4th of July 2009

4th of July was a great day!

Kim, Dara, Jeremiah, Meli, Cole, and Oz on the boat at Adventure Island.

Dara and Kim... They're so cute!

We went to Jeff and Kim's for dinner. Kim and her cousin Cristi took down Kaz's flag from the new flag pole. What a perfect night!

Kim and Cristi

Isa enjoyed Elaine T's Asian Pork Butt. It was tempting to Jeff too.

Apparently Cristi's butt was tempting to Tony as well!

Shawn and Bob. I tried to get a genuine smile out of Dad and this is what I got...

Cristi keeping Elaine company while she hung out on the deck with her broken leg. She was a trooper up here all week!

Jeff's Aunt Pat came for a visit from Iowa this week too.

Lisa and Mom enjoying all the choices for dinner! Lisa ran a 10K in the morning in Tomahawk. She's having a great summer in her tent.


Elaine, Kim and Crist enjoying the fun!

Kim's 40th birthday is in a week so she got a few presents. This one was from her cousin. She kissed the frog and Prince Charming appeared! Lucky her!

Elaine and Tony sharing in the fun!

After several wrong numbers... we sang the National Anthem to Uncle Fred in South Carolina. Hope he enjoyed it! I know it was entertaining on our end!

Jeremiah, Dara, Jack T, Isa and Jack D watching the fireworks. Gigi brought 3D glasses for the kids! We like that Gigi!

Kim's nephew Aaron and his girlfriend Gigi. Aaron brought fireworks for the kids and Gigi did all the hair and make up for the kids' play. So fun!

The kids put on quite a play for the adults! This scene featured Cristi's daughter Abby and Lucas. Jack was the scene changer and added a "Du du du duuuuu" whenever there was a suspenseful moment! Ha!

The adults really got a kick out of it! It was a great night!

Jack and Isa visit the Wildlife Park

Isa stayed with us for the week. It was chilly and rainy so we decided to spend a day in Minoqua at the Wildlife Park.

They watched the muskie swim for a long time.

Isa loves BACON!

We got to learn about coyotes.

Isa's FAVORITE part of the day was holding the bunnies. We held the bunnies, went to see other animals and came back for more bunny time.

Jack didn't mind them either.

But he liked the bears...

They got to feed this tough guy.

Isa could barely reach but she got there.

The deer were a little more hesitant this year.

After the park we went out for dinner. Can you guess where we went?

Then to Oswalds for Hot Cheetos! The kids' favorite!

My Family for a Fun Weekend

My family came for a visit at the end of June. 15 people in one house and everyone had fun! Karen, Marcos, Jack and I rode up on Thursday with Dad.

Dawn's family arrived Thursday night and we had a great day on the boat on Friday. Odalis had fun helping Lola learn to swim!

Dad and me on the boat.

Aunt Kay and Isa.

Isa insisted on having her protective eyewear on just like Aunt Kay.

Lola and Uncle Charlie.

Heide, Greta, Daniel and Miette arrived on Friday evening. Saturday was a bit chilly but we went on the water anyway.

Lola and I stayed warm!

We borrowed Oz's boat. The kids (and adults) had a GREAT time tubing despite the RAIN!!!

The boys hammin it up while the girls hang on for dear life.

My dad even went for a ride! ... No tubing for him though. Maybe next time. :)

Jeff, Junior (the waving hand), Greta, Isa, and Odalis on the boat with Jack and Marcos on the tube.

Aunt Kay went for a spin too! She had a blast! Although I think her bruises are still healing from her flight. And I think she saved her swim trunks from coming off completely!

Grandpa reading to the girls in the nice warm sunroom.

The whole gang together:

Back: Marcos, Karen, Heide, Dad

Middle: Dawn, Junior, Jeff, me, Daniel

Front: Lola, Odalis, Jack, Isa, Miette, and Greta

The Kids (...except for Lola... She wasn't feeling photogenic at the moment.)

Us girls and our dad!

I love having everyone up! On Sunday Dawn and Heide went strawberry picking with Jeff's mom. Mounds of strawberries were consumed before departure Sunday afternoon. What a great weekend!

Spring Break

Jeff bought a couple new guns. Jack enjoyed vermin hunting. (as I shake my head...)

Skiing at Camp 10

Last year Karen suggested we try skiing at Camp 10. It's a mom n pop place with a rope, 2 T bars and a chair lift. It's perfect for our young skiers!

Here are Jack T. and Luke.

Cole and Kim on the chair lift.

Jack coming down from the lift drop off spot.

Meli was escorted by Oz.

Luke going down the shoot between trees.

Elaine learned to ski too! She has gone twice now. In this picture she's putting on a brave face. She hurt her ankle and Shawn skied backwards down the hill with her. It was so sweet!

Jack and Jack had a great day! Shawn is in the background pleased with the boys and how independent they've gotten!