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Sunday, April 19, 2009
Blessed Easter...
It was my goal to be able to see all of our immediate families (including my Grandmas) over Easter. Sadly, my goal couldn't truly be met, we were not able to see Mark, Pam, and Alex since they are in New Jersey. We did the best we could though! Mallory and I went to see Grandma Schroedl in Sun Prairie on Saturday which was a memorable visit. She told us about how she went to school until 8th grade, then was a maid after that. Grandma told us about the families she worked for (mainly doctors) and all she learned working for them. If I haven't said it before, I hold both of my grandmas on a high pedestal and it's times like those that I value so much in life.
Saturday night, we colored eggs...
some tie-dye...some sponge painted...some Jesus eggs with Sharpie marker!
There is something very special about how truly happy both kids look in their proud egg moment photos! Sunday morning, we woke up and the kids searched for their eggs and plastic eggs with surprises inside. This year instead of candy, we did gifts of time. With the economy being what it is, we are teaching our children the value of time. Thus fun slips of paper representing family outings and events to do together throughout the year! As much as I was ready for the "LAME" buzzer to go off, the kids were very eggsited about the change!!
We went to church at 9 am, then out to Pine Knoll Supper Club for brunch with my mom, Grandma Vitense, Tim, Jerzy, Cliff & Vi...which almost completely accomplished my goal all in one sitting!, and my Uncle Ken joined us from Hartland as well!
Mallory was a little thrown off by dessert (nothing she liked and she went back for a chocolate muffin...seems that Christian had just taken the last one and ate most of it), so when it came picture time, we had a little opposition from her. Christian took up the slack and made his rounds! Everyone poses better when a kid is involved!!
We went home for a relaxing afternoon, then started up the cook stove and made a traditional Easter dinner, thanks to Vi...
she brought the ham, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, cake, and all we had to do was cook the ham, scalloped corn, pull her homemade peaches out of the fridge and voila! Easter dinner. Oh and did I mention the annual Lamb cake? Well yes, we enjoyed that along with cut-outs made by Vi and Mallory...decorated by Cliff! A family production!
And yes...we did the best we could do with achieving our goal...my dad joined us for dinner at home and look!! There's our little daughter Mallory!!
All in honor of our Savior Jesus Christ dying on the cross to save us from our sins. How blessed we are that on that Easter morn, though fearful and scared, Mary and her friends found the tomb empty so that we can be fulfilled!
And as wonderful and fulfilling as our weekend was, we look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of life eternal!
Saturday night, we colored eggs...
some tie-dye...some sponge painted...some Jesus eggs with Sharpie marker!
There is something very special about how truly happy both kids look in their proud egg moment photos! Sunday morning, we woke up and the kids searched for their eggs and plastic eggs with surprises inside. This year instead of candy, we did gifts of time. With the economy being what it is, we are teaching our children the value of time. Thus fun slips of paper representing family outings and events to do together throughout the year! As much as I was ready for the "LAME" buzzer to go off, the kids were very eggsited about the change!!
We went to church at 9 am, then out to Pine Knoll Supper Club for brunch with my mom, Grandma Vitense, Tim, Jerzy, Cliff & Vi...which almost completely accomplished my goal all in one sitting!, and my Uncle Ken joined us from Hartland as well!
Mallory was a little thrown off by dessert (nothing she liked and she went back for a chocolate muffin...seems that Christian had just taken the last one and ate most of it), so when it came picture time, we had a little opposition from her. Christian took up the slack and made his rounds! Everyone poses better when a kid is involved!!
We went home for a relaxing afternoon, then started up the cook stove and made a traditional Easter dinner, thanks to Vi...
she brought the ham, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, cake, and all we had to do was cook the ham, scalloped corn, pull her homemade peaches out of the fridge and voila! Easter dinner. Oh and did I mention the annual Lamb cake? Well yes, we enjoyed that along with cut-outs made by Vi and Mallory...decorated by Cliff! A family production!
And yes...we did the best we could do with achieving our goal...my dad joined us for dinner at home and look!! There's our little daughter Mallory!!
