5 Years and Counting...

Its been five years since Tim and I took the plunge and said “I do.” I cant say that its been wedded bliss the whole time but I can honestly say that we are working at it and realizing that a marriage has to adapt to its surroundings just like the people in it. I also realized that since Olivia’s birth we have not been away from the girls for more than the occasional nightshift and never Via by herself. I think it stems to when she got sick a year ago and the feeling that we just want to be there if something goes wrong. Knock on wood though there have been no issues since her original episode so we are hopeful that this is something that she can outgrow as she ages… at least that’s what the neurologist has said.

So when our parents asked us what we wanted for our anniversary gift (which was totally not necessary) we really had to think about it… there was nothing that we needed but after a while we decided that the best gift anyone can give is there time. So we pitched the idea of each of them taking the girls for an overnight--- and it worked! Karla came by on Friday and stayed with the girls for the afternoon and early evening which was great because they always have such a great time with her especially because she has a tendency to bring delicious treats for them. We stopped by Fleet Farm on our way out of town to pick up my fishing license (I know…) and then we started heading north. I wasn’t sure where we were going to go for our anniversary and Timmy was honestly no help so I figured we do our best bonding in the car--- so lets do a road trip! Our first overnight was up in Eagle River at a little bed and breakfast without the breakfast part. I wanted to show Timmy that I was willing to try doing something that he found interested so the B&B (or ½ B&B I guess) had waterfront and a dock that we were able to fish off of. And guess what!!! About an hour into it I caught my very first fish EVER… pretty epic. Oddly enough it was our only fish even though we put in quite a few hours but the point was to do something together and learn something about each other. I learned that Tim is a pretty particular guy when it comes to fishing as far as how things are organized and set up. He learned that even though I seem like a rough and tumble kind of girl- I wont touch worms- like refuse to- drop it on the deck even if my life depended on it kind of girl. The other thing we learned is to bring an extra set of car keys along on vacation or be ready to shell out 50 bucks (52.75 to be exact). We were lucky that there was someone around to help us out but it put a little damper (and a whole lot of razzing) on our day. Eagle River is an area of the state that I was able to experience as a young girl all the way through my late teens because my father had a work cabin/resort in the area (St. Germain Wi) and because Tim has never travel up north before I figured he was long overdue. We even went to the “Blink Bonnie” a famous restaurant (at least in my mind) to have some amazing food and watch the dear come out of the woods to visit.

Our second day was comprised of more travel this time almost the entire length of the state! This was of course after I drove us almost a half hour in the wrong direction and added an hour to our travel time-whoops (what’s 5 hours among friends).  We stopped on the way at an out of the way Grotto (you know me and my religious art) and took in the beautiful scenery (Tim thought it was creepy but he appeased my interest anyway) and even got to go in a super cool cave. The weather was insanely hot so the cooler temperatures of the underground tunnels were a welcome change from the weather above ground. As we started again we realized that we were going to be early for our three PM check in to the hotel in Portage so we stopped in Baraboo at this super cool farmer/artist’s market in the town square- It was amazing. Especially seeing I picked up an empty wood box and a glass door to make my very own shrine- YES! I was beyond excited for sure. After we checked into the hotel we made our way to the Wisconsin Dells/Delton area and took in the sights there before we went to supper at our favorite restaurant “Marley’s.” We filled our bellies and then spent a little time in the hot tub until a total creeper just wouldn’t stop talking to us. Well early to bed equals early to rise so there we were with another couple hours to do as we pleased. So Timmy took me into Portage and we went exploring… not a lot to do on a Sunday morning in a little town besides go to church but we did happen to find a little antique store that was open--- and I hit the mother load (again). This was turning out to be a great trip. Tim had never seen the “Forevertron” by “Dr. Evermore” so I felt that I needed to take him there. When we got there we actually met his wife and she gave us a little history on the place. She also informed us that later that week the guys from “American Pickers” on the history channel were going to be swinging by to check her out and do a little filming. WTF. This is the best vacation EVER. So we walked the grounds and had some great daydreaming conversations and as we drove away I decided I was going to learn how to weld. Timmy just shook his head and said “add it to the list.” That goofball--- at least he didn’t squash my dream and say no. hahahaha. Our last meal on our little anniversary trip was at “The Cracker Barrel” which I am sure by now you know is in my top five favorite restaurant lists (I cant help that I have the need to categorize and make lists--- its just who I am I guess). I am not certain that I was breathing while I ate because I totally inhaled my chicken and dumplings- delish! Now back to Green Bay to get the kiddos from my parents… I actually missed them a little bit while we were gone. Not like I was desperate to see them or thought of them every second of the day… but when I did it made me happy to think just how lucky I am to have such a great husband and that we created such beautiful children together.

