Autumn Weekend Holiday, Part III

Sunday morning of the visit up north brought a very delightful session of coloring. Emma, John and I really got into the spirit of Halloween, creating many zany pictures of ghost, jack-lanterns, skeletons and bats. Mark began to draw a picture of a bat, but stormed off in protest after we made a few teasing remarks about lefties (teeheehee...sorry mom, Bob, Mark and Jon). I completed his bat by adding pink hearts on it.

Emma is quite the artist and enjoys making pictures. It was really fun watching her create and think about shape and perspective.

Emma, Lily and I also joined Mark, Jon, and Mingo on a second grouse-hunting excursion in the "clear cut". Believe it or not, I had a blast! Although the weather wasn't as beautiful as the day before, it was still a warm, pleasant day. Also, Emma and I got to walk with each other (and Lily, who walked between us because she was too scared). This type of hunting allows talking and movement...much better than keeping totally still and silent.

We immediately had action as Mingo began pointing (while going to the bathroom too, I might add) at a porcupine! Mark shot at the porcupine and hit it (the guys found quills), but missed actually killing it. Cute as they might be, porcupines like to snack on hemlock trees and, of course, will do substantial injury to dogs. I was very pleased that Mingo came when we called him, even though he was interested in the porky!

Mingo flushed out about five or six birds, but the guys never really got a very good shot due to the denseness of the brush and the angle of where we were walking. It was pretty exciting though, and Emma and I enjoyed chattering and petting poor lil' Lillers who was not real thrilled with the whole walk.

Mark gave us a quick lesson on reading bullets and Emma and I tackled walking up a large mountain of dirt and gravel.

Of course, it wouldn't be a family get together if I didn't torture everybody by "requesting" a group photo.

A silly photo is always the carrot at the end of the stick!

Autumn Weekend Holiday, Part II

After eating a very spicy soup for lunch, the family engaged in a long but delightful game of croquet. Although winning doesn't really matter, I would just like to say that Mark and I won! Whooo-weee!! I think we all spent more time laughing and making corny jokes than playing. Mom joined in on the action and partnered with Lisa. Interestingly, she commented that the game was her first croquet game ever! I can hardly believe that, with all of the games we played as kids.

Careful Michael

I also want to say how very well Michael and Emma played. They both were working with their partners (Emma was with Jon H. and Michael was with John B.) and listened to directives on angling and hitting very well. They both had some awesome shots!

Cocoa kept all the hounds in line
Goofy little Jojo

After the game ended, we relaxed and hung out in the lawnchairs. After awhile, John and Mark went out for a walk in the pines, and Emma asked Lisa and I if we could go for a walk on Timber Lane while she rode her bike. She had done a lot of riding on the trails in the woods, but wanted to ride on the pavement, so we were happy to oblige. We continued to delight in the beauty of the day as evening slowly rolled in. We also were surprised by two large birds close to the creek, which dad told us later were juvenile eagles.

A precious moment

Jon and Leila ended up joining us on the road by the creek and I got these great shots.

Eagle

At home, mom was busy making us a wonderful ham meal with lots of side dishes to go with--it was sooo good mom, thanks again!

The evening brought a traditional bonfire, compliments of dad. I think everyone in our family enjoys watching a fire burn. Although we spent some time doing this, I think everyone, especially the dogs, were exhausted by a day full of activity and fresh air.

Autumn Weekend Holiday, Part I

Greetings, everybody. Mark and I just returned from a really beautiful, much-anticipated and seriously relaxing weekend in Rhinelander. We both thought that we would be missing the awesome color-change of the leaves, as it is pretty late in the season, but we were pleasantly surprised when we awoke Saturday morning (we left Cross Plains in the early evening, so we couldn't see the color as we drove up) to an absolutely dazzling day of blue skies and trees decked out in the myriad of autumn's palette.

Emma riding her bike

Blue skies

Although we did arrive in Rhinelander later than was originally planned, Mom, Dad, Lisa, Jon and the kids were still up to greet us and have a few beers. Jon, Lisa, Mark and I were pretty "wild" and stayed up until midnight talking! We so crazy!!

Dad demonstrates Romeo's interest in bed-making

Every morning, Romeo "helps" Dad make the bed

Mark had also planned on waking early to shoot a doe, but sleep and rest got the better of him and he slept in both mornings. Happily, he did have the opportunity to go hunting with Jon. Mingo was dressed in his blaze orange chest protector and off the boys went grouse hunting! Five or six birds were flushed and shots were made, but no bird was taken. Jon and Mark didn't mind though...this day was so beautiful, they enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, the excitement of Mingo, the great weather and the colors surrounding them, talking and NOT WORKING!

The Mighty Hunters

Leila!

While they were off hunting, Mom, Emma and I had our own little adventure walking--and riding a bike-- in the woods with the other three dogs (Oscar, Cocoa, and Lily). We were just enjoying the day and admiring the beauty of the season. We were a little surprised by a very sudden and light rainshower, which seemed to come out of no where. There was a little cloud above us, but it really didn't look like a raincloud...but it obviously was because we were getting wet! We laughed it off and it passed just as quickly as it started.

Emma and I by a cute little oak tree

Mom and Emma

Lisa and I also managed to slip out for a little while and head into town for some coffee and a nice little walk around the Pioneer Park area. Leila naps for a couple hours in the morning, and Mom graciously agreed to stay home and keep an eye on the kids while we went out for this excursion. Thanks, Mom! I think both Lisa and I needed that time to catch up.

Hey Ladies


Mingo and Lily relish in their freedom

When we returned home, lunch was waiting for us and brother John had also arrived! We sat down and enjoyed a snappy German tomato soup with dumplings that Mark had made on Thursday and we brought down to share with everyone. Unfortunately, Michael and Emma weren't big fans, but it was really pretty spicy... Michael looks on as Mom cuts pieces for a new quilt

An October Dinner

Britches would like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!! Wahahahahah!!

It is a gorgeous fall day here, with bright blue skies, leaves just beginning to turn, turkeys in the field and a comforting smell of someone burning a fire. Yesterday was wet and cool here so it is nice to have such a lovely day following one where you end up being cooped-up inside (with 2 simple dogs who just don't get the concept of "rain days" yet).

Last week Mark and I had a dinner party for the Valaskeys and the Seibels. The Seibels are longtime friends of the family...in fact, they basically are family. Unfortunately, the gathering of the group this time was marked by sadness, as Oscar's mother passed away the week before. One of Karen and Oscar's sons, Aaron (who sang at our wedding), was in town from San Francisco and their daughter, Heidi, and her fiancee, Kyle live close by...so we invited everybody over for a final dinner before everyone went their seperate ways. Van and Judy and Greg and Renee came over too to eat, talk and just hangout.

Mark, as always, prepared a delicious meal of pork tenderloin, root vegetable gratin, fresh tomato and buffalo mozzarella cheese, and warm dinner rolls with butter. We had good old warm brownies and vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was a very tasty meal followed by some conversation--and snuggling with the hounds--in the living room.

Aaron cuddling with Lily
Jabbering

We continue to be pleased that Miss Fanny now decides to avoid interacting with company when they come over. If you recall, it had been her habit to come out and growl and hiss at people. Now, she stays in a bedroom and keeps her annoyances confined to herself.

Fanny being polite