Eleanor moves to Wisconsin

Here are some long overdue pictures of Eleanor's summer in Wisconsin!

Before we moved into our new house in Menomonie, we spent some time with grandma and grandpa at our cabin in Hayward, WI. We hit all the hotspots... the candy store, the coffee shops, Wilderness walk and plenty of greasy spoon diners!

Eleanor and grandpa do lunch.

Despite the warm days, we insisted on bonfires at night. Eleanor had her first roasted marshmallows.

Eleanor spins the globe... "Where shall I go next?"

Silly hat time with grandma.

Farm time in Hayward

 Main Street America!

Eleanor scares away ducks with her plastic snake.

Happy summer!

 Eleanor rediscovered toys from her 'youth.'

 Finally we got the call and our furniture was about to be delivered to our new house in Menomonie. Eleanor and all moved in... and realized that the house was big, and we didn't have any furniture! Luckily Grammy and Papa soon arrived with a great big UHaul full of G.G.'s wonderful furniture. Soon our house began to feel like a home...

Eleanor announces, "they're here, they're here!"

Eleanor engages in some light reading, and models Grammy's childhood pinafore.

The Becks and our new house!

Our new living room is perfect blend of furniture and art from our fabulous families.

Eleanor sits at her highchair.

Eleanor and Gracie in G.G's pink chair.

Eleanor reclines in her great, great grandma's doll bed, on top of a hand stitched quilt that her great grandma Regina made for her Auntie Julie.

Our friend Kai came to visit, and Grammy and Papa found themselves both busy with an impromptu toddler story time.

Out at Jake's supper club... note the green lake!

Eleanor rode the fire trucks and won a hat for her courage.

Eleanor bonds with Big Bird at our new mall.

Eleanor's favorite pass time... looking at her books. This pile grew over the course of a half hour.

Eleanor and mommy escaped to Minneapolis for a week while Daddy got to work at Stout.

Grandpa took some great shots of Eleanor at the Walker Art Center.

This was about our 30th attempt at this photo, and I'm ashamed to say, that Eleanor only finally agreed to it when I offered her fruit snacks.

Eleanor participated in the Walker's Art Pants Tuesday. She made a living sculpture out of local clay and moss, passed a food test, and made some artwork.

Story time at the Walker

Grandma and her fellow grandma friends got together one day for a kiddie picnic extravaganza. Eleanor had a blast and used good manners at the picnic. Grandma was pleased as punch.

Back home, Eleanor strolls on the deck.

Eleanor in her new room.

Eleanor shows off her new princess decal (from the neighbors), and her princess blanket (from her cousin Alex!)... But she still really loves Elmo.

Just call her princess potty!

Daddy and Eleanor play fairy land by the fireplace.

Eleanor just started daycare and has already appeared in two of her "Imagine Room's" newsletters. She loves it and has wonderful teachers.

Eleanor's first official haircut, astride a duck.

Eleanor's Mega Blog Entry!

I'm a little behind in posting new pictures to Eleanor's blog! Here are a few of her more memorable moments from the past month.

 Poor Eleanor stayed overnight at the hospital after contacting a really bad flu virus. She was a trooper, and didn't even cry when given her first IV... the last 3 IV insertions were a different story. Poor baby. On day 2 she was feeling better and was literally bouncing off the bed by the time we left. She loved all the attention from the nurses, and was even given her own disconnected phone to play with after she hit the nurse call button one too many times.

Brave big girl.

Daddy and Eleanor comfort one another.

Eleanor got to ride a wheel chair out of the hospital and brought home her Diego balloon as a badge of pride.

We attended a fair in Canton and participated in a cake walk. We didn't win any cake, which was probably a good thing, but Eleanor enjoyed herself none the less.

A historical ship visited Ogdensburg's harbor  during their Lavender and Butterfly festival. Eleanor and daddy made a little hat in anticipation of our visit, and she got to talk with the crew of the 'pirate ship.'

When asked what she'd like to have painted on her face at the festival, Eleanor asked for a spider web. Go figure. I thought she'd choose, oh I don't know... a butterfly? A lady bug? anything but that!

Eleanor caught her own 'fish' at the Fredrick Remington Children's Museum. She even cooked it later over a play fire.

We ate at a restaurant with a miniature train that ran around the dining room. Eleanor got a little wild and had to have a time out, outside with mommy. Good thing she doesn't understand how cute she is!

We visited Ohio this weekend to see Grammy and Papa and Uncle Andrew, but also to remember and celebrate Eleanor's G. G. (Great Grandma Bomie), who passed away recently. We had a beautiful time being with family and enjoying the quiet of the farm. 

 Eleanor dons her farm-clothes for an afternoon romping on the lawn.

Papa and Eleanor pretend to be birds.

Eleanor and Grammy feed the miniature ponies. Eleanor wisely let Grammy do the feeding.

Eleanor and the corn were the same height!

Eleanor and her Grammy and Papa mug for the camera.. it's a tradition!

2 years ago- can you believe it?!

And once more with feeling!

Unkie Andrew (almost Dr. Unkie) gives Eleanor a geology lesson on the computer. 

Eleanor and Unkie bond at Target

Good times at the farm! Eleanor and Grammy and Papa rode down the special paths Papa prepared through the fields and to the creek.

Eleanor and Daddy at G.G.'s memorial luncheon

Eleanor savors some chocolate.... G.G. would have loved this!

Mommy, Eleanor, Cousin Beth and Grammy enjoying Cousin Greg's "G.G./Gram's chocolates!"

Eleanor teaches Cousin Beth (their first meeting!!) a new method of consuming chocolate cookies.

Eleanor sits on G.G.'s bench at the farm.

We polished off a wonderful visit with a quick ride on the Syracuse Mall's Carousel. Eleanor made it 3 times around before she got a little nervous.