Memorial Day Weekend 2011

A family tradition returned in 2011. Memorial Day Weekend at Big Bear Lodge.
Big Bear Lodge is Hillary's parents Barb and Randy's Northwoods home near Mercer, WI.
Audra munches on Grandpa Randy's specialty pancakes. Grandma Barb and Hillary help out too.
I think she likes them!
Looks like a good day to do some fishing. It is also the 5th anniversary of Hillary and Ryan's engagement which happened right here on the dock.
My time flies! That tackle box use to hide an engagement ring. Now just hooks and lures for fishing with Grady and eventually Audra.
Grady sports his Big Bear sweatshirt. Quite appropriate for this weekend.
Fish On! Grady stuck at it for about a 1/2 hour. I was pretty surprised he made it that long. He did pick up on the rules right away. In fact he told us many times NO Falling in the Lake!
Later in the morning Ryan was able to catch a small fish. Grady was super excited to see it.
Later on we ventured into Manitowish Waters for some ice cream. Aunt Ashley and Uncle Trevor and their dog Oscar joined us.
Grady even shared his ice cream with his sister Audra.
Even Mommy shared her ice cream with her sister Ashley.
Back in Mercer we stopped at the park. What a beautiful view for swing.
Our little daredevil only wanted to go higher and faster!
Grady, Brooks, Audra and Mommy return from a walk.
Grandpa Randy and his little buddy Grady.
Happy Memorial Day from Big Bear Lodge, Mercer WI!
Monday afternoon we got home in time to head over to Dolphin's Cove at the Prairie Athletic Club. The kids didn't want to pose for pictures, it was time to hit the water!
Welcome back Summer, we missed you!

Back to the Ballpark

Sunday we headed back to Miller Park in Milwaukee for another Brewer Game.
Grady was super excited to be back and he would have sprinted all the way to the park if I hadn't made him hold my hand.
Audra and Mom ready to root, root, root for the Brewers.
"The Kid"
Our Kid with The Kid. Grady likes to say hello to Robin Yount when we go to Brewers Games.
Enjoying the game with Mom and Dad. Audra was declared fan of the game by some of our neighboring fans. She made it the entire game and entertained everyone with her clapping, chanting and smiles.
Grady was excited to share his Salted Peanuts after a trip to the kids play area.
The Brewers won 3-1 and improved to 24-23 on the season.
Back at home, young Grady was inspired.
He grabbed his bat and took some BP. (At first he set it up so he was hitting at Mom's Van.)
Occasionally I have to remind him to switch his around.
First he practiced dropping down a couple bunts.
Next it was time to work on the long ball...
and swing for the fences.

Happy Birthday Izzy

Izzy Kreblin celebrates her first birthday!
Izzy's big sister Mya and Grandma observe the lighting of the candles. Grady awaits his shot at the cake.
Too much singing, Grady loses interest in the ceremonies.
Izzy's Daddy cuts the cake!
Now it is a party! Grandma Gremmels and Grady have a cake race.
mmmm...cake and milk.

HBO Star

A few weeks back at the Brewer Game, Grady's Grandpa Gary was interviewed for a story about Bob Uecker. Here is a freeze frame from his HBO Debut. It was, "Just a bit outside."

Hello Kids

Grady and Audra both smiled at the same time for a picture!
(My advice is to, use a video camera for these impossible to capture moments.)

This is my cousin Luke. (Specifically, his right eye.)Me and My Shadow!

Me and My Shadow!!

Only 8-10 more years and this could be all his.

Recently Grady has been tough to put to bed. He wants his door open, he wants to read another book, he wants milk, he has to go potty, he wants Mommy to snuggle.

In this picture he apparently gave up while trying to crawl out of his room.
Here is the perfect book for this.
http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/04/26/6534646-want-another-bedtime-story-sweetie-heres-one-go-the-fk-to-sleep?GT1=43001

Trip to the Park with Dad

What should we do when Mommy will be home late for supper?
How about a trip to the "big" park?

Grandpa Bernie

This past weekend we took a family trip to Ripon, WI where Grady and Audra's Great-Grandpa Bernie lives. Bernie and his wife Laurie moved back to WI from AZ last week. Bernie will be 87 years old in August and has lived in Arizona for the past 25 years. This was the first chance for them to meet the kids.

Luke, Bernie, Rick and Gary
Hillary and Grandpa Bernie's wife Laurie talk about their time at UW.
Grandma Joan gives Audra some help walking.
Cousin Luke and Grady with Grandpa Gary, Great Grandpa Bernie and Uncle Ryan.
4 Generations of Lobenstein Men
I was really nice to see Grandpa again and I was really happy they got the chance to meet Grady and Audra in person.