Last days of summer

We took full advantage of the last weekend of summer and although we were home, I don't think our neighbors ever saw us. We pretty much left one gathering for another and had the kids in bed and fast asleep by 7:10 pm both nights.

Lately the kids are fighting over who gets to hold Finn's leash on walks to parks after dinner. As if I can remember who held the leash the night before.......



My favorite cheering section, minus Jay (photographer), for the half marathon. John, Kristi and gang even chalked my name on their driveway!

We loved the first annual "Ride the Drive". They shut down a 6 mile path in Madison to any car traffic and opened it up to bicyclists, bladers, walkers and others. Henry and Bryn loved biking on their trail-a -bikes on what is usually a busy John Nolan or East Washington. I probably could count on my hand how many times Henry actually pedaled forward(yes, he was going backward quite a bit). He was just taking it all in and chatting the entire time.

Monday we joined our good friends Miss Jill, Emily and Elliot at Vilas Park and zoo. They were treated to some popsicles (thanks Miss Jill) that changed colors as you licked them so they thought their "camoflaged and tie dye " tongues were pretty cool.

Good bye Summer!

Two skis in a pod

Some may not have believed that H and B purchased their own waterskiis so here are some videos to prove it. Thanks to Henry, the UPS man knew right where to drop off the skiis (see the picture of them on the door?). Miss Anna helped them fill up the rest of the door with all sorts of artful signs and posters, you can't miss our house, that's for sure.

And here is "poor man's ski boat" as heard by an onlooker at Vilas Beach this morning..... with Bryn and Henry in tow. Each time I missed videotaping them screaming out "HIT IT" before Jay pulled them on top of the water.

Not exactly the way the pros do it, but it's a start!

August and Everything After...

Well, August started with then end of an era. After 20 years of service, our trusty Foxy Lady retired to the greener pastures of the Rawhide Ranch. So long old girl. We love you. Sorry for the drama, but it was actually a pretty big deal. I've owned Foxy for the entire 17 years Jay and I have been together. The rest of August has been a little more low key...

Picking berries with Ms. Kara.

Covering the driveway with chalk with the help of Ms. Anna, the best summer baby sitter ever.

The 112th or something Annual St. Phillip's Church Picnic/Chicken Dinner/Polka fest. Henry's a big fan of the tatos.

Feeling their native Sconnie polka genes.

Keeping watch over Lake Michigan from Door County.

A little Pelletier's fish boil.

We swung by packer practice just in time to catch all the players and their helmet-toting kid companions making their way from Lambeau over to the practice field. This is Aaron Kampman, getting ready for a little work on the new 3-4 D.

Some old school construction with Grandma Hinsa.


It wouldn't be summer without a trip to the State Fair (not pictured, but the cream puffs worked well with H and B) and of course Bay Beach.

Testing the kayak with Grandpa Affeldt.


And last but not least, their latest fascination with water skis. They emptied their piggy bank yesterday to order a pair of kiddo trainer water skis, and Henry stood on the driveway in the afternoon holding up a picture of them for the UPS truck as it drove by so they'd know where to deliver the new skis. Four year olds are absolutely a trip.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

We snuck up to the cabin last week to suprise Grandma Affeldt on her birthday.
The singing of Happy Birthday turned into a bit of a Henry clown act.



...and then Grandma took to the water, tubin' it up with the kiddos.


Happy birthday from all of us!