This past weekend we celebrated Cade's birthday while camping with many friends. We headed to Tippecanoe State Park Friday evening and spent the weekend. Cade's birthday party was Saturday. The weather was nice, a little cold at night but everyone survived and had a good time. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Alyssa and her now 1 year old son Cade!

Tate enjoying leaves of the Fall
Mary and Alyssa
The theme for the birthday was Smores, this is Cade's cake
Pretty sure he enjoyed his cake, He liked mushing his hands into it and the fact that nobody was stopping him

A fistful of Cake...YUM!!
Tate was always busy doing something

We went on a hike and climbed the fire tower...the leaves were just starting to change colorsThe happy family that will soon be 3 plus Bailey of course!
Nights around the campfire
You could find our campsite but our fire, thanks to Uncle Chris
Luke and Tammy


Tammy and Levi catching some bugs

The Hildebrandt boys, Tate, Erik and Cade
Cade also keeping himself busy, or looking for trouble: take your pick
Cade was sharing his "plug"(pacifier) with uncle Pete
Nothing else will fit in the car...apparently the camping trip has ended!

Happy 1st Birthday Cade!!! We Love You!!!

Congratulations Dave and Elizabeth on your new little guy!!

Henry David was welcomed into their family yesterday morning at around 11:45am... a couple of days ahead of even the planned c-section. Apparently even though they still had to do a c-section Henry had his own timing in mind!!! We are excited he has arrived!! He weighed in at 6lbs 10 oz and was 19 inches long!

This past week I took my 5th graders to Outdoor Education for 3 days at Camp Lutherhaven. Canoeing, hiking, wetland discovery, kick the can, learning to us a compass were just a few of the many activites that they took part in. A good time was had by all!!!

Baby Update
Last doctors appointment she ckecked me and said things looked good. Babies heartbeat was in the high 160's to low 170's. According to some, they think we are having a girl because it has seemd to be a fairly steady fast rate. Only time will tell. Hard to believe we have reached the last trimester!!! Pete can now feel the baby kicking when he puts his hand on my stomach. Baby seems to move around a lot, which is exciting. I go back to the doctor in a couple weeks for the glucose test!!! Updates to follow...

Pete took his kayak for the first time this year...he tried taking Bailey along. Bailey wasn't so crazy about sitting n in his seat, he really wanted to lay on the front of the boat and sunbath instead, but he doesn't seem to realize it isn't the most steady place to ride. He did spend some time swimming next to Pete.

The college friends got together a few weekends ago for a combined baby shower. Lots of fun catching up with everyone and sharing the excitement of new babies!!!

Heidi came from Little Rock to help throw the shower!!

Kelli and her son Ian who was born last Feb.

Elizabeth due officially in Nov. but having a c-section on Oct. 16th
Miriam pregnant with number 2 due the end of Oct.
The girls in order of due date...Miriam (October) Elizabeth (November) and Mary (January)
No we did not plan the red, white, and blue but it worked out well!

The whole gang with the exception of Melissa who couldn't make it, who is due in Dec. wanted to make sure we covered all months!
Heidi, Miriam, Mary, Elizabeth, Kelli, and Ian

Happy Birthday Tammy (plus a day)!!!
Hope you had a good day!

This past Sunday, I went up to IL, for a baby shower for Elizabeth!! She is looking good and counting down the days till Baby Gottschalk arrives!

Elizabeth and Dave opening gifts.

The happy couple showing off the mobile that goes with their bedding!! (Probably Elizabeth is more excited about it than Dave.)
Baby Bellies meet!

College friends waiting for first babies!!

Elizabeth and Mary showing off bellies!

This year we celebrated my dad's birthday by going to a Badger's Game in Madison, WI. Paul and Angie's family came from VA and Greg and Dawn's family came up from IL and Pete and I joined in the fun. The weather was great...

Aaron, Katie, Hannah, and Cole

5th Quarter and a very upbeat marching band

The gang that sat together in one group of seats, Grandpa, Grandma, Aaron, Katie, Hannah, Cole, Pete and I On the way out of the stadium...after a big win!


Pete, Katie, and I

Hannah and Cole
Grandpa and Grandma
I am trying to make him a football fan...at least he is smiling
Back at the hotel...some hung out by the pool

Some went sliding and swimming

Hannah took Aaron out at the bottom of the slide!!

The weekend before Alyssa's birthday we had a surprise party for her at Hacienda...I truely think she was surprise. Lots of fun was had by all, many friends and family joined us to make it a night of many laughs and good times...

Alyssa surprised that it isn't just dinner with Pete and I

Some of the many friends and familyTate stealing a chip from someoneAlyssa with AaronThe big hat while the wait staff sang to AlyssaLevi having fun with his cars and anyone who would play with him

Well lots to catch up from the past couple of weeks...

and why do I have time to do this on a Monday morning at 8:15 ...well we don't have school due to all the flooding from the 1o inches of rain that the area received in the past couple of days.

Our last drs. appointment we had an in-depth ultrasound. Everything looked good and measured right about where the baby is suppose to be except length...length measured about 3-4 weeks ahead of where the baby is. The doctor said you might just have a long baby, only time will tell. Heartbeat was at 156. Normal but on the fast end. Here are a few pictures from the ultrasound...

Baby facing down, body on left with backbone at the top of the picture, head on the right.

Baby profile, top of the head on the left, nose and mouth sticking up with a hand just under the chin

You can see the whole body, head with a face (that looks a little ghost like) but eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs

Since I didn't have my cord to download pictures yesterday...I wanted to send one more birthday greeting!!!

Happy th Birthday

plus

day Alyssa!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA !!!

WE LOVE YA

Happy Birthday Dad/Grandpa to Be (again)!!!

Not sure where the last post went...one day it was there and the next it was gone. The first week of school went as well as a first week of school can go!!! I have a great class which will make this year enjoyable, (at least the time I am there) However, one could say that I need to get back into the swing of teaching, Friday night I fell asleep on the couch around 7:30 went to bed at some point and got up Saturday morning, (with a few bathroom breaks throughout the night) around 7:45 Saturday morning! Apparently the first week made me tired.
Doctors appointment this coming Thursday, we have our ultrasound, should be fun!!!

Yesterday was Mary's first day of the new school year. One day down...too many left to go! Her motto for this year..."I only have to do this until mid January!" Actually, she really likes the group of kids she has and has high hopes to enjoy these last few months of teaching.

Happy Birthday Luke!!!