Unseasonably Warm

We had a beautiful weekend, with unseasonably high temperatures. It's going to be tough getting back to reality when the temps go back to the 40s. We started off the weekend with a sleepover Friday night. Carolyn's friend Amanda, from her hockey team, slept over and went to AWANA with her.

Saturday was an awesome day too. It started out foggy and misty, but then the sun came out and it warmed up. We had some hockey friends over. The older boys played a little XBox indoors:

But then headed out to the driveway to shoot hoops and pucks:

The younger kids had fun on the swing set:

And the guys did the grilling:

Sunday was another great day. So after church, I told the kids I wanted to check out the bike path near our home. It had more than doubled in length since the last time we were on it:

This little fellow slithered across the path. I stopped to take a picture, but I couldn't get Carolyn to stop and see him, she was gone!

After supper, it was still so nice out that we decided to take 'the guys' out for a walk:

We were treated to a pink and purple sky as we neared home:

Crazy Hair

Well, I haven't had much to say lately. Life has really slowed down now that hockey is over. It's nice to have some free time! I still play volleyball on Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday is youth group, and Friday is AWANA. But we're not going to the rink first, and then still doing those other things. And NOTHING on Thursday and Saturday, at least until baseball and softball start up next month.

I do have one picture to share. It was crazy hair day at Carolyn's school today. We sort of ran out of time, so instead of doing anything weird to her hair, I dug out a wig I bought on clearance at Walmart after Halloween one year.

Lambeau Field

Jake was looking at my blog last night and commented that most of the pictures are of Carolyn, I guess he just doesn't pose for as many as she does. So here's a couple of Jake from a trip to Lambeau Field with Steve, Uncle Don, and David.

Trying on an old football helmet.

The Vince Lomardi trophies.

Vince Lombardi's office.

A shorter version of the Lambeau Leap for fans to try.

The actual height of the Lambeau Leap.

Vince Lombardi

Goalie

Not only did Carolyn's hockey team take turns being captain, they also took turns being goalie. Here's how she looks all suited up.

Cowgirls

It was Western Night at AWANA last night.

The First Sign of Spring

We had a couple of warm days earlier this week, in the upper 50s and 60s, and the kids were outside playing for hours after school. Now it's back in the 30s and 40s and we all have a touch of Spring Fever. The kids were both complaining about 'why does it have to get cold again'. I told them that was what early Spring in Wisconsin is like. They aren't happy about it!

The Captain

On Carolyn's hockey team, they took turns being the team leader for each game. When you were the team leader, you got to wear the 'C'.

Cousins

Since I have loaded pictures of the Rytkonen cousins, I figure I need to give the Hardin cousins equal time. I am missing the California girls, though, so maybe if Kim or Chris are reading this, and they have a picture of the whole group, they will send it to me.

Merry Christmas

I know, it's not Christmas time, but nothing new to report,

so here's a picture from Christmas 2006

Tournament Results

Jake and Carolyn's team both finished in fourth place in their tournaments.

While the teams didn't do that great, we did win an Xbox 360 in one of the raffles!!

We lost

Tomorrow we play for third place.

State Hockey Tournament

Carolyn's team is playing in the state hockey tournament this weekend. Their first game was at 9:30 this morning, and they won 5-3. They play again at 3:30 this afternoon, stay tuned for an update. Below are some pictures from the locker room before that first game.

Coach Steve giving the goalie some advice (off camera).

Carolyn and Coach Steve.

Carolyn and Amanda.

Twins

Every Friday, Carolyn and her cousin Amanda attend AWANA , and each night they have a theme. Last night it was twin night. Auntie Robin got them matching shirts from Kohl's and Amanda lent Carolyn an old pair of glasses without the lenses.

Hockey Hot Tub

How many hockey players can you fit into a hot tub?

Are you a slacker mom?

I took the quiz at this website.
http://www.areyouaslackermom.com

Here are my results:

Your quiz score makes you: Zen Mom
How do you do it? Even when explosions are all around, you are able to take a deep cleansing breath and chant your mantra "this too shall pass." You are a calming influence on your kids in a hectic world.

My Baby is 10!!

We celebrated Carolyn's birthday on Sunday. Her actual birthday was 2/25, but due to blizzards and hockey games, we didn't have her party until 3/4. My brothers were unable to attend, but their wives and kids were in attendance. Grandma and Papa had already left for Florida, so we missed them too!!

Hockey, Hockey, Hockey

Ok, I'm going to try this blogging thing. The only thing I have to write about lately is hockey. The season finally comes to a close this weekend. Both Jake and Carolyn are in tournaments and then we are done!! Carolyn's team is playing in the state tournament, and Jake's team is just playing in a for-fun tournament. Let's see if I can add some images....

This is Carolyn's team this year.

This is Jake's team.

This is a picture we bought of Carolyn at a tournament. There was a professional photographer there and he made the picture look like a magazine cover. Her team took second place at the tournament.

Here's a picture of Carolyn's team at another tournament. They took second place in this one too. They lost the championship game in overtime.