Summer - Week 4

Another great week at home. We had a balloon fight this afternoon. Everyone had a blast! Jeff gets home early on Friday and he even enjoyed in on the fun! We enjoyed some snow cones after the water war. Mr. Whiskers had a vet appointment this week. He got 2 shots and we were told he's a bit over weight. We need to not feed him so much. One of our weekly highlights was building a tent in our living room. The kids got a tent from my brother's family for their birthdays. We are using Jeff's shoes to hold the stakes in place. The kids are having a great time in it. Jackson slept there last night. Tonight is Jenna's turn. I even took a nap in it the other day.

I attended a training session for the reading series I'll be piloting next year. It looks to be a great series with lots of resources to use! I think I'll be able to use a lot of the differentiation instruction information I received at my most recent seminar. We've been having fun hanging with our neighbors. Our back yard neighbors, Kelli and Tim, have a new beautiful patio. We sit out there most nights.

Jeff had his second class. He is putting a lot of time and effort into his class. We are so proud of him.

Joe and I mowed my friend, Ashley's, lawn. It was hot work, but it looks great now. We are hoping they can sell it soon....so we can not worry about checking in on it.

Finally, I colored my hair today. I tried to get it back my 'natural' shade (what ever that is)...however, it's a bit too dark, so I'll have to re-color later this weekend.

Jeff is off next week and we are looking forward to having some fun family time!

Summer - Week 3

Jeff was out of town for work (Chicago). The BIG event for the week is Vacation Bible School. Jenna and Jackson lead the songs, Jackson was also a "Lab Assistant" and lead some prayers and helped in activities. Joe worked with the pre-schoolers and assisted in games, and I lead a group of elementary students. We brought our neighbor, Drew, along with us - and we all had a great time!

Joe went to the doctor this week to get his 7th grade shots. He didn't do very well after them - and was sick and on the couch most of the next day.

Jeff started his grad class. He is taking some accelerated classes for his MBA. I'm so proud of him...even though he's a bit nervous about it! He should be done in 18 months.

I emptied my desk and we moved it to the basement for Jeff. He set up a nice little work station down there.....the kids wanted to join him and they all set up their own "desk areas". They had fun "playing office". Joe would talk into Jenna's Kerokee machine..."Jeff Gruber line 3, Jeff Gruber line 3". Jenna was the head "E-mailer" and would arrange appointments for Jeff. Jackson just sat on my laptop and played games. Over all it was fun to be in the nice and cool basement!

Summer - Week 2

June 9 - 15

Jaci and the kids spent most of the week in Viroqua. There was so much flooding that you couldn't get to the next town (LaFarge). We also had to go a LONG way to get to town. There was a little damage at my parent's new house (the drainage ditch)....but the "Primmer Dam" was in danger of failing. The kids had a BLAST playing in the stream near the house. We also wen to the Children's museum in LaCrosee and did some other fun shopping.

We decided to leave early because of the bad weather and the flooding....we made it home without any problems. We were glad to be home for the weekend and Father's Day!

Summer - week 1

Our first week of summer vacation found us in Northern Wisconsin with Jeff's family. Jeff and the boys took Grandpa Frank "Up North" fishing. Jenna stayed with Grandma Gruber and "Camp Grandma". While the boys were having fun fishing...Jenna was learning how to sew and bake. I joined my family after my last work day at school...and we headed to Wausau to see Jeff's brother's family. We stopped by Jeff's cousin's cafe and had a great lunch. The kids LOVE to eat at Kristin's Cafe. We got to Nate and Beth's house in time to walk to pick up Erin and Eden from school. We were able to see Eden play in a T-ball game and celebrated with ice cream afterwards. The next day we walked the girls back to school and returned to Ellsworth. (We did stop by Gander Mountain on the way home.)

We were able to celebrate Frank's retirment from the Ellsworth School District with a lovely meal and program. It was such a special day. Another retiring teacher is the sister of one of my Wisconsin co-workers. It really is a small world.

Near the end of the week, Jeff and I took the kids to IKEA and MOA for some fun. Jeff admitted that he actually had fun at both places! SHOCKER!!

Saturday the kids and I headed to Viroqua for a wedding, family reunion, and some flooding fun!


The Gruber Cousins - Joe, Erin, Jackson, Jenna, Cade, Eden


Pile on Joe!!!!


Erin, Eden, and Cade at their school.


The Cafe!!!


Filling up the van gas tank....gas prices stink!!!