Ice Skating

This was Rachael's 2nd trip ice skating. We went to a local rink since a day of rain has washed most of the ice and snow away. We were able to try out the skate guard that is used to teach kids. She seemed to like it and was able to get around with a little help from Daddy. 

Snow Cave

We built a snow cave in the giant pile of snow by the deck. Even Scout was able to get in and out. Too bad it started to rain.

  

Christmas

The clementine and chocolate milk shake must have worked because Santa left a dog swing for Good-Scout. Although we are informed that it is the wrong color. It was supposed to be white. Rachael received many gifts. Thank you to everyone! The big winners are the new stuffed puppy (named Chasta), the play christmas cake, and the Lincoln Logs. The rest of the day we spent together ending with a big Christmas dinner. Rachael ate olives, mashed potatoes, bread, and apple pie. She was not a fan of the butternut squash or the cornish hens. If it wasn't for hot dogs and Italian Volpi, she would be a vegetarian too.

Christmas Eve

We spent the day with friends. Thank you to Laura, Scott, and Nate for the wonderful brunch and gifts. I am wondering where our camera was all day while we were there. Rachael was pretty excited all day. Here she is leaving Santa and his reindeer snacks before bedtime. Santa got a clementine and a chocolate milk shake and the reindeer got oats. A little bribery never hurts. She is hoping to get a dog swing for Christmas. One that she can swing her stuffed puppy, Good-Scout, in.

First Ski Trip

Rachael had a Marvelous Day. Everyone slept well afterwards. Check out the video we made. 

Big Snow

We had our first really big snow of the year... YEAH! It took us all morning to shovel out of this one.

 

Sledding with Scout

Went to Pudding Hill before the rains really began and melted most of the snow away. Amazingly no one was hurt, not even Scout.

Dog Sledding

Joy of joys, Rachael and Daddy got to take a dog sled ride. Since Rachael loves 'pups' and is a pup herself and is in love with the movie 'Snow Buddies', this could not have been a better way to spend a Saturday morning. Followed by lunch at the Public Market. Yum.

  

Playdate with Dillan

We got to play with Dillan and his Mommy this morning. They always have such great craft ideas and love to sing and dance. We haven't seem them in a while, but spending time with them is always fun. Let's do it again soon.

 

Priorities

Rachael brought some of her work home from school. Just before Thanksgiving the class made Indian paper dolls of themselves. Each child chose 3 things that they were thankful for. All of the other kids in the class had either Mommy or Daddy in the number-one position. Rachael had ... Dogs. On election day they got to make signs supporting Cat or Dog. Everyone in the class made one and voted. When the votes were tallied Dog won by a landslide. Can you guess who Rachael voted for?

Oh Christmas Tree

It started flurrying this morning, perfect weather to pick out a Christmas Tree. Here are Rachael and Daddy with the tree we chose and Rachael putting the star on the top. All of Grandma Frenette's ornaments are on the top (away from Scout's tail). 

 

Last Day with Isabel ...

We spent the morning with Isabel and her family. Santa and Mrs. Claus were at the market. At first Rachael was very ready to talk to Santa, but she got a little nervous ...

The same store also had a mechanical horse to ride. At a penny a ride the price was right. They both rode several times each ...

We said our goodbyes then it was back in the car for the long trip home. Thank you for the wonderful visit! And if anyone is wondering where the pink elephant with glasses is, it is off I-90/94 in Deforest, WI. Visible from the highway.

More fun with Isabel ...

Isabel and Rachael got to play at open gym near Isabel's house. Burn off a little energy so the Mom's can nap after getting up so early for the Black Friday deals. Isabel's Mom is hard core. And of course any well organized photos you see of them together will be taken from their blogsite.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving with Isabel and her family. The long drive to their house was well worth it for the good company and food. Thank you so much for everything. 

First Snow

Snow! This morning we awoke to the year's first accumulating snowfall. We got about 3 inches. We made a snow slide down the deck stairs, a little snowman, and snow angels. Rachael likes it when I run her around the yard on the sled and Scout is a Frisbee maniac in the snow. Time for cocoa. 

 

Family Sunday

We've had a great day. Spent the morning at Pudding Hill. This is Rachael's name for the hill near our house, taken from the 'Little Bear' series. We walked and picked up sticks and pinecones. The mushy-lake is starting to freeze. Walnuts found nearby were thrown out. 

