Poor former Jayhawks... I guess they didn't get life lessons at KU.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Farewell to Summer?
Happy Labor Day Weekend to All! We are enjoying one of the warmest weekends of the entire summer, so it is hard to believe our days of lazy summer days are fast coming to a close. We have had a beautiful summer, enhanced by the visits of many family and friends and of course the ability to get away from it all on the Madison lakes.
During late July and August we were running the Jayhawker Bed and Breakfast of the North, hosting all of our parents, 2 aunts, one uncle, 2 cousins, 1 sister/sister-in-law, and one very good friend . Katie turned 30, which she thinks isn't really that big of a deal, but appreciated the yellow caution tape decorating the door warning of the festivities. We learned that Rose's life jacket does really work, and Mary Ann discovered that she can swim for a bit without being "helped". Robert was on night float, so that gave our days and especially vacation-ey feel, and hopefully we didn't wear him out too much! Today is his last day/night! Our garden started yielding lovely tomatoes and even a few green beans. Katie's not sure she's as impressed with heirloom tomatoes as everyone said she would be. We should be set for lots of pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns, and also Thanksgiving's centerpiece will involve multiple gourds.
We're looking forward to September. Robert will have a week of vacation and we'll go to Chicago for some Windy City fun with Mitzi before traveling on to Dayton to see Buschelmans and meet little William. Then we'll try to get set with our home school preschool and look forward to the visit of the Vogrin-Thomas clan!
During late July and August we were running the Jayhawker Bed and Breakfast of the North, hosting all of our parents, 2 aunts, one uncle, 2 cousins, 1 sister/sister-in-law, and one very good friend . Katie turned 30, which she thinks isn't really that big of a deal, but appreciated the yellow caution tape decorating the door warning of the festivities. We learned that Rose's life jacket does really work, and Mary Ann discovered that she can swim for a bit without being "helped". Robert was on night float, so that gave our days and especially vacation-ey feel, and hopefully we didn't wear him out too much! Today is his last day/night! Our garden started yielding lovely tomatoes and even a few green beans. Katie's not sure she's as impressed with heirloom tomatoes as everyone said she would be. We should be set for lots of pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns, and also Thanksgiving's centerpiece will involve multiple gourds.
We're looking forward to September. Robert will have a week of vacation and we'll go to Chicago for some Windy City fun with Mitzi before traveling on to Dayton to see Buschelmans and meet little William. Then we'll try to get set with our home school preschool and look forward to the visit of the Vogrin-Thomas clan!
Friday, July 11, 2008
What makes me laugh
1. Listening to Mary Ann's version of "Just Leave Everything to Me" from the opening of "Hello Dolly", including the conversation to the train ticket seller.
2. Listening to announcers from some part of Great Britain pronounce "Chipotle" as they refer to the Garmin-Chipotle Tour de France team
3. Watching a news broadcast about a new sport called Chess Boxing
4. Listening to Mary Ann sing a song about how she needs to clean up the mess she made with the Candyland game so her mom doesn't get mad and she has to do a timeout, (while she is actually cleaning up the Candyland game)
5. Watching Rose bring a purse with her Elmo cellphone into the gym on her arm in the middle of a downpour
2. Listening to announcers from some part of Great Britain pronounce "Chipotle" as they refer to the Garmin-Chipotle Tour de France team
3. Watching a news broadcast about a new sport called Chess Boxing
4. Listening to Mary Ann sing a song about how she needs to clean up the mess she made with the Candyland game so her mom doesn't get mad and she has to do a timeout, (while she is actually cleaning up the Candyland game)
5. Watching Rose bring a purse with her Elmo cellphone into the gym on her arm in the middle of a downpour
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Celebrating Independence Day
Happy Belated 4th of July to everyone. Here in Madison the 4th seems like a quiet event since the big party takes place the week before at the Rhythm and Booms Fest. We went out on the lake to view the 31 1/2 minute firework display choreographed to music. It was really cool, and Mary Ann especially liked the fact that they played her favorite songs from Mary Poppins and Sound of Music. Robert did a fantastic job navigating the boat in the dark, dealing with a lot of boat traffic and pretty choppy waters. We also discovered that brownies are excellent for smooshing into the carpeting of the boat too. : )
Robert had a three day weekend for the 4th of July, a nice little break. We didn't make any big plans, which was nice. Both girls had little colds and Mary Ann developed an ear infection, so it was a good weekend to lay low. We did go out on the lake with our friends the Cornetts to do some tubing and explore the lock system between lakes Mendota and Monona and that was pretty interesting too. Robert also got to go to the Mendota Mental Health Hospital to do the orientation for his moonlighting hours there. He's pretty excited about the opportunity to work there a bit on the side.
