First Pillowcase Project

Lydia and I attended a sewing class together today. With a little help from mom she made this really cute pillowcase. She learned how to sew straight lines and how to press seams. Great job Lydia! I hope you will sew with me more often.

The Old Man

We've had Scout since he was 10 weeks old and he'll be 13 years old on October 5. He's really never been a very loving dog, just not the shnuggly type, but there is something about him that makes US love HIM quite a lot. He almost didn't make it to 8. We found out he had emphysema so bad that portions of his lungs had to be removed to save his life. Lately, he has really slowed down. He uses the house for a bathroom. He has also lost his hearing and about 10 pounds of muscle. We can tell he is really achy too. We took him to the doctor today and learned he has a tick born infection (curable) which is causing some of his pain, that and arthritis. We have started him on arthritis medication and an antibiotic. We're hoping the fact that he has been achy is what has caused the bathroom problem and it's not that he has started to lose his training. Time will tell. The arthritis meds should help him to be comfortable and as long as he is comfortable we won't have to say good-bye yet.

7th Birthday

This is the invitation Lydia designed for her 7th birthday party. We will be on Madeline Island for her actual birthday so we will have a party with her friends the weekend after we get home. She got her birthday present early (below) so we could take it with us on vacation.

Lake Delton Burgle-ation

Ken and I took a motorcycle ride down to Lake Delton in the Wisconsin Dells last Sunday to see the results of the flooding for ourselves. I have more pictures of what we saw posted in my web gallery.

Walk Wisconsin 2008

Ken and I did the Walk Wisconsin 1/2 marathon this past Saturday.  We had pretty decent weather.  Just rained for the last couple of miles.  Last year I did the marathon in a downpour.  Let's just say that walking the last quarter of 26.2 miles with wet feet is mighty painful and leave it at that to spare you the details.

With about 3 miles to go Ken commented that maybe next year he will train.  He said he thought it was going to be a "walk in the park".  Well, we did walk in some parks but 13.1 miles is not a little stroll in the woods.  Today is the first day my muscles don't ache.

Congratulations, Ken, on your first 1/2 marathon!

Talent Show

Lydia decided on her own to try out for the talent show with her friend Maggie. She passed the auditions and we went to watch her perform today in front of the entire school. I am so proud of her! Maggie taught Lydia the choreography which she learned in her dance class. They practiced during recess. Did I mention how proud I am?

Single Tracking Again

Yesterday it was beauuuuuutiful here in central Wisconsin so Ken and I packed up the bikes and headed back out to Standing Rocks for a solid hour of single tracking.  It is so much fun! Couldn't have asked for better weather for it.  

Only 4 more days of first grade left for Lydia and then it's summer vacation!  She wants to go back to Madeline Island this summer.  We have taken her there a few times now.  She loves riding the ferry and the whole idea of visiting an island.  We are thinking we will skip the tenting this year and stay at the Tree Top Bed & Breakfast in Bayfield.  Ken and I stayed there in 2005 and enjoyed our stay.  Looking forward to Gruenke's pizza again too.  We'll take the bikes with us so we can do some biking on the island.

Ken and I registered for the Walk Wisconsin 1/2 marathon next weekend.  I do hope the weather cooperates.  Last year I did the marathon in the rain and I do not want to do that to my feet again. Wet socks and 13 miles are not a good combination.