All in honor of our Savior Jesus Christ dying on the cross to save us from our sins. How blessed we are that on that Easter morn, though fearful and scared, Mary and her friends found the tomb empty so that we can be fulfilled!
And as wonderful and fulfilling as our weekend was, we look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of life eternal!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Prince and Princess in Princeton...
We took another voyage up to Princeton on Saturday to see "Auntie Nie!" This time, the kiddos went along and we all got to catch up. There was lots of catching up to do!After hanging out at Brian & Lynnell's, we decided to take a little road trip to Ripon to the Carley House.
The Carley House is a store full of fun, whimsy toys for people of all ages. Last time we were there, the upstairs wasn't done yet, but we got to enjoy it yesterday.
I always give the kids a limit, then see this educational stuff that would help the kids and give in to additional stuff! It's always worth it, though as they have quality items!
We met the owner, Jan, many years ago when the store was downtown. She is so fun and outgoing. Makes the visits extra special to have that personal service! She happened to be there and recognized the kids right away!
Christian got a pop gun, a little puppy for his stuffed animal weiner dog, Cutie. He has a party to go to on the 18th and we found a perfect find for that as well.
Mallory hand-picked yet another Webkinz (a chimpanzee). We found a State card game and a lapdesk for her to do her homework under her bed (if you haven't seen her bed, it's lofted).
Christian opted for a treat of Blue Moon in a dish and Mallory had her eye on some fudge to indulge in! Jan sent a long one of those cute plastic knives in case she wanted to share!
And she did!
Stopped at a furniture store to get a table for Lynnell and Brian, then on to Christiano's Restaurant about half way back to Princeton. Where Mallory ventured into the world of eating spaghetti sauce with her spaghetti.
We enjoyed pizza and Brian joined us after his long day getting some work done!
As always, the day came to an end sooner than we wanted it to and we drove home in a snowstorm. Slow and steady wins the race!
We all had a fun-filled day and can't wait to go back soon!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Fireside Evening...
A real sweetheart of a deal! The Topel Family loaded up and headed out to Fort Atkinson for a dinner at the Fireside Theatre. Our excursion was just a short one, as we went for Friday night fish fry. Mmmmm...!!! So yummy! My favorite is the steamed veggies. Who ever though I'd be saying that??
I think the kids have lots of favorite things about the experience...but one of them is definitely the umbrellas in the drinks!
My kissy boys! Mal takes great photos!
Before we got there, I lectured Mallory and Christian about how they need to behave and how there won't be many other kids there and that adults are there trying to enjoy their evening so the last thing they need is rowdy kids...
What have we done??!! It wasn't long before our neighboring patrons had a cocktail too many and got real loud and lucivious!! So much for the kids being a distraction! They did set a great example for all of those surrounding us and were such a lady and gentleman!
And so we are reminded of what love is...
John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,f]">[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
And how he shows his love for us each and every day...AMEN!!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Here fishy, fishy, fishy...
I've learned that Lake Puckaway is no place to be BASSFUL! In fact, they even held my drink WALLEYE went pee! We had fun, but the shanty did smell a bit MUSKY!
Dan and I took a weekend to visit Lynnell & Brian again, this time, partaking in the local Lake Puckaway Fisheree!
If you haven't heard the story by now, then it's about time...and if you have well then just skip down to the end and have a good day!
The guys stayed overnight in the shack and Lynnell and I got to the site at about 9 am. While helping Dan get the tip-ups set up, I heard the roar of snowmobiles and commented on how badly I wished I could ride one and how much I missed that part of my life.
So a Bloody Mary or two later, was sittin' in a smaller of the three shantys when a tall guy walks in, apologizing to Lynnell for running over one of her tip-ups.
"That's a brand new tip-up," she informed him.
Being the forgiving person that I am, I asked him what he ran it over with?
His snowmobile.
Aha!
"WE'll forgive you if you let me ride your sled," (how sweet of me to offer!)
"Sure," he goes, "it's right outside."
