slick is in

Jake thought it would be funny to slick both of their hair back. Of course boys will be boys and so they did. When they came out it was so dang cute! I couldn't stop laughing at the two of them thinking they were so funny. What else can you say about these pictures.

One year later

I thought it would be interesting to see how much Nolan has changed in a year. We went to the Wisconsin State Fair when we first moved here last August. He was only 4 months old at the time.









Now we have been hear a year and Nolan is 17 months old and wasn't too happy about taking the picture. My how times have changed. He use to be such a mama's boy but recently he wants nothing to do with me. Maybe next year he will be happier with me.

Wisconsin State Fair

While Nicole and Ann were on their way home from Jersey they stopped by to see us. We had a great time with them. We went to the fair and ate till our hearts content. The theme this year was "on a stick." That meant that most of the food was on a stick. They had pork on a stick, mac and cheese on a stick, cheesecake on a stick (my favorite), you get the idea. We finally found the deep fried oreos that everyone had talked about last year. Oh man were they delicious! I can still taste them. We also had their famous roasted corn. I crave this corn all year round. And to top it all off we had the flavored milk. Yummy! My favorite was the strawberry. Jake liked the root beer milk and Nolan liked the chocolate, of course. The whole experience was great. I hope that Nicole and Ann got a small taste of what Wisconsin has to offer. Thanks for taking us.

Couldn't stop laughing!!!!

After we went to the State Fair we put Nolan in for tub time. He was so excited that Nicole and Ann were there he wanted to get right out of the tub. We got him out and started drying him off but he took off before we could finish drying him with the towel. Because of that he had the towel stuck inbetween his butt cheeks. We couldn't stop laughing because he had no idea and it wasn't bothering him at all. Kids are always good for a laugh.

Utah trip 2008

We have to be some of the luckiest people. We were able to fly home to visit family for 18 days! It was a perfect way to end the summer for us. Nolan couldn't get enough of his grandparents and we had a blast just being with family.

We stayed with Jake's family for the first part and were pampered by getting taken out to dinner, lunch, even breakfast. I don't think I have ever eaten so much in my life. We were able to get our restaurant fixes. We went to Wingers twice, Javier's twice, and had some Costa Vida as well. It all tasted so delicious.
After we had our Rabe time we headed off to the Russell's for a great time. Jake and I stayed there for about three days and then we headed off to Lake Powell while my parents watched Nolan. This was the first time we have ever left Nolan. we were gone for 4 days without him. It was kind of hard for me but I kept busy in Lake Powell and tried not to think about it. We called to see how he was doing everyday. I loved being able to hear his little voice over the phone get all excited. He would start to say "mama, dada" over and over. It was so cute.
After we got back from Lake Powell we spent the rest of the time with the Russell's. We stayed up almost every night just watching the Olympics. They were so exciting. The last night that we were there my parents got alot of the Russell side together. We had a BBQ at my parents and hung out with Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents. It was so much fun.
It all had to come to an end. We headed back home on Sunday and Jake started school on Monday. I can't believe that Jake is already into his second year of medical school. This year is going to be a hard one. Alot will happen for him. He will be taking some of his hardest classes. We will be welcoming a new baby boy in December. Then Jake will take his step 1 of the Boards in June. I think we are going to be incredibly busy. I'm sad that we won't get to fly home to see the family until next summer. It will be a long time and the baby will already be 6 months old! For now we will just enjoy each moment that we get to spend with Jake.

No plans at all

Most of our trip consisted of just lounging around and doing nothing. It was nice to not have a thing to do but be with family. Nolan had a great time messing around with Grandma Rabe's flowers and running through the water at the Gateway shopping center. We had to tear him away when we had to leave.

"Ganma" and "Papa" time

Nolan had a wonderful time playing with the grandparents on both sides. He couldn't get enough of them. I was so glad that he wasn't hesitant with them.
He really took a liking to my dad. They played blocks, read books, and wrestled. My favorite thing was when my dad got home from work Nolan would run to my dad and say, "papa!" It was so dang cute.


















