Move Over Venus and Serena...

...here comes Allie!

Tennis is my favorite sport and I'm not too shabby at it either. As long as I can do it my way. I once took lessons after I graduated from college and I actually played worse after I'd learned the correct techniques.

I remember getting my first tennis racket at the thrift store. I spent hours and hours hitting the ball against the big garage doors at the DOT garage where my Dad worked.

Allie has been taking tennis lessons all week. I'm hoping that if she learns the correct way to play tennis from the start, maybe in a few years I'll have a tennis partner.

Happy Birthday Kimmy Sue!

I dug this picture out of my photo album. It's from her 13th birthday party. What a cutie!

It's now 23 years later and today is her birthday. So click on over to her blog and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A Saturday in the Northwoods

We headed up north yesterday with plans to do a little geocaching (treasure hunting). Our route took us to Rhinelander, Eagle River, St. Germain, and Minocqua with lots of stops in between. Jason had about 20 caches programmed into his GPS.

The thing about geocaching with kids is you need to make sure you choose caches with a low degree of difficulty and an easy terrain, because it's all about the instant gratification of finding the treasure. The first one we found was neither of these, it was like walking through a wooded jungle and at one point I was sure we would never find our way back to the van. Although we were successful in finding the treasure, we also came back with 176 mosquito bites, 58 scratches, and 1 tick.

The next cache we found led us to the famous Rhinelander Hodag. We had to use stealth (be very secretive) when finding this one since it was along the roadside and we could be spied by muggles (people who don't know about geocaching).

While in Rhinelander, we found out that the Budweiser Clydesdales were in town so we stopped by to see them.

After a nice lunch at the Rhinelander Pub and Cafe, we were back on the hunt for treasure. Our next find was our favorite of the day. It was located in the parking lot of a church so it was easy to get to. The pastor of the church had given permission for a cache to be hidden on the church grounds. There were several large rocks in the grass just past the parking lot and after a quick search, Allie found it!

We hit several more caches along the way to Eagle River. But once in town, the kids had one thing on their minds...candy! It wouldn't be a proper trip up north without stopping at the candy shop and buying a bag (or two) of saltwater taffy.

Of course, I had one thing on my mind too...shopping. And once I had that need fulfilled, it was back on the trail for treasure. We found several on the way to St. Germain but sadly, to Jason's chagrin, there was one we could not find. This is not good because Jason will continue to hunt and hunt and hunt long after the rest of us have decided to give up.

We finally got him to admit defeat and move on. Somewhere in the day I had mentioned the words "putt putt golf" and the kids were anxious to give that a try.

Deefers had her own technique for hitting the ball and would not let us help her. Ironically, she somehow got her ball the closest to the cup each time.

This was the most difficult hole of the course and Allie got a hole in one!

After golfing, we ate supper, found a few more treasures, and headed home. We were exhausted! But what a great day we had!

P.S. Hey Panzlers...we sure did miss you!

The World's Largest Penny

We happened upon this photo op during our adventures in the Northwoods today! It's the world's largest penny and it's located in Woodruff, Wisconsin.

Scenes From Swimming Lessons

This is Allie's third summer taking swimming lessons through our Parks & Recreation Department. She gets more and more comfortable in the water every day. Today was the last day of lessons for the summer and she passed all her tests to complete Level 1 of the American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program.

I did not originally sign Meredith up for lessons this year. I was planning to start her next summer, when she would be 4 years old. But seeing Allie go to lessons everyday made her want to join in the fun too. So halfway through the three week session, I signed her up. She was instantly comfortable with the instructor, doing everything that she asked her to do.

The Jolly Green Giant

I have an odd facination with large statues.

So I had to stop, on my way home from Shannon's, to take a picture of the Jolly Green Giant.

Sue and Shannon's South Dakota Shopping Spree

I'm back from my trip and what a fun time we had! We shopped and shopped and shopped some more. My bank account has been depleted to almost nothing. Good thing we only see each other once a year.

Here we are, modeling our new tops, with Shannon's dogs, Macy and Cricket.

We managed to do a few other things that did not involve shopping. We played tennis, went rollerblading, got massages, ate at some of my favorite restaurants, and saw the movie "Made of Honor".

Thanks for the wonderful weekend Shannon!!

My Friend Shannon

This is my friend Shannon. We met when we both worked at the VA Hospital in Iowa City.

She was my personal attendant at my wedding.

And I was her personal attendant too.

We usually see each other at least once a year. Sometimes we meet for a shopping weekend in the Twin Cities. But for the past several years, we've taken turns travelling to each other's homes.

Two years ago, I drove to South Dakota to visit Shannon, her husband, Eric, and their dogs, Macy and Cricket.

Last summer, Shannon came to visit me and the girls.

And today, I'm leaving for South Dakota to visit her again. I can't wait to see her!

Ice Cream, Get Your Ice Cream!

Decisions, decisions!

We'll take one Spongebob and two Spiderman popsicles please!

Big News!

Allie can now ride her bike without training wheels!!

Way to go Allie!!

Team Galaxy

Allie had her first soccer game last night. She was AWESOME!

A pep talk from Coach Jason.

Our team, Galaxy, played the Rockets.

Here is Allie throwing in the ball.

She was not afraid to get right in there and kick the ball.

Go! Go! Go!

Girl Power!

Good Game Galaxy and Rockets!!