"Which one," I asked. There were several new Ski-Doos in a row.
"That one," he said, pointing at a vintage, perhaps a 1969 Polaris.
(Got it pictured in your head?)
"Okay!" And I was off. A few kind fellas helped me get 'er goin' and vroom, I was off. Just buzzin' along. (Sound effects are crucial at this point in the story, so you will have to help me out and make your own)
Then enough was enough and I decided to turn that bad boy around. I swung my body to the left, knowing full well that I could break it loose a little bit and spin it around. As if it were possessed, I quickly felt my body horizontal and my legs going the wrong way. I held on for dear life, just like a dumped waterskiier. And if you know waterskiing, you know that if you're outtta control, there's only one thing to do...
let go.
So there I laid. Now I'm no stranger to falling off of snowmobiles and wasn't just too concerned until I pick my sorry head up and saw the Herbie Snowmobile version continue on it's way, just buzzing along. Ghost riding.
(continue sound effects...)
I jumped right up and my adrenaline took over. Sure I was going to catch that thing, I just kept thinking, "Please don't hit a tip-up!" And sure enough. It would aim right for one and veer off to one side or the other. Running, running, running, then I know that it wasn't speeding up, I will admit. I was slowing down.
Enter my knight in shining four-wheeler. "Hop on!" he yelled.
"No, no...stop the snowmobile!!"
Praying at this point the it wouldn't hit someone else's shack, or worse yet, a vehicle, another kind citizen on his snowmobile braved the ride and brought it to a stop.
My knight came for my pitiful behind and in complete disgust, I hoped back on and started that thing back up. Still full of shame, I turned back for camp...
only to see a group of about 40 people standing outside of the shacks.
I turned around...safely and securely this time. Wanting to run like the wind.
Finally, I composed myself and made my way back, only to discover a vital bit of information...
the brakes didn't work. I hit the kill switch and my joy ride came to it's end.
Everyone was so kind (you would be too to have seen such a performance), and after laughing my sides off, I finally asked Lynnell...
"How long were people watching?"
"Well, you took off and they guy goes, 'Hey, check out that chick on the old snowmobile!' So everyone came out and there you were...falling off!"
The question remains: How could there be so many people and not one camera to get the $10,000 shot?
I found out from the guy riding the old beast (who was NOT the owner), that the brakes didn't work and that it didn't start the greatest, so the throttle was welded 1/4 throttle so it would stay running. Guess I shouldn't have been so eager to take off right away.
It was all fun and games until I woke the next day to a bruised body and could barely walk! Not a spring chick anymore, eh, Tara? Not sure if the rib pain was from laughing, falling off, or running faster than I ought to in the shape I'm in!
Even more exciting than that, 2 of the 8 Northern on the board were caught by Dan (33 1/4) and Lynnell with 35 1/8! THAT was exciting! (Unfortunately, neither placed)
We headed back home on Sunday and joined Tim Pulford, his friend, Mike, Drew Fair and his kids, Adam & Brooke out on the ice here on Rock Lake. We all had fun and I stayed away from the snowmobiles!
On a happier and less painful note, one brave soul (or maybe he was a bit intoxicated), let me ride his brand new Ski-Doo. Now most of you know I'm more a Polaris type of girl, but it did the trick and I got my fix after all! Thanks, Dan!
I felt better finding out from Dan (my Dan) that the same thing happened to him when he was a kid.
It was a great weekend all around, as we finished it off at Jason & Stacey Forest's home watching the Super Bowl with friends.
As for ice-fishing, I have to say...
WE'RE HOOKED!!!
CATCH ya later!!
Dan and I took a weekend to visit Lynnell & Brian again, this time, partaking in the local Lake Puckaway Fisheree!
If you haven't heard the story by now, then it's about time...and if you have well then just skip down to the end and have a good day!
The guys stayed overnight in the shack and Lynnell and I got to the site at about 9 am. While helping Dan get the tip-ups set up, I heard the roar of snowmobiles and commented on how badly I wished I could ride one and how much I missed that part of my life.
