Family Camp

Last year we began a new tradition for our family. We went to a family camp weekend. We had so much fun, we couldn't wait to go again this year. So, this year we packed up the sleeping bags, lanterns, beach toys, swimming suits and the pack-n-play and headed back to Covenant Park Camp for another fun filled weekend.

Here is the group from this year. There were 9 families from our church.

A highlight for us this year was being able to play in the water. Last year it was so cold, that we didn't do any water activities. This year, I took Lucy on her first paddle boat ride. She was a little disappointed that she couldn't reach the pedals, so I let her steer for a little while. I'm sure some of the others on the lake were wondering why we were going around in circles for a while.
Lucy also got to go with Daddy on her first canoe trip. She had her own paddle and she really did paddle!

We all went on a hayride on Saturday night. Here are some of the kids waiting for the ride to start.

Before we left, we took advantage of the beautiful day and background and snapped a few pictures of our family. Here is Ellen the flying baby.

Another shot at the perfect picture of me and my girls. We'll keep trying.

One final picture of Lucy playing in the woods before we jumped in the car and headed for home.

Can't wait for next year!

Adventures in Lucy Land

I got these slide shows from Gram today. Here are the pictures of Lucy's adventures while Gram was here visiting.

Thanks for the pictures, Gram!

Milwaukee

We have just returned from another fun filled trip to Milwaukee to visit friends and family. This year we started the road trip with Mandi and spent the first night with her and Auntie Sandy in V-Town. We took off the next day for Milwaukee with some stops along the way.

I was so excited to be able to stop at one of my favorite childhood restaurants, Ella's Deli. It was so fun to be able to share this with Lucy. To make it even more fun; Jim, Kelly, Mindi and Ryan met us there. Here is a pic of Mandi and Lucy at the table. The whole restaurant is filled with moving decorations like the ones you see in the background. Batman flew back and forth above our table while we ate.

While we were waiting for our food, the girls got to ride on the carousel that is outside.

After we ate, Kelly and Jim took the girls to the ice cream counter. I'm usually the one that likes everyone to be 'matchy-matchy', but this time it was Kelly who got the girls ice cream that matched their outfits!

We also got to see Grandma and Grandpa Gray while we were in Milwaukee. Here is Grandpa with Ryan.

Great Grandma with Ellen. I think this is where she gets the reddish tint in her hair.

Here are the girls putting coins in Mindi's piggy bank. Great-Grandma brought coins for both girls to add to their savings. . .

Kelly and I also got to take the kids to the zoo. Ellen and Ryan were awake to see a few of the animals from the stroller.

The big girls got to go on a pony ride. This was Lucy's first pony ride. She was a little nervous in the beginning, so Mommy walked along side for a while. She loved it by the end and still talks about her horsey, Warren.

The girls also got some airbrushed tattoos. They took a little break to admire them.

Of course, we went on the train ride. Another favorite from my childhood. I still love it!

Mindi, Kelly and Ryan enjoyed the ride also.

Choo Choo!

On the hottest day of the week, we hit the pool. Of course the babies enjoyed themselves!

The girls had a little conspiracy to not have their picture taken that day.

I managed to get one with both faces.

While we were in Duluth, Lucy saw a horse and carriage ride. She has been talking about it since. I thought it would be a special Mommy-Daughter night, to take her on a ride. Gram watched Ellen so Lucy and I could have our special night. Here is Lucy meeting our horse and feeding him a carrot.

Here is my big girl on the seat all by herself.

Mommy and Lucy at the end of the ride. All of that fresh air made her tired.

The next day, we got to celebrate Addy's 13th birthday. Here are the girls getting ready for cake and ice cream. At 13, we figured Addy could eat her chocolate cake and ice cream without getting her clothes too messy.

Happy Birthday to the Teenager!

The girls also got to play together at the park for a while. Addy doesn't just look tall in this picture. She is taller than me already!

The last thing we got to do was to go to a Biebel family reunion. Biebel is my Dad's mother's maiden name. Here is Lucy with Grandpa Steve at the reunion. She is giving the thumbs up.

Grandpa with Ellen.

Here is Lucy with some favorite cousins: Sabrina and Geno.

Here is our part of the Biebel family. The woman in the front row next to my dad is his Aunt, Sister Lorraine Biebel.

It was a busy and fun trip. I miss the family already.

Ellen's 3 Month Pictures

I took a picture of Lucy each month on the 24th (the day she was born) for the her first year. I have all of the pictures in her baby book. I've started to do the same thing for Ellen. Here are her 3 month pictures. It is amazing how fast they change I love looking back over the months.

Gram's Visit

We are a little behind on posting pictures. It has been a busy few weeks for us. At the end of July, we had a special visitor. Gram came to take Lucy on an adventure. They went to the Build a Bear store and Lucy got to build a special friend. Here they are getting started.

Lucy chose the Hello Kitty doll. Here they are waiting in line to get her filled up. Of course, I took a million pictures of them getting a heart and rubbing it on their hearts and putting it in, but I took them all on Gram's camera! I don't have any of them on the computer. . .
The next day, Gram took Lucy to get her very own 'big girl' bicycle. They picked it out and Mommy put it together in the front yard. Again, all of the pictures of Gram and Lucy or Mommy building the bike are on Gram's camera. . . We do have a couple of Lucy riding on my camera. Here is one of Daddy giving Lucy a lesson.

The riding session did end with a little crash. . . Lucy got her first 'road rash'. She was a little upset until we reminded her that Gram brought Hello Kitty band-aids. Here is the picture of her showing her road rash and remembering that she would get a special band-aid.

OK Gram, send me your pictures! I want to add them to the post!