September Update!

Life has been incredibly busy lately! I started back to work a the end of August and that meant that Sofia had to start daycare. Unfortunately, she is LOVING daycare! I say unfortunately because I was kinda hoping that she would at least *pretend* to miss us a little bit. Nope...she's lovin' it! The boys are enjoying having their little sister at Miss Nicole's as well. I guess we can say that everyone is happy!

The kiddos are wonderful! Sawyer started 5K at Westside Elementary in Kimberly. Deciding on which school he would attend was a huge ordeal. Thankfully Bob gave in and saw things my way (LOL!). Actually, if our home district would get its act together and have a before school program, we would have probably went local. But on the other hand, Sawyer has been having a hard time with being tired in the afternoons, so all-day 5K might have been pushing our luck a bit. His teacher at WS is awesome, and he seems to like her a whole lot. He even gets homework this year! He's growing so fast! It's hard to believe that he is 5!

Tatey keeps our world hopping, that's for sure! He is our little fireball...constantly on the go! His talking has improved immensely in the past few months! I can't believe I can now hold conversations with my little baby boy! I'm thinking that he has to be bigger than Sawyer was at this age (28 months - 41 lbs.); he's H*U*G*E! And he's SUCH A HONEY!

Sofia continues to be our little princess! She is just about as sweet as can be! This week she has started to take some steps, which is kind of bitter sweet to me. She's growing up so fast too! We were looking at some pictures from last March/April, and were amazed at how much more grown up she looks. No more infant! She's about the most intense little girl ever! Last week Miss Nicole said that she and Aubree were fighting over a toy...Aubree would steal it and Sofia would jut her chin out and start shaking (hilarious to see!) and steal the toy back while letting out a shreik. Can you imagine??? The little waif who didn't make more than a peep for her first few weeks with us?? She is definitley completely comfortable in our family!

Bob and I have been keeping very busy running after our very active family! This weekend we are going to a Wisconsin - U of Michigan football game. (Our first night away from Sofia...kind of scary!) Grandma Dani and Auntie Amber are coming to take care of the kiddos. The kids are soooo excited! It will be a nice little break for us as well!

Work is going fine for me. It was difficult getting into the swing of things again, especially with kids who are haphazard sleepers (read TATE). Bob is staying busy with the city. With the busy summer months finally behind him, maybe he will be a bit more friendly around home (just kidding, honey!). We are both about to embark on a new adventure in the insurance business. This has been in the works for awhile now and is finally coming into fruition (fruition...is that a word??). We'll keep you posted on how things are going!

Sorry about the pics...or lack there of. I am having problems uploading them. Trust me...our kids are too cute!! I'll try to post more later!

Daycare Picnic and Weekend at Chad's

We are busily getting ready for the school year around here. Sawyer and I went shoe shopping tonight (a sure way to heal the back-to-school blues!). Sawyer will be going back to his old school in Kimberly this year for 5K. He is beyond excited!

We've had some end of summer vacation fun starting with a picnic at S and T's daycare. The kiddos put on a circus performance and it was soooooo fun! Sofia starts at Miss Nicole's next week and I am not sure who is going to have the tougher transition...mom or baby!











































Last weekend we went to the Diedrick cottage which is about 2ish hours north of here. Chad and Kellie have a boat and we all went tubing and skiing and fishing, etc. WOW! What fun! Now Sawyer is hoping for a 4 wheeler AND a boat for Christmas! (Dream on, honey!!) The Diedrick cottage is BEAUTIFUL! It is situated on a good sized inland lake and is perfect for outdoor fun! We had a blast and hope that we might be invited back again! Thanks again Bob, Judy, Chad, Kellie, and Willow!

Vacation to Reno and Tahoe

On August 11th, Sawyer, Sofia, and I set off on an adventure to the wild, wild west. We had a blast! We specifically went to Reno to visit Tina and Steve, but we took many little trips while we were there to check out the local sights. We stayed at the John Ascuagas Nugget which was a real treat!

Sawyer enjoying his DVD player on the plane

On Friday we went to Virginia City where Sawyer was in awe of the cowboys! He got to see a real wild west shoot out show; he also got to pan for gold. It was such fun! He bought himself a cowboy hat and I don't think he took it off for the entire trip!

