It's Finally Backyard Rink Time!

For Christmas Chelsea got Meadow a trip to The Fire Art Studio in Appleton to paint her own ceramics. We finally got them back and they are so cool.

My favorite breakfast.

Theo's favorite breakfast.

They're all really into breakfast.

After we got back from our holiday travels we filled the ice rink. The weather was finally getting cold enough for it to freeze completely. Scott resurfaced the ice to get it ready for us.

It took about a week to freeze. You really want temps below 15 degrees all day. We were mostly dealing with temps in the 20s and 30s during the day until a deep freeze set in.

Funny how it felt so much bigger building it.

Perfect for the kids. A bit small for adults.

Was still fun to do a few loops.

The temps were well below freezing with the wind chill, but we didn't mind.

Hot cocoa and skating, what could be better?

Meadow is always wanting to bake something.

I spent the rest of the night making one of my favorite meals with Theo. Chicken Mole. I made them into enchiladas this time around.

Sometimes the kids remember they have a dresser full of costumes.

It's that time of year when we can't see out our windows. Though since getting our windows rehabbed this summer they seem to fog and freeze more.

The interior windows are well sealed, so moisture is getting trapped on the storms.

The Packers were playing the Cowboys in the first round of the NFL playoffs. So I had to make taco dip.

We had frozen pizza after the Packers blew out the Cowboys.

Game day dinners are the best.

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Backcountry Camping with Kids in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Day 1 Back in May I stumbled upon Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I had no idea there was a National Park in North Dakota and that it was the northern end of the Badlands. Usually our summer vacations coincide with Scott's work trips. Since he didn't have any this summer I thought we should take advantage of actually taking a vacation. What, my workcations are always classics? I suppose a second real vacation this year wouldn't hurt. We definitely have more time than normal. As long as we took Covid-19 precautions and avoided people. We finally settled on a time to go. Blake joined us so we borrowed our dad's van so we could ride together. Scott had just driven from Michigan the day before. Blake had met my parents in Wisconsin to get the van and then drove from Duluth to pick us up. I offered to drive since I literally only drive twice a month. I was still pretty tired from a long drive home. Since we were near Fergus Falls we had to stop by the abandoned state ho...

Work Trip: Carlinville, Illinois and a St Louis Walk on the Hill

Every few shoots for my main client I end up somewhere I'd never heard of before. This time it was Blackburn College in quaint Carlinville, Illiniois. Apparently famous for it's chili factory and its parlor. The family friendly chili parlor faces the town square, meanwhile the Anchor Inn faces the street behind it where the chili is also served alongside beers and rail drinks. I was informed the chili comes with a kick and that was no lie. Knowing this fact I went with the chili mac and I'd do it again. Even though Carlinville is much closer to St Louis, the Anchor is definitely a Cubs bar. This town rules. After my shoot at the tiny Blackburn College I drove back to St Louis, where I'd flown into, for dinner. Well, one of the inner ring suburbs that's more urban than parts of Minneapolis. Anyways, Balkan Treat Box may have been the best meal I've had all year. After dinner I drove over to the Hill, an old Italian neighborhood of St. Louis. I don't know wh...

Sand Dunes State Forest

Out of the blue we decided we needed to go camping. Being only a few days after the fourth we decided to head to a state forest. Most state parks are booked this time of year, so the forests are good alternative. On the way I got really hungry. We found a Culver's and ordered a small feast. Of course I got a blueberry malt and a bacon butterburger. The best of all malt flavors. Brooke and I shared cheese curds since she already ate leftovers.

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