Cancun Surprise!!!

This summer Ken and I, with the help of Ryan and Amy Kalis, pulled off one of our best surprises ever. We surprised Chris and Christine Stigall in Cancun. Chris had asked us to come to Cancun and surprise Christine for their 10th anniversary. We "very sadly" told Chris there was no way we could pull this off with Ken starting a new job and us moving the week after they were going. We "very excitedly" called the Kalis' and said we were "in" but didn't want to surprise just Christine--we would surprise them both. So, with several months to wait, and lots of "so sad we are not going" we anxiously strategically planned our arrivals.

Ken and I were scheduled to arrive 1 and 1/2 hours before the KC folks. We had it all planned--it was going to be perfect. Well--as we know--plans don't always work out. Ryan and Amy missed their flights--way long story there and way good reason for them to want to get loaded when they arrived. So, Ken and I started "Plan B". We decided that we were going to be spies and secret agents--hiding behind tall plants and peaking around pillars. They finally arrived. Over a few cocktails--Ken and I decided we were going to send them a bottle of wine--with a note saying we hope they enjoyed the wine and the week--wish we could share it with you...... Then on page 2 we wrote--If you want to share it--come in the hallway."
So we knocked on the door and hid the the corridor. We had to knock twice cuz no one answered??? So I ran up, pounded on the door and ran away again. This time they answered. We couldn't see them but could hear them reading our note and then we heard Christine...SHUT UP...SHUT UP...THEY ARE NOT HERE. Ken and I quietly came out of our hiding spot and came up to them for hugs and tears. It was one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We so wished that Amy and Ryan could have been a part of this.
So we shared the bottle of wine and anxiously awaited Ryan and Amy's arrival. The first night was actually quite relaxing. It was good to just be together. But needless to say, we hit the beaches the next morning and every morning after that. We spent a big part of our first day on the beaches and in the ocean. There is nothing like sand in your toes or wherever else it goes!! Our evenings were spent dining with our great friends. The food was fantastic. The resort had a wonderful array of restaurants to choose from. Each night brought a different ethnicity. The evenings usually started out quiet and with a few glasses of wine, a little bourbon, and whatever else, it became a little more interesting. Well along the way, Ken declared himself the conductor. Most days he did a good job, but there was one day in particular that we didn't follow the tracks as he expected. I remember at about 3:00 in the afternoon he looked at me and said..."Oh honey, my cars have all fallen off the tracks." And boy did we ever. Ken and I ended up going to dinner alone that night. The Stigalls and Kalis' were in bed by 7. We went to pick them up and Amy and Ryan were in the fetal position in towels and Chris and Christine decided it just wasn't a good idea to go. Now--Ken and I went to dinner, but we were also in bed by 9:15. Here is just a peak at the fun we had!!!
We had a wonderful week. Our sighting of sea turtles was amazing--despite the crazy security guard. The weather turned out great--despite the hurricanes going through. Ryan and Amy, Chris and Christine... Thank you for inviting us. It is a trip to remember!!!

Our Two Faces of Jordyn

As most of you know, Jordyn has been dancing since she has been 3 yrs. old. I will never forget the little pink dress with her hat. At 3, it didn't matter what she did, she was absolutely adorable. Well, much to my sadness, Jordyn decided that this would be her last year of dance. So, (for now at least) here is one last look at our dancer Jordyn...

When this decision was made, I told her she would need to find something else to do, She was not going to just tag along to all of Jake's events. So...here is the new face of Jordyn this fall...she is a ferocious flag football player. She is having a blast. The first game was this past Saturday--it was pouring rain all morning. We actually had her excited to get all muddy. I will say that I was happy the rain stopped for game time. Who would have thought that Jordyn would be the Ellis football player???

Jeff and Vickie's February Visit to Merton

Jeff and Vickie arrived to Wisconsin in style--a bright sunny day in February--not too cold and not snowing. We had decided to give them everything Wisconsin is known for in one stop. Ken picked them up from the airport, I picked up the kids from school, and we headed down to Lake Front Brewery in downtown Milwaukee. We first ate some wonderful fish and had a welcoming beverage.-. This fish was fantastic!!! We then went on a brewery tour. The adults had little samples along the way and the kids had root beer. And how else do you end a brewery tour but by singing the song from Laverne & Shirley.(The kids didn't quite get this but oh well--someday they will understand) We then headed back upstairs to a great band playing...yes....polka music. We danced for a while and decided we better head back home--we did have 2 vehicles that had to be driven.

So...we get back into the metropolis of Merton, hang with the kids for a bit and then head uptown for a little Bogie's Karaoke night. We could not do the "walk of shame" because after all it was February. What a night it was. As you can see--good fun was had by all.


After that worldwind of a Friday, we had a great relaxing weekend and enjoyed the quiet time we had together--what we wouldn't give to have them in our neighborhood again!! Love you both and thanks for coming. We hope to see you soon.

Winter Fun

As we headed into February, the pond became the place for the kids to hang-out. Ice skating and hockey became the pass the time of choice. When we took the Christmas lights down, we decided it would be fun to put them up around the ice skating rink. The hours the kids spent on the ice were incredible. There were no major injuries and that is even more incredible considering sharp blades, hockey sticks, pucks and lots of kids. There were kids vs. adult hockey games, skates vs. boots and whatever other combination the kids came up with. It is great to see kids out exercising without even knowing it. As they skated, layers were often shed and food was needed to refuel. Ken was often called upon to drill holes so they could go ice fishing--considering he had 2 knee surgeries the kids knew ice skating wasn't really an option. Who knew a silly old pond could be so much fun!!

A New Chapter

This Wednesday marked a new chapter in my life. I will give you a preface on how this chapter developed. About 6 months before our chaos began, I said to Ken, "For the first time in my career, I feel like both of us working is detrimental to our family." Our valuable family time was spent playing catch up. We were not enjoying our kids they way we should--Don't get me wrong--we loved the baseball and basketball, the dance and everything we were running to. But that was the problem--we were always running and we were not able to enjoy the little family time we had.

So, when Ken accepted the job with Oshkosh Corporation, we decided to make some changes in our lives. I am going to stay home to try to make everyone's lives a little less stressful, make sure the kids are adjusting ok, and continue to get our house in order. Our house looks fairly put together on the surface, but please don't open too many closets or go in the basement.

As I start this new phase, it take some time for me to adjust as well. I will hopefully have time for exercising a little and keeping you up to date on Ellis lives. My last post was in February and soooooo much has happened. Thank you for your patience--It is good to be back.