THE SHIRE

Aidan playing Gussec Gavotte on viola

Aidan playing Gussec Gavotte for his book one graduation.  This is a very difficult piece.

 

Aidan's Football Photos

Look how tough he looks.

 

 

Adler's Birthday Party 2011

There are over 150 pics (not all are from the party), so be sure to click the page turning arrows (I missed them the first couple of times I was in there).  Webshots no longer lets people print, so I am seeing how shutterfly does.  You shouldn't need to sign in unless you want to print - then you will need to create an account.

http://adlersbirthdayparty2011.shutterfly.com/

Enjoy!

SASQUATCH SITING IN STEVENS POINT

Kelli watching nervously as Paris and Aurelius try to dig the boy from his muddy grave.

 

The pond has been lowered over 6 feet to make some repaires and the boys were exploring when Aidan got stuck in the mud.  For some reason only Aidan was stuck while the other boys were walking around just fine (ahem).
 

His companions did not abandone him, however.  They dug and pulled until about 20 minutes later Aidan popped up but his shorts did not.  We almost peed our pants from laughing so hard.

 

Click on the photos to enlarge.
 
 
 
Aurelius and Paris looking at Sasquatch in amazement that he isn't even a tiny but shy about being buck-nakid out in the world.
 

Lightning

We just started leasing this adorable little Shetland pony named Lightning.  He is such a sweetie-pie.  The kids had their first lesson with Kira and they did very well.  Even Scarlet (who I thought was going to be too scared) hopped right on when Kira asked her if she wanted to ride next.  There is an album listed on the left side.

 
 
 

tucson

 
Notice anyone missing?  Of course, the ONE photo that I look okay in Aidan was exit stage right.

 
There was this waterfall that is an easy hike from the hotel.  It was really nice.

 
This was the view from our room.  The waterfall is nearly center above the tree line.

 

 
The boys went on their own adventure trying to get to the top of the mountain.

 
The desert sure is beautiful.  It was 100 degrees, but it didn't bother us too much.  The resort had lots of shade and water and the walking paths were nice and cool.

 
What a little cutie-pie!  Scarlet showing off her gams.

 
Agger looking like a big boy.  Have I told you lately what a true gentleman he is? 

 
 

Then Aidan went on his own hiking adventure.  I was with Scarlet, Adler went walking ahead of us and would not return when I kept calling for him, and then Aidan starts screaming from the hillside.  He got a cactus stuck in his leg!  Suddenly, out of nowhere, Adler comes running down the path and scurries up the mountain to help his brother.

 
We had to get help from security to get the darn thing out of his leg.  He was wailing so much and so loud - very embarrassing.

 
Yes, that would be blood.

 
There must be barbs on the end of the needles that hold the needle in the flesh.  Some of them were in nearly 1/4 of an inch and I had to really pull them to get them out.  Lots of people were walking by while all this was happening...fun.  Turns out that people told Shiloh all about it while he was in his meeting.  How did they figure out we were with him?  Once the cactus was out he was fine and had to take a bath he was sweating so much.  Adler took care of Scar while I was working on Aidan - can you believe that guy?!

 
We even got to spend some time with Shiloh.

 
 
I took the kids up to Phoenix for a day.  We went to my mom's grave.

 
We visited with my Grandpa and Verdine.

 
It's so hard for Scarlet to get comfy with people.

 
Verdine's brother lives next door.  They are serious ropers.

 
Verdine gave the boys real ropes to take home.  We had so much fun.  The kids were going crazy chasing around a neighbor's goats, pigs, geese, and even some tortoises!

 
Scarlet getting a lesson from Jerry (Verdine's brother).

 
Adler getting a roping lesson.

 
It was hard to say goodbye...none of us wanted to leave.

 
We even got to see Curtis!  It was such a short visit though.

 
Back in Tucson...this is how Aidan and Adler hold their glasses now.

 
Scarlet and Shiloh "ching chinging".

 
Aidan and Shiloh "ching chinging".

 
King of the World!

 

Koi pond with a golf course in the background.
 

Scarlet with the koi in the background.  The kids went nuts feeding the fish.
 
It was such a nice trip. 

