Additional Photos from Rhinelander

I had to include these photos! I just love 'em!

40th Anniversary Celebrated in Rhinelander

Happy summer to everybody! The big event which was celebrated last Sunday, June 15, was my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. After mulling through various ideas of what to do for this special event, my siblings and I thought mom and dad would probably enjoy a whole-family activity rather than a fancy gift or getaway. Miraculously, we were able to coordinate such an endeavor and on the actual day of the anniversary! Don and Hope and the kids came up from Arkansas, Bill from St. Cloud, Minnesota, Lisa and her family from Colfax, Bob, John, Jim, Mark and I from the Madison area and Bob's girlfriend, Lisa, from Kewaunee.

Baby exchange!

Jojo pushes mini-Jojo

Bragg activities when gathering are predictable. We always go for walks (even if the mosquitos are treachorous), we always play a yard game of some sort, we always eat and drink a few beers, and we always laugh and tease--or get teased.

Stephen's toothy grin


Lil' Leila

The yard game we played this time was a new one that Mark and I had brought called "Blongoball" or something like that. This was a game that Mark had ordered and we had just got in the mail a few days before...I sort of gave him a hard time about it, because I thought it looked silly...but I actually have admit that the game was really fun and suited our needs very well. Four people at a time could play a game and the game itself didn't take too long to finish. I think we all enjoyed playing, but we also really liked to watch the game being played from the comforts of our lawn chairs. Also, we could adjust the difficulty of the game for the kids who all wanted to participate.

Jon Hurlburt is watched closely

Jojo and Lulu

The highlight of the festivities was our Wisconsin River Sunset Dinner Cruise. Thankfully, we all managed to go on top of the boat for a few minutes before it started to spinkle. We dined on prime rib, baked potatoes and veggies while enjoying conversation with each other and admiring the northwoods beauty. The kids all had a chance to steer the boat (our captain did a wonderful job being hospitable and kind).

Mom and Dad aboard the boat

Madman Michael

And for all of you who know me, you can imagine my excitement as our cruise was ending and the sun began to shine and a stunning rainbow emerged! What an awesome photo opportunity! Yup, I totally exploited it to get as many cheesy photos as possible! Go corniness!

Smooching under the rainbow!

Emma and Beth (mini Lisa and mini Lulu??!!)

Mark and I spent a second night in Rhinelander and really had a fun time with Kenny, Beth and Stephen (you too Don and Hope...heeheehee). On Monday, we went to watch the kids have their swim lessons at the YMCA--which is a super nice facility. We also spent quality couch time together.

Kenny turns into Aquaman!

Although a little leary of Oscar, mom and dad's pup, Kenny and Beth sure enjoyed Mingo and Lily. Mingo and Lily, in turn, savored whatever attention they could get.

Beth and Hounds

Renee's Bridal Shower

Renee's mom, Mary Anne, Renee and Judy

It is late Friday morning and we just had our power restored. Severe weather struck our area again yesterday, knocking our power out at about 11:00 PM last night. We didn't bother calling Alliant Energy because we knew there were more storms coming. We probably had 6-7 storms come through, each bringing A LOT of rain, lightning and mild winds (I think other places had heavier winds, but we really didn't seem to get anything too extreme). It has been pretty surreal to see the footage coming out of Cedar Rapids, Lake Delton, Baraboo, Portage, and Spring Green. Our route to Rhinelander may have to be modified due to the flooding in the Portage area and the closure of I-39 where it connects with I-90/94.

Arwen, Kris, Cassidy, Jill, Renee, Holly and Liz

However, Mark and I are fine and the house is fine. We've had a little water in the garage, but nothing major. We are certainly more concerned about the erosion of the hill behind our house. Friends of ours haven't been as lucky though, and had to deal with a flooded basement from last weekend's storms. Mark spent all of Monday helping Paul and Sandy (they live down the road from the restaurant and are the breeders of our dogs) tear out the carpeting in their basement. They had to trash the carpet padding, but were going to try to dry out and save the actual carpet itself. Not fun or cheap.

Listen up! Renee is marrying Greg!

Now for some good news: This past Sunday was the bridal shower for Renee, who will offically become my new sister-in-law on June 28th when she marries Mark's only brother Greg. Karen and Heidi Seibel hosted the shower (they also were the hosts for mine) and, of course, they did an absolutely fabulous job. Karen is an excellent, excellent cook and provided many yummy treats for everyone AND she also had us play a couple of games which were actually really fun! I say this with no disrespect towards Karen...but I think most women would agree that shower games played typically are kooky and goofy. However, we the 2 games we did were unique and thought-provoking.

Karen, Renee and Heidi

I think Renee received a lot of nice things from everyone and had a good time. She will be having another shower tomorrow with her family.

Jill and Danielle

Other good news is that I am on summer vacation now. Tuesday was the last day of school. I've spent my first 2 days of vacation cleaning the house, walking the dogs and working at the restaurant. Believe it or not, I feel that this is a great start! This coming Sunday Mark and I will drive north for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary! We can't wait to see the WHOLE family who will all be together to celebrate such a wonderful event. Manny and Renee

Memorial Day Relaxation

Brown Trout

Please note that I have updated blogspots to the right. Bill currently does not have a blog running and have I also added a blog belonging to Chris and Kerry Bakken, good friends of ours presently living and working in Bucharest (Chris was a groomsmen in our wedding and his brother, Aaron, was the man who sang so beautifully during our wedding).

Allergy pills played a vital role in this outing

Mark and I had a very rare day of absolute relaxation on Memorial Day. This means NO restaurant stuff, NO job application stuff, NO tutoring prep stuff, NO housework stuff. NO "STUFF"! Instead of doing anything remotely productive, we drove to a gorgeous part of the state to Viroqua (about 20 minutes south of La Crosse). Mark and Marko did some fly fishing while Liz and I soaked up the sun and went for a long walk in the beautiful valleys and rolling farmlands of that area. Although Liz really enjoys to fly fish, I have not taken to the whole process. However, I do love where these guys go to fish...the spots are so pristine and peaceful. I always bring my camera when I go and am completely happy with walking about snapping shots.

Marko and Liz

This horse was actually being quite productive of his family that was grazing just down the hill.

As you can see, we had a lovely day to be outside.

Mark fishing on Elk Creek

We also drove into Viroqua itself and went to a cute little flyshop. We also indulged and bought ice cream treats at Dairy Queen.

These stuctures will be placed in the stream to create more trout habitat

Mark and I in Viroqua

On our way back home we stopped in Spring Green and ate chesseburgers and chips at a bar that had some rather colorful characters in it.

This cow was extremely interested in what Mark was doing.