Oh, Boys!

We had a two-day whirlwind celebrating boys who have grown up to become handsome, successful men. Pretty fun! 

Friday's fun revolved around these dudes. In late May of 2018, these 4 moved into a lovely college house in Platteville. And the following weekend Carter, Jack, Josh, and Johnny invited their parents down so they could show it off.

We parents didn't quite get over it. But we also couldn't quite get over how cool this friendship was and what fun and amazing guys they turned out to be.

Fast forward to yesterday. Josh (left recently got married), it was Jack's wedding day, Johnny's getting married in October, and Carter was a groomsman for Jack and will be an usher for Johnny. Love that they made lifelong friends.

It turned out to be a beautiful day for an outdoor ceremony at Koehler-Andre State Park near Sheybogan.

An our favorite groomsman cleaned up pretty good in his brand new suit! 

We hadn't seen them in a month so it was good to reconnect with Carter and Mamie.

They always look good together. It was a fun evening a dinner and dancing. Got to dance with both of my brown-eyed bandits. 💜💜

We stayed at the Harbor View Inn in Port Washington. And it did indeed have a view of the harbor.

Took a walk around and found my boat – Foxy Lady – of course! 

This morning we hit the road at a decent time so we could make a side stop on the way home. A cemetery in the town of Maple Grove where Jim located the grave of his 4-greats-grandfather. If you're into genealogy at all, you'd understand. Very cool.

Got home around 1 p.m. and I did some speed trifling. Whipped this one together for our nephew's "25 years of racing" party faster than he finishes a feature race!

Utilized his Reffner Blue with a touch of red race car colors. And topped with some stickers from my scrapbooking supplies.

Look at him in his early years on a go-kart.

And how tiny that kart looks now! Another boy all grown up! He's come so far and has become such a  wonderful man, husband and father. The years pass much too quickly. It was a very nice get-together.

From there we ran home for a few minutes to gather layers. Yes, it's getting down to the 50s tonight, to go over to our friends Joe and Michelle's for a fire. There were several of us couples that hadn't gotten together all summer. The guys had for golf, and most of us girls had for golf as well. But not all together to just hang out.

The relaxing and laughing was long overdue. Including some talk among boys who are technically men now, but don't always show it. Ha. Which only made for more laughs.

It just happened to be a summer where it was either 90 degrees and you didn't need or want the warmth of a fire. Or it was rainy. Tonight felt like fall. But it was a good feeling. 

I still hope to relax with no plans tomorrow except for maybe some time with Mr. Deck Chair. He's been so neglected with my busy schedule. 

Artistic Tuesday

As I mentioned yesterday, these are just few (but not all) of the cool things you can see in the Stevens Point Sculpture Park tour. Google it and bring bug spray...

Thankfully nice signage since I entered the park via the Green Circle Trail and I had no idea where I was going.

I immediately appreciated beauty in the park/trail that wasn't man made!

As soon as I saw this, I thought, "Ooooh, lots of details!" You had to look at tiny details to see why the artist said it had "Three Colors, One Heart."

I didn't take a picture of the artist's sign but based on the color scheme, I'm thinking it represents an American worker trying to move forward.

This one was so detailed! It is call Arhelon's Canoe - after the name of a large, prehistoric turtle who appears in the creation myths of the Native American in the region.

So much detail! I loved it!

In my mind I named this the "Beverly Hillbillys" after Jed and all those folk. But the artist from Minnesota merely called it "Scrap Value." We get it.

I loved this gathering area - or at least that is what I perceived it as. There's no chairs there, but holding hands in a circle at each level sounds so unifying.

I love the famous bicyclist since it's a great trail to bike or walk!

In my mind, quite similar to the Beverly Hillbillies vehicle concoction. It you're young, just Google it.

I love that I first saw the backend of the bear but then kept walking and realized the owls are part of the story too.

I love that this one is called "Communication Tangles" since that represents so much of life - personal, work and otherwise.

 My favorite!

It's called the "Elk Centaur" but I just envision it as one kick-ass woman!

The "Lone Wolf" is really cool and so detailed in design. 

