So I am a really bad Grandma, yesterday was Lukas's 7th month day and I didn't blog. So happy 7 months Lukas!!! He is really making great strides. He is such a joy to be around. As you can see in this picture he is spending a lot of his time sucking on his lip. Although there doesn't seem to be a tooth right there he sure acts like he is teething.

And I do mean A LOT of time sucking in that lip. I kind of feel sorry for him sometimes. But, in true Lukas form he still has tons of smiles and goes on with his playing .

He has a new accomplishment this week. He has figured out how to get to his toys. And yes Aunt Sarah is torturing him by moving his toys once he finally reached them! Shhhhhhhhhhhhh......don't tell Lukas I asked her to, so I could film him...we shall let him think it was her!!!

The other evening Jesse and Lukas came for a VERY quick visit. When Sarah heard they were coming up, she and her friend Melanie came over to see Lukas. Melanie had not met Lukas yet and I think she was smitten.

When grandpa got home he took Lukas out to explore. They watched the birds at the feeder on the deck and he really seemed to be intrigued.

After they looked at the birds for awhile grandpa moved on to the back of his truck and started to look for something new to show him. Yep, they found some tape. Now what kids doesn't want to play with tape? Or what grandpa doesn't want to show them how to play with tape? This is after he touched it once. When Dave would go close to him he would close his eyes!! It was very cute.

Oh, yes he did....Don't tell Amy and Jesse......

Having fun with Grandpa...always an adventure.

On another note when I was at my mom and dad's the other day my brother - in -law Mike was picking his tomatoes in the garden . I thought it was cute that he was out in the rain with his umbrella picking away.

He also took some time out between the rain storm....and I do mean storm, as it poured....to chat with the sheep next door.

See, I do look and take pictures of things and people that are not Lukas! Stay tuned as there may be a guest blogger sometime this week.

Till then adios!!

Happy Anniversary!!!

It was 3 years ago on August 26th that Jesse and Amy became one. It was a warm and wonderful day. I remember this picture when Jesse saw Amy for the first time. She had to reach up to wipe a tear away.

The rain never came and Jesse was all smiles as they said their vows and made promises to love each other forever.

They held on tight through their first dance as husband and wife.

Were all smiles when they cut the cake.

Not long after that day the announcement came that they were staying in Michigan and were building a house in Vicksburg. They were and are so happy there.


Once they had a home it was time for their family to grow. On January 29th, 2009 they welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Lukas Elliott into the world.

Now they are a family of three. I couldn't be more proud of them and all they have accomplished. They are happy and seem content, what more could I ask for.

Happy 3 years to Jesse and Amy and MANY MANY more!!!

Lukas reports

Hi everyone, grandma was here the last 2 days and again she asked me to comment on some of the pictures she took. She mentioned that there are not as many because I am a little more active and she has more to do than take pictures!!! Like that is going to stop her!!

Chewing on things really keeps me busy, oh and happy too! I am sitting up most of the time and if something isn't in reach I am more than willing to flop down and grab it!! It only hurts when I fall on things and whack my noggin. The trials of growing up!!!

Oh yeah, and once I am down there I have been testing out a new method of getting to things. So far I have this part figured out. I know you can rock back and forth but as far as getting the arms and legs to work together I think that may take a couple more days......or maybe not!!

I still really LOVE my excersaucer. Grandma says I like to jump just like my daddy did. What do you think, and I a little wild in this thing???

After a lot of bouncing and jumping I decided to take a little break for lunch. I asked grandma for some pears and she was happy to oblige. Hey, put that camera down I am ready for some eats!

OK, so after grandma fed me I was sure there was some leftovers that were lurking around. She went into the kitchen and when she came back she found me helping with cleanup!!! Hey, I try to lend a hand, or mouth when I can!!

Well, I am out of here for now.........ENOUGH with the camera already. Not long and I will be able to just crawl away, for now this is the best I could do!!

I have told Lukas to make sure his mommy or daddy call me when he is mobile. I am sad he is growing up so fast. It is such an honor to be able to spend time with them and be a part of their lives. I LOVE this family!!!

Home sweet home!!!

We are back to the humble abode. For some reason this trip was a little challenging. I am not sure if anyone noticed but I may not have been in the best of moods!!!! I know I was surprised by that too. We had some little things happen all along the way. After my last update we found we had a broken tail light, a indicator light that came on when we were ready to leave,( didn't come back on) and sat in a hour and a half traffic back-up near Michigan City. But we made it!!!!! One of the Highlights of the trip.....OH, let's be honest......it was the only highlight of the trip ,was to the Trek bike company. They were in the middle of a dealer show but Jesse was able to hook us up with a private tour. Thanks Jesse!!! This is the atrium area with all of the bikes that Lance Armstrong rode in his tour wins.

