Aunt Gretchen is visiting us this weekend. So far, we showed her around the area and took her to the Mall of America. Karis could not wait to have a sleepover with her, so they slept in sleeping bags in her room Sunday night.
Today we took a hike down by the Mississippi. This trail is only a few blocks from our house.
This is the view from the parking lot. It is such a beautiful day... high 70's to low 80's. Tonight we plan to eat burgers and strawberry shortcake on the back deck.
It's been quite a week! Karis started daycare and she LOVES it. I started my job and I LOVE it! We also had a pretty busy weekend. Karis's friend, Lilly, celebrated her 4th birthday, so we had dinner and ice cream cake with her family Saturday night. Today is the marathon painting session in the basement bathroom... primer and two coats of paint on the walls and the ceiling. It should be completely remodeled by the end of the week. We are looking forward using the bathroom when Ben's sister, Gretchen, visits over Memorial Day weekend. We'll also show some pictures on the blog.
Karis decided that she wanted me to cut her hair this afternoon, so I took advantage of it. We took a couple inches off the back to even it out with the sides. Karis can't wait to spend some "girl time" with Aunt Gretchen.
We hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day. I was spoiled! I got pj's, a movie, and a homemade card from Karis. Ben is also making one of my favorite dinners tonight... Spiedino Di Mare. I decided that I wanted to spend part of the afternoon playing tourist in my own town. Now you can see some of the interesting things about our community.
Onalaska is known as "The Sunfish Capital of the World." Behind the big fish is the Mississippi. It's only a few blocks from our home.
Traditions Restaurant is apparently the place to eat in Onalaska. The building was once a bank, and you can request to eat in the vault. The rumor is that there's only 7 tables in the whole place. Ben and I plan to try it out to celebrate my new job. It may take my first paycheck to eat there.
Now we're in La Crosse. This picture was taken at Riverside Park. Below are the very friendly ducks. One of them actually nipped at Karis's foot!
This is my favorite! It has a showerhead over it. The bird is located in front of the kitchen and bath place where we got the shower, sink and toilet for our soon to be renovated bathroom.
This is the world's largest six pack! It's located outside of the city brewery. 
Franciscan Skemp... where I am working. It's about 6 blocks away from Karis's school. The biggest stress is getting around the road construction,as you see by the orange cones.
Cornerstone Community Church... Ben's home away from home.
Chris and Don Burns, Mom and Dad Rothermel's neighbors from the 70's, came to visit us tonight. They were driving through town from Michigan to Minnesota and came for dinner. We ate on the back porch, toured the area, and caught up on the last 20 years. This picture was taken on the top of Grandad Bluff as the sun was setting.
Karis fell in love with Chris and Don. She wanted to show them her room as soon as they arrived. She also wanted to talk to them about anything little thing that came to her mind. Chris and Don showed her pictures of their family. She thought their grandson, Gavin, was pretty cool. We hope to see Chris and Don soon.
We spent Friday and Saturday in Minnesota at the Mall of America. Karis had a blast! As you can see, she would have made her Pop-Pop proud as she drove the big truck in the amusement park part of the mall.
We ate dinner Friday night at Kokomo's... a restaurant with a beach theme. I couldn't resist the shot with Ben and Karis.
We met Dora... Karis was afraid of her at first. Later, she was happy to tell Dora about all of the rides she went on.... especially the one in this next picture.
I know it's a bad shot, but that's Ben and Karis on the log ride. Karis begged all day to ride. We were afraid it would be too much for her. However, she insisted. At the end of the day, Ben took her on the ride. She was scared, but was glad that she rode on it anyway. 