Rose has learned a few more words, she especially likes pointing out the parts of the face, with particular emphasis on the eyes. She also likes to say the word "Mine" whenever the situation may or may not warrant it. She also says "Thank you" without prompting, which is rather nice. And her favorite song appears to be the "Wheels on the Bus", favorite action being "Beep, beep, beep".
Robert had a three day weekend for the 4th of July, a nice little break. We didn't make any big plans, which was nice. Both girls had little colds and Mary Ann developed an ear infection, so it was a good weekend to lay low. We did go out on the lake with our friends the Cornetts to do some tubing and explore the lock system between lakes Mendota and Monona and that was pretty interesting too. Robert also got to go to the Mendota Mental Health Hospital to do the orientation for his moonlighting hours there. He's pretty excited about the opportunity to work there a bit on the side.
Rose has learned a few more words, she especially likes pointing out the parts of the face, with particular emphasis on the eyes. She also likes to say the word "Mine" whenever the situation may or may not warrant it. She also says "Thank you" without prompting, which is rather nice. And her favorite song appears to be the "Wheels on the Bus", favorite action being "Beep, beep, beep".
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Madison When It Drizzles (and pours)
We just wanted to let everyone know that we haven't floated away yet. The hardest hit areas in Wisconsin are close by and many of our roads and highways are closed due to flooding, but we are all safe and fine. We are thankful that the only effect of the recent rains has been a bit of water in the basement, and our thoughts and prayers are with those that have not been so lucky. We are also not able to boat for an undetermined time because the Madison lakes are contaminated with sewage because of overflows at the sewer plants. But again, we are thankful that is all we have to deal with.
Weather aside, we are doing well. Robert has happily adjusted back to working days in the Stroke ward and the girls and Katie are adjusting to not having him home during the day. Our major activity most days is a visit to our gym. The girls have just completed ten weeks of swimming lessons and both are very comfortable and confident in the water. In fact Rose would rather have her face in the water than not. Mary Ann can take a dance class and yoga class at the gym, so the benefit to Katie is that she does actually wind up going and so the investment is paying off. And just for the record, she completed a 1/4 marathon (which she thinks sounds better than 6.5 miles) in 70 minutes and ran a 5K in under 30 minutes this past week. Firsts for her.
Weather aside, we are doing well. Robert has happily adjusted back to working days in the Stroke ward and the girls and Katie are adjusting to not having him home during the day. Our major activity most days is a visit to our gym. The girls have just completed ten weeks of swimming lessons and both are very comfortable and confident in the water. In fact Rose would rather have her face in the water than not. Mary Ann can take a dance class and yoga class at the gym, so the benefit to Katie is that she does actually wind up going and so the investment is paying off. And just for the record, she completed a 1/4 marathon (which she thinks sounds better than 6.5 miles) in 70 minutes and ran a 5K in under 30 minutes this past week. Firsts for her.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Boat!
We did it! We picked up the boat today from the Wisconsin Dells. We bought a 2000 Crownline 180BR. That's an 18foot bowrider (open at the front so you can sit there). We towed it back with the minivan; we just had a hitch placed on it by U-Haul earlier this week. We have several pictures of it on our photos page. We've also finally got around to posting a bunch of pictures--3 more albums, all the way back to Easter.
Katie heads to KC and Lawrence this coming week, so Robert will either be stuck with a boat and no way to transport it (Katie will take the minivan) or else we'll have to find a slip to keep our boat in during the summer months.
Additionally, my next year's schedule came out, so now I know when I'm free to have guests come up. So, start making plans to come visit us in Madison! You can stay in the new guest room in the basement and then go out on the water!
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