Most interesting to us was the bike that he rode the year we went to the Tour. It was the year that he hooked a food bag being held by fan and crashed.

When he crashed he was able to get going again only to slip off the pedals a few minutes later. It was not until he finished this stage with a win, that it was discovered that the frame was cracked. It was interesting to see it up close and personal. I can still remember how we felt when we returned to the bus from the tour route to hear that he had crashed and then trying to find a bar or someplace with a TV in order see the finish!!

With his return to cycling this year a new bike was designed for him. For those who do not follow the sport he raced this one in the tour of California not the Tour de France. It is a one of a kind bike and was stolen during the tour. Obviously it was retrieved and returned to Trek.

We had a great time on the factory tour and then it was back to the campground. On the way we saw some more of Wisconsin........cornfields. Dave decided on the scenic route back and at least we were lost here instead of the in the ghettos of a city like we usually get!!!! It is a joke that if there is a bad part of town that is where Dave will take us!!! Love ya honey!!

We got back to GR and after a quick job of unloading all the stuff we headed up to Pando ski area where Jesse was participating in a 12 hour bike race. It ran from noon to midnight and we offered to pick up Lukas and bring him to our house and to bed. Jesse and Amy came over after the race. Jesse did really well, he came in first in his category. He was the only one brave enough to solo ride in his age group for the full 12 hours. Everyone else only did 6 hours. After a bath Lukas spent a little time with grandpa, and he can get a little wild with the toys...watch out grandpa!!!

Of course grandma had to make sure he had something to play in while he visited. He really seemed to enjoy his new jumper.

After some exercise he was ready for some breakfast. He really loves his puffs and is picking them up and almost making his mouth. He has the concept down just can't seemto get them off his hand. He sees them in your hand and grabs it and pulls it to his mouth. I believe he is growing up too fast.

It was nice to go on vacation but just as nice to be home again. Aunt Sarah wasn't happy to see Lukas either and when he needed a little down time she was more than happy to provide a shoulder.

Next summer we will not be taking a vacation to the Dells....for those who love it have fun!!!

Hell, yes we have left the Dells!!!

Well, where did I leave off!!!

The next day we went to Devil's lake to do some kayaking!! It is a lake that is a mile across and does not allow power boats. We had a very nice and quiet paddle. Just what the doctor ordered. That night we got back to find that there was a rousing game of ladder ball going on with the stereo blasting...some hag laughing at the pool...And, yeah another Scooby Doo movie..

OK ,I digress.

We had a nice paddle before another batch of rain came in.

Sarah and Dave took a hike up the hills and if you can believe it there is a path just below her. They got rained on more than once and there may have been some tears involved in getting back!!!

It really was beautiful there and certainly this is what it should be like here instead of all the roller coasters and water parks in my opinion!!!

The next morning marked our departure from the DELLS!!!!!! I have to say I was sad to see them go.

You do believe me don't you?

On Tuesday we headed over to House on the Rocks. It is a house built into the Rocks and once finished with the house the builder started collecting all types of.........well ,ALL types of things!!! This is the infinity room and is 150 feet long and 125 ft. off the ground.

This is one of the rooms inside the house. Very close quarters and there is more carpet in this place than I have seen in my entire life.

Part of his collection includes a huge carousel with no horses. It also had 20,000 lights. He also has one of the largest collections of music boxes and just STUFF I have ever seem!!!!

Oh yea, and a lot of this also!!!! I have to admit it was quite interesting to say the least!!!

Back at the campground and this is the view from the top of the mound. It was a beautiful weather day and Dave was able to get a bike ride in. He had hoped the trails here would be nice but he was disappointed!! We did have to pack up the trailer and move it to another site. The original one was at such a angle that we had all our chocks and jacks extended and were still at such an angle we all slept in the back. We were a little nervous to sleep up front!!!

Today while Dave was riding Sarah and I went in to check out Mt. Horab. We found an amazing place!!!! It is the home of the Mustard Museum!!!! Yes, there really is one.....with tons and tons of mustard. It really was ....ummmmmmmm....interesting!!!! Seriously have you ever seen so much mustard???? It is also the home of........wait for it.....POUPON U, yep, Poupon University. They even have there own school song. I kid you not!!

So in closing for today I leave you with this!!!

Oh Hell were still in the Dell's

I know I should not complain...I am on vacation with 2 of my most favorite people. And in all fairness I am sure there are tons of people who LOVE this place. It just is really not my cup of tea. I could candy coat it and say I was a fan but that is not the mood I am in.....you can now send out your sympathy and good thoughts for Dave and Sarah. I am more of the seeing nature and a little quiet time sort of girl. Surprised!!???

