Our Dog, Breeze

We had to put our dog to rest.  Breeze was 12 years old and could no longer get up and down the stairs without help.  She was a GREAT dog......a loyal companion, who loved to go to the cottage and be outside.  We called her Zachary's dog because he was very young when we got her and he took care of (and adored) her - feeding, watering, and letting her outside.  Young man's best friend!

We will miss her so much!

Slipin' & Slidin'

We were finally able to dust off our sleds and hit the slopes Sunday after the first significant snow hit Wisconsin on Thursday.

We took the kids to Heistand Park in Madison.  Dakota was a hoot!  On the way to the park he kept saying, "I am so scared!  I am SO scared!"  Once he went down - he was unstoppable .... even going down the BIG hill!

 RyAnne was a daredevil wanting to be pushed and spun around and she would SCREAM and laugh.

Zach was such a sport - dragging the sleds back up the hill (a lot of times with Dakota or Bailey still in them) for his little brother and sister!

Even Dad and Mom got in on the action.

Then there is little Bailey who giggled and giggled and giggled!

Cheers to 2012

We started our New Year's Eve celebration by enjoying king crab legs and steak -yummy!

 We watched the ball drop in New York City (on You Tube) at 8:00 p.m.  I think it was the 2011 broadcast - hey, the kids didn't know the difference :-)!

 Ready to enjoy some sparkly and fireworks!

 Cheers to 2012 (with sparkling grape juice of course)!

Mader Alarm

Dakota got a Mader alarm/story/light show clock from Great Uncle Terry and Aunt Carol for Christmas and he absolutely LOVES it!  Dad set it up at the end of his bed and when we went in to check on him this is how we found him - sleeping with his clock right next to him!

And here he is night #2.

 

As Dad remarked, "I don't care who you r dat's funny right dere!"

Bailey wanted me to say that she LOVES her Princess alarm clock, too (although there is no cute picture of her sleeping to insert here)!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.....

........from our house to yours!

 

RyAnne was very proud of the special hard cover book she wrote for Grandma and Grandpa!

Merry Xmas to All and to All a Good Night.....

Yes, he really did fall asleep like this!

X-mas Goodies

The family enjoys getting ready for the holiday season by decorating gingerbread houses and trains....

decorating cookies.....

and making cute pretzel reindeer!

Making goodies with kids sure gets messy -  but they still taste yummy!

JAMMY DAY

Dakota and Bailey had their very first pajama day at school and they were SO EXCITED!

Clean PJs and slippers on....backpacks packed.....kids ready!

Santa's Visit

The kids have been waiting for this moment for weeks....SANTA!  We had to make a paper-chain counting down the days for Bailey so she wouldn't ask us "When do we see Santa?" two or three times a day.  They couldn't wait to hear the, "HO, HO, HO!" and see him walk through the door!

The time has come..........the kids all smiles!

Gifts!

Kodak and Fuji Moment!

And yet another photo op......this time with the host, Uncle Terry and Aunt Carol.

Gingerbread Goodies