G-Ma in Wisconsin Part II

 Grandma watched the boys while Josh and I went on a date.

Vincent is just so darn cute!

I couldn't resist this one, my older one with the undies, and the younger one showing off his curvy legs, and cute bottom.  I'm totally in love with my children.  

Grandma OK comes to Wisconsin! Part I

 My mom, known as "Grandma Oklahoma"  came and visited for two weeks.  We had a low-key visit.  It was nice.  We went to the farmer's market, made peach jam, and drove to small towns in Wisconsin for fabric sales.

 We played in the sprinkler, put together puzzles, and watched sadly as OKC lost to Miami.

 We admired the cuteness of this lil' one.

 More pictures coming soon!

Come on over. . .

  

We will be in Wisconsin this summer-"hanging around"  Josh has made quite the climbing wall in the garage.  The boys are good at putting on their helmets (excuse the pictures) and going for a climb.  Josh boulders around, there are a few on the ceiling.  This is located in our large garage.  Whoever owned this place had an RV,boat, or something because there is plenty of space.  

 

I have a strong influence over Josh, but I've never been able to take the climb out of this boy.  I have influenced him to wear a helmet.  ( He didn't own one when we married).  Our boys will climb, even if I get anxiety.  I'm slowly warming up to it.  The wall isn't as scary or as dangerous as I might have thought, and the angry bird stickers helped.  LOL.

 Here are a few pictures of our beautiful garden.  We worked from sun up to sun down.  It is about 17 by 25 feet.  We have lots of tomatoes, strawberries, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, watermelon, zucchini,
herbs, peas and more!  I can't believe we did this.  I am in NO way good at keeping plants alive.  

Here are a few reasons I gave in and we planted: 1. When in rome-I mean everyone gardens here.  It is just the thing to do.  2.  I'm gonna be home this summer, so I can take care of it.  3.  The plot was already here-so why not use it.  4.  Josh wanted to, and we could work together.  5.  I have crazy dreams of it producing and me becoming some yummy organic cook and my kids eating vegetables that they have weeded and watered.

Let's hope it isn't dead by July!

Here is a shot the boys got in the tree house.  It has two stories and is a fun place.  We also have a maze on the hill.  Yes, a maze where we cut down the tall grass.  Why not enjoy the large field behind the house?

   Have you ever played, "Fox in the Meadow?"  You should.  It is a super fun activity.  We learned the game in snow, but you can also make a maze in grass, like we did.  Basically, it is tag with a fox chasing geese.  You just have to stay on the maze.  Once the fox tags someone and there are 2 foxes, you can trap people and use a little strategy on which path you take.

Here is a spiral shaped dead end.
This is also a very random, spiral-like post.  Oh, and even though this post is early a bit for father's day.  I just want to throw out how my boys are so lucky to have a dad who builds them a wall, and a garden, and a maze!  I love Josh, and while Marshfield wouldn't be my first pick, as long as Josh is here this is where I want to be. So, come on over-it's gonna be a fun summer!

A Medieval Family

Vinny's very first birthday happened to fall on the night of the school carnival.  I dressed up as a princess and passed out royal invitations at the school on Thursday.  Students and families were encouraged to dress up; if you ever need a pick-me-upper, I strongly suggest dressing as a princess and going to a kindergarten classroom.  The little girls told me time and again how beautiful I was and asked me, "are you a real princess?"  

"Of course, I am, " was always my response.  Such an esteem builder!

Vincent was our dragon.

Dragon Vinny.

Vinny and Dad.

Our  knight in shining armor, on a wave board, Ivan.

Ivan the knight!

Ammon as Robin Hood.

Orlando was the jester.  He was great and even memorized jokes.  My favorite was what do you get from a nervous cow?
A milkshake.  

                                       

Mt. Olympus

We had a wonderful spring break this year!  Josh was able to take vacation.  We went and spent 2 days in the Wisconsin Dells.  We got a steal of a deal and stayed at Mt. Olympus and rode roller coasters, and enjoyed the inside water park.  The boys loved it!

The next day we went to Devil's Lake.  It a a beautiful place.  Josh is discovering the rock climbing available here.   Thursday I went to the temple in St. Paul with a friend in the branch. Friday we worked around the house, and just played catch up.  Saturday, Josh went to the temple with a couple of people.  Sunday was spent celebrating Easter.  Another post hopefully coming soon on that.  But in short, it was a very nice week for our little family.

Maple Syrup Farm

 

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to go to a Maple Syrup Farm.  A family in our church farms syrup, and with the more mild winter, the trees were running (usually this is mid March), so buckets had to be put out. Josh got to tap several trees.  Can you believe 40 of these buckets to yield 1 gallon of syrup!  It is a lot of work.  This bucket can be full by the end of the day and need changed out.  They also have lids as needed to keep out bugs, dirt, rain water, etc.

This is the outhouse.

Here we are messing around on a frozen pond.  Of course, we don't own skates, but we could sure slide!  We also found a north facing hill with plenty of snow for some sledding fun.

Inside the "Sugar Shack".  The large contraption behind Josh is where they cook down the sap.  We had venison chili and hot chocolate.

Gunner is Ammon's age, but Ivan and Gunner have February birthdays.  Ivan got to be part of this cool birthday cake!  We had a great time and learned some things too.  I can't wait to go out for the pancake breakfast and have the fresh maple syrup!!

The Life in Marshfield

Wow. Marshfield. You can see the whole town in one day. Well, in ten minutes if you drive straight through. It would probably take longer to walk through the clinic then drive through the town. Cell coverage is awful. Apparently some stubborn company owned all the cell towers when Alltel was bought out by Verizon. Verizon didn't want to pay what this company wanted, so the ONLY place in the US where cell coverage doesn't work for ATT is right here for a hundred miles or so. Not that it NEVER works, it just doesn't work OFTEN.

Lots of Amish, Menonite, and Dairy farmers. Some paper mill workers, sugar plant workers. Big Land O Lakes plant not too far. Snow (but not much, the warm winter is everywhere).

I love the elementary being a block away. Kids like their teachers, and are making quick friends. I've joined the YMCA. It is very friendly. People talk and get to know you. Not like the snooty gyms in OH, where it was a fashion show. (Nice gyms but an all about ME kinda place). This YMCA is very people oriented. I like it a lot. At least 5 lbs worth. Hopefully more.

Besides the Y, not much keeping me busy. Tried to make some curtains for bedroom, but it was a fail. I did the Roman shades from blinds. They ended up short and uneven. I am such a goof ball. Maybe I should just buy some.

I'll probably check out the public library soon. I've been saving that as a place to go.

That's all. Just thought I would give a quick report.