Pulley Weekend!

Dan, Kaitlyn, Will, Aubrey, Grandma & Grandpa came up for a visit this weekend!

On Saturday we went to the Zoo Spooktacular. The weather ended up being nice.

  The kids dressed up and there was a lot to see besides the animals.

 We enjoyed spending time and playing together! Aubrey is a precious little baby doll whom Abigail loves to dote on. Will gives the best hugs and can say 'Abigail' and 'Rio' quite clearly.

When the little ones hold hands or hug, 'it's so cute, it's scary!'

Fall Drive & Scenic Towers

Basilica at Holy Hill, Hubertus, WI

This picture captures the tip of the tall tower but distorts the scale.

Ah, yes. Down in front of it, you can't capture it all. Reminds me of Notre Dame. In fact, I dug out my old picture from 2009:

Haha, I couldn't get it all in so I decided to just go with the top!

 The total climb in the Notre Dame Cathedral (which we did) was 387 steps. The basilica scenic tower was 178 steps, but the basilica itself is on top of a hill and once you reach the top you get a breathtaking panorama of the Kettle Moraine area.

It was fun to take the kids on the climb and all see the sights!

It was windy, but there were corners where the wind couldn't reach.

 Walking down the the narrow stairs in the tower to lunch.

 Rio joined us for lunch.

We followed the Kettle Moraine Scenic Route to Parnell Tower, Plymouth, WI

This tower was just a stair climb, but Stacy, Sarah, Matt, Gma Linda and children met us there, and all the brave little children made it to the top!

at first of three platforms

the view

The trail had some structures to play in.

Someone found a really big stick; I'm not sure who had it first.

Abigail made a leaf bouquet.

QC: Pumpkins, Birthdays, Baptism!

"How Tall This Fall?" Almost 4 feet! 

Shady Knoll was the cutest pumpkin patch! Lots of photo op spots.

Grandpa Bruce helps pick out pumpkins.

 Loading up the wagon...

Sorry...not taking the giant this year!

Nathan, Kinsey, Kayla, Aubrey, Kailyn, Lydia, Abigail, Jacob, Will
Most of the grandchildren were there to celebrate birthdays.

Happy Birthday to Bruce, Kaitlyn & Jan!!

Autumn Beauties

A joy to see Aubrey Lu baptized!

October

What our walks look like sometimes!
Abigail always tires out before Rio.

And sometimes they look like this now that Rio's fully vaccinated!

Seeing the Festival City Symphony at the "fancy" Pabst Theater!
"Symphony Sundays"--Classical Music for All Ages, "Music for the Birds"
I love that we felt welcome to bring the whole family and could introduce the girls to live classical music.
They had pre-concert Children's Program Notes for what we were about to hear:
Overture to Die Fledermaus, The Birds, Overture to The Thievish Magpie, Swan Lake
There was an intermission, and then we made it half-way through Swan Lake before Abigail just got too antsy. 

A fun trip to the zoo in the fall. Little Baby doesn't get left out of the family picture ;)

Awe's Apple Orchard in Franklin has yummy apple cider donuts!