Globetrotters Come to Town

Thursday night we took a family trip to the Alliant Energy Center to see the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. It would Grady and Audra's first time. Ryan can remember going with his parents and sister when he was 5.

Get Your Popcorn Ready!

One handful at a time, Champ.

30 + years ago Ryan came to the same arena to see the Globetrotters.

The kids got a kick out of the music and crazy hijinx.

The star of the current Globetrotter squad, Big Easy has also been on two seasons of the Amazing Race.

Big Easy taking a break.

Big Easy dancing with a fan.

We had a great time and would recommend a night with the Globetrotters to any family.
One drawback, I can't stop whistling their theme song.

Holiday Deer Hunt

The view from where we hunt near Plain WI.
On the day after Christmas Hillary and the kids headed North to Mercer with her family. Unfortunately I have to work all week, but I did have Monday off and got a chance to go hunting with my Dad and Rick.

Dad and Rick hanging out in the truck between drives. I took this picture because it reminded me of a truck commercial.

Keeping a watchful eye for the mighty whitetail. It would prove to be a productive hunt. In total we saw 14 deer that day. I was fortunate enough to shoot a decent size deer around 11:30am. I thought it was a doe. It turns out it was buck that had already shed it's antlers.

This is what it would have looked like.
Actually this was a painting my Grandpa Lobenstein had in his basement and he passed it on to my Dad.

Later that day on the way home I saw 14 deer in a field near Spring Green.

Not a one had horns, maybe they are all shedding early.

This is near Hwy 23 and Cty Rd T.

Dodgeville Christmas

Stop number 3 on the Holiday tour was Dodgeville at Grandpa and Grandma Lobenstein's house.

The weather wasn't the norm for late December in WI. So the boys went outside to burn off some excess energy while waiting to open presents.

The dogs and the boys exploring the front yard wilderness.

Grady got to see his buddy Henry from Green Bay who was in Dodgeville visiting his Grandparents.

Henry his Dad Neil, Ryan and Grady pose for a picture. Our apologies to the Oelklaus family for interrupting Christmas festivities with our visit. Especially when Grady had a melt down over not wanting to leave.

The Christmas tree where Santa made yet another visit. Not sure how he feels about the deer watching the tree.

Rocking Santa was a busy guy because Audra played him over and over singing and clapping each time.

The kids get a little help from mom with this gift.

The boys going to town on presents.

Grandpa giving Luke some help opening a gift.

Audra was very excited for this present...

Grandpa helps her to open her very own truck with a pink motorcycle.

Grandma and Aunt Michelle

Cheesy Cousin Luke poses for a picture.

Audra got a hair dryer for Christmas. So of course she got to work on the dogs.

Audra hanging out with her buddies Bailey, Murphy, and Duffy and Gracie.

Sun Prairie Christmas

Christmas Morning we woke up to find Santa had come. Everyone had gifts. Grady is helping to open one of Brooks gifts.

Audra is getting the paper tearing down.

Grady has grown fond of the Peanuts Characters, hence the snoopy coloring book.

Hillary is ready for the Rose Bowl with this gift from the kids.

Watertown Christmas

Our first stop on the 2011 Christmas Tour was Watertown for the Phelps family Christmas.

Friday night we opened some gifts with Uncle Trevor, Aunt Ashley, Grandma and Grandpa Phelps.

Audra loves brushing her teeth and now she has her very own electric toothbrush.

Audra and her buddy Elmo

Grady's favorite gift of the night a train from Uncle Trevor. Not just any train but a Japanese Shinkansen High Speed Bullet Train.

Aunt Ashley shows off Grady's new Buzz Lightyear shirt.

Uncle Trevor about to Rock Out with his new Guitar T-Shirt from Grady and Audra. (Picked out by Ryan)

Grandpa Randy and Brooks awaiting their turns.

Grandma Barb's new Badger sweatshirt.

Audra is enthusiastic when it comes to Oral Hygiene!

Grady proudly shows off his Ketchup gift.

Brooks got a new tail for Christmas

Baby and Momma Audra going for a stroll with her new ride.

Audra spent more time in her baby chair these days than she did the entire time she was a baby.

Santa's littlest helper arrives.

Let me help you "pick" your present.

Santa and his biggest helpers.

Santa's Elves look a lot like Uncle Trevor and a Frederick's of Hollywood catalog member.

The newest elf Scott with Kristen, but where is the mistletoe?

Christmas is a bit like Halloween in Watertown.

Audra's way of seeing is something is real is to poke it in the eye. Santa/Daddy is no different.