Pumpkin Picking and Beyond '06

Today we went with two other families to one of our regular pumpkin picking farms. This is one of many to come this season. Today we got to see a puppet show while eating cider donuts (mom's favorite). We got to pet kittens (again), see pigs, deer, horses, elk, goats and much much more. We took a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch and selected the "perfect" pumpkins and did a corn maze. And even though mom is not in any of the photos, she was there - see was just off eating all the donuts. We even got ice cream!!!

Pumpkin Picking and Beyond '06

First Soccer Game (that went well)

Acacia's first soccer game did not go well. The other team scored first and therefore Acacia decided that they had been playing together longer and were just better. Given that they are all 5 and just started in the same kindergarten league I don't know when they could have practiced and played together but this did not seem to comfort Acacia. So, after the game we went home and practiced. I know NOTHING about soccer but I do know that if you don't keep moving someone will get the ball from you. After about 45 minutes of me yelling "Don't stop!! Keep moving!! Run me over! POWER! POWER! POWER! She was getting pretty excited for her next game. It went MUCH better. She was all over the field and had a great time! We can't wait for our next practice and games!! The treats at the end of each practice and game do not hurt in motivating her either.

First "Good" Soccer Game '06

Hay Ride '06

Saturday we took the kids and 3 international students to Baraboo for a hay ride! It was sponsored through a program called InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. A church in Baraboo cooked food for 300+ people! There was veggie and meat chili, curry, rice, some kind of African chicken and tons more. We got to make our own caramel apples and do smore's. The hay ride went great. Acacia did it three times!! It poured rain the entire drive up there. It stopped as soon as we parked the car and started up again as we left. Pretty strange! Well, the kids and our international students had a great time! Oh! Lands End donated about 30-40 huge boxes of clothes for them too. Coats, sweaters, hats and gloves!! Really great stuff! Click the below link to see the fun.

Hay Ride '06

Valerie Visits '06

Valerie made a pit stop in WI on her way home to CA from VA. She just missed Acacia's soccer practice but she did join me for a GREAT weight lifting class. Good thing she is driving for a couple days. I am guessing she will be feeling all the squats we did in her legs for a day or so!! We also had a nice healthy lunch, walked up and down State Street and had a beer on the Memoral Union Terrace and enjoyed the boats on the lake!

First Soccer Practice

Here are some shots of Acacia's first soccer practice. She is on the Teal Spartans. The rules are ... in this order ... 1) HAVE FUN! 2) DO NOT TOUCH THE BALL with your hands! Her coach is one of her friends Dad (Coach Russ). And she knows 4 of the other 5 kids on the team. So far, she seemed to really enjoy it. Chris was sad, sitting on the side lines as he really wants to play. We will have to bring him a ball so he can play on the side lines. There are treats after practice for everyone (including little brothers). That seemed to help Chris feel better. The first game is next week!! Anyone want to come???

Our old and new truck!

Dale models her new truck and her title. While Acacia and Chris model our new truck! Dale paid a significantly lower price for her new wheels then we did, but we still think we got the better deal!! Acacia likes the truck ... So does Chris ...

First Day of Kindergarten '06

Acacia's first day of kindergarten went very well. She was thrilled and had a great day. Her first week went well too. She does have a substitute teacher as her regular teacher ended up going on medical leave. But, so far, things are just fine. She tells us she's made two new friends and she thinks they will be her good friends - but she also tells me she ditches the new friends for her old ones once they all are on the play ground together.

Chris is not bothered at all at with the lack of a sister in the AM. He and Randy have been riding their bikes to school/work. Chris LOVES this as he shows his bike helmet to everyone at school and points to his bike strapped to the fence outside his classroom.


















Both kids are a bit more wiped out at the end of the day. Swimming and soccer certainly help get to that point. Chris was so tired he fell asleep in his glider. At least he got some blankets.

Two Days in the Dells

We spent Friday and Saturday in the Dells at the Wilderness Water Park! We got to spend Friday with Acacia's friend Rachel and her family! We got to go on family rides and lazy river rides. We think the kids had fun. Chris fell asleep at the dinner table (this is the second time he's done this)! Come and visit and we will show you all about the Hurricane and the Cannon Ball!

The Wilderness Water Park '06