Panning for gold!

Bordella anyone??

On Saturday Tina, Sofia and I had a day of local shopping. I checked out the Buy More Save More sale at Gymboree (even far from home, that store ROCKS!) and then we went to see Tina's friends and co-workers at Kohls. Sawyer and Steve went to see March of the Penguins which they didn't like at all. Steve TOTALLY spoiled Sawyer by buying him toys, toys, and more toys!

On Sunday we went to a little town called Genoa which was the first city in Nevada. It was very fun! Sawyer loved all of the old stuff in the museums. For being such a good boy, he was given an old, hand-made nail by the caretaker of one of the museums. (Note: do NOT bring an old, rusty nail through security at the airport!! They tend to ask questions!) That night we went to Circus Circus where we all had a blast watching circus acts and playing midway games. We literally won 10-15 stuffed animals which I convinced Sawyer to leave for the housekeepers at the hotel; he was so amazed that someone came in everyday to make our beds, so it was pretty easy to convince him to leave the animals as a thank you.

On Monday we went to Lake Tahoe for the day. We were TOTALLY in awe of the beautiful views! We were able to take the gondola up the mountain at Heavenly...breathtaking! We just love Tahoe! We hope to get back soon so we can visit Bob's uncles...

We left yesterday and had a relatively uneventful trip home. The kiddos were wonderful travelers! I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat! Plus, Tatey got some good one-on-one time with daddy.

Just want to take this opportunity to thank our very dear friends Tina and Steve for the incredible vacation! We had a blast and hope to visit you again...in Portland this time??

RIP Grandma Groleau

I am very sad to announce that we lost our dear grandma yesterday (Wednesday). It was a rough end and her poor body was ready to join Grandpa Ed in heaven. It's very sad, but we know that she had a wonderful, long life. I think she was 89. I have many great memories of her and am very thankful that my kiddos were fortunate enough to know their great-grandma. We will all dearly miss her. We will be heading up to the UP this weekend for the services.

Family Reunion July 3, 2005

Ning Ning with earrings!!!

At long last, Bob finally gave in and Sofia got her ears pierced! They are soooo adorable! Bob is still a bit out of sorts about it. Men just don't understand "women stuff!"

Please keep Grandma Groleau and our family in your prayers as Grandma continues to fight pneumonia and other terrible things. She has been through quite a lot lately and could use a break in the health department.

Picture Tour of Sawyer's First 5 Years...

Just wanted to share some of my fav pictures! Unfortunately I don't have access to all of teh old pics from this computer. Oh well! Enjoy!

Our baby is 5!

I've felt weepy all day as I sit in awe looking at our son. Five years old! Where has the time gone?? Words cannot express the pride I feel as I watch Sawyer grow into a sweet, caring, sensitive (albeit VERY goofy) little boy. It is hard to believe that he is the same wild man we couldn't force to sit still not so long ago. His neverending curiosity continues to amaze us; he has learned to focus his energy into many different things (not just running wild). He is the best big brother around! Here are some things I remember about Sawyer's first 5 years of life:

