Final Farewell

With a lump in his throat, Ryan gave his final farewell to his boat last night. He caught many a fish and made some fine memories. Including, Madelyn taking her first boat ride when she was just a wee one and tubing for the first time when she was barely four years old.
However, considering he bought the boat eight years ago from his dad for $1400 and sold it for $2900 I'm not feeling too sorry for him. Inflation served him well!


The proud new owner is from Independence,KS. He owns and operates a white-tailed deer ranch so he and Ryan had plenty to discuss. He also raised five daughters. Can you imagine the fun he had? Me either....




With cash in hand I was anxiously anticipating how we could spend it. Of course my darling, practical husband is going to pay off his truck. Thank goodness he keeps me grounded and out of debt.

Reluctantly for Sale by Owner

I have finally convinced Ryan that we (me and Madelyn) need a boat that is big enough to pull a skier. It only took me a couple years, which all things considered I think is a fair amount of time. Ryan put his boat for sale on craigslist.com last night. However, don't feel too sorry for him because our compromise is a fish/ski combination boat. I want just a ski boat and he wants just a fishing boat, so I will bend a little and let him have his way. Since, he will be the one that has to do all the work to get the boat to and from the lake that is the least I could do.

If you know anyone that is looking for a great fishing boat please give them this information.

1992 Lowe fishing boat that would also make a duck hunter a great boat. 30 horse power Mariner motor that runs great, nearly 30 miles per hour. What I believe a 40 or 45 pound thrust trolling motor and newer deep cycle battery included. Has a large front deck with plenty of storage and automatic timed aerated live well. Two depth finders also included. This is a great versatile fishing boat from drifting for walleyes on a breezy day to crappie fishing in the shallows during the spring to working the banks for bass. The only reason I'm selling is because my wife and kid need a larger boat to ski behind.(Don't you love his last remark on the ad?)

Thankful

Thank heavens this lovely lady was born 59 years ago today!!





If it wasn't for her I wouldn't even exist and you all know how terrible that would be!

Happy Birthday Mom! You are the best! I hope you have had a Fantastic Day!! We love you!

Busy Week

I can always tell when school starts back up because our lives tend to get a tad bit busier.
Monday Ryan started back to work/school.
Tuesday evening we had meet the teacher night at Madelyn's school and then Ryan had to go to the highschool for meet the teacher night.
Wednesday Madelyn had her first day of first grade. I thought I would be just fine since it wasn't too much different than starting kindergarten but I still managed to tear up when she walked into her room without looking back to see if I was still there. I think every year will just get harder for me because I know she is that much closer to leaving home (even though she promised us she would live with us forever). That evening Madelyn had soccer practice.

Madelyn changed from her first outfit because her dad thought the shirt was too short. It didn't pass the hands above your head test.

Thursday evening we went over to one of the HS secretaries house to disassemble a trampoline and then once we got it home, Ryan reassembled it.


Friday evening Madelyn had soccer practice and the Lincoln Elementary back to school swim party. Afterwards we went to some friends' house for beverages and stayed up much too late.
Saturday Madelyn had her first soccer game of the season at 8:00am.



Madelyn is on one of the 4-6 year old team and she is a head taller than most of the other kids.

The rest of the Saturday we spent at home and I managed to get in two naps. That evening we hired a babysitter for Madelyn and went to see the movie Hang Over with our the Terrys'. It was a hilarious flick.

And now it is Sunday and we are about to start this madness all over again!

Summer Ends Vacation

The last week/end before Ryan and Madelyn headed back to school was spent in Chicago with Ryan's family. We had a great time visiting with Ryan's aunt and cousins and taking in all the sites. We hadn't been to Chicago in eight years, thus not seeing a majority of Ryan's family (The Muhlig side) for that amount of time. It was long overdue. We spent four nights with Ryan's fabulous Aunt Mary and had a chance to see all six of his cousins and their families while we were there. The Rollins' are a very large but close knit family that get together almost every Sunday for dinner. They love to have a good time and it was obvious how much they adored one another.



Madelyn was super excited about going on her first "jetplane" ride.


Madelyn adores Aunt Mary, just like the rest of us.


We took the Metra in to downtown Chicago two days. It was about an hour each trip, depending on how many stops it made.


We did TONS of walking in Chicago. The two little (85lbs and 58lbs) people took advantage of piggy back rides as often as possible.


A quick stop at Buckingham Fountain.


We spent several hours at the Shedd Aquarium.


We took a water taxi to the Pier.


Madelyn enjoyed a carousel ride at the Pier.



We stopped for a few pictures on the Pier.


My SIL, BIL and nephews relaxed while we waited in the train station. I chose to relax with a beer.


We visited the Field Museum where Madelyn loved the hands on kids zone.


We had dinner with a handful of Ryan's cousins.


Madelyn had fun playing with the cousin's kids...would that make them Ryan's twice removed and Madelyn's third removed cousins??





But most of all we enjoyed quality family time and I'm happy to report that we are all still on speaking terms...I think...:)

Heading to Chi-Town

On Wednesday, we are heading to Chicago for our family vacation. We will be traveling with Ryan's parents, Sister, BIL and nephews. All nine of us are staying at Aunt Mary's house for four nights. Here's hoping we all come back still speaking to one another!!



The view of the WINDY city.



I'm sure I'll have lots of stories and pictures to share when we return.

Setting Lines

Madelyn was ecstatic to have the opportunity to set lines with her daddy, Uncle Bob, Aunt Shelly, cousins Brett and Matthew this weekend. She and Ryan headed back to Council Grove Friday afternoon and set lines Friday and Saturday night on Munker's creek. Madelyn liked catching perch for bait and especially like pulling in the big flat heads. As Uncle Bob and Ryan were cleaning a couple of the fish, Madelyn was "cleaning" the big fish's head. Ryan said she had fish guts from head to toe and couldn't have been happier. Thankfully they tossed the fish gut covered shirt in the trash.

Aunt Shelly, Brett, Matt and Madelyn after the first night.


Madelyn holding up 25lbs of fish.




Madelyn and Uncle Bob checking out the fish they caught the second night.


Madelyn was not real fond of the turtle.


Best Friends


And this is what happens when you get home after two nights of setting lines.