Sarah enjoying the Duck boat ride!!

OK, so we headed back to town today after a night of rain. Everything stayed dry and cozy here in the trailer. Anyway we headed in after the rain into what turned out to be a bright sunny day. First on the agenda was a ride on the Duck boats. This is our tour guide/comedian, I can't remember his name but Kudo's to him for getting through the spiel so many times a day!!! WOW can you tell my mood!!



We saw water and rocks, and some more water and rocks. I think I preferred the ride through the woods almost better. Many more beautiful rocks and I like all the ferns.....what can I say!!


We saw a lot of deer and that surprised me with the noise these ducks make. Must be they are very used to them. For those who remember a couple of years ago they had a lot of rain and the causeway was breached and the whole lake drained into the Dells, or something like that. Anyway I remembered it from the news and it was interesting to see where it all happened. I guess it wasn't till this summer that the lake levels are back to normal.

Here is a crane watching us cross the causeway on the Ducks.


We were going to go into the upside down white house after that but, thought better of it after seeing it was $12.00 bucks a pop. Am I a cheapskate???

Dave and Sarah enjoyed a challenging go-cart ride after the Duck boats. Dave can be very competitive!!!



We could have taken a drive to the HO-CHUNK casino. but as my sister said we really didn't want to loose a ho chunk o money!!! HEHE get it!!!


On our way back to the campground we had a near nasty car crash. Thank goodness Dave is such a good driver. Someone dropped a bag off there car and pulled a U-Turn in the road......how you miss seeing a full size truck with 2 kayaks and 2 bikes on top and proceed to pull out in front of said truck going 45 mph is beyond me????!!!!! Dave chose the gravel and with Sarah and I seeing the guy looking at us out of our side windows and Dave jerking the wheel SOMEHOW (and I have no idea how) we avoided him!!! Back safe and sound and after me being a B#^%& I am mellowed out again.
It was Halloween in the park tonight. They had hay rides, trick or treating, a magic show and many other activities. When we first got back a lady, in one of about a hundred golf carts that runs around here ,stopped by. She said she was handing out candy to all the kids and jello shots to all the adults!!!! Sarah had one and said they were mostly just shots!!!! Now Dave and Sarah are sitting outside the trailer taking in a Scooby Doo movie on the plywood screen outside our door.

For me I think it is better I sit in the air conditioned trailer and chill. Tomorrow will be a brand new day and we are headed to a lake to do some kayaking and relaxing. I am looking forward to it. Till them thanks for letting me vent....like you had a choice!!

What the Dell are we doing here??!!!!????

Finally Dave got some time off work and we took the trailer for it's first true break in camping trip. We have heard so many things about the Wisconsin Dells so we headed over.

HMMMMMM What can I say....

So let's start at the beginning. The night before we left I mentioned that we had not heard the owls for sometime and it would be nice if they came to wish us well. Surprise surprise surprise (say it in true Gomer fashion) they wer hooting up a storm. I am trying to upload a video but have such a slow connection here it may not work so you will have to trust me!! Yeah it worked....no visual and turn your volumn up.




Here we are all loaded and ready to head out. Not too sure if we have enough toys or not!?

Along the way we passed this wind turbine farm....how do they work with NO wind? I understand that the wind will blow and the props will turn and before they can generate enough power to pay for themselves they will need to be replaced!! What a waste.

We arrived at the Dells, Arrowhead campground and resort and set up camp. Today it called for rain but we loaded into the truck to see what this place was all about. Not sure what to expect as we headed in. Drove around a little looking for a public launch, there are supposed to be three!! Found a break in the trees and saw this.
Then the true nature of the Dells was exposed!!! I use the term NATURE in the loosest sense of the word!!! In all fairness if we had know what a tourist trap this really was we would never have paid for 4 nights here. The entire area is NOTHING and I mean NOTHING but water parks and Ripley's, and haunted houses and god knows what else. I am thinking we need to see the upside down White House, before we leave though!!!

Late in the morn the sky's turned on us and it started to rain....maybe duck boats tomorrow. And we are hoping to throw the kayaks in the hopes that once off the main street there is some beauty here.

OK, I am really bad but I couldn't help myself... seriously...who names a bar this???? Sorry, I am so asshamed ( and yes I know how I spelled it) of myself .


Back to the trailer for the evening and hopefully we can entertain our selves with some books, puzzles and the puter. Maybe we can research the area and find a place without 100 waterparks!!

The real fun is just being with family.