Boat with Dad & Kristin

Ricky was itching to get out on the boat so we called up Dad and Kristin and asked them what they had planned for the day. After Eric's soccer game the four of us went out on Lake Mendota in Madison. It was a super hot day - so perfect to be out on the lake. Dad and Kristin brought snacks/drinks and the company was great. We stopped to eat dinner at the Edgewater. It was cool b/c you could just pull up on your boat, tie it up and eat right out on the deck. Yeah, if only it was that easy! Wowza! It out of nowhere became a really windy afternoon on the lake and the boat was crashing into the dock. Ricky was not loving this so him and Dad hung on the boat out on the lake while Kristin and I waited for our food. To-go containers were a hit and we ate on the lake. The night was complete when we stopped at Kristin's friend Stephanie's parents house on the lake. We chatted it up there and then headed home b/c it was dark. Definite highlight was Krisin using the little on board bathroom. I still think your bag is floating out there Kristin - haha!!! Good times with Dad and Kristin!

Flowers & Cucumbers???

Today I went to the Farmers Market, like I do every Wednesday. Of course, my little Hmong family was happy to see me, as I was to see them. Today however they gave me a little something extra. As I was paying for my flowers the Dad whispered something to the daughter and she started packing a bag of like 6 cucumbers. She handed the flowers and veggies to me and said, "here....for you." Honestly? Can this family be any cuter??? I just cannot believe how friendly some people are. It truly made my day.

Luxury Valet Boat Outing

Ricky and I are very grateful for our solid team of valets. Some of them have been with us for 3+ years. We feel that it is important that they know how much we appreciate them and think it's necessary to have fun with them once in a while. We put together our 1st Annual Luxury Valet Boat Outing on Okauchee Lake. I made a whole bunch of food, the weather was awesome, and we had tons of fun. There was lots of crashing and lots of laughing. Such a success!

Fathers Day weekend at the Wiebe Cabin

This past weekend Sarah and Ryan, my Dad and Kristin, Eric, Ricky and myself headed to Kristin's families cabin in Minocqua. Fun times had by all! The boys were up early almost every day bound and determined to catch fish, we were out on the boat relaxing, did some fireworks, rode the tandom bike (loved), went for walks, had some fires with good talks and just genuinely enjoyed eachothers company. I am sooo glad that we had this weekend away with my family. Times like those, I will cherish forever. I am really looking forward to our new tradition. Thanks Kristin for inviting us and Happy Fathers Day again to my Dad - love you!
Some of my favorite moments of the weekend:
Laughing, lots of laughing
Ricky messing w/ Dad when he went to bed and seeing Sarah laugh super hard
Ricky almost inhaling the cubed cheese and then spitting them out quickly
Seeing the guys happy after they had a morning of succesful fishing
Watching Eric become excited to gut fish
Riding the tandom bike - that thing was the best!
Seeing Dad and Kristin walk in front of us with their arms around eachother
Joking around on the ride home from the Plantation Restaurant - we left our moth balls there.....haha!
Ricky and I winning the Baggo tournament
Watching Eric be perfectly content with a giant net trying to catch fish off the pier, all by himself.
Dad and Ricky's underware/swimsuit extravaganza!! OMG....sooooo funny!!!!!
Relaxation, no schedules to stick to, and no phone reception
Being surrounded by people I really love alot.

