Thanksgiving in Connecticut

This year we were able to take the whole week of Thanksgiving off and travel east to Connecticut via the Jetta Sportwagon. It was just our luck that Andrew and Will were spending the entire week with Pam and George, as well, during their school break. We had lots of fun adventures together. We captured a few of them in pictures below.

Andrew and Uncle Jon at the dog park.

Werner traveled with us and we took advantage of the wonderful dog park, Spencer's Run, in Waveny Park several times during the week. The video clip below shows the whole crew entering the dog park.

Werner taking Andrew on a walk after the Thanksgiving parade in Stamford, CT.


Another highlight of the week was going to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Train Show. There are model buildings and city structures made totally from organic materials.


Uncle Jon and Will pose next to Yankee Stadium.


A biodegradable version of the Statue of Liberty. Everything was done with amazing detail.

We also built a fort near the stream in Pam and George's back yard using fallen logs, an old tarp, and a scrap of plywood. It has a special paint can bathroom, treasure tree, and log seating for 4. We were too busy playing and building to take any pictures. I'll have to take some next time we visit.

Pete, Sarah, and George Thomas joined us for Thanksgiving dinner along with Alice Byrd. We had a wonderful meal and conversation catching up with everyone.

Uncle Jon and George Thomas hanging out on the couch after Thanksgiving dinner.

Lake Monona - Madison, WI

We made the 2 hour drive up to Madison, WI for the weekend to visit a ski patrol friend's open house at a new condo he purchased near downtown. It also happened to be the last weekend for the Madison Farmers Market to be outside around the Capitol Square.

We took Werner for a walk and swim in Lake Monona which borders the city.

Werner drying off in the sun on the dock with Jonathan.

Our best attempt at a group shot with the timer on the camera.

Werner and me on the shore of Lake Monona.

Fun with the Gray's

We headed over to Iowa for another weekend at the farm and fun with the Gray family. Vivi, Susie's niece, was celebrating her 3rd birthday that weekend and we joined them up in Cedar Falls for the party and backyard cookout.

Presents for horsing around....Susie found the pink boots with horses on them at the State Fair and I found the pink hat in Texas during our trip to Thea's wedding. What fun!

Vivi wasn't too sure about the hat so Aunt Susie demonstrated how to wear it.

She had it all figured out by the next day at the farm.

In our hats, ready to ride.

Vivi and Jonathan saddled up and ready to go.

We headed out down the hill. Werner came too, but not for long....

....getting into trouble with Monroe (Robin Gray's dog) was much more fun.

We didn't let this go on very long, just enough to capture it on film.

What a pair?!? Werner 3 months, Monroe 9 months.

It helped us realize how big Werner could get to be. Yikes!

Thea and Toby's wedding

Jonathan, Werner, and I all loaded in the Jetta and headed south to Fredricksburg, Texas for Thea and Toby's wedding on Sept. 5th. As maid of honor I didn't have the opportunity to take any photos, but was able to borrow this nice shot from some friends. It was a joyous occasion in a beautiful location. I'm so glad that I was able to be a part of the ceremony and celebration. Congratulations go out to Thea and Toby!

Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy

Mississippi River Island Camping

Ever since our first jet ski camping experience this summer we had been wanting to get lots of people together to do a Mississippi River Island Camping weekend. The dates finally worked out in late August. Jonathan and I started a day early and hauled all of the gear out to the island via jet skis, kayak, and "jon boat barge." It was hard work, but well worth it to have it set up early.

Part of our spread included a campfire pit and covered cooking area.

Because there were so many of us we even added a private changing/bathroom tent....

....complete with a luggable loo toilet. I know that a five gallon bucket toilet probably doesn't sound that great, but then maybe you've never tried to squat in the woods before. This was pretty posh. One might even say we were "glamping" instead of camping.

We went kayaking. Susie and Jon Dyck paddled over from the marina in Bellevue, Iowa

We also did some jet skiing and water skiing. Susie towing me (Emily) behind one of the jet skis using a booster ball to keep the rope up out of the water and prevent drag. It was my first time trying this and it was a blast. Can't wait for summer to come so I can try this again!

Jon suited up for jet skiing. He got up extra early and jet skied at sunrise - one of it's prettiest times to be out on the river.

Jen and Erin, some of my co-workers from Taft, also joined us for a night. We picked them up via jet ski at Ferry Landing in Galena, IL. They had all their gear loaded into hiking backpacks which worked great for the jet ski ride.

Werner spent the weekend camping with us too. He loves to ride on our laps on the jet skis. It was his first experience with sand....it got up his nose and made him sneeze. He spent most of the time digging in the sand and harassing two little boys that were trying to fish. He kept sneaking up and taking there cup of bait.....it was pretty funny even though the boys were somewhat distressed about it.

Werner catching some ZZZ's after a swim. I think we all felt like this by the time Sunday rolled around. It was a great weekend that we hope to repeat several times next summer. Stay tuned for an email with upcoming 2010 Island Camping dates.

Iowa State Fair 2009

We spent a day at the fair again this year. We were really hoping that Werner was going to be able to join us, but we found out at the gate that they don't let dogs in anymore even if they are only 9 weeks old, really cute, and on a leash the whole time.

So Werner hung out in the truck under a shade tree and enjoyed frequent visits from us throughout the day.

We still managed to have a good time giving out the champion ram trophy in memory of my Dad, catching up with old friends, and eating good food. We are holding Hot Beef Sundaes from the Beef tent.....yum! Always a favorite.

Susie and Jon Dyck joined us for walking around the fair. Susie is doctoring her walking taco in the pic above. Another state fair classic. Good times were had by all!

A new addition to the family!

In celebration of our first wedding anniversary we decided to get a black lab puppy. He is a purebred Labrador Retriever with hunting bloodlines. His registered name is Klein's Maximum Blue Werner (you have to make it long and fancy to fit in). He is only 9 weeks old and has been a great little guy to have around.

His first week with us and he is already happy hanging out in the bed of the truck.

He loves to scoot things around on the ground and hold things in his mouth. So far he has a very soft mouth and has not been destructive at all. We hope he keeps up this good behavior.

Yes! He is named "Werner" after our favorite brand of kayak paddles. We've always thought it would be a great name for a dog and it is really fun to see that idea come to fruition with our first puppy. He's a keeper!