At the Rabe's Nolan loved the dog. He would throw the ball forever with her. We tried to catch the boy throwing in action. He really has quite the throw. We also went to the park and fed the ducks.
Every morning was so fun for Nolan. He would get to wake up to grandparents and toys. What could be better than that? I am so glad that mine and Jake's parents are such wonderful grandparents. Nolan loves them so much.

skipping rocks at Pineview

My sister and her husband are staying up in Eden for awhile so we went up to visit them. They took us down to the reservoir to skip rocks and play around in the dirt. The boys loved it. The weather was perfect. I love how beautiful Utah is!

swimming at Great Grandma Critchlow's

We took Nolan to Great Grandma Critchlow's for a dip in the pool. He loved it!!! We had already purchased that cute little car floaty and wanted to put it to good use. Well worth it. Nolan didn't want to come out of the pool, that is until he found all of the toys and wheels out by the playground. Then we couldn't get him away from that either. Our little boy is obsessed with wheels. And I really mean obsessed!

"Old" friends

Lucky us, we were able to see some of the old clan. We went up to Richard's ranch and the boys rode horses and messed around and acted like teenagers. The girlers had a blast catching up and just laughing. I love those girls. I'm sad that we are all so spread out.
The boys haven't changed a bit. Still as crazy as ever! That's why we love them.

Dinner with the Meyer clan

It is always a good time when hanging with the Meyer's. I mean, just look at them in this picture. You can't help but laugh at how funny Joel looks. Just teasing Joel. We really have so much fun with them. Thank heaven they don't mind going to Wingers. That is one of Jake's favorite places to eat.
The best part about seeing them again was they had big news!!!! I'm not sure that I can tell you what yet, but I think you all know what I mean. Wahoo! We love you guys! Thanks for coming up from "PG-town" just to see us for the night. We expect to see you guys here in Milwaukee for Thanksgiving. You know it would be a good time. It always is. No pressure though.

Gorgeous Lake Powell

We had a blast down at Lake Powell! Jake and I were in need of a vacation. Thanks Rabe's for such a great time!
We did so much while we were there. Jake of course did water skiing, wake boarding, sky skiing, tubing, and cliff jumping. I was able to go surfing and sky skiing. Those were the ones that I was least likely to get injured in being five months pregnant and all.

The boys of course were their typical selves, funny and goofy as could be. That's why we love them so much. It was great to see all the Rabe boys and Courtland together again.














Here I am showing you that a pregnant lady can still have a little fun.



















Yes, that is my sexy husband holding up that sky ski. He still has the best looking body!





Jake is so much fun to watch on the sky ski. He can do all sorts of flips and aerials. Those are the things that I have not quite perfected and probably never will. I was really impressed that Jake still had it in him to be so good when he hadn't been in two years. Way to go babe!




Lake Powell is never complete without a bonfire to burn the garbage. We had such a great time reminiscing and roasting mallows.





The whole gang was there. It will probably be a really long time before we can all get together like this again. Our lives are just too crazy right now.















My favorite picture is of Kendra learning how to sky ski. She made the funniest faces. And who gets to have such a loving husband helping her every step of the way. Good job Kendra!
Jake only managed to get one picture of me sky skiing. Never leave the camera with a man. They aren't as concerned about getting the perfect picture.









We experienced some of the best sun rises down there. Every morning around six I would get my camera and snap some wonderful shots. I was already up because one, the coyotes were up all night yelping; two, we had some Olympic snorers on our boat; and third, I had massive heart burn almost every night. But thanks to all of those factors I was able to get some amazing shots.




Jake did so great on the wake board. I really enjoy watching all the boys go. They are so good at what they do. I never want to leave Lake Powell but all good things must come to an end. The whole trip was a blast. We are so lucky to have parents that pamper us. Thanks again Rabe's.