Black River Falls 4 Wheeling May 2009

Our first of two weekends that we go to Black River Falls, Wisconsin to go 4-wheeling. Bret, Denise, Joe and Nate went with us this time. Joe got a new machine - an 800 Polaris - to replace his 700 Polaris that had a habit of over heating. He didn't trade in his 700 so he brought it with. This way Bret and Denise didn't have to ride double.

Friday Jeff and I went for a ride in the morning. We then met up with the rest of the gang and headed out for a Friday afternoon ride. It was great weather in the morning but sprinkled a little bit in the afternoon. 4-wheeling in the rain is not fun but it only lasted a little while. It didn't take long for Nate to find and get stuck in a puddle.

The next morning we headed out at 9:30 and by 11:30 Joe's new machine was broke down. A screw had broke off and something was bouncing around and put a hole in his radiator. It was toast. Luckily we were at a gas station and not in the middle of the woods. And like Bret pointed out, we could get candy bars and stuff.

So, Bret and Denise ended up riding together after all. Not a happy camper was Bret - but what do you do? Um, the answer would be - BUY ANOTHER MACHINE!!!!

We rode for awhile and came up to a group of guys and saw that one had an accident. His 4 wheel drive went wack and he flipped it. He actually was pretty lucky and only ended up with a hole in his leg. Nurse Denise took care of him and he was able to drive himself to the nearest place of business - a bar in a campground.

Which was were we were heading to so the boys could play in the 4 -wheeler playground. Us old folks decided not to stick around - plus it wouldn't take them long to catch up with us.

We met at a bar in Hatfield to eat (yum, yum) and then we were off again. We were to met the boys at a certain spot but they weren't there. We took off and rode until we needed gas (again) and we headed back. We found out later that the boys decided not to met us because Joe's #2 machine was over-heating. Wow, big surprise there.

The next day we headed out for the final run. We had heard about a mud pit on Wildcat loop so we headed that way. We found it and we had fun. We then went to the nearest town, filled up on gas and candy bars and headed back to the mud. Had more fun and then headed home.

Oh, wait. It wouldn't be a trip to Black River Falls if we didn't tow someone in on Sunday afternoon. Yup, Joe accomidated us. His ride over-heated so Nate started towing him. Then Nate's machine started over-heating so Jeff took over. We made it but it took a LONG time.

Like usual we had a great time!!! Enjoy the pictures.

Joe's #1 machine broke down.

The boys after the first time through the great mud hole.

Bret stuck in the mud hole.

Jeff's machine after going through the mud.

Gina wiping off the mud after getting stuck and Joe saving her. (he purposely sprayed mud all over the front of me. Mud doesn't taste that great by the way.)

Bret stuck.

Joe pulling Bret out.

My ride after the mud.

All the machine before we left. It took Jeff almost 2 hours to get our cleaned.

Timothy's 1 year old pictures

Several weeks ago I found a coupon for Target's Portrait Studio. This was a VERY good coupon which included a free 8x10 and a traditional package for $7.95. Since Timothy just turned a year old I thought I would make an appointment and take him to get his pictures taken.

Well, the making of the appointment was not as easy as I thought it would be. You can do it on-line but I wanted to call. Well, evidently Target's phone system is still in the dark ages. Trying to reach someone is impossible. Their voice mail system may or may not be working at any given time and if someone does call you back - well lets just say we played phone tag.

I eventually gave up on the phone appointment so I went to the internet. I knew I was going to have Timothy one Sunday so on Saturday night I made an appointment for the next day. On the site it said "same day appointments call to set up". Well I already tried the phone thing and I was making the appointment for the next day so I'm fine - right?

Wrong!

The next day the portrait studio called a few hours before the appointment to confirm that I was scheduled for the NEXT Sunday. Not a happy person was I. Here to find out it should not say "same day please call" but rather "within 24 hours, please call".

So, I scheduled for the next Sunday in the hopes that I would get him again. Yes, basically I gave up and hoped for the best. Sometimes they just beat you down until you can't fight any more. But I felt that I was getting the last laugh - I had a coupon!!!

It all worked out in the end but I think that if the coupon wasn't as good as it was - I would have given up and never taken him out there.

So, Amanda Emma and I took him out there and he was very happy when we left but he fell asleep almost immediately. We were going to Roseville and it was raining cats and dogs. When we got there I had to wake him up and run to the building through the rain. Lets just say he wasn't a happy guy when we got inside. He clung to Amanda and was NOT going to do the picture thing.

Luckily one of the many pictures turned out ok. (Notice how he bites the bottom lip? Totally Anthony!) I wasn't real happy but then I gave the lady my coupon and paid $8. Ok, I guess I can live with it for that price.

He was still a little put off on the way home but once we got there and started feeding him he perked up. That's when I took this picture:

Oh sure! Now you're happy!!

(BTW, we were feeding him Ravioli and he loved it! Can you tell?)