Heritage Hill (year 4???)

I think this is the fourth year that Kyra has participated in the day program at Heritage Hill, our local historical park. My parents pay for the tuition as her birthday gift (her request of course) and then she gets to look through the pamphlet and pick out a theme of the camp she wants to attend. In the past she has done “days on the farm”, “Civil war solider” “School house scholar” and this year I think it was “Laura Ingles Wilder.” She totally loves getting into the role of a pioneer girl and I like the fact that she is expanding on her knowledge of where we came from in the hopes that she will appreciate all the things she has become accustomed to. With Timmy and myself both working almost the same hours, some days are a little tricky as far as child care goes. We are so lucky that we have both sets of parents as well as Tim’s aunt and his brother and sister in law to help us out. I must say that our support system is amazing and I am so incredible grateful. And it comes in handy when I have us double booked in activities like Kyra’s camp and Bella’s swimming classes. I don’t want to be one of those people that asks the family to do everything for them but at the same time I want my kids to be involved in as much as possible… I am still trying to get that to balance out.

This is the photo of kyra with her group of "lady friends" from her daycamp. She is in the top row standing in the middle... and a side note- the child... who is a brand new twelve year old mind you... is exactly one and 3/4s inch shorter than me... not liking this one bit.

Dominic visits Green Bay

We got all the Bronander grandchildren together this weekend to get an updated photo for the family album. Dominic was in town with his mom while they are vacationing in Wisconsin this summer. As many of you know, Tara (my previous sister in law) was married to Brad (Tim's older brother... although they are all older hahahaha). They moved out to Las Vegas when Dominic was about three which was almost ten years ago. Its hard to imagine its been that long but in a few years here it certainly will--- wow! how times flies.

Speaking of which- this is a picture of Dominic with his three uncles- they sure love to pick on him :)

Kyra is a year younger than Dominic but she has hit a few growth spurts ahead of him. Although I must say that their parents are proportionate (height wise) to their offspring... sorry Dom- you're gonna be short I fear.

Speaking of proportionate!!! Look at my girl Tara--- she has lost almost a hundred pounds dropping from the 200s into the bottom of the 100s with only her determination and willpower... I am hoping that some of her ambition will wear off on me and I might get a little more motivated. Although in my defense its not that I have a lack of planning--- its just the execution... damn cheeseburgers.

Big League

Kyra has decided to play soccer again this year and she is doing really well. Because her birthday is in the middle of the summer she has the unfortunate decision of being the oldest or the youngest on the team. because this is only her third year (and frankly girls can be weird about these things sometimes) she was not too sure that she wanted to play up. Unfortunately for her, she had no choice. There were not enough girls her age to make a team so they all had to play up--- way up. Kyra (who just turned 12) is play on a U-15 team. The numbers are a little misleading because you would think she is playing with 15 year old girls which is not totally the case. The ages range from 12-15... so she is still the baby of the league but to tell you the truth--- the girl is holding her own. The first game I went to I got there a little late and it was already started. I honestly thought I had the wrong field because all these girls were my height- wtf?!? But as it turns out, I was definitely at the correct spot and Kyra was right in the thick of it with these girls- it was great. This weekend she is in a tournament and if they win (which they did) they will end up playing a boy's team.. I just told her to hold her ground and to not be disappointed that they are bigger and faster--- but she is smarter--- and that is how they will have to play to beat them. Her favorite position is fullback/defense. She hasn't decided on a side yet and resents that the coach makes them play all the positions (like forward, midfield and goalie) but after she gets over her anxieties she is actually an amazing player. I look at it this way- if she is the baby of the team and is playing this well so far--- just think of what she will be playing like in three years... I could be a soccer mom of  high school player- fo'sho.

