John's visit 

Last Saturday (7-12) we welcomed John whom we met while visiting Tonya in China in Feb. 2011.   

In true Germantown style, we ate at Robert's Custard Stand - very delicious:)

Because John is an architectural engineer, he is very ineterested in the Calatrava art museum downtown.  In his words, it was a "dream come true" to see this in person since he had studied this great architect in school.

Jenna and Lydia pose in front of a favorite sculpture of mine in the Calatrava art museum.

The "wings" are up.

Jenna, Lydia, Tonya, John in front of our lakefront "art"

Trip to the Dells

 Dad, Mom, Jenna, Elise, John, and Rachel Pearson drove to the Wisconsin Dells 

for a 2 1/2 day getaway.  We stayed at the Best Western which gave us wrist bands to

swim at the Chula Vista water park, but first we rode the ducks.

 Ready to ride the ducks!

Elise and Rachel on the water

All of us on the land in the duck.

After swimming at Chula Vista for the afternoon (no pix - sorry, too wet for cameras:) 

we took in the Tommy Bartlet show - really liked the water show - 

the second half stage show was OK. 

Here we are posing in front of chuckles, the beaver before the show.

On Friday, we drove to Devils Lake and took a 2 1/2 hour hike.
The temp was perfect, no bugs, beautiful scenery.

 We're on the top:)

Once on the ground, we ate lunch after which it immediately started to rain.  We then drove to Spring Green where John was able to photograph a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, another great architect he studied.  Then we sped back to the Dells in order to see the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.  Grabbing sandwiches from Arby's, we watched til the very end with mixed reviews.  My favorite part of the show was Mr. Bean:)

On Saturday, we lazed around the hotel room til 11:00 and then returned to
 the water park at Chula Vista.   Dad, Mom, Jenna, and John played mini-golf.  
After  a few more slides, we headed home.


We arrived home just in time to take in our bags and then head to Genesis Bible Church where we were privileged to hear a speaker there that you will probably recognize as your brother:)

Tonya's Baby Shower, July 14, 2012

 Aunt Nancy, Aunt Sandy, Heather and Aunt Debby playing a very serious game.

 Cherise and Denise Spor

 Rebecca Guagliardo, Priscilla

 Annie McClain, Janet Smith

 Kendra and Kristin Fidler

 Carrie Eggert

Lydia, our fearless leader 

 Tonya, Candice, Jessica from Tonya's church

Julie Schwab, Ann Guag, Beth Meinen, Lori Fidler, Dianna Stock

Beth gave shared a creative devotional.

 Jen Pluta

 Jolene, with some of the Blaubach girls assisting, made these adorable owl cookies.  Aunt Debby added some yummy chocolate chip cookies.  Notice the tiered plates rigged by Carrie using two plates separated by a champagne glass.  Thank you, Carrie, and Pinterest:)

 Jenna made some fabulous lemon bars and oatmeal chocolate bars.  

Julie Schwab added a yummy taco dip

 Carrie furnished the nutritious veggies and dip and 

don't miss Aunt Diane's tasty cheese ball!

 Dakota overseeing the opening of the last of the gifts 

The Blaubach ladies combined efforts to make these charming owls as a take home gift for each guest:)

Carrie helped Grandma with the games - that's Suzanne and Emerson to Grandma's left.  Mrs. Hovorka, Aunt Diane were also sitting on the couch. 

On April 1, 2011, Dakota Witte traveled to China to ask Tonya to marry him.

She said, "yes" and plans for a wedding ensued:)

Tonya and Dakota on their wedding day.

July 29, 2011

It was a beautiful day!

Tonya and her "maids"

Tonya and the "folks"

The wedding party

The family missing Nathan who was in India. 

 Tonya and Dakota were able to Skype with him a few minutes at the reception.  

He tried watching the wedding at midnight in India, but wasn't able to get a good connection.

Josh McClain videoed the event so he'll get to see it then.