...who's looking 'after' your Christmas?

Tarzan keeps an eye on opened presents after Christmas day 2009. I think he is drinking the water - oh well, Christmas cheer shared with the yuletide log! Merry Christmas from the Ritchey famaily here in Madison, WI. See all the action over on Flickr.

Merry Christmas from the Ritchey Family

Merry Christmas 2009
and Happy New Year 2010!!

...from Erika, Jeff and Cassidy!

Love and Peace to you all...

Winter Solstice Anniversary Blessings

Lucky #13 this year - I love having the solstice as our anniversary. WIKI tells us : The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the Winter Solstice lasts an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used like The first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this is the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest.[1] The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days.

...you got something on your teeth there

Phase 2 of braces went on today...
...check out those straight Chiclets!

"I know him!!"

Santa stopped by the La Fluer Winter Stable Show today to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Here are Cassidy and Erika with the Jolly Elf !

Trimming the tree...

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

Sometimes you have to dress the part...

The United Way of Dane County invited DHS (Dean Health System) to partake in it's campaign closing 'thank you' lunch today. DHS was in the top 5 for largest gift givers this year in Dane. Dean staff in attendance were asked to come up on stage while the total amount for this years drive was announced - $16.7 million dollars.

...dinosaurs

Back in the saddle.

Check out this posse...

...Wisconsin Dells trail ride at Lost Canyon

"On the Rode(way) Again"

...back on the rode today to Eau Claire, WI...Cassidy had to kill some time on the 180 mile drive...so, combine your camera, a mirrored brush and your 'tween'

for some photo 'awesome-ness' - (photo credit Cassidy)

Rodeway Inn is hosting tonight...the Krueger family was also in tow.

Cabin on the 'Fox' - final entry

The whirlwind 2 day stay at Fox Lake comes to a close...thanks to Hayes Resort, Gail Nehls (for the boat) and the Krueger family for their visits both yesterday and today...we all had a great time, ending too soon.

Cabin on the 'Fox' Day 2 : part 1

It looks to be the perfect day to be lazy and soak in some Fox Lake. Clear sky, birds are chirping outside the window. The boats been wiped down and here's a 360 degree view from the bow
(I'm a sailor now) Hopefully, the Krueger family will be joining us for the day...

Cabin on the Lake - day 1 : part 2

Here is the view of our pier from 'cabin #1' here at the Hayes Resort on Fox Lake, WI

The weather is clearing and we're walk up the road to pick up our pontoon boat!

Cabin on the Lake - day 1

Cassidy is soaking up the 'cable tv' as the first hours offered us a sprinkling of rain.

"Dive In" the summer's annual RVAC music camp

Cassidy just got back from the 2009 edition of River Valley Alliance summer music camp (Watertown, WI) This years's theme - Dive In
Can you pick her out of the 149 kids and 30+ volunteers and staff? Cassidy has attended camp now for 6 years now...wow!
Go over to the church's website to see more...

Good times were had by all...

DSCN6797, originally uploaded by SgrmacGrl.

Fete de Marquette | Madison, WI

fete de fun Sunday

DSCN6822, originally uploaded by SgrmacGrl.

Cassidy and some new friends take in the Fete de Marquette in Madison, WI on Sunday (July 12th)

Busy Summer Hub

DSC05525, originally uploaded by SgrmacGrl.

The back patio becomes a busy place during the summer. More healthy flowers from gram-ma adorn the foreground...

Pretty in Pink

DSC05533, originally uploaded by SgrmacGrl.

Erika's scooter is bathed in shadows from these very healthy pink flowers in our driveway.

Prairie State Horse Show - Madison

Cassidy rode in the Prairie State Horse show today here in Madison.
While this show is nice, because it's in town, Cassidy has always had a tough time making the top-grade. 2 years ago, it was only her 2nd show ever. Last year was the great Wisconsin flood (6/6/08) and this year, let's just say, we blamed the judge! However, this one is one of the larger 'academy shows' in the area. Check out some of her moves on YouTube as well. Good job Cassidy~

Concert and Riding

Check out Cassidy's busy week . . . band concert on Thursday
then riding on Saturday - YouTubeChannel

Land of the LOST

No new LOST episode this week.

