Wild and Crazy Friday Night

We are ruthless in the Motelet House.   We enjoy a good game of Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders and the quarter/dice game.  But we are old school, if you win, you win.  If you lose you lose.  No matter your age, 3, 5, or 36 --- wins and losses are legit.   It just so happens that I won tonight :).

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone.  We are so thankful for amazing friends and families.  Hope you had a wonderful holiday season.

The Mini-Vans -- aka the Van Groll Cousins

The Motelet Crew

Thanks Nana, Bapa, Gregg, Lisa, Hayleigh and Ajay for making Sarah's Birthday so special each year.  We are so lucky to have such a GREAT family.  Love you all.

Thanks to all friends and family who made this weekend and last weekend so fun for our kids.  Lots of love to you.

Happy Birthday Big 5 Year Old

You and your brother are the best things that ever happen to Dad and I. We love you so much.

Go Pack Go

Yup, same size hats.

Outlet Shopping and Mousejaw

Sometimes I really enjoy weekends with nothing to do. The kids needed some winter gear so we headed to the Dells for some shopping and pizza.

After a few too many chocolate milks.

Not a chance my little NASCAR-lover, enjoy the video game - you will NEVER have a real motorcycle.

Future Governor/President

I would vote for this intelligent and kind-hearted guy.

Grandpa's Beans

We lose a lot of toys, baseballs and golf balls in the bean field around grandpa and grandma's house. Sarah is just the safe height to go hunting for them.

First Day of School

Today is the "official" first day of 4K. Ben and Sarah are in the same room at school/daycare so Ben is telling everyone he is "in 4K" too. Verona Area School District, you get these two for the next 14 years, enjoy and good luck :)

Proud Grandparents

Welcome Zachary Richard

We have a new Van Groll. A special welcome to "Baby Zach" or "Z-Money" as Bill will call him to the Van Groll Family. Congrats to Aunt Angela and Uncle Mark on such a handsome young man. I can promise you Zack, you are loved by many.

Beach-Time in Madison

Last week Ben and Sarah met their cousins Hayleigh and Ajay for a little beach time. We never consider that we live in between 2 large lakes with nice beaches. Thanks Aunt Lisa for the idea and another great summer day.

Mallards Game

Last night we had no plans. A last minute decision to head to Warner Park for a Mallards game was a good one. The kids enjoyed the "big boys" play baseball and all the between inning entertainment. The ballpark food and drinks weren't bad either.

Calling In Reinforcements

With Bill out of town for work for at least this week, I took the kids up to Appleton for Van Groll-time. Uncle Larry and Aunt Lori took their niece and nephews, Aunt Jenny and I to Bay Beach in Green Bay. The kids loved the rides and they even coerced me into going down the big slide with them. Thanks Lori and Larry.

My little Pirate

Thanks to everyone who made this pirate's birthday so wonderful. We are blessed to have such great friends and family.

Happy Birthday to My Boys

Ben, we are blessed to have such a wonderful son who makes us all laugh EVERY day. We love you, as you would say, "so-so much". Bill you are a wonderful husband, amazing father and great best friend. Happy Birthday to "my guys".

Must do-Disney Photos

Disney Vacation

Last week the Motelets took a family vacation to Florida. We visited Sea World, the ocean and of course DisneyWorld. Ben went on stage with the Pirates of the Carribean and was sworn in as a pirate apprentice. Sarah collected thousands of sea shells and met her fairy godmother. Bill and I got to see smiles on our kids from ear to ear. But the kids probably loved the hotel pool the best. We have many memories. It was so much fun for all of us.

RIGHT NOW

As I type, Ben and Bill are walking Miso for his nightly stroll. This is what Ben is wearing. Think he'll come back with some trick or treat candy?

First practice

Let the summer sports seasons begin.

Random Tuesday

What happens when Bill has a full day of staring at a computer at work and needs to "get out", it is too cold to play outside and I have coupons? BOWLING on a Tuesday night. The kids, and Bill and I, loved it.

Spring Break

The kids and I had spring break this week. We spent lots of time with family and friends. Today is the official last day of break and we didn't know what to do. So ---- we headed to campus. We visited the Geology Museum to see a real T-Rex toe bone. Then we went to Babcock Hall to watch them make ice cream. We then had to sample the goods. Later today we are off to spend the Easter weekend with lots of family.

Nascar Fan???

It kills Bill and I to think we may have a Nascar fan on our hands. Ugghhh.

Snow Storm

Literally seconds after this picture was snapped, Ben "accidentally" leaned on the front of the fort and our hour of work was for not. No matter, it will be melted by tomorrow night. That is winter in Wisconsin this year for you.

Daddy's Boy

I have noticed in the last few weeks that Ben is turning into a Daddy's boy. Whether its playing board games or having sword fights in the toilet, Ben idolizes his Dad lately. It also may have something to do with the fact that Bill and Ben like to eat Cheetos in their "ungies" on the couch. It sure seems to be a bonding experience.

Morning Makeover

This weekend Aunt Angela and Uncle Mark came to visit. Angela and Sarah did makeovers on each other and Sarah was in heaven. The boys went on a special mission to a toy tractor show to find all Grandpa's old tractors in toy version.

I think Mark and Angela are "practicing" for their little one coming this summer. Bill and I (and the kids) are relishing the rewards of their "practice time". Thanks for coming guys.

Welcome Caleb Michael

Sarah and Ben have a new cousin. Caleb was born last week and is one of the best babies we have ever seen. Welcome to the whole Van Groll family little man. You don't know what you have gotten yourself in to :).

Sunday Afternoon

This afternoon Bill and Ben went to the ice rink for the first time. Although we visit the hockey rink often, this was the first time Ben got on the ice. Ben got new skates for Christmas and wore Bill's old hockey helmet. Apparently he enjoyed it but was upset that he didn't have a "hockey tick" - that is "hockey stick".


While the boys were out skating, Sarah and I met friends at an area high school to see "Beauty and the Beast".

It was a great Sunday afternoon.

Fancy Nancy

Last week Sarah and her friend Kate went to see Fancy Nancy at the Verona Public Library. We had tea and crumpets and listened to one of the Fancy Nancy stories. I never heard of the Fancy Nancy phenomenon, however it was super cute. The specific story they read was of a very imaginative, creative and princess-loving little girl who had VERY "PLAIN" parents. She was determined to make them more "FANCY" and she proudly does.

A little close to home right :).