our other sister Kate and her family. During our quick trip we went to the pool, attended Ella's fabulous water party (24 wild and crazy kid's), and Grant's T-ball game. Although this 6 hr road trip was a little bit crazy on the way there (okay really crazy), they slept the whole time on the way back. Lori got Dallin for the first time and I got to see how much he has grown. Don't you love their matching swimsuits?

4th of July

We went to the cottage for the 4th of July. We went to a parade in Pardeeville where Ava saw lots of "Dog Dogs". Durlin and Grace set up a little chair for Ava to sit in and she thought she was such a big girl. She wants to do everything the kids are doing.

The party keeps going.

So none of the 1 yr olds wanted to wear their party hats, but we managed to get a couple of pictures. I made Ava a little cake to destroy and I made a homemade chocolate fudge cake that is my Aunt Diane's recipe. It truly was incredible. I am going to use that amazing frosting for everything! Ava did like opening presents-especially the cards. We decorated the house in hot pink and light pink streamers, flowers, and paper lanterns.

Ava's 1st Birthday- "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!"

What a day! Ava was not feeling well. She had a fever and was not in the mood to party. The one other time she had chocolate cake she was singing and kicking her legs......not on her Birthday. She didn't feel like eating cake, when I gave her a taste she proceeded to gag. Poor thing.

Trip to the Zoo

Matt and I took Ava and her friend Derek to the zoo. They both really liked the otters and the monkey's.

Two Teeny Weeny Little Pony Tails

This was the first time we put two pony tails in Ava's hair. She thought she looked cute and left them in for a little while. She got bored in the mall and pulled them both out. I had to re-trace my steps to find the discarded bows.

Grant and Ella

We played like crazy. Ella is dressed as Lava Girl-her favorite super hero, and Grant is looking for a Queen Ant for his ant house.

Baby Dallin Spencer Nelson- 2 wks old

I went to St. Louis for a couple of days to help the Nelson family with the arrival of Dallin. You'll notice that there are no pictures of Ava. I actually left her home with Dad, Grandma, and Aunt Erica. My time spent in St. Louis was rewarding. I got even cloto bond with my niece and nephew, Grant and Ella.

St. George in May

We went to my brother Mark's graduation while we were home. We stayed at Rachel's house. It was so nice to hang out with her family.

Maya and Ava

.......................................These two are already Pea's in a Pod. They even slept in the same room at Jessi's house.

The Nelson Family came for a visit last week and we had a lot of fun. Because I misplaced my camera while the clan was here, I don't have a lot of pictures. I'm sure Kate will send me some soon and I'll post some more. Grant is riding a very small tricycle as fast as his legs would move. He was cracking us up.

I've Been Tagged!

Here are five things you probably didn't know about me.
1. I am horrible at tag. I was tagged last week and I am just now responding.

2. I am good at a lot of things, but typing isn't one of them. Spell check used to be automatic at the office and I miss that......( I just checked and there were 3 misspellings just in #2..Ahhhg)

3. I kind of have a Wisconsin accent......Okay you might even say I sound "Sconnie" sometimes.

4. I never thought I'd live in Wisconsin longer than a year. I have now been here 8 yrs and realize warm weather doesn't out weigh true love, family near by, and ice fishing (J/K on the ice fishing)

5. Speaking of ice , I've never walked on a frozen lake, and have no intentions of ever doing so. Just the idea makes my stomach drop.

I love to swing!

Back and forth.......Back and forth.

Easter Morning

We went to church as a family and then we let Ava dig into her basket. Of course Matt and I found ourbaskets the night before-we couldn't wait until Easter. I think Ava liked the Grass the most.

Eggs and New Toy

Ava loved those plastic eggs! I considered keeping them out as a toy to play with. Ava is walking with, and riding a new toy she got for Easter from Grandpa and Grandma Paske. She especially loves to make it sing. She can't help but grab the carnival that moves when you honk the horn. She sure loves her new toy.

Music to our ears......

Ava discovered a piano this weekend. She just kept playing......okay pounding. She was in awe at how load she could be. We had to get a picture of her in case she ends up being a concert pianist. You never know.

Easter Egg hunt with Durlin and Grace

We had Grace and Durlin over for an Easter Egg hunt last week. It was 35 degrees outside, so we kept it indoors. Ava loved watching them hunt for eggs. She would get so excited when they would squeal and run by her. We took a break to feed Ava. Durlin and Grace were a big help.