Monday, December 17, 2012

Marlee is 1 Month Old!

This last month has gone so fast! Marlee is 1 month old today! In the past month she has gained about 3 pounds and grown several inches! She has more "awake" time during the day too, which we like because that means more sleep time at night :)! She is a very content baby-- usually crying only to let me know she is tired or hungry. She looks a lot like her big brother Blake did at this age. We can't wait to see her grow over the next month!

Blake's 4K Christmas Program

Last week we enjoyed watching Blake sing and perform at his Holiday Program. They sang songs like, "Must Be Santa," and "Jingle Bells." They also performed some finger plays for us like, "5 Little Stockings" and "2 Little Candy Canes." One of Blake's best known qualities is that he has a very loud voice. This came in handy at the program as he was the one you could hear over everyone else:) Santa also made a guest appearance and handed out candy canes to all of the children. Blake is pictured with his friend and classmate, Nicholas, and with his teacher Ms. Falkner holding Marlee. Papa Ron was able to join us for the program also! Thanks for coming!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Grandpa and Grandma Gronos Visit

Newly retired and loving it-- Grandma and Grandpa Gronos came to Wisconsin to visit us and see Marlee for the first time! It was so nice to have them here and they were a big help! The boys loved spending quality time with them reading books on Grandma's Ipad, snuggling on the couch, and having a campout in the living room with Grandma two nights in a row! We can't wait for them to come and visit again!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

SHE'S here!

Yes, I can't believe I am saying that word - SHE! Marlee Maeve Risler was born on November 17, 2012 at 2:10 am. She weighed 7 lbs., 15 oz., and was 19 inches long! She has a full head of dark hair just like her big brother Blake did when he was born. She was 9 days early and she came fast! Blake and Bennett couldn't be prouder big brothers. They want to help with everything that has to do with Marlee- changing diapers, reading books by her when she is eating, rocking her. I wonder how long this will last :)? We are all so in love with her already, and we can't believe we actually have pink clothes in our house! Thanks to Papa Ron and Claudia for being "on call" in the middle of the night to watch the boys as we went to the hospital, and to Auntie Jessi for driving over in the middle of the night to meet Marlee and give her the first bath.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Halloween 2012

This year Blake went as a Knight and Bennett dressed as a Cow for Halloween. We got PLENTY of candy to last us until next Halloween. We trick-or-treated in downtown Eau Claire and with the Callaghan family and friends in their neighborhood! The boys were both tuckered out afterwards!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Blake's 4K Halloween Program

On October 30, 2012 Blake and his friends at school performed some songs and fingerplays for us. They also got to take part in a costume parade for the parents and grandparents. Blake dressed as a knight this year. Papa Risler and Grandma Claudia also joined us for the program! It concluded with Halloween cookies and juice!
Blake in his knight costume.
Blake stirring the witch's brew!
Papa Risler and Grandma Claudia with Blake and Bennett after the program.

Duck for President Play

Last weekend Blake and I took his 2 buddies, Hadley and Piper to see the ECCT play, "Duck for President." We picked the girls up and headed down to the theater. They were all such good audience members and we even got a picture with the star of the play, Grace (Randy's goddaughter), who played the part of "Duck." She has such a beautiful voice and was definitely made for the stage! Blake had lots of fun on his "double date!"
Hadley, Piper and Blake with "Duck" (Grace) after the show!
Blake, Hadley and Piper before the show started.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

A Walk to Remember

While Randy was on his elk hunt (see previous post), the boys and I spent the week in Cando, ND with Grandpa Greg (or Dreg as Bennett calls him) and Grandma Bev. My mom picked us up in Jamestown and we headed north. The boys had fun spending some quality time with Grandpa and Grandma. We also took lots of walk/ bike rides around town. At the end of October my mom and dad will be retiring from their jobs and moving away from the town they have called home for over 35 years! I thought it would be a nice memory to take a walk with Blake and Bennett around town and capture, through photos, some places that were special to me growing up in Cando. There were lots of great memories in the house that I grew up in and the town that I called home. Now "home" will be where my family is and where new memories will be made.
A photo of Blake and Bennett in front the school where I attended elementary, middle and high school. Back then it was called Cando High School instead of Northstar. Go Cubs!
A picture of the boys on the Cando Stage Line at the city park just a block from my house, equipment that was there when I was a kid.
The pool, also just a block from my house. Spent many summer hours splashing away at this place!
The track/football field where I ran lap after lap and watched high school football games!
The Cando sign at the 4 corners. Also in the background is the Dairy Queen where I worked for 6 years in high school!
A final photo of Blake and Bennett on the front steps of the house I lived in growing up. Jessi and I would play Barbies on these steps for hours! I am going to miss this place!

