Good To Be Home

After 6 days away it was great to have the kids back home. Audra gives me a cheesy smile while Buzz Grady Lightyear hangs out.
Looks like Buzz is now Woody.
Momma and Grady help Audra ride the zebra.

Happy Retirement Grandpa(s)

This past month we have seen both of our Dads (Grandpas) retire. Unfortunately we weren't able to attend Grandpa Randy's Dinner due to Audra's surgery. But as you can see from this https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZMsZ3Tth8GXw_aYM6CeURKJf2Wy4O5H1KdIUFy1BOVXgGVzeAPmdfFtJfz6wmLzz-mG5aL_z926rg0vKFBiYH1HfhKSM-v4Rq724EFJkY4QeeUyi9RicG02zzDuQaXJqEPgVaBWTfTk/s1600/Randy%2526Audra-RETIRED.JPG
he is enjoying his retirement.

Grandpa Gary retires after 42 years at Alliant Energy/Wisconsin Power and Light. The Tribute Video
The Roast Begins
Grady gets the best seat in the house.
Family and Friends
Cousin Luke isn't growing a goatee but did get stitches in his chin.
Dad's sister Shari sharing stories from Garhardt's childhood.

Garage Sale

Meanwhile back at home Ryan was continuing to get ready for our first family garage sale...

Kids and Adults Clothes, Toys, Bedding, Pet Supplies, Bouncers, Games, and a whole lotta other stuff.

The sale was on July 8th and 9th and went fairly well. If anyone is looking for a double stroller or a glider rocker with ottoman, let us know we also still have lots of kids clothes. So while the family was up North, my fourth consisted of the neighbors display. It was quite the display by the way.

4th of July in Mercer

Getting ready for the Fourth of July Parade (or Candy-Fest) in Mercer
Grady says "cheese!"
Chef Al instructs how to fry fish. We were all very amused with the chef hat and coat!
Auntie Ashley pours the wine.
The crowd gathers round for culinary instruction.
We all enjoyed spending time swimming in the lake. Grady loved jumping off the end of the dock. He even tried the "taco" and "popper" this year.
The kids loved playing on the dock and in the sand too.
Boat ride!
Grandma Barb instructs Audra on proper jumping off the dock technique for next summer.
Grady's first fireworks show. Mary Schott said, "I've never seen a child that excited for fireworks." During the fireworks, Grady danced around and said "bam, bam, bam."
Brooks is all ready for the Fourth of July with a little help from Allie and Cam.
I had so much fun; I'm this tired. Grady fell asleep at 5:30 one evening and slept through the night.

Back To School

Three weeks ago, I was able to attend a workshop through the Madison School District with two of my colleagues from Watertown. Kelly Gallagher, a teacher leader in literacy, presented to over 100 teachers. He had so many great ideas for improving the classroom in regards to writing and reading instruction. We are very inspired to improve our instruction for the coming school year.

From left to right: Myself, Kelly Gallgaher, Tressa Smail, and Angie Richter

Guess who I ran into while I was on campus? Bucky Badger! Lucky me!

Crew Comes Back at Target Field

On Saturday my Cousin Dave and I did a road trip to the Twin Cities to check out the Twins ballpark Target Field.
Target Field is in it's 2nd season and is about 250 times better than the Metrodome.
World Series Championship banners on display.
Kirby is to the Twins as Robin is for the Brewers.
When visiting a new ballpark it is always nice to arrive early. You get the chance to check out the entire park and watch your team take BP.
The Twins Minnie and Paul logo in deep center.
Hitting Coach, Former Interim Mgr. and Player Dale Sveum throws BP.
Rickie Weeks in the cage. Weeks is one of a trio of Brewers voted starters in this year's All-Star game. It is the first time the Brewers have had 3 starters. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun are the others.
My Cousin Dave and me. Dave has been to over 15 ballparks including; Seattle, Kansas City and Boston. About 8 years ago Dave, Chris Rear and I road tripped to Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Detroit. I am looking forward to catching a few more in the years to come.
Our view from the Legends Club. Thanks to a former colleague Seth for sharing his family tickets with us.
2nd leading All-Star vote getter in the National League (Braun got the most overall) Prince Fielder connects for a double.
Nyer Morgan was the player of the game on Saturday he had 3 hits (Homerun, Triple, Double) and 4 RBI, while driving in the tying runs and scoring the winning run. And it was his birthday.
Happy Birthday Tony Plush
Target Field and PNC Park in Pittsburgh are on the top of my ballpark rankings list. The Nationals Park in D.C. would be a close 3. The Ballpark at Arlington home of the Rangers would be next followed by Comerica home of the Tigers and Jacobs Field home of the Indians. I have also been to Coors Field in Denver and Chase Field in Phoenix but can't add them to the list since it wasn't during a game.
The attendance wasn't the only record this night. The Brewers had their largest comeback on the road since 1983. The Brewers were losing 7-0 after 4 innings. They closed the 8 run comeback with 4 runs in the 9th, final score 8-7.

The Kid's Adventures

Our old friend John stopped by the other day and it just happened that he and Grady have the same taste in shorts.
Grandpa Gary and Grandma Joan also stopped in. Grandpa showed Grady how to draw a horse.
Drawing horses can really tire a 2 1/2 year old out.
Breakfast with Dad. Maybe I shouldn't let Grady pour his own cereal just yet.
I am pretty sure Mom doesn't approve of this. But when you want a chocolate milk, you want it now.
See, everyone is drinking it.
Backyard Pool Time
Yep, he was looking to give his sister a little "help" getting out of the pool.
Cannon Ball!!!
And this brings us up to the 4th of July weekend. The freshly retired Grandpa Randy takes a break with Audra up at Big Bear Lodge in Mercer. The kids and Hillary are up there for the weekend/week. Meanwhile I am working all week. Look for more Big Bear Lodge and Mercer pics in a later blog.