ray of sun

on thursday evenings, ryder had a super cool mountain bike class at black hawk (which is the hill we ski at during the winter), and quinn and i would go and play around for an hour while he biked. we had so much fun out there, running up and down the rolling hills, hiking around, packing a dinner, taking pictures, and just relaxing in the summer sun.

neighborhood science show

just another summer afternoon at our super awesome neighbors, watching a science show! it's so fun, and so educational, and every time we head over to participate, i think "how the heck did we get so lucky to have such amazing neighbors!!" the kids just LOVE these days:)  for this show we made soda geysers, and bottle top rockets!

First sleepover!

Quinn went to her first sleepover, at her friend anouk's house. They were both so excited...as you can see:)

It went really well, and they even went to sleep before 10....so that's pretty good! 

Union terrace

One of our favorite places to hang is the union terrace on lake Mendota. There's music, yummy food, lots of people, the lake, good beer, good ice cream, and the view is amazing!! 

summer flow

The summer has started off with just such joy and relaxation, and loads of fun!

The kids have been enjoying birthday parties, swim lessons, swim team, clay class, sleeping in, eating amazing produce, and Ryder is taking a super sweet mountain biking class this summer, he's learning how to hop logs, lay into a turn, and also how to maintain his bike! 

I really do love the flow is summer and all the many things we get to enjoy!

a ballerina and her ice cream cone

Last day of school

I can't believe another year has gone by, it seems like it takes forever to get through in the first few months of the school year, and the last few months just fly by!

It's been a tradition of ours to get up extra early on the last day, and go out for breakfast at Mickie's dairy bar, for a super yummy diner style breakfast (the kids go for their pankcakes). So fun and so delicious:)

So long school....and hello summer vacation:)

Apple tree

We finally layed down our roots, here in madison! To celebrate the purchase of our home we planted an apple tree in our back yard. 

Our rainbow!

spring time biking

the sun is our friend

so thankful that the sun was shinning this past week, because we've been sick sick sick! 

our backyard was our saving grace, and we would all crawl out there and bask in the sun. it was so healing and so warm! 

we found many quiet activities to do during this time, henna was one of the favs. 

so glad to be feeling better!

good bye black hawk

one of our final days at our little ski hill, which has turned out to be the perfect place to go after school, just to thrown down a couple turns before dinner! 

we will be back next year, for sure!!

totally normal

just another sunday. donuts and a massage train.

x country

 

besides alpine skiing this winter we also tried out x county skiing. it was quite the work out, but we all had so much fun! we just may have to add this sport to our winter list, especially because there is a golf coarse right down the street, which makes for a perfect spot to ski. i'm telling you, madison makes it so easy to get out and enjoy the outdoors!

after school silliness

 

the kids are enjoying playing with uncle troy (he's been ryder's roommate for the past month...it's the dude room!),  he certainly brings out the silliest behavior in all of us!

Home days are the best!

quinn needed some extra sleep and just a "home day" last week....i find those days as important as "school" days! we made cookies, read books, had tea, went grocery shopping, and also had time to make homemade lavendar lotion (the best stuff ever!).

ice caves, lake superior (part 2)

this is where Elsa lives! so amazing

ice caves-lake superior

finally got around to putting up the pics from our epic trip to the ice caves, located on the shore of lake superior.
although the weather wasn't ideal, and we had one kid that was just getting over a fever, we still managed to rally and head out for this crazy adventure (jesse had a lot to do with this!)
we met grandmama and grandpapa in bayfield on saturday, ate at our favorite pub, maggies, to get a super delicious fish sandwich before we headed out onto the lake. the weather on that day was -25 with the wind chill, so we were a little nervous about how this was going to turn out.
after our bellies were full, we bundled up and drove to meyers beach (fortunately the chilly temps kept a few thousand people home so we were able to park fairly close to the lake, on a warmer saturday people were having to park a few miles away!).
we packed lots of hand warmers and toe warmers, snacks for the kids, water, goggles, blankets, and the we also had a chariot to pull the kids in, when they needed to get out of the cold.
after a mile or so hiking along the shoreline, we got the the caves. the kids immediately started exploring every nook and cranny (like little penguins). i had so much fun following them, seeing things i would have missed otherwise.
we all were amazed, like really really amazed. what a special place......and it was wonderful to share this unique experience with not only my kids and jesse, but with my parents! now that's a good memory!
this is just another reminder of how amazing this land is, it just makes me love it so much more!
so although i was hesitant to make the trip, and the weather wasn't perfect, nor were the roads (that is another story), i am glad we did it:)

i "heart" you

 

although i find valentines day a little silly, i have tried to make the best of it (which is pretty easy to do with two munchkins eager to celebrate anything). over the years i have tried to put more time into handmade gifts (which is quite challenging), and have found that february is a wonderful time to make something.....i am just getting my creative juices back after the big holiday push in december...which leaves me pretty drained, but oh so fulfilled:) this year i made the kids little "winter warmers" for valentines day, and they were a hit! it's nice to have something to snuggle up to on a freezing cold winter evening....and they smell good too. it was a quick project, and something the kids have been using every day so far, they are awesome! what a great gift idea..hmmm. check out the tutorial here: winter warmers

Piano

ryder has been practicing piano, just about every day, and has a lesson once a week with his, super amazing piano teacher. he is getting so good, we all just love it! my favorite time is sitting in the studio and listening to him play his pieces-he's so darn cute.....i smile the entire time-i probably look like a crazy person, but i can't help it! 

sunday crafting

after learning how the process of making paper, thanks to quinn's super awesome art teacher, the kids and i decided paper making would be a nice way to spend a sunday afternoon. we used a blend of white paper that the kids colored on (and were finished enjoying the masterpiece), junk mail, egg cartons, and small scraps of construction paper. 

the entire process was awesome and the end result is so cool:) we have a pulp bucket in our kitchen now (when it gets stinky it's time to make more paper!). 

Marshmallow catapult

Every Friday afternoon I volunteer in Ryder's classroom, doing art/crafts with the kids who are interested. I thought I would switch things up a bit and bring a project that was a little more playful...which led me to find this wonderful tutorial for the marshmallow catapult.

Skiing again...

Just another day on the slopes. What a fun way to play the afternoon away....it's just so easy to love this life!

Snow friend

It was finally warm enough to get outside and build a snowman...I feel like every year our snow friend has such a tiny head (must be Quinn's job)....but this year the eyes are my favorite! What a good looking fella! 

puppet theatre

quinn got a 'spoon' puppet theater for christmas. i have a feeling this is going to be hours of entertainment, not only for her, but for all of us! she put on a little birthday show for me the other morning, oh, it was so fun watching and listening. i remember putting on plays of all sorts with my sisters and cousins....this is what childhood is all about:)

ski bums

so this is what we've been up to lately! these two have once again shocked jesse and i with their skills. both kids are loving this new sport, and although jesse and i were a bit apprehensive to hit the midwestern slopes (after being out west for 10 years), it was so nice to slap those skis back on and hit the slopes with the littles! this is going to be something we can do together for years to come.