Mondovi Wrestling Tournament

Carter wrestled in the Mondovi Buffaloes Youth Tournament this weekend. It was a 4 Person Round Robin, Folk Style. Chad & I were impressed with Carter's wrestling skills this year. He seems to be catching on to the different wrestling techniques that he is learning. He also seems stronger this year. He didn't seem to "give up" as easily when he was taken down. It was so much fun to watch him. He walked off the mat each time with smiles and great sportsmanship.

Here he is, all ready to "wrestle"...

The take down.....

Going in for a pin......

Carter is pushing with all of his might as his coaches are yelling....."Roll 'Em Over, Carter!!"

Our little "champ" coming off the mat...

"Give me your happy smile!" Chad & Carter.

Here is Carter with his medal. The Mondovi tournament is non-competitive for Kindergarteners and they all receive a medal at the end. This is Carter's highlight of the day.

Happy Birthday Chad!

We celebrated Chad's 36th birthday Friday night with pizza and cake at our house. LaNita made her delicious home-made pizzas, and we relaxed and hung out together. Chad's birthday is not until February 4th, but he will be gone on an ice fishing trip in northern Minnesota that weekend. Chad's parents leave for Florida on Saturday, so we decided to celebrate his birthday a little early. Thank you for joining us to make Chad's birthday special.....Bill, LaNita, Todd, Missy, Dylan, Paige, Cruz, Ross, Paul, Tara, Evan and Autumn.

The boys wanted to help Dad get his ice fishing poles ready for next weekend. Happy Birthday Dad!

Here are some pics of the birthday party......

Tara & Paul....

Tara & Missy......

Ross & LaNita..............LaNita brought the entertainment for the evening....Todd's old yearbooks from high school. Missy & Todd are looking through them. We all had a few laughs finding old pictures.
LaNita, Todd & Cruz...
Evan enjoying some home-made ice cream that Bill & LaNita made for the party.
Carter & Cruz............
The cousins had a fun time playing together. Dylan, Carter, Autumn, Paige, Cruz & Bradley. (Evan was eating ice cream at the time)....
Carter Mike.............
Chad having some cake & ice cream......and helping Bradley have some, too.
Bill & Chad....
Carter wanted to go around and take a few pictures to include in our family blog. Enjoy the "close-ups" that he took.......
Cruz..........
Dylan.....

Paige.....she is just too cute!!...

Enjoy the pictures of Chad. He sure does enjoy his boys!

Chad trying to teach the boys how to fish. They are fishing by the dam in Eau Galle. Bradley was more interested in playing with the worms than learning how to fish! (Carter - 5 yrs. old/Bradley - 18 months)

Taking a wagon ride at the pumpkin patch in Rice Lake. It was a chilly day. (Bradley - 9 months)
Here is Chad showing off his beautiful smile while cuddling up with baby Bradley.
Celebrating Chad's 33rd birthday. Carter & I took Chad to the Cranberry Country Lodge in Tomah that year to celebrate his birthday. The boys and I are taking him back there this year in March. (Carter - 3 yrs.old)Chad & Carter on a trail at an apple orchard in Eau Claire. (Carter 4 yrs. old)
I was able to get a snapshot of Chad from one of the yearbooks. Here he is as a Freshman. Can you pick him out?????HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

WE LOVE YOU!!

Baby Luke Michael Zenner

Carter and I were able to meet our friends, Ann & Adam Zenner's, new baby boy this weekend. Before we went to see them, we made some yummy banana bread to take over with us.

Of course, the boys wanted to help.........can you imagine seeing your kitchen counter like this?!?!? I think every singe one of my kitchen utensils were taken out and used by the boys. Carter snuggling up to little Luke. He is about one week old and was quite jaundice when he was born. Carter shared many stories of what it was like when Bradley was born. He has an amazing memory. He enjoyed rubbing little Lukes head and "sniffing" him. We love the smell of new babies!

Here is Carter's friend, Alexis, and big sister to little Luke.

Can I help???

Bradley wanted to help make supper tonight, so I gave him a few supplies to work with. I turned away for just a second, and this is how I found him when I glanced back at him. I have no idea how he managed to get cornstarch all over his face and shirt!! Whatever he did, it sure did make us laugh.

Bradley asking, "What's that?"......

You silly boy!

Carter wanted to share with everyone the Gingerbread house he made this year. We make one every year together, and this year Bradley helped us, too. It brought much excitement watching Bradley pick off all the candy pieces and eating them as we were trying to decorate!

This was around Christmas time when we had the big dumping of snow. The boys had fun playing in it.

Carter especially likes the snow mound that Grandpa Bill makes for him with the snow plow.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Bill!

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Bill.........or as Bradley would say...."Papa".

This is last year's picture of us having cake to celebrate our birthdays. Our birthday's came too quickly this year and we missed out on cake.

WE LOVE YOU DAD AND GRANDPA BILL!

Klimek-Baecker-Dorwin Christmas

We celebrated another Christmas at Ed & Romelle Baecker's house with the Klimek's. It is wonderful to be able to get together with "Meme & Grandpa" another year!! The kids were surprised by an unexpected visitor this year......SANTA!!

Carter & Santa........Carter & Abby were Santa's helpers this year by passing out presents for him.

Bradley & Santa........Bradley was not sure what to think of Santa. He was willing to sit on Santa's lap if mom was with him.
Andrew & Santa.......Santa asking Andrew if he was nice this year!! The expression tells it all........
Abby & Santa.........little Squirrel enjoyed helping Santa.

I have a picture of Austin with Santa, however, he was not overly thrilled to be on Santa's lap, and I don't think he would appreciate the picture I have of him. He has a silly expression on his face and I wouldn't want him upset with his Auntie!! :-)

I thought it would be fun to also share some pictures from last Christmas at the Baecker's (since I forgot to take group pictures this year)....sorry!

Grandpa Ken & Grandma Deb with the grandkids: Austin, Andrew, Abby, Carter & Bradley. (2006)

Great Grandpa Ed & Great Grandma "Meme" with Grandpa & Grandma and the grandkids........even Jack the Dog is in the picture. (2006)