What a weekend!!

First I want to say a great big congratulations to Matt, Autumn, and Hunter on the arrival of Victoria Jane Kraima. What a wonderful new addition to the family!

Now onto the extended weekend with the Ward's. We picked up the new trailer Wed. and headed to Wellston where Jesse was to participate in the Lumberjack 100, a 100 mile mountian bike race. It was the first chance the kids got to see the new digs. I think the approved. I imagine that Lukas is voicing his approval here!! Yeah, for the new trailer!!

Of course the night before the race it had to start raining. I am not sure that there was a lot of sleeping involved. Isn't that the way it is when you really need your rest!! We got up at 5:00 to prepare for the big day. Amy suprised Jesse with a new shirt for Lukas, she made it herself..how cute!

We arrived at the race to cloudy skies and warm weather. All smiles at the beginning of the day!!

Jesse coming around at the 8 mile mark in the first lap. I couldn't believe it when the other guy, who had stopped for water, jumped right in front of him. A little evasive manunuver and he was off.

Well, we finally did it!! After 3 years of looking Dave and I finally decided on a new trailer!! This is the new unit as we were picking it up. This is our salesperson at Terrytown RV. If you were to ask him, he would tell you we got such a great deal he may lose his job and will not be able to feed his family....ya ya ya!! We feel good about the deal and the camper.

Jesse is participating in a 100 mile mountain bike race in Northern Michigan and we are here to provide lodging and support. This is the view from the back of the trailer....please disregard the mess, we have a LOT of sorting to do.

Right away Dave dove in and started the upgrades. Here he is trying to carpet the stairs. There is a tremendous amount of sand at this campground.


On top of all the outdoor work I convinced him to help make up the beds in the back of the trailer. OK, so maybe I watched and let him do the work.

My handy hubby really did a ton of stuff today. He has already made it more comfortable and functional. He knows what I like, and always try's to make things easier for me. Here he is installing a a knob on the vanity cabinet..the only one in the trailer with no knob or handle?? He also put up a shelf in the kitchen and installed hooks around the trailer. Next up some shelves in the closets for added storage.

We are still learning where things are in this thing. It took us most of today to figure out what one of the switches was for!!! So, off to get a label maker so that once we figure it out we won't forget. Hey ,who would have guessed there were bug lights on both sides of the trailer!!!

So, this is a preview of our new home away from home. I will keep you updated on all the improvements and how everyone likes having so much more room.

Now, if anyone knows someone who wants to buy a 18 foot toy hauler, in excellent shape, with all kinds of upgrades you know where to call!!!

Spending time with Family, the best!!

As you know from a previous blog we have family visiting from the Czech Republic. On Sunday Norm and Dorothy Seger hosted a family get together for him!! A beautiful sunny day for a party! It was also flag day and they were flying high.

Lukas and his mom and dad meeting Jiri.

A gift for Jiri, we had to stick with the biking theme in this family. He seemed to like it!

With a little help from Aunt Sarah and Cousin Rhonda the sunscreen was applied. Lukas seemed a little confused by all the fuss!! That and he had a bit of a stuffy nose and wasn't up to all the jostling.

Some of the family having a conversation. Everyone enjoying catching up with each other.

And the kids enjoyed all the lakeside activities. There were so many things to do, here they were catching balls in the water!!

Brenda tried to coax baby girl Kraima to make an appearance soon. Autumn is due on the 24th of June and this little one will join her brother Hunter.

My 2 favorite girls Sarah and Amy......Love them sooooooo much!!

Wow, there sure are a lot of new people to meet!!

Those that stayed off the lake had first dibs on the food. There where so many great dishes to choose from. And Kim I forgot to get that recipe so you will be hearing from me!! Yah Yah, I know...YOU?? make something???? Please I remember how!!!

Lukas and Cody, they were having a nice conversation. Do you not just love Cody's hairdo!!!

So for the youngsters reading this blog that HUGE thing on uncle Lou's shoulder is a video camera!!! I know picture taking and a physical workout all in one. Jiri lent a hand carrying the extension cord. Can you sense my smile as I write this!! He handled the abuse quite well, and continued filming!!

Grandpa helping Lukas ride the dino rocker. Grandpa is always there to lend a hand, they were great playpals all afternoon.

With all this activity a nap was in order and Great Aunt Nancy provided a soft spot for a snooze.

After a little nap Lukas wanted to take a dip in the lake. He really enjoys it as long as there was not too much splashing by his cousins!!

Once again with all the fun and sun another short snooze was in order. And just because this is such a cute picture!! Sure do love this boy!!

After the party our little part of the family met at Sarah's house. Jesse and Dave rode their bikes to Deep Lake and then over to her house. Jesse crashed near the end of the trail, but other that a few bruises all is well. While on the deck Charlie came to visit. As you can see Lukas was quite thrilled!!

Aunt Sarah provided the highchair this time and Lukas had a little dinner. Of course she had the perfect bib at the ready!!


It was a real surprise to Lukas but, that same really cute boy that he sees at his house after a bath was at Sarah's to say hello. Now for some jammies and night to all!!