So a Bloody Mary or two later, was sittin' in a smaller of the three shantys when a tall guy walks in, apologizing to Lynnell for running over one of her tip-ups.
"That's a brand new tip-up," she informed him.
Being the forgiving person that I am, I asked him what he ran it over with?
His snowmobile.
Aha!
"WE'll forgive you if you let me ride your sled," (how sweet of me to offer!)
"Sure," he goes, "it's right outside."
"Which one," I asked. There were several new Ski-Doos in a row.
"That one," he said, pointing at a vintage, perhaps a 1969 Polaris.
(Got it pictured in your head?)
"Okay!" And I was off. A few kind fellas helped me get 'er goin' and vroom, I was off. Just buzzin' along. (Sound effects are crucial at this point in the story, so you will have to help me out and make your own)
Then enough was enough and I decided to turn that bad boy around. I swung my body to the left, knowing full well that I could break it loose a little bit and spin it around. As if it were possessed, I quickly felt my body horizontal and my legs going the wrong way. I held on for dear life, just like a dumped waterskiier. And if you know waterskiing, you know that if you're outtta control, there's only one thing to do...
let go.
So there I laid. Now I'm no stranger to falling off of snowmobiles and wasn't just too concerned until I pick my sorry head up and saw the Herbie Snowmobile version continue on it's way, just buzzing along. Ghost riding.
(continue sound effects...)
I jumped right up and my adrenaline took over. Sure I was going to catch that thing, I just kept thinking, "Please don't hit a tip-up!" And sure enough. It would aim right for one and veer off to one side or the other. Running, running, running, then I know that it wasn't speeding up, I will admit. I was slowing down.
Enter my knight in shining four-wheeler. "Hop on!" he yelled.
"No, no...stop the snowmobile!!"
Praying at this point the it wouldn't hit someone else's shack, or worse yet, a vehicle, another kind citizen on his snowmobile braved the ride and brought it to a stop.
My knight came for my pitiful behind and in complete disgust, I hoped back on and started that thing back up. Still full of shame, I turned back for camp...
only to see a group of about 40 people standing outside of the shacks.
I turned around...safely and securely this time. Wanting to run like the wind.
Finally, I composed myself and made my way back, only to discover a vital bit of information...
the brakes didn't work. I hit the kill switch and my joy ride came to it's end.
Everyone was so kind (you would be too to have seen such a performance), and after laughing my sides off, I finally asked Lynnell...
"How long were people watching?"
"Well, you took off and they guy goes, 'Hey, check out that chick on the old snowmobile!' So everyone came out and there you were...falling off!"
The question remains: How could there be so many people and not one camera to get the $10,000 shot?
I found out from the guy riding the old beast (who was NOT the owner), that the brakes didn't work and that it didn't start the greatest, so the throttle was welded 1/4 throttle so it would stay running. Guess I shouldn't have been so eager to take off right away.
It was all fun and games until I woke the next day to a bruised body and could barely walk! Not a spring chick anymore, eh, Tara? Not sure if the rib pain was from laughing, falling off, or running faster than I ought to in the shape I'm in!
Even more exciting than that, 2 of the 8 Northern on the board were caught by Dan (33 1/4) and Lynnell with 35 1/8! THAT was exciting! (Unfortunately, neither placed)
We headed back home on Sunday and joined Tim Pulford, his friend, Mike, Drew Fair and his kids, Adam & Brooke out on the ice here on Rock Lake. We all had fun and I stayed away from the snowmobiles!
On a happier and less painful note, one brave soul (or maybe he was a bit intoxicated), let me ride his brand new Ski-Doo. Now most of you know I'm more a Polaris type of girl, but it did the trick and I got my fix after all! Thanks, Dan!
I felt better finding out from Dan (my Dan) that the same thing happened to him when he was a kid.
It was a great weekend all around, as we finished it off at Jason & Stacey Forest's home watching the Super Bowl with friends.
As for ice-fishing, I have to say...
WE'RE HOOKED!!!
CATCH ya later!!
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