Christmas at the Motelets

Thank you Nana, Bapa, Uncle Gregg and Aunt Lisa for a wonderful Christmas Day and all the gifts. We love you all.

Christmas Eve at Elver Park

Elmo's World

Have I mentioned how our lives have changed? Today Sarah got gifts in the mail from her Uncle and Aunt in Seattle. Elmo's World - the complete DVD collection. Yup, that is what our Christmas Eve will entail -- lots and lots of Elmo.

Thanks guys.

Christmas at the Van Grolls

This weekend we had Christmas at Grandpa Pete and Grandma Joyce's house. Sarah got to play with her cousin Owen, eat cookies baked specially for her by Grandpa and Uncle Larry and got to open presents from Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Lori, Uncle Larry, Uncle Mike and Aunt Jenny. She made out HUGE. Uncle Mark and Aunt Angela couldn't make Christmas - they are in 85 degree weather in Hawaii - poor them.

Sarah wanted to say thank you so much for being so wonderful and generous. She loves you all. We can't say it enough how lucky our little girl is.

A Conversation With My Daughter

At lunch today, Sarah and I had a good talk. Well, sort of.

We love Saturdays

NO WORK, NO SCHOOL and a chance to play in the snow and buy our Christmas tree.

No reason

Can't Wait for Badger BB

We are watching the Wis. vs Minn. football game and after another Badger turnover...........Sarah asked "when does Badger basketball start?"

Thanks everyone

Sarah had a wonderful Birthday even though we learned she does not like chocolate cake. I had lofty hopes to have pictures of her completely covered with cake but to no avail -- she didn't even want to try it. What a crazy kid.
We did get some photos with her cousins and new toys. Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful gifts and cards. We are lucky to have such great friends and family.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY

Sarah,

So many people love you more than you'll ever know. Your mom and dad's lives have never been so wonderful. We love you always !!!

Stay tuned for 1st birthday chocolate cake pics.

Pre-Birthday "Get Together"

Sarah's pals: Will, Kendall, Dane and Addie came over tonight for a little party.
Sarah wanted to say thanks for the presents and she is excited for many more birthdays with her friends.

Two Puppies

Sarah's dad asks EVERY DAY if we can get another puppy. Wish granted -- well sort of.

Happy Halloween.

Mike & Jenny's Wedding

We had a great time this weekend at Uncle Mike and Aunt Jenny's Wedding. Sarah got to snuggle with Larry and Lori, hang out with Mark and Angela and party with Mike and Jenny. She also got to see all her great-aunts and uncles and all Grandpa and Grandma Van Groll's friends gushed over how cute she was. Sarah even got to stay with Nana and Bapa Motelet in the hotel. It was a GREAT weekend. Thanks Mike and Jenny and everyone else who made the weekend so perfect !!

a QUIET dinner at home

Goodbye Summer

After a gorgeous weekend, gone are the days of hanging out on the deck with Grandpa in just a diaper.
(Well, maybe not just yet.)

Sarah's mom's friend Sara had a baby girl today, Abigail. Can't wait to meet you!!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Gregg and Cousin Hayleigh

Hayleigh turns 3 and Gregg turns ... well older. Sarah wanted to say she loves you both and have a GREAT Birthday.

Thanks Nana and Bapa

This weekend Bill and I were childless for the night and went to the Packer game on Sunday. Sarah stayed at Nana and Bapa's house. She is so lucky and loves Bapa's bubbles.

"MaMa" vs "DaDa"

Can you say daddy's girl?

Little Billy's Teepee

Bill's Mom and Dad gave us Bill's teepee (his favorite toy when he was a kid). Now that Sarah is so mobile she crawls over to it at mock speed and hides in it.
(Old school toys = good times)

Oh yeah, she kissed the daycare boy AGAIN today.

Starting already???? (ugghh)

So a quick story:
Yesterday I picked up Sarah from daycare and her teacher asked her "should I tell your mom or are you going to?" I instantly thought "oh no, what did she do". Apparently on Monday she and another boy crawled behind a chair and were holding hands. Then on Tues. she and the same boy were in the same spot but Sarah was kissing him. She drools a lot lately --teeth -- so the boy was soaked.

By the way, the boy looks a lot like her real boyfriend Will. Sorry Will, we will set her straight.

I think it just got harder raising a girl than a boy.

It never rains

...... but it did this weekend when we headed up to the Van Groll's cabin. We were cabin bound but did spend a little time on the boat. Thanks Scottie, Casey, Owen, Mike and Jenny -- we still had fun.

She wins, she always wins

We spent the night up in Appleton for Uncle Mike's bachelor party. Sarah got to see her Uncle Mark from Seattle and can't wait for Uncle Mike and Future Aunt Jenny's wedding to see Aunt Angela too.

We got back home late in the afternoon and it was, as many of you know, right in the middle of the "to nap or not to nap" time. We decided to skip the nap. We tried so hard to keep her awake until her regular bedtime. We did songs, dances, walks and a bath. But as you can see -- she won, she always wins.

Back to School

Last night Sarah and I packed our school bags - crayons and all - and we went to bed early. This morning we decided what our first day outfit was going to be and we headed off. Yup, Back to School.

Going to Work

Last weekend, Sarah was babysat by the boys: her Dad, her Grandpa, her Uncle Larry and her Uncle Mike. The girls got a night out on the town. The boys decided to put her to work on Grandma and Grandpa's lawn and taught her to walk with the Elmo mower. Now she mows all the time. Enjoy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

Have a great Birthday Grandma! Sarah wanted to say thanks for being so proud of her. Sarah loves ya Grandma.

Such a CopyCat

This photo is titled "First Dance" on Will's blog. After seeing it, I needed to copy the cute couple photo and share it will my peeps too.

Just Because

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAPA

Happy birthday Bapa! Sarah wanted to thank you for all the times you babysit, push her in the swing and blow bubbles in her face. Sarah loves you lots.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT LORI

Have a wonderful birthday Aunt Lori. Thanks for all the Ronald MacDonald toys -- aka "little Ronnies".

Sarah loves ya!

Hangin' With Her Guy

Tattoo and Ron Dayne

Bill, "Mr. I Hate Blogging", wanted me to post this one.

Today we went to the Waunafest Parade. We placed our blanket down to sit and hopefully collect lots of tootsie rolls. However our candy collecting was impeded because Ron Dayne, his wife and two boys sat right next to us. All the people throwing candy obviously threw the "goods" to the Dayne boys. Of course I forgot the camera -- I did get a phone pic though. Ron, yes we are on a first name basis, did say to his son and I quote "look at the cute little girl". Yup - Sarah. Candy was few and far between but we did get a press-on tatoo of a BILL'S TOWING tow truck.

Happy Birthday Uncle Larry

Sarah just wanted to give you a special message on your birthday. Have a great day and Sarah loves you anyway Uncle Lawrence.

Grandmas Know Best

Who needs Baby Einstein when Grandma says "just get out some pots, pans and spoons"? A little loud but it works for Sarah.

Mental Health

I recently read that to be mentally healthy you should laugh (real stomach-hurting laugh) at least 4.5 min. per day. Also, to enhance that mental health you are suppose to get 12 positive/affectionate touches per day. Thus, next time we see each of you ---- you are getting a hug !!!!! Enjoy

Where's Sarah???

Today Sarah and I toured the UW campus in hopes she will attend in 18 years. Her dad and I hope for this not only because we love the UW but it is nice and close to home.


I know it has been awhile for some of you but can you tell what buildings/locations we visited????