I'd love to win a Madsen bike!

I hope that I am able to figure out how to post a link to these bikes. If I get it right, I will be entered to win! (fingers crossed!)

Hermanson's Pumpkin Patch

We're kind of telling the story in reverse order. Prior to going to the cabin with the Weisensels, the kids and Janea stayed with the Allords for a few days.
Andy was refinishing the floors, so it was necessary to get all our feet and paws out of the house.

We took a trip one day to Hermanson's Pumpking Patch. They had hundreds and hundreds of several varieties of pumpkins. They also had many other gourds and crafts.

Inside one of their barns, they set up hale bales for a mini-maze for kids. Many of the skeletons, monsters, witches and cats moved and talked. The kids were not frightened by any of these things.

At the entrance of the maze, we almost passed up this kitten and her offspring in this basket.

There were also a dozen different types of animals they had on display. Here are a few...

Ursula really had a good time petting the calf.

Not pictured: llamas, rabbits, a pig, and koi fish.

Ursula didn't want to sit still on the bench.

The kids decorated some pumpkins back at Grandma's house. From left to right:
Rowan's kitty, Harvey's monster, and Janea's monster.
I told Rowan to make some scary faces.

We are looking forward to Halloween this year.

End of September Vacation

Dennis and Darlene's new steps leading down to (what will be) a new dock location.

Rowan did a great job fishing. She was very patient although she didn't want to reel in her hook.

She really wanted to hold up her dad's perch for a photo. She was fearless.

All 3 kids loved going on 4-wheeler rides with a grown up.
They nearly begged to go.
Ursula has now lost her fear of the 4-wheeler.

On our way home.
This was the sunset over a farm field just North of Watertown.

We had a great time up at the cabin.
Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Weisensel for taking care of us while we stayed. And thanks for watching the kids so Andy and I could go out on the 4-wheeler and the canoe, and to go fishing. It was a nice change of scenery.

Family Picnic

Andy's father's side of the family has an annual picnic in Sun Prairie. This past Saturday, it was at this picnic that our two oldest children were returned to us.
They had been with Andy's parents in Green Bay for the week prior and seemed very happy to see their Mom and Dad again. We had lots of nice big hugs from them and they played very nicely with their sister.

Each family brings their version of chicken and side dishes. This year, we brought our cheesy broccoli casserole.

Dennis and Don Nichols (his brother-in-law)

Darlene and Andy

Okay, I'm ready to eat. Where's my food?

HUGS!

And maybe a smooch.

Playing together.

See that teeny tiny speck? Rowan wants you to know that it's a bug and it has to be removed.

It's sweet to see them playing so nicely together.
This doesn't happen often at home.

It was a good time.
The kids had been away in Green Bay for a week. They spent a few days at the cabin - went swimming, 4-wheeling, etc....and they also got to experience Bay Beach again.
They were with Grandma and Grandpa for about 7 days. Since Rowan has been back home, she has told me that 7 days is too many days. And she really missed us.

It was nice for us to have the kids with the Weisensels. We were able to catch up on some cleaning and other projects, one of which was pulling up the carpet and padding in the living room and dining room.
The floors aren't pretty, but they will be just fine for us until Andy refinishes them (late September). The kids love that their cars and zhu zhu pets actually roll places now.

Maybe we can get a in a blog post on the floors soon.