Our Get-Away (5/8/09-5/9/09)

This story starts in February at the dinner theater of MLHS. Katherine won a one night stay at a bed & breakfast. She was very excited until we told her that she could not go. I told her that we would make it up to her sometime.

Fast-forward to Friday. Nick & Angela agreed to take Lucy out. I packed two bags-one for the three kids and one for us. I got Brett and Katherine, drove to MLHS and picked Logan up. Then we headed to Oconomowoc for the switch-the three kids for Jim. Logan, Brett, and Katherine stayed with Grandma & Grandpa. Katherine got to pick what they were having for supper. Grandma & Grandpa took the kids to a fun ice-cream parlor in Watertown. They also played outside and stayed up late. Unfortunately I forgot to pack Wangerin for Katherine. She had a hard time sleeping without him. We are so grateful to Jim's parents for watching/spoiling the kids. They love visiting them (even if they don't have cable TV anymore!)!

Jim rested while I drove to Cambridge (Wisconsin, not Massachusetts or England). We stopped at the Lake Ripley Lodge Bed & Breakfast to check in first. We got to pick one of two rooms that were available. Then we drove into town. The only shop open was the Rowe Pottery Works Shop ( http://www.rowepottery.com/ishop/). Jim bought me a Mother's Day vase. (It was on sale!) We walked around for a bit and were getting hungry. It was after 6:00 P.M. We drove to Fort Atkinson and found Salamone's Italian Pizzeria (http://www.salamonespizza.com/sals/ftAtkinson/index.cfm). It was a Friday, so Jim ordered the fish fry. It was just ok. I ordered the vegetable lasagna (a home-made special recipe). It was so good! We got back to Cambridge before dark and walked across the street to sit on the dock. It was warm, quiet, and serene. If you want to get away and relax, this is the place for you (http://www.lakeripley.com/)! There was a lot on our minds, and we did a lot of talking, but it was relaxing and peaceful. Once the rain started we came in and sat on the screened-in porch. We sat looking at a Wisconsin picture book. Jim's yawning became a bit much. We went in for the nignt. Strong storms lasted all night. I enjoyed listening to the rain and the waves on the lake. I was up early praying. I wrote that there was a lot on our minds. I needed to take it to the Lord. We got a wonderful surprise- No morning rain! Jim & I went on a morning walk. We got back in time for breakfast with the other guests: a family from California, one from Chicago, and two from Fort Atkinson. By 10:30 A.M. we were off to reality, stopped at Pick N Save before getting our three children. It wasn't the best time to take a mini-vacation, but it was well worth it.

*Lake Ripley Lodge Bed & Breakfast

*looking out to Lake Ripley

*Jim at the Rowe Pottery Works Shop in Downtown Cambridge, Wisconsin

Our room was on the first floor


*Jim out front at the Lodge

*Fatime next to the sign with view of the Lodge

*our room is behind those French doors (left side of the porch)

*We sat here Friday night (right side of the porch)

Scenes from our walk

More scenes from our walk...Do any of you know someone named Warne (I don't mean personally)? Isn't this an interesting chalet-type house?

views of Lake Ripley before the rain started

Logan's Birthday Celebration (5/5/09)

15 years ago today Logan was baptized. We were too busy yesterday to have a nice meal planned, so today is the day to celebrate. The birthday person gets to pick the meal. Logan decided to have Milwaukee Lutheran pizza and fresh fruit. For dessert he picked brownies and apple pie. Grandma & Grandpa joined us and brought a garden salad. Everything was delicious!

*Grandpa, Jim, Katherine, Brett, Logan, Grandma with the Milwaukee Lutheran pizza

*Logan and his birthday brownies

*Mom and Logan

15 (5/4/09)

Today is Logan's 15th birthday! He was nine days late, 8 lbs. 14.2 oz., and 21" long. I remember saying how intelligent he looked. Now he is almost as tall as his father and an honor roll student at Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Jim made a pan of "brownie lady" brownies. I used two toothpicks and paper to make a little banner for the top of the brownies. I wrote "Felix Dies Natalis" and put them on his lunch table in the cafeteria. He was so happy that he almost hugged me. That is huge! We have a very busy day planned, so no birthday dinner tonight. Brett has his last volleyball match at 5:00 P.M. Katherine has soccer practice from 5:30-6:30 P.M. Jim & I have been excused from attending the M.O.'s voters meeting because of Jim's "quarantine." It'll be a quick supper of deli chicken from Pick N Save, steamed green beans, and strawberries.

Joey's Confirmation (5/3/09)

Katherine had a soccer game on Saturday...she played well! After the win, we went home to load the van and get Lucy. We drove a little over four hours to Rhinelander for a Scheuer Gathering. This time it was for our nephew, Joey. He was being confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. The service was Sunday at 2:00 P.M., so the party was Saturday evening. We had a fiesta...tacos, guacamole, salsa, blue chips, Tostito chips, fruit, veggies, quasadillas, plain & peanut M&M's, and a cake! The kids played basketball, made a hot-air balloon, ran around, and had lots of fun playing together. Lucy loved barking at Eric's rabbits. She did stop after a while. She and Spotzen played well together, but Lucy learned that Spotzen does not like her eating his food. Sunday morning, we listened to Mount Olive's worship service via the internet at www.mtolivemke.org. We have live-streaming for the 8:30 A.M. service. With it being Good Shepherd Sunday and Confirmation, you'd think that Pastor Wangerin would hit a homerun (so to speak). He did! We then showered, changed, relaxed and/or played some more. After the Confirmation service, we headed for home. It was a quick trip but very nice. John & Gina are wonderful hosts! We always feel welcomed and at home there.

*Eric, Brett, Logan, Jim, and Stephen playing basketball

*Katherine and Gramps cleaning up before bedtime

*Cousins Eric and Katherine with their balloon creations

*Katherine, Grandma, Brett, Fatime listening to Mount Olive's Worship Service on the internet Logan and Jim were in there, too!

*Spotzen resting on Katherine's blanket

*Gina with her sombrero

*Brett and Logan watching the Brewer game before Joey's Confirmation

*Grandma & Grandpa with 8 of their grandchildren: Elsiana, Katherine, Joey, Isaiah, Ben, Eric, Logan, Brett

*Two Points!

*Happy Lucy loving the outdoors

*This is the backyard scene

*John, Grandpa, Eric, Gina, Grandma, and the two pastors praying over Joey

*Joey playing the drums for the closing song, "Jesus Loves Me"

*Eric, John, Gina, Joey

*Aunt Gina and Katherine

*Cousins Logan and Joey

*Brett, Katherine, and Logan sleeping on the way home

*Jim is happy driving with the children napping!