OOOOHhhhhhhh....AHHHHHhhhhhhh

I was pretty excited to actually be able to capture some of the fireworks with my camera. So here are just a few! John and Isabelle were entertained for about 5 minutes and then lost interest. But I was able to regain their interest by playing the color game where everyone guesses the color of the next firework before it explodes in the sky. Mike kept guessing black....ahhh...I don't think he was playing right! :)

Picnic fun

The picnic provided us and the kids with lots of food and fun games. Isabelle was able to participate in the candy dash (for kids 3 and under). Someone threw candy all over the ground and the little ones just ran around and picked up as much as they possibly could. Isabelle scored a nice pile of candy! John particpated in the sack race (3rd place), the 3 legged race (1st place) and him and I took the wheelbarrel race by a landslide!! We get to have our names forever recorded on the Orchard Ridge Wall of fame now! (Oh yeah!) We even got a photo opt with Uncle Sam himself! :) Fun was had by all...and everyone slept soundly that night!

4th of July Fun

The Maier clan had a very eventful 4th of July weekend. Sunday we practiced in our backyard with sparklers and snakes. Monday we participated in the Orchard Ridge neighborhood parade and picnic with Kelly and Jayden. Monday night Mike I and the kids went and saw some fireworks and had some more fun with sparklers, snakes and glow sticks. I know....we are OUT OF CONTROL!!!

The Sharks attack!!!!

This is John and Isabelle's t-ball team...the Sharks! Last night they had a grueling game against the very feared Badgers! We made it through 3 full innings, where every kid got a hit and made it to base every time. Whenever a ball was hit by the opposing team, all of our kids ran for the ball and created a full out pile on in the middle of the field. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life! :)

One down......

And 3 more to go (as Mike likes to say)!!! Sam graduated from James Madison Memorial High School this past Saturday. She will be heading out to UW LaCrosse in the fall!! This coming Saturday we are hosting a huge celebration for both her graduation and her (golden) 18th birthday....should be a blast!!! :)

Spring Flowers

Mike and I have been working on our many flower gardens since we bought our house 6 years ago. Last fall we planted what seemed like a zillion bulbs...well lo and behold they actually all came up this Spring!!! Unfortunately they have all died out already....but no worries the next stage of flowers are getting ready to bloom anyday now!! So make sure you stay tuned!!! :)

Ready for the big leagues???

Tonight is the first official t-ball game for John and Isabelle and the rest of their team 'The Sharks'. Does it look like John is ready???? I especially like the pic of him swinging with his tongue sticking out! :)