Libby's Birthday

There was lots of food and fun at Libby's 26th birthday party. Joe went down to the marsh and sat in the tree stand he and David made and scouted the elusive monster buck. David hid out in the TV room in his easy chair and the girls had some fun carving the pumpkins we grew this summer. See if you can figure out what the carvings are of.

Fun on the Train

I guess it's about time I dusted off this blog and posted something new. Today the girls and I, sans Olivia who had to work, drove down to Mukwonago to the Elegant Farmer. We had some treats and a train ride and I got a few nice pictures to boot. I won't bother to tell the story of how I locked my keys in the car and we had to call Andy to bring me a spare from home. Hmm, looks like I already did.

Storms over Wisconsin

As you know, we've been hammered by bad weather for the past few weeks. As David and I were hurrying to weatherproof the outside cellar door with a large canvas after the basement had flooded, this storm approached. Sara snapped a number of pictures but these three best show its progression over our farm. Although it looked quite ominous we only received a good soaking from it- including the basement again.

Turned out the gutters were stuffed with helicopters from our maple out front which channeled the rain over the eaves where it soaked into the basement rather than down the drain spouts.

It wasn't until a storm the following evening that we discovered this so David cleaned them out in his underwear, in the rain, while the lightning flashed. Better to be fried by a gazillion volts than pitch out the basement with five gallon pails for the third time. Sorry, no photos of that. Classic though they might have been I wasn't willing to risk my life, and my camera, to get them.

Windy Spring Day

Taking a walk with Mom, Grandpa and Grandma is nice but a guy can get bored with nothing interesting to do.











What's this? Water? That means mud and slop! Dude, this is like, awesome!












Intervention! Mom comes running with her usual response to such shenanigans: Too dangerous!













Is there no one who understands a man's need for freedom to explore his environment?

Video Worth a Thousand Words

View's Getting Better

Here's Bob the Beaver working on his wooden treasure trove.














Yeah, there's some hay left but we can dispose of that easy enough. Anyone want some mulch?

Demolition Commences

We decided the best solution to our dilemma was to let an expert handle the barn. We didn't even have to go looking for Bob the Unbuilder since living on a main highway gives us maximum visibility- probably its only advantage. Bob started on Wednesday and little by little the barn is disappearing and we're relieved to see it go. An added blessing is that Bob also has his eye on the other buildings. As as far as I'm concerned he can camp out here until all is consumed until only the house is left, as long as we're living here anyway, then it's fair game too. Here's a photo I snapped this afternoon.

The Inevitable

Down she goes...









The old barn had been listing severely for quite some time but today after we got home from church we heard a loud crash and well, see for yourself. Now, the clean-up must begin and we're not looking forward to it. However, there is a silver lining, we no longer have to wonder when it'll fall and David can spend some time using his talents with the barn boards he's able to salvage.

Grandpa and Grandson Bonding

Nice socks, Jesse!

Thanks, I have another pair just like them.







































Grandpa and Jesse spent some quality time together this past weekend after a fresh snow.

Jesse Joe's Birthday Bash

Oklahoma! Where the wind comes
sweeping down the plain...













I did it My Waaaaaaay!














But Simon! You haven't heard my Bob Marley!












I guess it's about time I dusted off my blog and posted a few new photos of my favorite (and only) grandchild. For Jesse's first birthday we arranged an audition for him on American Idol and although we were certain he was soon to be a household name, alas, 'twas not to be.

Go Packers!

While the Packers make up for their embarrassing start of today's game by inflicting some serious pain on the Seahawks I'll post a few new photos of my favorite subject, grandson Jesse, enjoying some yogurt.

New Year Pictures

Here's a few photos I've snapped over the past week. With rain in the forecast for the upcoming week these may be the last snow scenes for a while.














Jesse and Andrea.











Taking a walk with Grandpa.












Jesse's favorite spot on the farm- in Grandpa's arms.













Overlooking the scenery on the back forty.













Is that Ralphie's little brother?