Fall Fun

Ben's first time sitting in a pile of leaves. Can you tell he looks thrilled?

OLD WORLD WISCONSIN

Last Wednesday we went on a fieldtrip to one of our most favorite destinations, Old World Wisconsin. It is a living history museum with actual buildings from the mid to late 1800's. The museum occupies over 580 acres and has a few actual working farms. It is so much fun to go from farm to farm seeing the various dressed up characters as they tell us about the history of that particular building. This time we were able to go into the hotel and see a tub that was used for all the guests bathing needs...and they shared the same water!

This photo is of Rachel, Sarah and Mary playing a game that can help them become more graceful ladies. We had a gorgeous fall day!


Here are the kiddos in front of one of the many gardens. This one is in the main town area.


Ben had a calf come visit him for awhile. You can see that Ben is just enjoying his bottle looking at the strange creature...all was well until the calf said, "MOO!" After that Ben did not want to have any more time looking at that calf!

Scattering Rice Lake

Tomorrow we are traveling to one of my most favorite places in the world, Scattering Rice Lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin. A family in our congregation owns a wonderful cottage that they graciously allow us to visit. (This will be our third vacation there...so it kind of feels like home.) This year we invited my folks to join us. They will be staying at the resort just down the road. My dad is bringing his boat so we will be able to get out a little more and see some more lakes on the chain. Our dog will be joining us, as well, for the first time...I know she will be in doggy heaven. Rebekah's boyfriend, Gabe, will be helping to haul all our stuff and is also in charge of fishing expeditions. He will be with us until Monday. And...dear friends from our seminary days will be pulling up their camper for a few nights, so our cottage will be full. And, little Benjamin will be taking his first long trip away from home. He is all set to ride the boats and float in his little floaty toys. I am looking foward to the view we have from the front windows to lake...and the quiet of the mornings.

A beautiful reminder of God's Promise

The Robin's Nest

A few weeks ago we were out in the backyard getting some things ready for summer. We needed a ladder to do some of our projects, so I walked over to the spot were it was leaning against the house. I couldn't use the ladder. Mama robin laid three little eggs in the nest. We decided to leave mama and her babies alone.

We have had much fun over the past few weeks watching this duo care for their young. (Dad seems to be involved, too.) Mama will let you sit on the porch swing while she flies back and forth feeding her young. It was fun to see the babies opening their mouths so wide when they wanted to be fed.

Last week we were outside enjoying a cool evening around our patio table. (We put lights up on the umbrella shading the table and we were able to admire them, too.) Mama was around sitting in a nearby tree watching that nest. She never tried to attack us, but she let us know she was there. Finally, she could not stay away any longer and she flew to the nest. We were sitting just a few feet away. She stayed with her babies until we went in for the evening.

Today I was out watering the flowers in the back. I saw all three babies popping their heads out of the nest. As I got closer very suddenly one flew right out of the nest and landed on the ground a few yards away. Mama and Daddy were not happy and made noises I have not heard them make before. They were ticked. I gently told them that I would go back inside and they could deal with their wayward child. The little one is doing well for his first time out. It is kind of cute to see him hopping along trying to get his footing and attempt to fly. Maybe we will see the other two venture out soon?