Memorial Day Part One - Rib Mountain

Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend was a beautiful day.  We didn't have any plans made, but I wanted/needed to get out of the house, Andy wanted to do yard work and do more unpacking.  The pastor of our church suggested a hike on Rib Mountain.  So, we took his advice, took a little hike on Rib Mountain, then came home and did a little work around the house.

Check out this website for more information about Rib Mountain.  Here is an excerpt:

"Rib Mountain is well known in Marathon County and Wausau. It's really a 4 mile ridge, one of the highest "mountains" in Wisconsin at 1,924ft. It is one of three adjacent hills, Mosinee and Hardwood the other two close by. It is not a volcanic formation. It is quartzite, hardened by heat and pressure from sandstone, we commonly call granite. Getting close to a lot of this granite can be done most easily by visiting Rib Mountain State Park. The formations are fascinating."

Rosie looking at the map, planning our hike

Andy and Rose posing in front of the Queens Chair

If you can't read it, this sign reads, "Highest Point, Elev. 1,940 ft"

"This sign is marks Rib Mountain's highest point at 1,940 ft. above sea level. Actually, scientists assign a height of 1,924 ft., but somewhere along the line someone of influence measured to the top of this granite formation to come up with 1,940 ft."  - from  www.wisconsincentral.net/Land082108.html

This sign reads Rib Mountain is One of the Highest elevations in Wisconsin, I've been told its the 2nd highest elevation in Wisconsin, right here in my new city.

View from the observation tower we climbed, so we could see above the tree line.  Downtown Wausau and surrounding countryside.

Day Trip to Madison, WI

Before Kevin headed home to Portland, we did a day trip to Madison, WI.  Didn't really have a plan before we went.  Just thought we would find the downtown and head over the the University.  We spent the majority of the afternoon on State Street, over by the University and the Capital Building.  We went out for lunch to a WONDERFUL Afghanistan Restaurant, (not a whole lot of ethnic restaurants in Wausau), then Kevin wondered on his own for a while (that's what he wanted to do) and Andy, Rose, and I wondered to the Capital Building.  We ended our day with a trip to Trader Joe's, there is ONLY ONE store in the whole state, and its in Madison.  It was a great day and hope to visit Madison again, soon.

Rosie and Kevin, on the bike rack

Kevin, Andy, and Rosie walking down State Street

Andy at the Capital Building, on the Observation Deck

Renee and Rosie on the Observation Deck at the Capital Building

A trip to Trader Joe's.  Rosie is pushing our very important groceries - wine and beer.  

Thankful Thursday

Thanks be to God for.....

1. Not feeling like I don't fit in.  We got free tickets to a Wausau Woodchucks baseball game, it was a great night with a large group of people.  The men watched baseball and drank beer, the ladies chatted, and the kids played.  It was the first night that I didn't feel like an outsider.  Good times!
2. Great week with lots of activities.  
3. Plane tickets for a visit out west to Portland and Coeur d'Alene.
4. My wonderful husband who works so hard.  I really appreciate him.  He makes me proud.

Thank you Jesus for a great week and all your blessings!

Kevin & Rosie

We flew Kevin out for a visit to Wisconsin May 14-19, 2009.  He was a GREAT help with moving, as that is the weekend we moved from our rental to our new house.  We all had a good visit with Kevin but Rosie especially had a great time with Kevin.  They went exploring in the woods behind us, played with Henry, and played on the swing set.  Here are some pictures from eating out at the Wausau Mine Company and watching TV.

Mother's Day - Marigolds

Mother's Day 2009 started off a little rocky this year.  I think it was because my mom had just left back to Idaho the day before and I was going to be lonely again.  Unfortunately, we didn't make it to church in the morning because we couldn't get up and out the door in time.  We did leave the house a little late and try to make it to church, but realized halfway to church we forgot extra pull-ups and wipes for Rosie, and she just pooped her pants.  So we headed home.  The day was not lost. We had a good breakfast, loaded the car up with stuff to move to the new house, and planted Marigolds.  Rose has been watching a TV show on Noggin called Max & Ruby.  In one episode, Ruby planted Marigolds.  So, for Mother's Day, Rose and I planted Marigolds.

Rosie with the Marigold seeds.

"I'm ready to plant Marigolds, Mommy"

Planting the seeds in the dirt

Covering all the seeds up with dirt

Watering the newly planted Marigolds with our new watering can

Happy Mother's Day!

Thankful Thursday

I friend of mine does this on her blog, and I thought it was a great idea, so thought I would give it a shot.  My goal is to share what I am thankful for on Thursdays.

I woke up this morning with the intention of posting a Thankful Thursday.  As I opened my daily devotional, this was this mornings topic, "Decide to be Positive"  Here is what todays devotional stated, quoted from Joyce Meyer,  Starting Your Day Right Devotions

"Negative people don't enjoy life.  Viewing each day with positive expectations is one of the key principles to godly happiness.

We act on what we believe, so positive thoughts cause positive actions.  If you want a positive live, begin thinking positive thoughts. It is easy to do so if you read the Word and meditate on all that God wants to do for you and through you. Get alone today, and think about all the good, positive things God has done for you in the past, and all He has planned for you in the future."

I wanted to share this because I thought it was appropriate thing to start my day with especially with starting Thankful Thursdays.

Thanks be to God for.....

1. The house that God has provided for us.  (I really like my new house)
2. Warm weather to go outside and play.
3. Time to be home with my daughter.
4. My husband, who is so gracious and kind in all my craziness.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Visit with Grandma Ellie and Papa Ron

Grandma Ellie and Papa Ron came out for a visit to Wausau, WI, the end of April, beginning of May. While they were here, we visited the Mall of America, Andy and I closed on the house we purchased, saw the local sights, visited a dairy, went to the Geological Marker, and Dad and Andy worked on the new house a little - patching holes from previous pictures and installing a garbage disposal.  Also, Dad wired up Rosie's new play room.  It was so good to have them here, wish they didn't have to go back to Idaho.

Rosie and Papa Ron playing with Legos at the Lego store in Mall of America

Photo opp with Dora and Boots

Hang on Grandma Ellie

Sponge Bob hats

Old Time photos

Old Time photos.  Rose LOVED her dress and feather in her hair, she didn't want to take it off when we were done with the photos.  She also kept saying she was so beautiful.  It was too cute!

At the Carnival of the Animals.  Rosie made a tie for Daddy.  Andy is showing it off.  Elliot Gould was in town for the Carnival of the Animals.  We saw him at the Downtown Groceries in Downtown Wausau.  

Cows at the dairy farm.  They milk 3000 cows three times per day.  That is A LOT of milk.

The Geological Marker.  Here is what the geological marker reads: 

This spot in Section 14, in the Town of Rietbrock, Marathon County is the exact center of the Northern Half of the Western Hemisphere.  It is here that the 90th Meridian of Longtitude bisects the 45th Parallel of Latitude, meaning it is exactly halfway between the North Pole and the Equator, and is a quarter of the way around the earth from Greenwich, England.

I call these the "Oreo Cows".  I've NEVER seen cows like this before.  These cows are from a farm next to the freeway as we head west from Wausau, WI to Minneapolis, MN

We had a GREAT time with my folks here.  I just hope next time they come out, its when it is warm and there are leaves on the trees.  It is amazing to see here in spring.  When my parents arrived there were no leaves on the trees and by the time they left 10 days later, the trees had leaves and the grass what turning green.  

I hope to be posting more about what we have been doing this May soon.  Happy Reading!