• When I found out I was pregnant with Sawyer, I was so excited that my leg wouldn't stop bouncing!
• Being able to eat A LOT whenever and wherever I wanted to while I was pregnant!
• The first ultra sound - seeing that precious heartbeat and knowing that you were for real!
• Finding out at the 20 week ultrasound that the extra leg we saw was not a leg...you were a little boy!
• FREAKING with WORRY about having a little boy...I've NEVER had anything to do with little boys...EVER!!
• Going to Europe and on a cruise during my pregnancy. You were a very well-traveled baby even before your birth!
• Daddy making me go to the hospital 4 weeks before your due date just because I was having pains spaced 2 minutes apart. I thought they were going to send us home! You were born 2 hours later! :o)
• Telling dad to stay away from me while I was in labor because he was stinky! (He didn't have a chance to take a shower after he got home from work!)
• Dad pulling the emergency cord to get me out of the whirlpool bath. 5 nurses came running thinking that I was going to deliver you in the tub!
• Hearing your sweet cry for the first time.
• Hearing Grandma Dani whaling outside my hospital room door.
• Seeing how little you were!
• Watching you grow; seeing you roll over at 2ish weeks old; seeing you sit, crawl, walk.
• Singing to you while you were riding in the backseat.
• Auntie Tina's visit. Going to Mackinac Island in October!
• Your first Christmas.
• Going to Florida. Taking you to the doctor while we were there...twice!
• The look on your face when you saw daddy coming off the plane in Florida.
• Neutropenia
• Going to UW Children's Hospital for a bone marrow aspiration.
• The feeling of relief when we knew you were going to be OK.
• Reading books to you.
• 9/11 - Wanting to protect you from the world.
• Visiting Auntie Tina and Uncle Steve in California. Coming out of the closet combing your hair in San Francisco. LONG car rides at 3:00 in the morning to try to get you to sleep!
• Having seemingly long, complex conversations with you when you were very little.
• Starting daycare; meeting Miss Nicole.
• Moving into our apartment; moving into our new house 3 months later.
• Dreading going ANYWHERE with you that required staying over night; you were a TERRIBLE sleeper ANYWHERE except your own bed.
• Telling you about Tatey.
• Seeing your expressions as my belly grew with Tatey. Talking to you about being a big brother. We knew you would be an awesome big brother.
• Introducing you to Tate. You were so proud to wear your big brother t-shirt!
• Seeing you interact with your little brother. You tried to be so gentle!
• Uncle Davey and Auntie Laurie's wedding. No explanation necessary.
• The ride home from Uncle Davey and Auntie Laurie's wedding. Left a bad taste in Daddy's mouth.
• Going to Disney for the second time. You were soooooo excited! (& kinda naughty, too!)
• Telling you about your sister. Discussing adoption and where she was coming from.
• Starting 4K. Crying because I couldn't be there on your first day to see you cry.
• Your Christmas program.
• Swimming lessons; Gymnastics; Karate
• Showing you Sofia's referral pictures. Talking about our trip to bring her home. Trusting that you would be man of the house while we were gone.
• Talking to you on the phone while we were in China.
• Seeing you in the airport in Green Bay and introducing you to your little mei mei. You have always been so gentle with her!
• Your welcome home posters.
• Tatey being sick.
• Getting your report cards that confirmed to us what we already know; you are a good friend; you are a genius; the teacher wishes there were more of you to go around.
• Being in utter disbelief that your dad and I were capable of producing an especially sweet little boy like you.
• T-ball social hours.

We are so proud of you Sawyer! We have enjoyed watching you grow up every step of the way! Can't wait to enjoy many, many more years!

Love, Mum

Sawyer's Birthday Party

On Saturday, July 16th, Sawyer Henry had a pirate birthday party! Even though this was his "pretend" birthday (as S puts it...his real b-day is the 19th), he had a blast! Per usual, it was hot, hot, hot! Acutally, this was the hottest it has been in the 5 years we have been having parties for him. We usually bring the TV outside for everyone to watch the British Open, but this year we had a crew inside to watch. Everyone played in the water; Bob build a super-sonic slip 'n slide. Lots of fun! Sawyer got a pirate ship, a pirate storage case, and some pirate guys as well as a super-cool guitar, among many other cool things! Thanks to EVERYONE! We had a blast!
Enjoy the pictures!

Mackinac Island

On Friday, July 8th, Sawyer, Auntie Amber, Sofia and I ventured over to Mackinac Island for a day of fun. It was awesome! We visited the fort, rode our bikes 8.2 miles around the entire island, rode a horse taxi, and visited the Grand Hotel (only the grounds...we weren't dressed correctly to visit the rest). It is so peaceful and relaxing over on the island. Sofia hated the boat rides and hid her face the entire time. It was so cute! She was a trooper the rest of the day. The weather was absolutely beautiful! Biking around the island is easy and so rewarding! It is so cool coming around the corner and seeing the mighty Mackinac Bridge in the distance. Very cool! Sawyer LOVED the fort and would have spent the entire day there if we had let him! We hope that Daddy is able to visit again with us soon! Enjoy our pics!