ADULT Costume Party '10

Sooooo ... we finally got to attend (together) the legendary Nikolia costume party. We planned on going last year but the kids got sick ... so I stayed home. Randy went as Scooby Doo but found himself feeling a bit out of place amongst the other more ... riskay costumes. So, knowing how high the bar was set we set out to "fit in" better this time around. Months before the party we did research (spoke to other neighbors) and to be totally honest I was a bit nervous about the entire night. We were told of all kinds of shenanigans. Once we figured out what we were going to go as I had to start tanning given the amount of flesh that was exposed here in WI the end of October. I must admit it was a little weird going to work the week before looking like I had just come from a week in Florida. Finally the day arrived. We got dressed and the baby sitter arrived. Sadly, she had no idea who either one of us were and when we asked if she ever heard of Star Wars she said "No, but I have heard of Star Trek." OK then ... out the door and across the street we go.












These are the family friendly photos. The rest I did not feel I should post on my blog. If you really want to see them all, shoot me an email and I'll forward a slide show of all the photos.

Halloween Prep '10

We had a busy Halloween weekend. Acacia and her friend did some pumpkin carving. Then we went to a pie party / house warming at some friends of ours. Man oh man do they have an awesome home and view! The kids really had fun messing around their pond. And the pies did not disappoint!!

Kid's Day at the Kohl '10

The kids had day off from school and the day care took them to the Kohl Center for lots of kids activities, meeting the Badger football, basketball and hockey players and to watch the top rank women's hockey team play a game. I decided to walk over to my old stomping grounds and join them!

Last of the '10 Soccer

Well, we made it through another fall soccer season. The kids teams are really getting good so the intensity of the games continues to climb. Acacia will most likely try out for the competitive "team" next fall. They both have spring soccer yet with the same teams they are on now. Acacia coach has them practicing over the winter at various indoor arenas and gyms. These are the photos from their last games. They were pretty wet and rainy ones to boot. Chris is wearing a red and black jacket over his orange jersey.

New Swim Team Suits!! '10

The swim team got new suits this season! Today was Acacia's first meet since last spring. She did great in all her individual events. Shaved 2-5 seconds off her best times in free, back and breast. She also shaved a few seconds off her 100 IM! Unfortunately when she dove in for her leg of the relay her goggles fell off. It did not seem to bother her as she swam like a champ. But, once she got out her coach took her to the locker rooms as she swallowed a lot of water and her eyes were burning. She is fine and I am sure that will happen again. But, still - she had a great day. Sorry - no swim shots. The viewing was all behind glass today. I almost got us disqualified just sneaking in for this shot!

Eugsters '10

Yet, another pumpkin patch! This one is just down the road from us and has always been one of our favorites. We took the kid's friends Ani and Diesel and we even allowed Acacia and Ani some "big girl alone time". We would give them 30-60 minutes and let them do whatever on their own and then meet back up with us, check in and head back out. I am very impressed and happy with how responsible they were! :)

So, this patch offers ... pumpkins (dah), corn mazes, kitty petting, a few "rated" haunted houses, magic show, great pumpkin weigh off, petting zoo and more.



We started the day attending the rather silly magic show. Chris was actually selected to go on stage! No, they did not steal his wallet or cut off his head (we save those tasks for Nono). They made him do silly things (which was very stressful for Chris).



Chris and Diesel did typical boy things. Rode trikes that were too small for them but purposely would run into each other ...




...they milked a cow .....




and petted kitties ....



and bottle fed the baby goats. (ok - maybe they were not so manly after all)



We all had some watermelon from the biggest watermelon any of us had seen. He told us how much it weighed but I forgot. It was at least 2 feet long though.

The corn maze proved to be too much for us! We had a map (a pathetic one) and after about 10-15 minutes we decided that if we could just get out we would. So, we ended up leaving the way we came in. Interestingly enough, as we were gather what pride we had left a family did emerge from the exit. We asked how long they were in there and they said 30 minutes - they just followed the map .... So, we tossed small pumpkins and corn cobs at them and ran away.



This is Chris and I with the award winning pumpkin (1,400 lbs). 2nd place was 1,200 lbs and thrid place was 1,000 lbs.

Apparently, third place gets to take a bit of a leap ... well, I guess it would be more like a bungee jump gone bad. They hauled that thing up a 100+ foot crane and released it!! It exploded all over this little island thing they have there with the biggest boom (well, the biggest boom I've ever heard a vegetable make anyway).


Can you see it here? It is mid air about to take out the head of the scarecrow!

Click the link to see the slide show of all Eugsters '10.

Slide show of Eugsters '10

Horse Farm Family Fun Day '10

Remember when Acacia took horse back riding lessons? Well, it's been about 2 years now since she stopped but I try to get her out to see Sharon and the horses when I can. This past week end was the first successful visit in two years. Pretty lame on my part but at least it finally happened! It was a great reunion and Acacia had an awesome time.

Sharon (the women who owns the stable) has a family fun day once a year where all those that are taking lessons are invited for a cook out, yard games, bare back basket ball and the biggest bone fire I have ever seen in my life. As luck would have it, we were able to make it to this event.



Do you recognize Daniel?



Acacia did!!



This is Chris with Mister.



I even got to ride my old riding buddy Star.

Even Chris was able to ride!! Well, Acacia was in control. Chris was sure he could trot (bare back with no bridle, bit or reigns as he seems to have a memory of doing this when he was 4).




And this is the really big bon fire! It was a perfect day/night for all these activities! The fire was a great way to end the night!

Click the link to see the slide show of all of the horse family fun day '10.

Slide show of the horse family fun day '10