Thanksgiving 2008

Meg's whole family including grandparents, uncle, aunt, cousin + boyfriend, sisters and son-in-laws (Josh, you're in no matter what Joe says) and my whole family including parents, bro, sister, husband, and niece & nephew (aka "the shorties") all got together in Libertyville. One turkey was baked, one smoked and ours was fried.




Nancy had her doubts, but she forgot Megan has perfect form when squatting.... even squatting while dipping a 15 pound bird in the deep fryer.

Joe stood by to protect his investments.... His home and his daughter.

We finished the night with Rockband. Our band was almost as large as Parliment with George Clinton.

Cole kicked it on the drums. The crazy thing is he finished with a score of 22%, beating out Joe's score of 19%.

Behind Enemy Lines

Bears vs. Packers Part I
My bro came up to Cheeseland and we headed to Green Bay to tailgate for the game. It was very cold, so we met some nice ladies to keep us warm at "The Bar" right across the street from Lambeau Field.

We all wore our Bears gear (Goose had her hankie made by Grandma Nancy, aka Fancy). I have to say the Green Bay fans were very cool and we hung out with several of them, drinking Wisconsin's finest.

Unfortunately the Bears got spanked. Fortunately we were not sore losers.

St. Paul, Minnesota

November 8th
Meg's birthday present was what she had been saying for a while. "I want to go see Prairie Home Companion live before Garrison Keillor dies." No offense Garrison. Your fellow English Major loves you. It was an enlightening and satisfying evening (I'm a Biology major). As we were walking up to the Fitzgerald Theater, Garrison was in the street, on his cell phone.

Note the audience members on stage and on the front porch of the home. Mickey's Diner, where Garrison hangs out when his wife is out of town is two blocks away.

Wisconsin Autumn

October & November 2008

We were blessed with unseasonably warm weather beyond Election Day, and enjoyed it fully. Here is a shot of the sunrise at the boat launch at the middle of our morning walk with Goose.

We went to Washington Island for our anniversary. This is Jackson Harbor. Natural and minimally inhabited at this time of year.

Old tractors and farm animals are everywhere.

Biking down a country road on Washington Island contemplating real estate.

We just made our ferry back to the mainland, literally. That gate should be vertical. We then sailed through the passage called "Death's Door."

Golden Eagle eating a squirrel off the side of the road. One less squirrel for Goose to chase. She was sad.

Canoe Weekend

October 11, 2008

Miss & Bob came up this weekend with cousin Chuck. The pictures tell the story......

Potter Party

October 2, 2008


The Potter & Isaak crew (minus one Canadian) arrived on Thursday night after a long drive from the Mitten, through Aurora, to the Dairyland. We took the shorties out on the canoe in slightly oversized life vests. They paddled with their hands and played with sand from the lake floor.

On Saturday we hiked at Hartman Creek State Park... Goose showed her cousin Gracie all the deer and squirrel spots, and we searched for signs of animals. No scat on the trail, but we did find grass laid down from deer.

This Pitbull does not wear lipstick. Gracie rocks pontoons and eats Democrats.

Captain Cole at the helm!!! Look out!!!


Lt. Liner at the helm!!! Look out again!!!

Uncle Jon caught a bass. We thought it was just stuck in weeds.

We celebrated Cole's 4th birthday later that night with a bonfire, BBQ, and cake.

We finished the night with a nice story and roughed it with some camping.

Groners to the Northwoods

September 26, 2008


Joe and Nancy came up and braved the North without newspaper delivery and internet (just a couple of days too early).

Good times on the water and at The Wheelhouse for pizza and beers. We kept the fish safe (by not catching any) and captain Nancy navigated us through any turbulence we encountered with a flair unable to be taught by TWA.

We finished our weekend at Miller Park to watch the Brewers make it into the playoffs, and the Cubs get lose their last regular game of the season. I forgot my camera so here are lame images off the internet. It was an awesome game, and we had a great time.