Saturday, January 26, 2008

A Cold and Snowy January



Although it hasn't been as snowy as December, January is proving to be quite the wintery month as well. This past week, we've had some bone-chilling weather. Unfortunately, it effected some weekend plans I had made with mom and dad. Last weekend they drove from Rhinelander to attend Eagle Watching Days in Prairie du Sac/Sauk City with me. This is an event that these two neighboring communities have each year, but I have never attended because of the restaurant still being fairly busy with holiday parties. Apparently, many bald eagles gather along the open waters of the Wisconsin River to catch fish. I was hoping to bring my camera along to snap some good shots, but once we realized how cold it was going to be that day, we opted to skip the event which, obviously, requires being outdoors.

Dad had some company while sitting on the couch


We had also planned to attend another winter festival in the Dells, but that fell through as well. However, we did venture to the east side of Madison (trust me, on that cold day, it definitely was a venture) and found a VERY fun and exciting new sewing machine for me. In fact, I just picked it up today and will be playing with it tonight!


Mom shares her coffee with Mingo (kidding--it was empty)


Mom, dad and I did have the opportunity to visit with John, Jim and Bob on Friday evening. We had dinner at the restaurant. Saturday afternoon for lunch I took mom and dad to a little diner called Nifty Fiftys and we lunched on warm sandwiches, french fries and sodas (mom had a rootbeer float). They do sell malts at this little place, but we were too cold for that; I think we want to go back when it's warmer.

Pouting and suffering

The hounds had minimal exercise because of the cold...And what does this mean? 1 day no exercise + 2 active young dogs= 1ruined dog bed + 1 chewed remote control!

Mingo longing to be free!


Although we didn't see bald eagles that weekend, there was plenty of deer and turkey activity in front of our house in the farm fields across the road. Mom and dad witnessed the large numbers of turkey that gather and feed on Saturday. The deer didn't come out until Sunday afternoon. (Actually, as I type this, there are 6 deer foraging in the field).





Well, I want to go play with the sewing machine now...so I'm going to wrap this up. See ya!

Mom shares the sunshine with FannyFanny, Britches and Fredirico Ferret (although we don't lack in the mouse department, that is not a real mouse next to Britches!)

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

I Just Gotta...

I know this is quite a montage of Stephen photos, but I can't resist!









Sunday, January 6, 2008

Post-Holiday Reunion


Don and Stephen


Stephen

It was our pleasure to host a brief get-together yesterday with Don, Hope & Crew before they headed back down to their home in Monticello, Arkansas. Bob and his girlfriend, Lisa, and John and Jim also came over for the visit. We lunched on Mark's really yummy chili with all the fixins', sandwiches, and my very naughty, heavily baconed pasta salad.
John & Jim check-out their seats for an upcoming Packer game (note how excited they both look!)

After we ate, John, Bob, Hope and Kenny lobbied for a few games of Topple. The game was actually a gift I gave Kenny for Christmas, but apparently it was also a big hit with some adults in my family...It is a pretty fun game and I'm happy it was fun and entertaining for everyone.
The Topple company could use this photo to market their product. Look at the fun everyone is having!

A break from the game...

I wasn't that interested in the game. I held Stephen and he gave me lots of smiles!
I returned to work from my holiday break this past Thursday. It was hard to go back because I didn't want to leave little Lily, but, alas, she managed to get by without me just fine. She is adjusting nicely to our little home, but she still gets fairly nervous when we take her someplace other than the first level of the house and our backyard. She LOVES any and all attention she can get and LOVES LOVES LOVES laying on the couch. Mingo is also doing a great job getting used to her. He really only had one day of nervous drooling and snapped at her only a few times at the beginning. They are now playing together and sleep next to each other on our couch. This week Mark will take both dogs pheasant hunting.
Lily Pad!

Mark lazin' around with Mingo and Lily

Our friend, Marko, and Lily (Marko is a HUGE dog fan)

Lily draped on top of Mark's head

Jim modeling his Badger birthday gift from mom
Please enjoy the rest of this post which will only be pictures and brief captions.
Don multi-tasks with Beth & Stephen
Lisa & Bob
Jojo & Stephen
Look at their matching expressions! Adorable!
Beth twirling
Jojo & Stephen
Mark & I with Stephen
Kenny!
Beth & me
Stephen didn't want to leave!