But, here's one of my January birthday gifts, that I got sometime in March...don't ask - and thank you Andrew.

The Flags of Six

Mr Six greeted us with a dance...

...and Bugs was dressed "extra special" for our visit 

Check out the rest at Picasa on Google

KIA Soul! Interior

With updated inputs and steering mounted controls
this is the 'toy of the future'

SIRIUS Satellite
AM/FM/CD/MP3
Power moonroof
Fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels with P225/45R18 tires.
So, the front speakers are lit with LEDs that can be "controlled" for brightness and effect.
The illumination is crisp white over red & black.

beige and black hound's tooth seats

...car of the month - huh?

We're helping the economy

2010 KIA Soul!

Land of the Lost

Today's edition recaps the April 'foolery' surounding ABC's LOST.

• M. Night Shyamalan to direct LOST season 5 finale.
• ABC cancells LOST

In tonight's episode entitled "Whatever Happened, Happened" We will see in another "classic centric tale" of why Kate Austin decided to return to the Island, and maybe what happend to little 'goober' (Claire's child Aaron, who Kate lied about being her's after returning with the Oceanic Six) We will also see what fate lies ahead for 'young Ben Linus' as we left him at the end of last week, lying shot "dead" from Sayid's gun.

Fun with 'Tilt Shifting' photography

So, after seeing this photoset (Mini Madison) It's really cool how it make real pictures seem like you are lookinf at a toy playset or miniture train setup. I was really interested in how this was done. Turns out that professionally, it takes 1) good camera 2) special lens 3) mad photo skills - now since I can't really say I have any of those, I looked further. Tilt shifting "effects" can be done to almost any photos using even the most common photo editors (Photoshop) I also was able to track down a simple lettle website to make your own.

Here's my first attempt (right) find a wide angle photo, bright colors help too, and give it a try...
TiltShit Maker

Land of the LOST

This week in the land of the LOST

So, I am going to start adding a LOST blog once a week, randomly, I think...

A very nice 'nod to LOST' in today's Apple event
... which announced a 'new and improved' iPhone version upgrade to 3.0 Happy Birthday!

Show season begins

Show season began again today at Madison Riding Academy with the Spring Stable Show.
Click on the picture to see the full image gallery...

Belated birthday - but oh, how good!!

My wonderful wife managed one of the most unique birthday presents for me this year.

Yes, yes...there was the bowl-a-rama, unique and fun. Note the shirt...

But, something arrived today that is very special...

An enourmous thanks to not only Erika, but to Jorge Garcia for being so kind to return a great note and picture.
- I think I love you both!!!

...that is a long hiatus.

Well, it's March and daylight savings and winter are nearly over (HA HA not for Wisconsin)
This week was supposed to start with -10 windchills (yesterday high was 18) and by Friday we'll be at 50 above. I don't know if these are good or bad weather indications. I do know, that I'm glad it's the EAST COAST finally getting hot with snow and not the Midwest. I'm ready for more sunshine and warmer temps.
On a more promissing note, horse season is starting anew and March 15 marks the years first show for Cassidy. Erika enjoyed 4+ hours at the stables this past weekend for "parents day" I big thank you to Dan, Marleene and Neva Le Fluer for hosting a splendid dinner as well Saturday night. (Pictures coming, maybe)

When weather happens

A WIND CHILL WARNING is in effect for the entire viewing area from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 12 p.m. Friday.

Today: Becoming mostly sunny and breezy. Bitterly cold! High: 4. Winds: N 5-15 to NW 10-20 mph. Wind chills will drop to -20 to -30.

Tonight: Clear, breezy and VERY cold! Low: -18. Winds: NW 10-15 mph. Wind Chills: -30 to -40.

Happy New Year!!!
- We're trying to enjoy the last days before school and work begin again for Cassidy, Jeff n Erika...peace in the new year!