Happy Spring!!

Well, it's official. Spring has arrived. This is by far the longest, hardest winter I have ever experienced in my almost 33 years. Crocuses may not be blooming, but the snow is melting at its own glacial pace, and that lingering sunshine at Davey's bedtime can't be wrong. Plus, even though the sidewalks have not reemerged yet, Riley is back on his bike. We resumed our previous habit of walking/riding to the local church playground, only this time Davey was on the tricycle instead of in the stroller, and joining in with our calls of "car", adding "caw" to the chorus. It must be spring!







And here is further proof...actual flowers!! (The only ones I've seen so far.)

Madison Part IV

Please scroll down and start at the beginning...backwards, I know.

And here is the main reason we travelled so far...Nathan's Grandpa. His health is failing and it has been 2 years since we've last seen him and Grandma.

Great Grandma made us a delicious mid-western meal for dinner. BBQ chicken, rice, greenbeans from Dawn and Linda's garden...oh, and a spectacular chocolate cake for dessert (Grandpa's favorite).

It was so good to see them, and the goodbye was more emotional than we anticipated. We love you Grandpa and Grandma!!

Madison Part III

The next morning we went to a local conservatory to pretend, just for an hour or so, that winter wasn't still digging in it's claws. Oh, the moist, moist air!! The GREEN!! The flowers!! The birds!!

Grandma Cheryl and her boys sure had fun.

Madison Part II

One day Cheryl had most of the extended family over for one big visit. It worked out perfectly. We got to see everyone even though we had such limited time. Here are Melissa (N's cousin), Brad (N's cousin Jen's husband), and Kristin (another cousin who drove all the way from Minneapolis for the day!!)

A very pregnant Jen and Cheryl's two sisters Dawn and Linda.

Riley wanted to help. He says, "Here is Dwight and Riley. We are flicking paper footballs. Dwight made good footballs. It was crazy good!" Riley specifically requested I put this on the blog. I think Dwight was a personal favorite!

Kristin and Jen getting in on the football action.

Don (Dawn's husband) reading to grandaughter Payton (Jen and Brad's child).

Another beautiful baby belly on Nathan's cousin Sara, whose husband is Dwight.

Madison Part I.

Riley was an amazing traveller, just soaking up the big world and the whole flying experience.

Davey, however, required the extreme attention and energy any normal 18 month old would under such circumstances.

Early morning at Grandma Cheryl's.

A Mad Dash to Wisconsin 2

Well, last week actually a few weeks ago now, sandwiched between two snowstorms, we journeyed to Madison, Wisconsin to see our much missed and loved family there. I swear I actually tried to post this two weeks ago now, but ran into many issues (too many pictures, freaky computer code glitches, etc.) which prevented me. So, now I am trying again after a cooling off period away from my blog and computer. Hope for the best...

Madison
in IV parts