Five Years

Josh and I celebrated our fifth anniversary yesterday. Hard to believe we've been married for five years, and together even longer. A lot has happened in the last five years, both good and bad, and we've gotten through it together.

We spent our anniversary at Pee-Wee bowling...I tried to post a video of Ellie throwing the ball into the lane next to hers, but for some reason it wouldn't post. The video is very Uncle Don-like, but it is hard to hold the camera still when you're laughing so hard. I'll give it a shot again one of these days.

After bowling we went to La Crescent where Ellie walked in the Applefest Kiddie parade with the kids from her preschool. It was a short parade, just a trip around the block, but the weather was warm, and the meeting spot was the blacktopped school parking lot. Needless to say, both of us were sweating.

Josh and I rounded out our day with a trip down memory lane as we attended the wedding of one of my high school friends. I'll never forget her anniversary. The reception was at the Waterfront, and they had the UW-L Screaming Eagles band perform in front of the deck. It was pretty awesome.

The only thing I'd change about yesterday is the fact we didn't have any pictures of the two of us taken...oops! We have many more years for photos though!

Pee-Wee Bowling

We decided to bring Ellie to Pla-Mor lanes this morning for Pee-Wee bowling. I think it goes without saying that she had a fantastic time. Because she only rolled a 38 we will be practicing day and night until she can break 100.

Just a quick update..........there is nothing new to report. So, without further delay....more pics of the kids!!

Preschool

Ellie started preschool today!!! We dropped Jaymeson off at Kimmy's this morning, and when I got back in the car she said, "Just the girls going to school. I'm so excited!!!!!!" Except "excited" was screamed in a super high, drawn out way. It was great.

Got some pictures of her on the bench outside of school, as she found her cubby, by the welcome sign, with her teacher, and again as she waved goodbye to me from the waving window. Managed to hold the tears back until I shut the car door, and lost it.

It was one of those moments that made me realize that my baby is growing up, and reminded me that my dad isn't here to share it with us. Bummer. I reached for my phone to call him, but knew he wasn't there. Wanted to call someone, but figured my mom was sleeping in on her day off (she picked Ellie up at school), and that it was 6 a.m. in Idaho. Way too early to call Stephanie. The tears blended with the raindrops on the windshield and I made it to school, where the kids asked if I had allergies. I told them of my ordeal, and they all said, "Aw."

My mom and my grandpa picked Ellie up from school. She came running out yelling, "Great Grandpa!!!!!" The teacher said she had a great day, sent home a calendar, and Ellie got dropped back at Kimmy's. Ellie will be the "Special Helper" on Sept. 23rd. She gets to bring three things to share, and the daily snack. She's pretty pumped, and said it was a great day. What a big girl.