Katie as Princess Diana

The big class project for the 5th graders is the Wax Museum.  Katie was very excited to be "Laura Ingalls Wilder", but when she went to sign up, Laura was already taken.  A few days earlier, we had discussed back up plans and had decided on Amelia Earhart and Princess Diana.  Unfortunately, her second choice was taken too!  So, her least favorite choice ended up being her character!  She really didn't want to be Princess Diana (I think I wanted it more than she did!!).  However, after watching a few videos and finding some books, we were able to get her excited about portraying Princess Di.

We shopped for the perfect dress - something simple and elegant.  I gave a shout out on Facebook and a friend supplied some wonderful jewelry!  We found a clutch and cute shoes.  All that was missing was the crown.  We hit every Goodwill and store possible with no luck!  I really didn't want to spend any money on the outfit - knowing it would end up back at Goodwill soon!  I then remembered my cousin Tammy's "Miss Iowa" crown.  After calling my aunt to get permission to use the crown, we had all of the girls try it on.  They were in heaven!!

We tried it on Katie and quickly realized that it wasn't going to work for a day long event.  We needed something without bobby pins!!  I scored a dress up tiara at the Target Dollar Spot!  It all worked really well.  Katie memorized her "speech" and did an awesome job!  With the exception of the speech (which we only helped widdle down to the appropriate time allotted), she did everything herself! She was rewarded for her efforts with high praise all day...and a A+ grade!

Maddie listening to Katie's speech

Alex & her friend Lily

Will listening to Abraham Lincoln's speech

Freeport - our annual trip North

One of our favorite trips every year - Freeport, IL.  Since the addition of Letterboxing, we have added some stops to our annual trip.  This year was no exception.  In the first picture the kids show what it's like to be divided between 2 states - Illinois & Wisconsin.  We were able to find 2 letterboxes, Border Wars: Green Bay Packers and Border Wars: Chicago Bears, both planted by Fire Neck.  These boxes gave us a nice hike along the Jane Addams Trail.

After finding the 2 boxes, we headed back to Freeport to have lunch and play at Krape Park.

 After playing for a few hours, we needed to fulfill our other tradition - Union Dairy - for ice cream!

Annual Picture on the Lincoln/Douglas Debate Square Statue

We ended our day by driving through a few other parks in Freeport.  We found this huge statue of Abraham Lincoln in Taylor Park.

The Library

I love that the kids get excited about going to the library!  What a special treat they feel this is.  I came around the corner and found Maddie & Will reading - this touched my heart in a very special way!

Singing With Lots of Rain!

 Here are Katie & Alex - ready for their Spring Choir Concert.  Part of the performance included umbrellas and rainboots.

Grammy & Grandad - always supporting their grandkids!

We live in an area that floods often.  With the Mississippi River just blocks from our house and the Rock River just around the bend, we tend to see flooding at least once a year - no matter the season!  Luckily we are on the hilltop, so we are safe.  Here are the kids in front of some flooded parking lots.  It is hard to envision, but the building to the right of Katie's head is where the boat launch is! 

Celebrating #9 for Alex

We celebrated Alex's 9th birthday as well as Casey's 4th birthday a few weeks ago. 

Maddie taking a turn at the piano

We told Casey to make a silly face and this is what we got!  Will thought it was funny too!

Matt & Brad finally exchanged their Christmas Coke/Pepsi Gifts!  One of the gifts was forgotten during our Christmas get together so we decided to wait until the twins birthday (January)...however, Brad was sick and not able to attend!  So, Christmas in March!!

6 of the 7 kids - missing Katie

Alex LOVES anything with animals!!  Here she is opening Bouncy.

A new bag for her to color/decorate

We celebrated Alex's real birthday a few days later with singing, streamers on her door and her present from us.  I think she likes being 9!