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day!!
This weekend we are headed up north to celebrate Dads Day with my Dad. I'm excited! Sarah and I are all grown up and we are having a family vaca. The boys have their fishing gear ready, groceries are bought, we are packed and ready to hit the road. I am hoping that the weather is hot and sunny so I can get a tan. I don't believe that's exactly what the weather channel says, but oh well, tan or no tan we will have fun, guaranteed.
I really like days like Mothers Day and Fathers Day b/c you get to celebrate the most influential people in your life. It always seems like you never tell them enough how much they mean to you, how thankful you are, and genuinely how much you love them. So Dad, I love you to pieces :: Thank you for everything :: And you mean ALOT to me::
Memories I hold dear to my heart of my Dad -
* My Dad doing(untangling) my hair while watching Cubs games. I didn't even know there was a Brewers until I was an adult. WGN was on at all times.
* Going to watch him play softball/coach baseball/Ref basketball - I really loved doing that. I was little and it was awesome. I felt important, special and proud. Whether I was sitting at the scores table, hanging out in the dugout or riding in the back of his little white truck, it was amazing.
* Shooting hoops with my Dad. Nothing like a little help from your pops. Especially loved it when he was my coach.
* Seeing my Dad in the stands at my games, hearing his voice or his whistle. If you heard a whistle, that meant step it up, lets go!
* Seeing my Dad's face at our wedding.
* Watching him be the center of attention, everywhere he goes. He's charasmatic,funny, and people like him. (especially me).
* Talks with my Dad.....he always knows when somethings up with me. He'll listen and give me advice that only a Dad can give. He's calm and honest, and that's what I love and need.
* And all of those other moments where he's wiped tears from my eyes, made me laugh, hugged me, picked me up, and given me guidance.
Thank you Dad for being you. I cherish our relationship more than you know and truly hope that you have a great Fathers Day.

June 16th......

June 16th is a bittersweet day for me.
The good - On June 16th 2007 my sister and Ryan got married. They are celebrating their anniversary today and that makes me happy. I remember their wedding clearly and some things that come to mind are :
Sarah looking beautiful - truly her prettiest day
All of us girls getting ready at her house - hair and makeup fun
Rachel's bum limb
Ricky looking very dapper in his suit
Ryan tearing up when Sarah came down the aisle
My mom and dad walking her down
The yummy food at the reception
My dad playing Sarah's song that she sang for their dance - surprise!
My dad, Sarah and I dancing together, one of my favorite pics.
My mom being so happy and proud.
A happy couple.
Happy Anniversary to the Smiths - many more anniversaries to come!!

The sad - On June 16th last year, I had a miscarriage. Breaks my heart just thinking about it. Definitely never ever ever want to feel that heartache again. I came home one night after a softball game and just wasn't feelin the greatest. I went to the bathroom and low and behold, there was some spotting. I knew something was wrong. Of course I panicked and told Ricky what was going on. He was trying to calm me down and told me everything would be ok. I called the dr and she said to come in first thing in the morning for an ultrasound. I just knew in my gut though that something was seriously wrong. I had been feeling kind of wierd that week and my pregnancy symptoms were actually fading - which I thought was sketchy. I actually took a pregnancy test just to make sure I was still pregnant and it came back questionable. So, I was dreading what I already knew was going on. Sure enough at the ultrasound they didn't find a heartbeat and told me that the baby only measured 7 weeks. I felt like I couldn't breath::I was crushed::truly devastated. I know Ricky was hurting too, as I could see his eyes welling up.....but he was strong, much stronger than myself. The ride home was silent, but tearful. As I think back on this day I am sad.....I know that there are some unknown reasons as to why it didn't work out, and that God has a plan, but my heart still aches.

I will keep this day in my heart forever - for my sister, and baby L.

Morning with lil Pfeiffer

Babysat lil Brody Pfeiffer today - too cute and too funny. It was kind of yucky weather, but we did manage to get some time in at the park. He was ALL about it. He was climbing around on the equipment like he was 10. I was a nervous wreck! He kept me on my toes, all the while he was smiling. He truly is a peanut. Probably the funniest part of the morning was his constant eating. This boy can take down some goldfish crackers! I swear I must have heard "na na" aka "snack snack" a million times. He was non stop. The best was when Chase (doggie) would try to pick up one that Brody dropped and Brody would quick step on it so Chase couldn't get it. Chase made for a nice vaccum though and definitely knows where to get "treats" from. On our way home from the park we took the long way and I had to laugh when I saw this clothesline with "undies" all on it! Gotta love small towns!