                                       

Kyra had her friend Shelby sleep over at our house on Friday night. It was the first time she had asked to have a girlfriend come over to our house and it was great. Shelby was such a joy to have with us. At first I was a little cautious because honestly I do not know her mom at all. Kyra had know Shelby from her last school and their moms are good friends but I had no idea what to expect. Especially seeing I am such a control freak and a planner- it was making me crazy. But I survived! I stepped out of my comfort zone, let Kyra be a teenage girl, but with rules and expectations... and the two girls did great. Shelby even helped out with the two little girlies. She pushed the stroller, she helped load them in the car seats and even at Bay Beach she encouraged Kyra to help pitch in even when you could tell that Kyra honestly had to interest in the two bambinos. Shelby is welcome anytime and I am so looking forward to watch these two besties grow up. Oh- the best part- did I mention that Shelby told me she is "straight edge?" I know- it took me a while to let it sink in too (and google it) but "straight edge" means living by high morals in terms of no drugs, no sex and no breaking the law... so my question is whether we can clone Shelby to stay with Kyra all the time??? Its like that little white angel that sits on your shoulder and reminds you to do the right thing... yes please! 

Nice shootin ;)

The Big Cheese!!!

No not really. But I am having my two cousins from Sparta pose with the giant mouse at the Renard's cheese factory on the way down from Door County. This past weekend we were lucky enough to have them visit us! Like I mentioned in an earlier post, the weather here has been just a little less than hellish so we have reverted back to activities I remember from my childhood with out air conditioning--- namely the water. I always forget that we are only a half hour from the lake, and the bay is less than ten minutes. Lucky for me I have a plethora of beach items (which include swimsuits and no less than twenty or so shovels---for reals) all coming from rummage sales of course. Speaking of rummage sales- the time of their visit could not have come at a better time! It was the Algoma Wi city wide rummage sales. Now before you get too excited, Algoma is an itty bitty town in the middle of nowhere but its charm outweighs its lack of sprawling city development any day. And the art scene up here is amazing. This is where I always go to fill up my inspiration tank when it gets a little low. Now I think I am not exaggerating if I said I went to one of my favorite rummage sales of my entire life this weekend. It was a little farmhouse and barn with an over sized breezeway and I seriously spent a good 20- minutes going through all of their treasures... which is a big deal for me. Usually my mother and I can get through a sale in less than a few minutes because the trick is to get in and out as fast as possible so that you can stay ahead of the pack and get to the next one. Well this was not going to happen. I found tons of men's trousers (from the 70s) for 25 cents each and then a dozen neck ties from the same time frame for a dime a piece. My plan is to do something amazing with them and buttons--- purses perhaps (ETSY here I come... after I learn how to sew). I sent my mother back to my car to be in the air with the girls and I felt a little bad for how long I was gone... but like a true addict it didn't matter to me at the time- I was in the zone. After I crawled into the back of a side closet I found something I have been looking for for years: A clear bubble umbrella. You know the ones from the 60s that are tall and you can see right through them. Well I fell in love with the concept in some fashion photography last spring and then Target was selling them for 17.00 but I just couldn't justify spending that much on an umbrella... its the same price as a whole box of diapers people  :)  But low and behold what do I find in this deceased total strangers closet amidst the polyester and old fur coat??? My beloved clear umbrella. Halleluiah! And for get this: 25cents... I am certain there really is a heaven, and this is my sneak peak at it- hahaha

