Willis Tower

Lisa and I took Madita to Chicago as our birthday gift to her. @ Willis Tower

Christkindlmarket in Chicago

The Bean

Never even heard of this Bean thing until YaYa visited it for her birthday last month. @ Cloud Gate

Craft Time

Craft time

The Brewers Win their 82nd!

I took Junie, Madita, and LuLu to the Brewers game today. It was nice weather on the ground but cold and windy up in our seats, necessitating the purchase of a throw before the day ended early. Not the greatest game I ever saw, but there was a fantastic half inning that had Braun HBP to load the bases, a typical baseball almost- brawl, and then a go-ahead Grand Slam. I explained the game as best I could to Madita, but I feel she agrees with LuLu  that it's dull. Junie's Miller Park record remains unblemished, and the Crew secured a winning season with their 82nd win!

The BVCC Food Pantry Charity Walk

We completed the annual 3 mile walk to benefit the local food pantry, but with one casualty: somewhere along the route LuLu  was exposed to an allergen and broke out in horrible hives, bad enough to warrant an ER visit halfway through the event. She's alright, thank God. Other than that, a splendid morning.

For the life of me, I can't remember how to pronounce the exchange student's name, earning me lots of anger from the wife. Madita, mah-dee-ta. Why can't I remember that?

It's some sort of block...he's even written it on his hand and gotten it wrong..lol. - Lisa

Sounds accurate.

The exchange student and I were talking about how often her family travels to different countries.  She asked about my own travels. 

Me: We've all been to different countries. But traditionally,  the only way my family went overseas was when someone put them in a uniform and let other people shoot at them.

The First Day of the School Year (for the high school) and an end of summer celebration

Yesterday was the last day of summer here, with the two oldest returning to school today. The younger three and Madita spent the afternoon at the pool and the lake and then we treated everyone to Organ Piper Pizza before a last hour trip to Walmart.

Madita Arrives!

Madita, the exchange student from Germany, arrived Friday evening to great fanfare.