happy birthday daddy!

We celebrated another big event this past weekend... James' 37th birthday!  The kids surprised him with  a delicious cake and homemade cards.  Then Elizabeth and Chad were kind enough to babysit the kids so Mommy could surprise Daddy with an incredible dinner and night out with our friends!  

happy 50th anniversary!

Over the weekend Dave and Mary celebrated 50 years of marriage!  The family gathered for a wonderful afternoon together and then all the adults continued on to dinner in Milwaukee.   I don't have any pictures from the festivities but it's probably better not to document all of the (fantastic) food that was consumed!  A big thanks to Erin, Patrick and Claire for helping out with the younger kiddos.  And most of all, thanks to Dave and Mary for building this amazing family!  Four children, 13 grandchildren, and counting... (and no, that doesn't mean that we have any sort of announcement!)

labor day weekend in eagle river

Despite the unseasonably cool temperatures, the kids had a great time fishing, playing with their cousins, flying kites, catching bugs, playing tennis, and putting on "performances" in the park.

and last, but not least... the big performance!  you'll notice the tennis rackets dubbing as guitars.

max was REALLY into the jam session...