And finally, this one called "Furnished Framework" is totally something I (and my fellow hoarders) could see ourselves doing but won't get around to! Pretty cool. Let me know if any of you get around to it!

P.S. Sometimes we don't realize what's in our own backyards to explore or photograph or learn from. Expand your horizons! You probably don't have to travel too far!

Saturday at the Park

Although it LOOKED like a lovely Saturday to spend in the park, that Sun didn't exactly jack up the mercury too far today.

But it was a bit warmer than Tuesday so I did enjoy two full softball games. And two Royal victories. And got lots of pictures. 

That was pretty much the day. We both went to the early game versus Pacelli at 11 a.m. Then Jim had to sing in church choir in Rudolph this afternoon, so he went there and I went back to Robinson Park for our second game around 4 p.m., when we beat Laconia.

Tonight I'm home alone since the kids went back to Potosi area and Jim's fellowshipping after church. So I watched what I missed of The Masters today. Yes, I am one of those dorks. And tomorrow should be another good day to watch.

Except it might actually FEEL like spring tomorrow, not just LOOK it. Hope so. In the meantime, enjoy a few more action shots. Go Royals!

Winter Wonder-Where-the-Lines-Are

Winter parking rules are now in effect in Wisconsin. As noted in the photo... If you can't tell where the lines are, you make your own. And if you see them and the car already parked didn't, then just play along and everyone else will follow suit.

It's just how it is.

Not that anyone wants to go anywhere unless they have to. It did sneak up above zero today, but not by much. That sun is so darn deceiving. I can you it did nothing to simmer the Arctic Blast when I went to the post office at lunch or when I went to the store after work. I was hustling so fast from car to building and back to car, that it almost constituted exercise.

Well we both know that's not true.

What is true is that nothing is going to get me back out there tonight or tomorrow. The words "bitterly cold" give me goose bumps just sitting here. In my heated house, with a hoodie on (of course) and long underwear. Uff da.

Will definitely keep myself parked inside – I don't care where the lines are painted.

Be careful out there!

Love My Littles

Back some 4,909 blogs ago – not kidding – I started writing so I could share our youngsters' growing-up years with my family. They grew. The nest is empty. But I'm still blogging. Lucky you.

Now, 14 years later, I have a new crop of youngsters to keep my eye on. After garnering parental consent, I can share a few more fun photos from the R Family Reunion this past weekend. I adore my great-nieces and great-nephews. You know. They're great!

Little T was climbing up everything. No fear for this girl!

For this one either. M does not mind heights or swinging or flipping. She's a gymnast in training. For real!

When South Dakota and Minnesota girls get together, they become instant besties!

So, so adorable!!!

L wants a turn at climbing, too! Based on his height at under 3 years old, he's going to reach that bar soon!

"Take my picture! I'm cute!"

Batman was here!

Concentrating on the climb!

"Let me show you a trick or two."

Keep trying, T3, er Batman!

So much courage and energy with these kiddos!

Q shows her girl power!

T2 is diggin' this park!

T1 talking about the old days with Grandpa Ken!

Q's turn to climb!

Why yes, that is a hot metal slide.

You're safe, N. Just go down fast!

Let's go fishin'!

Grandma Nell baiting the hook for A.

"I caught a snail without using a fishing pole!"

Any bites yet?

"Got one!" There's a lot of excitement when M catches a fish.

You can just hear Q saying: "Ewwww!"

The boys aren't sure it they should touch it or just look at it!

Now everyone's looking at the fish swimming below the dock, wondering how they only managed to catch ONE!

Relaxing with some yard games. Gotta capture that Hedberg competitive side! Don't worry, we all still loved each other at the end of the day. Just a blessing to see all the littles after at least a year.

And now there's one more little...

On Jim's side of the family! Little E joined the family yesterday! Congrats to our nephew Colin and his wife for bringing this guy into our hearts. I bet somebody's going to be a super big sister to him, too. How exciting.

Thanks for all of them (and the ones not pictured), God. I trust You to keep up with them. Lord knows I can't!