27 October 2017

Last Week in Moments

week102717a
Had a great time horsing around in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin on Girls' Weekend.

week102717f
The homestead where we stayed. Our home was the barn. But we also had access to the farmhouse. Such a beautiful place to be.

week102717b
Pretty much my entire weekend was play with the goats. Pet the horses. Visit the chickens. Repeat.

week102717c
A few of the lovelies I got to hang out with.

week102717d
Changing seasons and Storm. Look how handsome he is! I can't take it.

week102717e
Pink skies and puddles. The sunsets have been amazing.

22 October 2017

Blue Mounds Girls' Weekend

blumnds1-1017
blumnds4-1017
blumnds2-1017
blumnds5-1017
blumnds2b-1017

blumnds6-1017
blumnds11-1017
blumnds7-1017
blumnds9-1017
blumnds8-1017
blumnds10-1017
blumnds11-1017

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to get away with an amazing group of lady friends -- five longtime, and two new to me. We escaped to a farmette in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The setting could not be more perfect. We had access to an original farmhouse that was super quaint -- and slightly terrifying, to be honest -- a huge barn, and a large property with a friendly group of horses, goats and chickens. Fortunately, we all fit in the barn, where we planned on spending most of our time anyway. Most of our days were filled with petting the goats and horses and gathering fresh eggs. Seriously, it was unreal, and I was in absolute farm heaven. We also passed the time with incredible meals, a few cocktails, and just soaking it all in and enjoying each other's company. Too much fun. I'm so lucky.

20 October 2017

Last Week in Moments

week102017a
H's soccer season came to an end, with a rainy game under the Friday Night Lights. It was a great year -- the JV team ended the season 16-1. Not too bad!

week102017b
I'm usually not a huge carnation lover, but these are amazing.

week102017c
We went to Spieker's Pumpkin Farm on Sunday. This guy was in absolute heaven. I think we visited the pigs at least three times. They were so cute.

week102017d
I think it's safe to say we got the largest pumpkins in the world. Glad they are old enough to carve these themselves.

week102017e
The baby cows were pretty cute too. This guy (or gal) was just about to nibble my hair.

week102017f
Often, Gretel cries when she is trying to fall asleep. Kind of like a baby,  Seriously. She just won't give up. She was laying down and crying for about 10 minutes when Storm finally had enough. He squeezed right in and snuggled her. It worked! She stopped. He's the best.

16 October 2017

2017 School Photos

2017schoolphotos
2017-2018 school year photos. 10th (15 years old) & 7th (13 years old) grades.

(20162015, 2014, 2013)

15 October 2017

Pumpkin Farm

pumpkinfarm1-1017
pumpkinfarm2-1017
pumpkinfarm3-1017
pumpkinfarm4-1017
pumpkinfarm5-1017
pumpkinfarm6-1017
pumpkinfarm7-1017
pumpkinfarm8-1017
pumpkinfarm9-1017
pumpkinfarm10-1017
pumpkinfarm11-1017
pumpkinfarm12-1017
pumpkinfarm13-1017
pumpkinfarm14-1017

On a whim, we decided to go to a pumpkin farm. I honestly can't remember the last time we went to one. Sure, we may have spent a million dollars on pumpkins -- partly because the three boys (Brian included) found the perfect pumpkins that happen to be absolutely giant -- but it was worth it. I love that our 15 and 13 years old were up for going to a pumpkin farm. These years are fleeting. In fact, H drove us there and back! On the highway. So yes, the million dollar pumpkins = totally worth it. There were also a few animals, including pigs. In fact, the pigs are the reason I wanted to visit Spiekers Pumpkin Farm, because someone (C) adores them. Even though he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, these pigs totally turned his day into "the best day ever." They also have a hay ride into the fields to pick your own pumpkin, but we opted for not going on doing it since it has been raining all weekend and was totally muddy. But the pumpkins they had already picked were really nice, so we were happy. So many options -- regular pumpkins, small pumpkins, large pumpkins, white pumpkins, fantasy pumpkins, gourds that look like giant pears.... There was also a giant corn maze that they boys went into. It was mowed like the Disney castle, and really was quite impressive. Such a fun day.

13 October 2017

Last Week in Moments

week101317a
Homecoming weekend began with the parade, tailgate and football game. Maybe it wasn't as grand as I remember it, but my high school parade was kind of a big deal. Class floats, the marching band, and lots of people came out to see it. Unfortunately, H's is kind of lame. But I'm really glad he does it. He gets to show his team spirit, and C walks out with a lot of candy.

week101317b
The next night was the Homecoming Dance. H and his date went to Cafe Hollander with a group before then dance, and over to a friend's afterwards. I saw him at 1am the next day. He had fun. P.S. Aren't they cute?

week101317c
The next day, we went to the airport observation parking lot to watch the planes coming him. H was in heaven. When we came home, C and Brian were back. They had left at 5:15am on Saturday morning for a soccer tournament in the Wisconsin Dells, where C's team won their bracket. He had a great weekend.

week101317d
I wasn't a big fan of the this week. It started with our refrigerator water dispenser breaking on Monday. I was filling up water and the button to shut it off seemed to have broken off. Always something. Bought some pretty flowers and focused on that instead.

week101317e
Our nephew plays soccer for Waldorf University. They were playing Cardinal Stritch on the Bavarian fields (the boys old club). Ian is injured, but they still let him come up which worked out great since it was Pam's birthday.

week101317f
C had his last cross-country meet of the season. He ran the course in 13.07, which is completely impressive if you ask me -- but is a little slower than past years -- and he came in 4th for his school. He isn't a huge fan of running, and honestly is doing it just to stay in shape. I'm really proud of him.

week101317g
The next day, he had his last middle school soccer game. Yes, he tried to do it all. He only was able to make about half of the soccer games. He didn't make one since practice for soccer or cross-country. We did the best we could. Now we have a little break before basketball starts. Yep, he's trying something new! Love it.

06 October 2017

Last Week in Moments

week100617a
Brian and I went to see Chicano Batman at Turner Hall. So fun, and really incredible band.

week100617b
I'm not totally creeped out by spiders, but they aren't my favorite. Their webs, however, amaze me.

week100617c
Date caramel apple macaron from the Shorewood Farmer's Market.

week100617d
The most exciting thing to happen this week is that H got his temporary drivers license. He is now asking to drive everywhere. He took me to the bus to go to his soccer game the other day. He's not bad, but I didn't realize how nervous I was until he parked.

week100617e
Such a pretty girl.

week100617f
Stopped by Kletsch Park to check out the salmon run. It was a busy day at the falls.