 

Even though the weather is getting colder, Rachael still loves going to the gelato shop. Here she is with two of her favorite flavors, Smurf & Nutella. Smurf tastes like cake icing and Nutella tastes like, well Nutella. We've learned to eat quickly. If Rachael finishes her gelato first your gelato is up for grabs.

After loading up on gelato it was off to the park near the lake. The edges were just starting to freeze and much time was spent throwing pieces of ice into the lake and watching them float away. Daddy was having as much fun as Rachael. No, he was not hurt.

My First Movie

The morning was spent trying to find some size 10 winter boots (can you believe how big she is getting). So, off to the mall we went. The highlight for Rachael besides running around was the motorcycle. Unfortunately no boots were found.

In the evening we headed to the movie theater for Rachael's first movie! We started out in 'Bolt', but left after the incredibly violent second scene. We ran out with eyes covered. Ended up in Madagascar 2. Still violent, but tolerable. What has happened to kids' movies? Rachael liked the jumbo popcorn and pink lemonade. Sugar high.

She also whistled tonight for the first time. Kind of surprised herself. But, she really was trying hard.

Gymnastics Fall Session Ends

Rachael enjoys her gym class every Friday. She's got great form in her handstands and is now able to ring the bells at the top of the spider web. Coach Tai handed out ribbons to everyone in the class for their efforts. TA-DA!

   

Mommy-Rachael Day

After a morning of errands we ended up at the park with Conner. Brr, was it cold! But, after 20 minutes of tag everyone was warm and sleepy. Nap time is Mommy relax time.

Rachael got a real treat this afternoon. She watched 'Tinkerbell' the movie with friends at a princess party. Even got to help make pizza. We had a fun time. Thank you Maggie and Layla.

Canoe Trip & The End of Fall

A little chilly, but it was warm in the sun. A great morning for a canoe trip, the last of the season. No fish were caught, but it was great to be outside.

 

Halloween Proper

Mommy-Rachael Day started with a Halloween parade at school. All the kids marched in their costumes. They all looked so cute. Staff on campus gave out candy. Rachael was so happy to see Daddy giving out candy. A party followed with all sorts of games and goodies. We barely made it home for naptime. Very sleepy in the car, but singing Ella Fitzgerald songs kept Rachael awake. 

 

Off to the park in the afternoon on the scooter with Good Scout. Beautiful sunset.

 

Isabel's Visit

Isabel had us over for swimming and dinner. Rachael learned how to swim on her back with her life jacket. She now likes to jump into the pool and swim to the other side. AGH! Mommy still helps. Here are the gals after their swim sipping smoothies. Wine for the Mommies. We were so happy to see you guys and will miss you much when you leave.

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat! What a day. Had lots of friends over; Isabel, Conner, Nate. Rachael was a puppy of course. Had to be all black, just like Scout. The pink doggy costume at the store was no good, so Mommy tried her hand at sewing. This is my first sewing creation (kinda tired since I am also a procrastinator). I am thinking that next year she can be a zebra or a cow, both require minimal alterations. We went to the Halloween Parade and got lots of candy from the people marching. Came home for supper, then it was back out for trick-or-treating. Rachael knows what she is doing out there. She knows there is limited time to get candy so she runs from house to house. Let me tell you it is kind of hard keeping up with a 3 year old on sugar in the dark. Not too many kids trick-or-treated at our house this year, only about 200 (400 last year).

  

 

Apple Picking

Rachael loves to go apple-pickin'. But, here is what happens when you wait until the end of the season to go. Only the highest apples were left. Thank goodness Rachael is a good climber and Daddy is so tall.

 

Dog House

Rachael is a puppy and this is her dog house. Night-night Rachael.

Play Group Goes to a Farm

Play group went to a farm this morning. The baby ducks were a big hit (although a bit stinky) and so was the pony ride. Lots of other animals were there including pigs, goats, cats, dogs, camels. The morning ended with a hayride around the farm and we got to pick out pumpkins. Looking forward to Halloween. And hoping the little girl pony thing does not catch on now.

 

Warm Day at the Park

Sometimes it is all about the gravel.