Randy's Elk Hunt

This past week Randy fulfilled a lifelong dream of tagging an elk. He made the 15-hour drive to Wilsall, Montana (small town located 30 miles northeast of Bozeman, MT). On his second day of hunting this 6 x 8 beauty came into view. Randy had a 50 yard shot, drew back, and let the arrow fly! He and his guide decided to wait a few hours before tracking it to make sure it wouldn't go too far. 2 hours later they found a few drops of blood and found him lying under a pine on the side of the mountain. Randy was ecstatic! He texted that evening to tell us the good news!Iknow that this is a much abbreviated story of the hunt, but Randy can describe it much better than this non-hunter can:)! As I type this, the cape and antlers are at the taxidermist, the crockpot is full of elk chili, and our freezer is stuffed with elk steaks! Randy said next on his hunting list is a moose! We better make room on our wall!
Randy and the boys with the antlers before they are taken to the taxidermist.
Randy with his elk after tracking it!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Blake's First Day of 4K

Blake was very excited about starting school today! He woke up to a special "Back to School Breakfast" and "First Day French Toast!" I asked him what he was most excited about and he said, "riding the bus!" Blake will be in the PM class at Anthony School where Ms. Falkner is his teacher. We had the chance to see his classroom and meet his teacher last night. This morning we went on a walk to collect some flowers that he could bring for Ms. Falkner for his first day! We are proud of you, Blake, and we can't believe you are already starting school!
"Back to School Breakfast"
Blake on the morning of his first day of 4K! Grandma Bev might want to steal this visor from you Blake!!
Blake's "First Day French Toast."
The night before his first day at his Open House. This is taken outside of his classroom.
Heading out the driveway to get on the bus!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Happy Birthday, Randy!

Happy birthday to a wonderful dad and husband! Thank you for providing for us and for showing us so much love! Here's to another great year! Here is a picture of Randy and Blake and also one of all the boys before Blake and Randy went on his birthday archery shoot at the local conservation club.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Hunting Cabin

The new hunting cabin down in Buffalo County is complete! Here are some pictures from the outside. I will have to post some indoor pictures once we have it furnished. I am afraid that Randy may never come home :)

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Furry Friends

It seems that we may have some new furry friends living in our yard. If you recall last summer we had our friend, Boots, the fox visiting our house from time to time. The boys would feed him bread. We haven't seen Boots now in over a year, but just this morning we spied 2 new friends taking up residence in our woodpile. We have seen the mama cat over the past few weeks in our yard, but didn't know for sure if she had kittens or not. Then this morning out popped her 2 adorable kittens from the woodpile! Blake and Bennett wanted to see how close they could get. The fluffier one was a little more brave. We set out a dish of milk, which they all 3 drank right up! Maybe we will have some new mouse catchers hanging around for awhile. That would be nice! Blake wanted to name the all orange and white one Peanut Butter, and the one with the gray tail, Chocolate Chip!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

RCU Charity Classic

Last weekend the whole family ventured down to Phoenix Park in Eau Claire to take part in the RCU Charity Classic. Randy ran the 10K, I ran the 2 mile race, and Blake ran his first race (the 1/4 mile). He was so excited and by the end he was sprinting to the finish. Bennett was the family cheerleader for all 3 races. At the end of Blake's race Bennett turned to Randy and said, "My turn?" Next year we will have to have both boys race. Randy really improved his time since running this same race a few years ago! It was a very warm day, but also a memorable one!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Randy's Spring Turkey and an Announcement!

Randy and his good buddy, Kyle, ventured out this morning to slay a turkey together. The two of them have gone out hunting together several times, but haven't been able to harvest anything. There have been some occasions where they haven't even seen so much as a squirrel. This morning was different however! Kyle was doing the calling while Randy was doing the shooting. They came home with this HUGE 24-pound turkey! Thanks to Kyle for taking time out of his weekend to come down to help Randy get this bird! Although we probably won't be welcoming this turkey to our Thanksgiving meal this year, we are going to be welcoming a new baby Risler! We are very excited to announce that we will have an addition to our family on or around November 27, 2012! Just in time for the next hunting season!

California Trip

Randy and I were very lucky to have the opportunity to attend a trip for his work out in Laguna Beach, California at the end of April. While we were away, Blake and Bennett spent some time with Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia. While on our trip we saw dolphins and whales right from our balcony, caught up with some friends from past trips, and made some new friendships. The flowers at the hotel where we stayed at were amazing! I just had to get some pictures of that! One night we also had dinner at The Mission of San Juan Capistrano-- a place I had just taught my 1st graders about! So beautiful and so much history! It was great to get away, and of course, always nice to be home.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Happy 4th Birthday Blake


Your first 4 years of life has just flown by! I can't believe I held you for the first time 4 years ago! You have grown into a creative, energetic, and curious little boy! We look forward to what your next years have in store for our family! We love you, Blake Marcus!