 

Midwest Horse Fair

Aidan and Big Jake.

Aidan petting a unicorn.
 

Steffen Peters riding a clinician's horse.

 

 
The fair was excellent, but it was down right freezing.  The wind was blowing like crazy and the news said there were over 150 tornados over the weekend.  Although I was dissappointed that Rastell didn't get into the Steffen Peters clinics, I was very glad that I didn't have to pull a trailer in that wind.

crazy kids

 
Captain Iliana (jet pilot).

 
 
 
 
It looks like Scar may have had a little too much to drink.

snow

 
 
 

Just a little snow storm when we got back from Florida.  Ahhhhh, Wisconsin.

Joefish

 

Papa with all the kids and one of the fish that he caught off the dock behind the Florida house.

busch gardens

 Abler (that's how he spells it) catching a fish.

Here are the kids hunting for the gator that lives behind the house.

 

We got a VERY close up view of him/her when he went after Shiloh's lure and just about ran right into the dock.  Very aggressive and a solid 10 feet long.  You might be able to see him in the center of the bank in the next photo.

 
 
 
 
 
 

We went to Busch Gardens...Disney has nothing on Busch Gardens.  The scale and landscaping and the interactive way that everything is set up is just incredible.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Misc. pics

 

 

Scar kicking back in the MKE condo.
 
oh no...my kids NEVER jump on the sofa!
 

First day of school

I just uploaded photos from my camera and realized I did not post pics of the boys' first day of school.  Adler started kindergarten and Aidan started 2nd grade.  Adler didn't even look back and has loved every single day.  I thought for sure he would be bashful, but he wasn't.

 
Walking to the bus stop.

 
Waiting at the bus stop with Scar.

 
 
There they go...my babies!

 

Then they got off the bus and ran straight over to SCARLET!!!!

Florida - lovely as ever

We just got back from Florida and today is Adler's first day at kindergarten and Aidan's first day in second grade (I will take photos).  It was really nice and relaxing in Florida and I actually felt sad to leave the house.

 
The boys went swimming with a manatee.

 

Then Aidan was turned into a vampire.


Captain Agger sailing ship in his own private ocean.

 
This is the only pic of Scar that we can show on the internet (if ya know what I'm saying).  She has no fear and was jumping to Shiloh whether he was ready or not.

 
I'm missing that pool already.

One day Shiloh, Scar and I went for a walk and the boys didn't want to go.  We left them strict instructions that they could not go outside or in the pool while we were gone.  This is what we came home to:

 
Yes, those would be Mike's Hard Limeade.  They said they didn't like it...but one is missing more than a sip.

 
This is the lollie-pop that a salesperson at J. Crew gave to Scarlet.  The boys (well, Adler) had much envy in their eyes and kept asking why I didn't get them one too.  Scar enjoyed it for days.

 
Welp, we are home and I have to go wake up the boys so we can practice piano and viola before their first day of school. 

Civil War Trip Inspiration

The boys wanted to know everything about this canon, so I decided to take the kids on a little Civil War trip.  We leave tomorrow (Wednesday) for Baltimore, Williamsburg, the beaches along MD and DE, and then Pea Patch Island off of Delaware City.  We'll be back on Tuesday.

 

Fort Delaware (Pea Patch Island) was actually built well before the Civil War, but it was used as a prison during the Civil War.  I grew up in the town that the ferry takes off from to take you to the fort.  We always had Civil War stuff all around us and it seems that in our area of Wisconsin we just don't get a lot of history.

 

 

 

The kids can't wait to go to Pea Patch Island!   

dirty kids

Aidan enjoying a chocolate ice cream cone.

 

Scar on the same day.

 

 And then there is Agger.

 

Aidan's 7th birthday

Aidan's birthday party with "the boys".

 

Matthew, Aidan, Aurelius, & Marcus.

 
Mr. Sour Puss. 
 

aidan playing french folk song

boys

 

 

I thought this was such a funny face.

 

That is Mr. Adler in there.

 

Shiloh really likes what this helmet does for Adler's nose.

 

I'm scared for the other kids once Adler starts karate.

aidan

 

Aidan playing the viola.

 

And this is how Aidan dresses himself for school.