Brooks' Third Birthday

Brooks celebrates his 3rd birthday on Sunday, September 13th. Our family celebrated a few days before with pizza and angel food cake.
Aunt Ashley helps Brooks open his present: a cube with openings for different squeaky balls.

He loves it!

Presents? Cake? I love my birthday!
Oscar (Ashley and Trevor's dog) checks out Grady's Cheerios and Puffs.
Grady loves Oscar! One Cheerio for you, One Cheerio for me.
Grady: Okay, Grandma, it's time to be serious now. Grandpa and I have to talk about my investments and the stock market. Do you know how much college is suppose to cost when I'm 18? Between $87,200 for UW-Madison and $332, 800 for Wartburg. Enough of the silly stuff; we've got to focus!
Grady: I mean it. I'm serious Grandma.
Grady: Okay, Grandpa I'm all ears.
Just kidding everyone! Look at this goofy, silly crew!

Labor Day at Miller Park

Our weekend was wrapped up with a trip to Milwaukee to see the Brewers. This was Grady's 5th trip to Miller Park and 6th Brewer game total. The weather was beautiful so we spent some time tailgating. Grady was in charge of the food.

We opened the cooler and found his 4 sausages, Brat, Polish, Italian and Hot Dog!
Grady with his 4 little buddies.
Our seats were in 213 row 13, part of our 4-game season ticket package. We enjoy the family that sits next to us. They have 3 boys, so Hillary got some of pros and cons of having a bigger family.
Mom, get ready it is coming this way. I am going to have to bare hand this one, I left my glove in the cooler.
Hey, is anyone else hungry like me? I could go for a Chorizo!
Thanks Mom and Dad. Do you think he likes jokes?
Ok Chorizo my new friend. Do you know why there are only seven dwarfs?
Because Seven, Eight, Nine! Phlewwwwwww!!!
Ha ha ha, get it? Seven ate Nine!
Mom, did you know what Prince Fielder did yesterday in the 12th inning? He hit a ball over there where we sat with Cousin Luke and then he came home and jumped on home and all the guys were waiting and they fell down flat like this. It was super cool! Remember we watched it on TV at Woody and Missy's house?
Psst Mr. Fielder, do you remember hitting that walk off home run yesterday? Did you plan that celebration at home? That was really cool!
Thank you Mommy for taking me to all these Brewer games this summer. It meant a lot to me and...
...most of all it meant a lot to Daddy. We love you.
Hey Brewers, we can't wait to come out again next season. Please find some pitching help while you are away and whatever you do don't trade Prince!
Time to hit the road for Sun Prairie. See you next spring Miller Park.

Labor Day Weekend

FRIDAY

We started the weekend off, with a trip to the Memorial Union to meet Hillary's friend from UW, Heather Anderson. We spent many fine hours here "studying" while we were in school together. Grady spent most of time checking out all the sorority pledges walking by. "Hey ladies, want to do shots?"

SATURDAY

Hillary drove up to the Twin Cities with Heather for the wedding of their friend, Emily Mraz. Emily's dress is absolutely beautiful. What you can't see is a beautiful fabric floral strap. Emily was stunning!
The Happy Couple--Emily and Pam. Congratulations from all of us! It was a beautiful wedding at the Gale Woods Farm, west of Minneapolis. It is an educational and sustainable farm that is part of the Minneapolis Parks. We were able to take a hayride (sans hay) around the grounds, play lawn games (see the pictures below.

Emily's sister, Anna, with her son, Gunnar. I got a kick out of Emily's nephews--Gunnar and Anders. Gunnar walked Emily down the aisle, which was absolutely adorable. But at the reception, he had enough of the formal attire and ditched his shirt. I thought this was a riot.

Additionally, Anna toasted Emily and Pam with the most amusing and best wedding toast I have EVER heard! Anna sang a beautiful version of Indigo Girls' "Closer to Fine" (Anna amusingly coined this genre of music as "lesbian yodel music") inserting her own words and thoughts. Anna invited a friend to be the guitarist and yodeler (is that word?). Anna's amusing refrain:

"Emily and Pam are getting married, but don't tell the Republicans."

Hillary getting artsy with the camera.

Hillary and Heather enjoying the reception.

This is where the ceremony was held. What a beautiful view.

Following the ceremony, guest were able to enjoy many different lawn games. Heather and Hillary apparently chose to duel in badminton.

Hillary giving 110 %.

Evidently she gave too much and the birdie never came down. Poor Heather is still waiting for it.

Your 2009 Pam & Emily Open Champion.

Back in Madison, the boys were enjoying the changing of the leaves, while...

...tailgating!!! Grady taste testing some Grandpa Lobe's cooking.

Grady had a special visitor at his first Badger tailgate. Annie Van Dyck made the trip from D.C. to join in all the fun.

Annie wore her finest Badger gear and posed for a picture with her Mom, Elinor.

Geno, Annie and Grady's buddy Woody.

This is officially Grady's first UW Football Game. After carrying him from the tailgate into the stadium and up the ramp, as soon as he saw the field he threw up. I attribute it to nerves. While I can't ever remember throwing up before a football game (maybe a couple times after, but that is another story) but I do remember being nervous before a game. I am predicting in 18 or 19 years he will do the same before starting his first game for the Badgers. Grady listens to the UW Marching Band prior to kickoff. A special thanks to our friend Aline who provided us with her season tickets for the game. And a thanks to Woody for assisting.

Grady and I debate who should be the starting QB for the Badgers.

UW would lead 28-6 early in the 4th quarter when we left. They would hold on to win 28-20.
Grady's career record is (1-0)

SUNDAY

Grady and I headed to a co-workers wedding. Hillary was working on driving home from the Twin Cities.
The Wedding was at Olbrich Gardens in Madison.
Katie, who is a Photojournalist at NBC 15, is escorted by her Dad. I had a chance to talk with Katie's parents at the reception (Katie's Dad works in the Newspaper Biz) which was very nice!
The weather was beautiful for an outdoor wedding.
The Happy Bride and Groom! Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Katie Rousonelos.
After the ceremony Grady and I checked out the gardens.
Grady got us kicked out for picking flowers. j/k
The reception was held at the Warner Park Community Center.
It was a very enjoyable reception, and dinner was great. I especially enjoyed some of the stories about Katie and Mike prior to Katie joining us at NBC 15.
Hard Rolls are not only tasty while awaiting dinner. They can also be used to occupy a noisy 9 1/2 month old.

Stay Tuned for MONDAY and a wrap of Labor Day Weekend.

Back to "School"

Hillary has gone back to work. While we are still a few years away from Grady starting "school", he does have to go back to daycare. Tuesday he returns to Marge's Daycare full time. This morning though, Grady went back for the day. Of course tonight is the Packer game so our little man had to dress appropriately.

Go Pack Go


Tonight Grady was ready to watch some football with Dad!