Sick Time

Poor little Audra had a rough week last week. On top of teething she came down with ear infections and a cold-like virus. She was quite the mess.

On Monday Hillary took half day and Aunt Ashley and Oscar helped watch her for the rest of the day.
Tuesday it was off to spend the day with Aunt Michelle. Cousin Luke and Duffy helped keep her company.
Wednesday Hillary took a full day off and then Thursday morning she came to work with me. At one point Carleen held her and she fell asleep for about an hour.
By the end of Thursday she was feeling much better and was able to go back to daycare on Friday.

Thank you to everyone that helped get us through the week. We appreciate it.

Perfect Park Weather

Saturday was perfect for a trip to the park for some sand and slides.
Cousin Luke dries the slide off with his pants.

Grady enjoys trip number 15 down the slide!

A Visit From Cousin Luke

Everyone took turns playing with the trains.
Cousin Luke helps Audra put the car back on the track.
Brooks sort of watching the action. He is ready for his spring haircut.
Hug Time: Mommy and Audra
Audra and Luke
Luke and Grady
Peek a Boo!
Hello from Cousin Luke!

Hockey Night

The kids have been battling some illness the past week or so. But both seemed to be recovering well. So after a day filled with plenty of naps we decided to take in one final Badger Hockey game at the Kohl Center this season. This would be our first trip to a women's hockey game.
The Badger Women's Hockey team hosted Minnesota-Duluth in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA tourney. The winner advanced to the Frozen Four Finals. Wisconsin has won 3 National Championships and UMD 2 over the past 5 years. In fact of the 10 years there has been a Women's National Championship there have only been 3 different champions. UMD has 5, WI has 3 and Minnesota has 2.
Look who we saw at the at the game. In case you didn't know, Grady is a huge Bucky fan. When he saw him he ran up and gave him a huge hug.
Audra, Mommy and Grady and their buddy Bucky. One of the perks to going to a women's game is the crowds are smaller and access to Bucky is much better.
Bucky entertaining the fans between periods.
Grady watches the team come out for the 3rd period while Bucky welcomes them onto the ice.
Bucky gives a lucky fan a puck.
Wisconsin would trail 1-0 after the first period. They would score in the 2nd period to tie it up.
Wisconsin would score the eventual game winner in the 3rd period making the final score 2-1. They play Boston College next weekend for a chance to play for the National Championship.
Mommy kisses her future Badger Star!

Stop Picking On Your Brother

Friday night I noticed something about Audra. She likes to annoy her older brother.
The kids were enjoying a new gift from the Walz family, thank you Karen, Duane, Hunter and Abby.
Grady says hello to Audra through the (open) window.
Audra closes the (once open) window.
The battle begins!
No matter how much Grady screamed, Audra just kept closing the window with a smile on her face. I swear I think she knew exactly what she was doing. Uh oh!

Happy Birthday Cousin Luke

Cousin "Duke" is turned 4 on Saturday
Bouncy Town USA in Windsor, WI was Birthday Party Central
The Man of Honor gets a call from the President. (Actually Grandpa)
Grady follows Cousin Luke in one of the many inflatables.
His shirt pretty much summed it up.
Notice the fingerprints in the cake, someone got a jump start on it.
Welcome to Munchkinville, USA.
The Birthday Boy and his cake.
Hey, down here! Cake Please.
The good old Cake and Juicebox combo.
It is never ok to fight with a baby no matter what they call you.
Sometimes babies fight and you hope after tempers cool that everyone gets along.
Cousin Kaila and Audra taking a break from the cake and bouncing.
Kaila, Jackson, Audra and Chloe
Audra telling jokes.
Kaila and Audra wished Cousin Luke a very Happy 4th Birthday!

Wisconsin Shakedown 2011

There's been some things going on in our state recently. It does affect us because I'm a teacher. It's been some of the most stressful weeks of my career. I have protested a few times. Ryan has also had to work long hours because of all of the chaos.
The capitol building has been decorated in many incredible signs. They were removed this past weekend. Some will be preserved by the State Historical Society or the Smithsonian. Go Wisconsin! We must be pretty darn important if that big town Smithsonian wants our signage. The GOP estimated the tape removal for the signs and marble restoration would cost $7 million. They're just so darn funny, those Republicans!
On a less political note, we enjoyed watching the Watertown boys' basketball team play Sun Prairie on Saturday. Sun Prairie won the game. All Grady wanted to do was "run" around on the side court. He loved it!
Audra learns about Grady's "run around" time.
Mommy Gosling and her future Sun Prairie Cardinal. We did represent Watertown!
Our first of many spring time walks!
Mr. Adventure spots an ice "rock."
Grady is a very helpful big brother. He helps feed Audra at dinner time with a spoon. He was helping her with her bottle here.
Aren't they adorable?