I can’t believe it’s Labor Day already. Even though we had a quiet summer, we are still wondering where it went.

We got back from CA a few weeks ago (you can see pictures using the link on the right) and it was a great trip. I was a little worried that the nine of us might not get a long, considering we all have different life styles and travel preferences, but it really was a lot of fun.

September is super busy for us. Right now, Boone’s parents are in town and then head to Necedah for their annual bow shoot weekend. Then we head to Milwaukee for a weekend, then my ten-year reunion, and then to La Crosse for Oktoberfest. We are really excited to spend the month spending time with people who we haven’t seen in a long time.

It’s almost time for lunch and a trip to the Henry Vilas Zoo, so I better run. Happy Labor Day everyone!

We have our first real, long-term house guest! Our Matt (he is the Jesus look alike in the Halloween pictures and he was our wedding photographer) got a job here in Madison and is staying with us until he finds an apartment. We are really excited to show off our city and some of our favorite places, like the Essen Haus, Olbrich Gardens, State Street, and the Great Dane. Hopefully the condo won’t get too crowded with another person in it…

Boo! It’s almost Halloween here in Madison, but as you know, the biggest party was last weekend.

We had a few people come into town and stay with, for an afternoon of grilling and the Badger game, and then an evening of drinks and downtown. We hadn’t planned on going to State street, but the majority of our party had not been there for Halloween before, so we got dressed up, picked some designated drivers, and headed out early. We had a couple of hippies, an army general, two badger fans, a brick layer, a school girl, a witch, a horrible badminton accident, and Miss Freakfest (you were lovely Josie).

It wasn’t as crazy as the years Boone and I had been to, but everyone still seemed to be having a good time and our guests were amazed at the spectical. We had to wait in line to get tickets, then wait in line to get onto State Street, but we didn’t have to wait in line to get into the bars. We loved seeing all the costumes, including a pack of hungry hippos, Mario and Luigi chasing a star, and a dead-ringer for Brett Belima (seriously, I wanted to congratulate him on the game!)

You can say what you want about the city’s attempts (Does it actually cost more? Is it really safer? Does it hurt business?) but we had a good time anyway. The police we saw did a good job and the bands were nice to listen to. Until next year, we’ll just have to settle for the parties that go on around football and basketball seasons. Go Bucky!

This weekend we snagged the old roomies (Jon and Mel) and headed a few miles down the road to this great little Norwegian Apple Garden, appropriately named Eplegaarden. (Located at 2227 Fitchburg Road in Fitchburg, WI)

We spent most of the afternoon wondering the orchard, eating an apple here or there, and looking for the perfect apples to take home. We selv plukkin and wound up splitting a 10lb “Uff Da-full” bag of assorted Cortland, Red Delicious, Jonee, and Golden Delicious apples.

Additionally, we all purchased some wonderful apple cider. Which we drank later that night with a hearty cinnamon stick. If that doesn’t say FALL, I don’t know what does.

Besides making a great centerpiece on our dinning room table and assorted lunchtime snacks. I believe there will be Apple muffins in our near future. Mmmmmm. Mmmmmm.

Here is a link to the latest happenings and events at Eplegarrden.

Hey yall, Boone here. Many of you probably felt the pre-winter frustration this past Friday. Here in Madison, WI we only received around 2 inches of snow. That was bad enough. However, back in Osseo, WI, they received a whopping 16 1/2 inches. If you had ever wondered, “How much snow does it take to stop the United States Postal Service?” I would like to assure you…that it takes 16 1/2 inches.

I am just not ready for winter…yet. 

The snow was perfect for snowman mass production, but it is not going to stick around. My guess, it will be December before we see snow with lasting effects.

Friday’s storm just caught me off guard. Especially since my new Bimmer still has its performance Summer tires on it. This is the first car I have owned with rear wheel drive and Friday’s dumping was my first experience with rear wheel and snow. How was my experience? Lets just say, I want my snow tires on before the next snow storm hits.

Drive safe and wish me luck!

This November, Boone and I took some of our friends to one of our favorite Madison activities: Badger football! We got up early, had breakfast at Mickey’s and drinks at the Oakcrest/Lucky’s, then got front row seats for the game. The student section was in great form as usual and the Badgers creamed NW. Despite a little sun burn, the day was perfect and everyone is looking forward to doing it again next season. Go Bucky!