Merry Christmas too all...

Merry Christmas from the Ritcheys.

Cassidy had her last horse show of the year today. The Madison Riding Academy put on a wonderful Holiday Stable Show. While this wasn't one of Cassidy's best showings, she had a blast - as most of the kids's do (and parents too)







I managed to get into the act this time, acting as the "show photographer" - check out my work in that link above...

I didn't think I would see this again...

Gas in the Madison Area finally broke under the $2 a gallon mark on Sunday...can you say "Fill'er Up!"

What is up?

Wassssup?

Now let's start keepin' it real...2008.

Who is 'Barb' and why was she in my house!

This is 'barb the washcloth' - nuff said. Chris visited for the weekend...photo links here and here.

Indian Summer was upon us this weekend here in WI. With temps reaching near 80, it was a good time getting out and about before we get shut-in for the winter.

Fun at the Farm

We travelled to Dodge County today to check out Waldvogel's Farm. Erika's employer, Pilch-Barnet, does the advertising for them, and PB treated us all to a lovely day at the "pumpkin patch". So we all met up to take in an awesome, fall day in Wisconsin...fun was had by all!

Worst sports weekend - ever

UW Badger Football : 20-17 losers in the final minutes to Ohio State (0-2 Big Ten)

Milwaukee Brewers : 6-2 losers in game 5 of the NLDS (out of playoffs)

Green Bay Packers : 27-24 loss at Lambeau (3 game loosing streak)

Back in the saddle again...

Cassidy resumed riding lessons this week at the Madison Riding Academy, this marks the beginner of year 3!! Time flies when your out in the ring. Her next show will more than likely be in December, when LaFluer will host their 3rd 'Stable Show' this year...

A good time was has by all as the 31st annual Willy Street Fair was this past weekend on Madison's East Side. Here we see Atimevu Drum and Dance performing.

There was a very enthusistic crowd.

Rock Out with Your .....

It was a "Stout About" weekend in East Madison - as the this motley crew took in bands like Bob Mould, Killdozer, Neko Case, Shearwater, and Dan Deacon.

Advertising - my big break

It's our big break! This image might appear in futer advertisments for Middleton, WI. Yikes, look out for laughing bikers.

Middle School Adventure begins

Our daughter starts middle-school (6th grade) today. Here, mom and daughter wait for the first day of class to begin, with an assembly in the gym.

Horse show today...

Stable show at Madison Riding Academy (LaFleur Van Esse Stables) today, pictures will follow after 4pm. Update : In this picture, Cassidy. riding 'Pie' has just received her Grand Champion (Reserve) ribbon for 2nd place - overall - in the entire show! Whoohooo -for the complete image gallery, check out my 'photojournal' website http://photojournal.sgrmac.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=430

year of the spider

...keeps on giving

This hibiscus plant, given to us by my mother late in spring, continues to produce 4-7 new blooms a week. It seemed to go dormant for a few weeks, but has kicked in the flower production once again. It has thrived in relativley mild Wisconsin heat this summer...just don't forget the water!

Summer is moving on...

Last week of summer vacation is here (at least for most kidz) and our "nearly tweener" is off to camp...horse camp that is. It's been beautiful thus far, with mild temps and sunny skies. The kids have been riding the outside rings. Camp runs through this Friday. Wanna learn more ? http://www.lvstables.com/ridingcamps.htm

My kid, the sk8tr grl

So, it would eventually get to the day when my daughter got on a skate board, and actually like it. So, that happened this weekend, and now I can't get her off of it.