Montello

Had a great picnic Fall festival in Montello, WI. It is my cousin John and Becky's cottage on the lake where they have an aquaponic greenhouse. It was a great drive up there, the leaves on the trees are changing and it only took us a little over an hour and a half to get there.

John had 3 coin operated rides there, which was a hit for the kids. I think they were running pretty much all day and they even had to retrieve the quarters out of the rides a couple of times since the kids went through the container of quarters after the 1st couple of hours.

Then, there was the tour of the aquaponic greenhouse and the Tilapia fish that provide the nutrients for the plants- it was very interesting to learn all about this - All organic, self contained, and environmentally responsible! Interesting to learn they are teaching this to kids in school and also internationally.

There was "Bouila" cooking in a large pot- found out this is a Beligium tradition- cooking in a very large pot- basically it is chicken noodle soup- but I guess you shouldn't call it that. Fresh fish frying up, and of course all the food everyone brought.

Then they had the apple mashing with a contraption, that I guess has been in the family for over 100 years that was used to make fresh cider- Great Aunt Ethel- got to enjoy the first cup- as the tradition goes!

All in all, it was good to see family we haven't seen in awhile and the kids had a great time too!

The end of September?? Where did this month go?

I have been away from my blog too long!! I can't believe it is the end of September and already Fall, and we are almost at a new month!!!

Time has just slipped away, and things have been very hectic around here- to say the least!!

Well, we had a birthday boy at the beginning of the month- Owen turned 2 !!!!! I can not believe how fast the time has gone- our baby is 2!!!! Grandma and Grandpa Gus, along with Uncle John, came to visit over the weekend and help celebrated Owen's big day. He got to go shopping and pick out a toy and Owen's party was good fun! The theme was Cars- since Owen is now getting into Lightening McQueen and that great movie!!

We took the boys to Edwards Apple Orchard - a tradition we keep every year- and most likely, we will be back a couple more times this Fall season. The boys love it- and it was the first time Jake and Owen could play together in the house, maze, firetruck and train. We plan on going back and taking a hayride through the orchard in the next week.

Finally, Owen had his hernia surgery today and it went very well. It was outpatient- and he was great through the whole ordeal- He was even given a little fish from one of the Nurses, since he was so sweet with them, while they were checking his blood pressure, taking his temp, weighing, pulse ox and generally looking him over. He didn't cry, frown, and only looked at them quizically.... We did not understand this, since the very sight of the scale at his Pediatrician's office, he FREAKS!!! Maybe since he has no idea what was going to happen- he didn't know what to expect, he was his normal easy going self......

Here are some pics to enjoy- and check out-