We all had a great and enjoyable day. A HUGE thank you to Dorothy and Norm and their family for the day. It is always special when you can spend time with family. Hopefully Jiri enjoyed his time and I know he was thrilled to meet me (his favorite)!!!! Hey, that's what he said not me!!!!! wink wink

Happy 60th Anniversary

Today Dad and Mom celebrated 60 years. How awesome is that!! We went to Noto's for dinner and to hear one of their favorite bands. A great time was had by all!!. Something for all us newlyweds to aspire too.

Jesse and Amy and Lukas were able to come by for a little cake and to wish dad and mom a happy anniversary. Lukas was the hit of the room. He is a little charmer.


Great grandma and Great grandpa got to share some of their favorite music with a new generation. The band even played a little song for him.


He really enjoyed the music, he was mesmerized by all the sounds and people.He was excited to wish great grandpa and grandma a happy anniversary. Unfortunately he did not get to share in the cake!!

His Aunt Sarah is so taken with this little man. She just can not get enough of him and he sure loves her back.

And you can't tell how his grandpa feels about him from this picture!!!

Well, Hope you had a great time mom and dad. We were honored to be able to share in this VERY special day. You are an inspiration to us all.

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Lukas meets Great grandma and grandpa Ward

Dave's parents are back in Michigan for the summer and they came over to meet Lukas.You can see we had a nice afternoon for a outdoor introduction. Hello great grandma and grandpa nice to meet you.

Grandpa wanted his chance to hold his favorite little man. At 18lbs. great grandma was concerned she wouldn't be able to hold him for long.

Before dinner the men folk brought out the Wii for a rousing game of bowling. Great grandpa trounced the youngsters........way to go!!!

It was also Mom's birthday at the end of May so we celebrated it tonight.

This is really a cute picture of Lukas and Jesse. He was very intent on keeping his eye on his daddy.

This week Lukas's started on some solid food. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Good!!

It was only the 3rd time the kids have tried the cereal thing, but he seems to be catching on and enjoying it.

Thanks dad for acting like a high chair so I could have my dinner!!

I think Great grandma and grandpa were very happy to meet Lukas and I know he was happy to meet them! It was a very enjoyable evening and Lukas was tuckered out. Great grandma provided the perfect sleeping accommodations.

Believe it or not soon after this he woke up and although I don't have any pictures (ya ya ya I know, me not taking pictures) he was laughing so hard at his mommy and daddy. It was one of the funnier times I have seen!! Darn what was I thinking!!

Lot's O' things to talk about!!

Well, where to start.....best to start at the beginning, right?? I didn't realize how long it was between posts. Last weekend we were at Sarah's house and while we were there my cousin Dorothy her husband Norm and a visiting family member from the Czech Republic came to visit.

Here he is with Sarah enjoying a great weather day. His name is Jiri ,with some little marks that I don't know how to add with the computer!! He is here for 3 weeks . It was nice to meet him and we hope to see more of him soon. He apologized if we couldn't understand him but I told him that his English was way better than my Czech!!!

After they left we got back to the work at hand......tree branch trimming!!! Dave did all the really hard work, I supervised from the deck.........hey, someone has to do it!!! Sarah was on clean-up duty.

On Tuesday I went down to Jesse, Amy and Lukas's house. As you can see Schaffer and Otto are great friends. This cat climbed all over him and he was more than happy to allow it.

I know....how cute is this. Lukas and Grandma reading together. Now I must tell you that I do not always make him wear his new owl hat!!! It is part of a costume that he has.....what else would it be but an owl!!! He was more that happy to keep it on and help me turn the pages.

Lukas has a new trick (learned skill.) He sucks his bottom lip in really far.

And, this is what happens when he smiles while he is sucking in the lip.......OMG is this not the cutest little face!!?!?!

The final results of all the lip sucking is that he has learned to blow raspberry's. The following 2 videos is the effort and the accomplishment. I laughed over and over again and I hate to admit how MANY videos I took of this!

It is so fun to watch the concentration it took. He would watch and listen and then you could see the wheels spinning and the tongue moving around. I love it!!! Sorry, it is the Lukasitis talking.

He also had a great time in his excersaucer. He can really get this thing going. He jumps up and down and spins around playing with all the toys. He loves the keys and the little see through ball thing. He tries to fit the whole thing in his mouth. It is funny to watch because you can see through the end and watch him chewing on it.

After all the fun it was bath time. When he was done mom introduced him to the cutie in the mirror. He seems like a really awesome friend! He also had his 4 month Dr. appointment on Thursday and he is now.....wait for it......18 lbs. and 26 and a half inches.......HOLY COW!!!! Jesse and Amy said they may have to rethink the biking career and think linebacker.


We have not seen or heard the owlets since Memorial day and we had been wondering where they may have gone. On Tuesday night Dave finally heard them outside the window. When I got back on Wednesday I was on the deck and spotted all 3 back in the woods.


They were about 130 ft. away and towards the top of a tree. You can see 2 pretty well but one was hiding in the leaves. Trust me she is there. I know the picture is a little grainy but it is as far as I could zoom, and still get a picture.

Here is a short video of them on the branch. You can see the head bobbing. Dave would whistle or screech and they would look over. We have seen and heard them throughout the day and night since. It was good to see that they are all 3 still thriving.


See that wasn't so long, was it?? Surprise, surprise, surprise I can tell a story quickly!!!!! Sometimes I even amaze myself!!!