After hitting the best (emotionally fulling) sales so far this year (for me, my mother would disagree... she thinks what I buy sometimes is silly) we decided to head to Sturgeon bay and hit the shops... which was hard to do in a way because we were still in Yard Sale pricing frame of mind so there was a little more sticker shock than there would normally be (although Sturgeon Bay's prices are always a bit inflated). Bella had a total breakdown when we did not buy her some ice cream but what that child really needed was a nap. I have the hardest time reprimanding her because she looks and acts just like me--- like JUST like me. She is so darn cute and full of energy I just think I may burst from all the love I have for her. And it is at this exact moment that I am reminded of the times she stuffs a whole roll of toilet paper into the bowl or when she makes mud pies in her sisters hair... and then my smile dwindles, my hot air balloon springs a little leak and I am brought back down to reality... that little stinker.

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Sunday morning we started out by hitting the pool at the YMCA which my girls totally loved. Kyra was with her mom this weekend so it was just the little girls, myself, my parents and my cousins. Nikki did not bring her suit along so she hung out on the treadmill to get a few miles under her belt and the rest of us headed for the sweet relief of the pool... it was warm but refreshing still the same- thank goodness. Little Via and Bella are both totally in love with going down the big twistie slide at the Y. Lucky for me I had a relative army to help me get them up and down roughly a million times. Summer in Wisconsin means construction so after we got cleaned up and on the road I escorted my cousins to the highway so they didn't get lost and we headed home for nappy time --- babies and their momma too! In the evening we went to a BBQ at Tim's parents where we got to spend some time with family and friends of the family which is refreshing as well  :)

*** Fireworks ***

For as long as we have had Kyra in our lives, she has spent the 4th of July with her mother. This year is full of changes though and her staying with us is one of them. I am super excited to share this (one of my favorite holidays) with her. And Bella is getting old enough to understand the whole concept of fireworks- not necessarily Independence (although she exhibits it beautifully) but we sang Happy Birthday to America and celebrated with some ice cream at Culver's with Auntie Karla and Grandma Nana while Daddy was at work.

 

During the girl's nap-time at my parents, Kyra and I drove to the Red Rocket out on the bay and took a little look see at what they had. The weather here in the Midwest has been so dry and hot that there is currently a burning ban so we definitely have to careful about what we are burying and setting off. And don't worry--- we didn't but this huge rocket that kyra is holding but we did pick up some sparklers, snakes and those little snappers. On our way into town for the fireworks we dropped the baby off by her Daddy who was more than happy to stay inside in the air conditioning and put her down to sleep. I would have had them both come along but we like to sit out by the McDonalds near BayBeach and I am such a worrywart about all the cars and my little speed-demon that I figured its just better for her health and my sanity that the littlest bambino stay home. We grabbed some glow sticks when we were dropping off Via and mommy remembered the bug spray (thank God) cause those suckers were biting like crazy... it was hot... it was sticky... and we were happy. The show started right after nineish and within like seriously eight minutes the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. I was totally certain that we were going to have to run and find cover like in "Twister" when that tornado comes busting through the outdoor movie screen. But lucky for me this was not the case and we were able to enjoy the rest of the color display in general safety. I say general because Bella and Kyra were experimenting with fire--- but before we jump to conclusions let me explain. I was showing them how to throw the little snappers (which the exhausted within less than five minutes) and then we moved onto the snakes. Which at the time that we bought them I was totally reminded of when AJ and I used to sneak outside in the summer with a pack of matches and light them on the driveway (like Dad wasn't going to notice all the burn marks on the cement). I think it was in this happy and reflective moment that I burnt my finger and have since sworn off snakes (of any kind) especially cause once I got that b*tch lit--- I remembered that they are actually pretty boring. sigh. Now that I was good and crabby we decided to move onto sparklers (honestly in my top 10 favorite things of all time) and ended up having a blast. I had all but forgotten about how crappy the snakes were when I accidentally burnt myself with the lighter whilst trying to light Katie's sparkler off of my own... I figure it was just a little "zaP" from God to remind me that this type of thing doesn't happen everyday and to enjoy it while I have it... and I sure did.