BADGERS VS. HAWKEYES

SAM ATTENDED HIS FIRST BIG 10 FOOTBALL GAME ON SATURDAY AT KINNICK STADIUM IN IOWA CITY. ARE YOU ABLE TO TELL WHO WAS CHEERING FOR WHICH TEAM?

Chris and I have been talking to Sam alot about team hopping or jumping on the band wagon and being a fan just because a team is winning. So Sam and I had a very intense discussion about how Sam likes both the Badgers and the Hawkeyes. He wanted to cheer for both teams and said he'd be happy no matter which team won the game. I told him it was okay to cheer for both teams and in a situation such as this it was very difficult to have to choose, especially when a little six year old boy is so lucky to be able to go to the game and sit in box seats, nonetheless. These tickets, by the way, were given to Chris by his general manager at work! I looked into buying a ticket so I could go to the game - way out of my price league for a football game. I had much more fun taking Kate to urgent care for an ear infection! Moving is never fun, but both Sam and Kate appear to be comfortable cheering for the Hawkeyes! Sam did wear Chris' Badger jersey to school on Thursday. I forgot to ask if anyone teased him, because he was all about Hawkeye gear for the game!

Sam and Chris also had a very special welcome during the first break of the first quarter.

Katherine's First Day of Preschool

No tears in sight for Miss Katherine as she started preschool. She loves school. After seeing Sam go off to school for the past few years, she realizes it is finally her turn. Katie is in the Tuesday/Thursday preschool at St. Paul's United Methodist from 9-11:30. She will go to a preschool plus program from 1130 until 1:00. On her first day, she went from 9-10 am and read a book about a giant ogre! She quickly learned the routine and she hangs her coat at the red rectangle. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Wielage and there are 15 kids in her classroom. Chris and I will be volunteering in the classroom here too!

Sam's First Day of School

Sam marched off to first grade. He is in Mrs. Foley's class with 25 other boys and girls. Chris and I are still trying to figure out the routine on the days I work at the hospital. It's going well. Some days we drop Sam off early and he eats breakfast at school, again. This fall he is playing flag football and basketball. We are excited to become more involved at Pierce and to meet the other teachers, students and parents.

Our Poor Van Post Deer

We will probably never travel over Labor Day weekend again. Chris hit a deer on Highway 29 going from Eau Claire to Farm Country. Chris was not hurt. The deer was hurt. The van was damaged. Thus we turn into a one car family during the beginning of the school year. Chris meets with the adjuster on Monday. The collision center estimates one week to do the repairs.

Vacation to St. Paul

Sam at the Star Wars exhibit in the Science Center.

One of the many rides enjoyed by us all!


Sam in his new and improved catching pose.





We spent three wonderful nights in St. Paul last weekend. We visited the St. Paul Children's Museum, the Science Center, Como Town Amusement Park and the Mall of America. Very busy. The kids braved the roller coasters at Mall of America and loved it. Sam even went on the spinning roller coaster car! The favorite ride by far though were the carousel swings. Chris and I rode on many of the rides too, and Chris survived the Tornado, barely. During all the time we lived in Eau Claire, we did not take advantage of the closeness of the Twin Cities. We had a wonderful long weekend there!

In other news, over the weekend Sam mastered "catching the baseball." He is doing an awesome job catching and playing the catcher position! Kate's clothing of choice is still her ballet leotard! I guess she will be taking fall classes.

Wrapping up on the sporting events!

It's been a busy week! Sam finished his last week of soccer and baseball! Kate finished up at one of her ballet classes. The chauffeur schedule is lightening up a bit, right in time for me to start a new job! Kate loves ballet and tap dance. We are still deciding if we are going to commit to a year of dance for her. The cost is $32 per month, so it's a financial commitment. With preschool, we might just take a year off from The Dance Academy and keep her in a class through the rec department. We are looking forward to a quiet Saturday. Sunday we are going to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Marion. www.faith-life.org We've heard good things about this church and it sounds really similar to Peace, where we worshiped in Eau Claire, so we have high hopes! Once we find a church home, we will really be settled! The Lord has been good to us and we are counting our blessings!

Sam's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Sam's 6th birthday in Eau Claire with lots of friends at Carson Park. After we went to the Express baseball game where Sam threw out the first pitch.