Horse Show

It's been a while since Hailey has been able to have her horse show. But we were able to enjoy one with real horses and real people again. Thanks COVID-19! :)

So proud of this girl!!

This definitely calls for a side by side comparison.  The next picture is only 4 years old (ish)
 

3 years ago!  Pretty sure this was her first show at the stables here in Rochester back in October 2017!  Can you say proud Dad?
 

APPLES!

Neighbor Dan let us know that they had picked all the apples they needed.  It's crazy that we've done this before, but going over there with 3 older kids and 3 dogs was somehow immensely easier than it was just a few years ago.  We managed to pick 6 bags of apples in just over an hour!  And yes, I know that is a picture of 5 bags, we already have one cut up on the counter.  All of these apples have been chopped, cooked and smooshed into applesauce! 

Don't you think you should come try some?  It's so yummy!  :)
 

Grandma Visit

 

We made a quick trip to Grandma Jane's.  Hailey and Grandma had a quick second to show how tall she is!  It's so hard to believe and I wonder when will she stop growing...  :)

For reference...   I mean, this was only 2 or 3 days ago?  :-D

Cabin Weekend

Back in August we got the chance to go on a little vacation to a cabin on Rush Lake here in Minnesota.  We had such a great time.  Good food, board games, swimming and boating.  We didn’t need anything else!

Sunset views!

Jazzy gearing up to jump on the mat!

Swimming puppy!  Jazzy just loved the water!

The cabin had a splash pad we can roll out on the lake.  The kids and dogs, especially Jazzy, all had a blast playing on it!

Bo and Mimi spending some time fishing off the dock.

Lazy daddy, lazy Jazzy.

Happy Pippi!

Happy Mimi!

Tired Pippi!

Tired Jazzy!

Bo Jazzled

Bo and Jazzy both think she is still a lap dog.  Here they are trying to prove me wrong! 

 

Jasmine Fenner

I’d like to welcome the newest member of the family!  Jasmine (a.k.a. Jazzy) joined us when she was 7 weeks old back in June.  She has grown so big already it’s weird to think about life when we didn’t have her around.

Here are a few older ones from the day we picked her up.

I am Jazzy.  Hear me roar!

Never mind, I’m tired!

Jazzy and Mimi playing a little tug!

Gosh darn it...  tired again!

 

Nutcrackers 2019

Introducing the 2019 Nutcracker lineup!  We've been adding a Nutcracker every hear for the last 8 years. But there's 9 Nutcrackers you say.  Yes, I know.  It's because last year we got a cat and dog Nutcracker.  :)

Amelia and Santa - Festival of Trees

Amelia is not quite ready to play her piano for the Festival of Tree goers.  So we took a break and  and said hi to Santa.  Her expression is hard to read, but I'm thinking she just asked for a unicorn for Christmas.  :-D

Festival of Trees - 2019

After our post-Thanksgiving digestion, the kids performed at the Festival of Trees at the Civic Center.  It's a really cool event and there are over 100 trees that are decorated by different organizations around town.  There is live music, a silent auction, Santa's workshop (where you can buy stuff) and free cookies!

Jenna's Piano Studio kids were on for an hour and here are Hailey and Bo playing their songs:

Hailey!

Bo!

Board Game Stuff

As you know, we love board games.  We have been playing a game called Cottage Garden.  It is super fun, but the best part is the rules have specific instructions on how to play with younger kids!  Mimi has been sooooo excited to play that we've played 4 times in the last few days.  We can't wait to play with YOU next!  :)

Birthday & Circus Italia

We rounded off our crazy week and weekend with a birthday party with our friend Mira and a surprise trip to see Circus Italia.  We were so tired I think everyone was in bed by 9 p.m.!  :)

Happy 7th birthday Mira!

Ready for the show!

The stage, which also lifted up and there was water falls and fountains setup underneath.  Super cool!

Hailey's D2 Certification

After the play last weekend, Hailey had to 'pony up' and do her D2 certification for Pony Club!  Grandma Jane, Amelia and I watched as she rode her favorite horse Donald.

Getting ready to enter the arena!

Hello Donald.

Ready to ride!

Nearly done.  Still smiling!

There were 3 others who were doing varying certifications.  They all passed!  Congratulations!

Jack and the Beanstalk

This past week, the kids were in their third performance through the theater company Prairie Fire Childrens Theatre company.  This group is simply amazing.  They come in on Monday and leave on Saturday.  Monday evening from 4-8 they have 60 or so kids audition and assign roles as well as practice their first scenes.  Tuesday they break into smaller groups to learn songs and dances.  Wednesday from 4-8 they practice.  Thursday they run through the entire play 2 times.  Friday they have a dress rehearsal as well as their first performance.  Saturday, they have their last performance before leaving town.

The story and lines are always so well written for kids.  But holy cow to corral all of these kids for an entire week.  It is pretty awesome.

Anyway, onto the show!

Here is Bo sporting his mow-hawk as one of the Carnies in the show.

Hailey played the role of Toucan.  She was the ambassador of Featherville!

All of the cast.

Just Bo and the rest of the Carnies.

Hailey and the residents of Featherville!

Showing for the camera afterwords.

Proud of you Bo!

Proud of you Hailey!

Roca

We visited the indoor climbing facility here in town.  The kids spent about 2 hours climbing.  Wow were they tired!!

Hailey and Bo waaaaay up there.

Hailey has a little advantage because she's so tall.  See her all stretched out there?

Kids Bowl Free

We signed up for Kids Bowl Free this summer.  We have done so previously and only used it once.  But we've been trying to get out there more this year and the kids are really having fun!

Almost a 200 for me!  :)

Minocqua 2019

I will throw out a few more Minocqua pictures, but I think nothing captures the time up there better than this one!  All three kids fishing off the dock at sunset right after a storm rolled through.

 This one looks happy, but we're all actually sad our week is over!

 A hot week meant a lot of time swimming.

One of the things I have always wanted to get away from the camp site to do is take everyone mini golfing.  Well, this year we did it!  It was hot, but so fun!

I landed an 18" bass!  Kissed him and sent him back.  :)

Grandma Jane teaching the kids how to get their bait caught in the lily pads.  I'm not impressed.

We found a rope swing while we were out and took advantage!  Go Bo!

Big Mason.  Little Mason?

The crew with all of our new camp shirts!

Of course we got in some gaming too!