non-scary night planned

Birthday wishes go out today to Angie, a good friend from childhood days. As kids we always had a lot of fun on her birthday. This evening I'm taking a large group east of town to Mount Calvary to visit the Villa Loretto and Cristo Rey ranch. It is run by the Congregation of Sisters of Christ the King, and they provide respite to special needs kids and their families. They have a working ranch full of therapy animals, which is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. It is just a great place. They also have a bakery called "Nun Better", which specializes in home-made breads and pastries. Can't wait.

Thanks Vonn

Thanks to Vonn for the lovely photo of the NICEST dog Vala. Her brother was featured on a magazine cover as a puppy, the name of the magazine escapes me right now, but he was an equally beautiful lab. On a sadder note, want to send brother-in-law Bill condolences and prayers after the death of his brother, following an auto accident. I remember Darryl well, although he moved to South Carolina from Manty years ago. So sorry for Bill. This has been a difficult year. He lost his Mom, was held up at gunpoint, and now this. Let's all remember the family tonight. Thanks folks.

weekend pics

busy weekend

Lots of things going on this weekend. Elle is getting ready for choir rehearsal and afterward, Aliyah and I will join everyone at mass. The weather has been chilly but very nice. Vonn is hunting, and shared some good stories with us. One included a buddy of his who was attacked by a bear! He's o.k. but he sent pictures via e-mail and it was amazing he survived. I'll email them around...use discretion to view. After mass, I'll upload some photos from the weekend. Eva's Halloween party went very well. I made some crescent roll/bacon and cheese snacks (thanks to Jill for the recipe) and also some double chocolate chip cookies (6 dozen) and everything went;)

Congrats to Hannah

Today we congratulate niece Hannah and her husband Jeff on the birth of their son, Hazen Dallas. He is named after his Great Grandpas. How neat. Of course, in our family we welcome, welcome, welcome babies. Can't wait to meet the new babe. I think I will fly out to Connecticut. Will upload a baby pic soon.

Manitowoc pictures

(Thanks to Paul for the use of his camera because mine had no memory card...hello, it was still in the computer.)

Baby Gretch with Aunty

Eva found this photo today in the basement while looking for a mirror she wanted for her house. What are the odds? The date signed was exactly 30 years ago. Sister Jill took the photo for a photography class while at Silver Lake College. I remember the shirt I wore was a favorite. It was brown and beige. Gretchen was really into language, and at 1 year, she studied my mouth and worked at making the same sounds. Of course, coming from a family of teachers, I tried very hard to help her along. Must have worked. She's our family's first PhD, and we are ever so proud.

Manitowoc today

I'm heading up to Manitowoc today to pick up the broken glass for repair:( Then it's a nice lunch out with Mom. Afterward, back in Fondy, Aliyah and I plan to carve our pumpkins, and roast the seeds. This evening will be rather quiet with just play practice for Elle, and choir rehearsal for Paul. Sounds nice. Maybe we can get a little hot tubbing in:)

Sister Jill still sore :(

My sister and I talked this morning and her ankle is still hurting. Her dog Rocky was also sick, and Jill was presented with a liquidy poop in her kitchen, after her shower today. When it rains, it pours. I invite our cyberspace friends to keep her (and Rocky) in their prayers.

one more...too cute

poor sister:(

Sister Jill had some bad luck yesterday. I brought (from Fondy) her 2 stained glass panels for her kitchen, to Krissy's house in Sheboygan. Everyone was there for a spa party, so it worked out well. 2 hours later, when she left, Jill fell in a pot hole covered with leaves just outside Krissy's house. You guessed it...both stained glass panels were broken. She also hurt her ankle and was cut by some of the glass:( So disheartening. Poor girl will have to mend, and the glass will be repaired or rebuilt. On a lighter note, itty bitty kitty Leo is growing fast. He weighs a pound now, and already is using the litter box. The girls at the Military house are really enjoying him. Also sending a shout out to Stan who I've missed this week. A girl from work isn't well enough to return yet, following a surgery, so I've been picking up many of her hours. It won't be for long, and then back to a more relaxed schedule. I'd like to think that someone would do the same for me in a similar situation:)

at home

Just home today with sick kids, so I decided to scan some pictures for safe keeping. After the flood, I'm much more aware of how things can be lost forever. These are random pics, but are favorites of mine.

ledge land

I was hiking today along the ledge. I saw 4 deer and a few hawks. The weather has been so beautiful, I'm busy soaking it all in. Winter will be here soon enough:) Also want to wish brother Jeff a "happy birthday" on his 54th!

I've got the blues:(

Elle's working on her blues scales this week. Kind of hard to hear as the days shorten. Otherwise, we're getting back to a slower routine now that show band is finished.

dress up pics:)

Fondy wins!

The score was 49-35 in the homecoming game. It was a great night. The parade was fun and the band did very well. Here are some pics from last night.

photos from the packer game last sunday...

Green Bay WI 10/5/08; Area high school bands combine together making one 600 piece marching band on Lambeau Field for the half-time show during Sunday's Packer game against the Falcons. The schools involved were Oshkosh West and North, Fond du Lac, Neenah and Menasha.

a look back

The photos today are dated October 9th, 2000, and were taken at a fundraiser for FreeSpirit Riders therapy horses. Elle was 7 years old. The day was very cold, it snowed that night, but the Kettle Moraine area was beautiful. Today Eva and I plan to shop for a few extras for the rental house, and then Paul and I will hike the Eldorado Marsh trail at noon. Tomorrow is homecoming for Fondy, so we're busy planning for that. Aliyah is excited because it's her first football game. Elle is happy because she marches at halftime. Just one more competition this year, and then she's finished with show band. She's looking forward to 'catching up' on her sleep:)

a few more

itty bitty kitty

Here are a few pics of little "Leo" who came from Stan's farm...Momma was nowhere around. This little kitty cried and followed us, actually ran after us at a mere 3-4 weeks of age. Eva and her roommates are filling in as surrogate mothers. Leo has gained a whopping 2 ounces. He played at Stan's yesterday with Mikey's toy. Mikey was not impressed, although he basically ignored little Leo. This is a feisty kitten. He sought out the folks who could help him. One smart kitty. Thanks to Stan and Mary for such joy. After we lost McTavish, this is a blessing. Also thanks to Stan for the pears and apples. We made a nice dessert tonight.

welcome baby Mason

Congratulations to nephew Jason and his wife Greta on the birth of little Mason. He joins big sister Grace and big brothers Dave and Nic at home.

beautiful wedding

I did not include a narrative earlier, because I had to get to work for a fellow employee who is not yet well enough to come in. The wedding was beautiful. I wish I could have stayed longer to congratulate the attendants, but I only had time for the bride and groom. They had photos on the big screen from when they were kids. That was so nice. When we moved here in 1990, Eva was 2 and the Kraus kids moved in 2 years later at 4, 6, 8 and 10. Oh my, how time flies. Such neat kids. Congrats to the couple.

neighbor's wedding photos from today