July 23, 3011

WHEW...it's been a hot one this week and hard to find things to do when you can't be outside for too long. It would have been a perfect week to be up north boating but that will have to wait for one more week.

The big event for me recently was Poppy's first "Q" at an agility event. I took her to Libertyville, IL which is a Chicago suburb. There are two types of courses, a Jumpers with Weaves (jumps with weave poles) and a Standard (the typical obstacles such as teeter, dog walk, A-frame, tire jump.) She dropped a pole on the Jumpers and Weaves which results in an automatic NQ (non-qualifying.) She ran the Standard course perfectly for a score of 100 and a "Q." The other four dogs in her class got NQ's which means she got first place! There are many levels of agility and she's in the Novice A class. She has to get 3 "Q's" to move up to Novice B. We are running again on July 30th and hoping for a second "Q." At this level, it's not about the ribbons as much as it is about qualifying so you can move up the "class" ladder.

Last Sunday we went to Cedar Falls, IA for an impromptu family reunion. My aunt and uncle from Missouri were visiting as well as Erika, Refugio and kids from Houston. Their visits coincided with what would have been Grandpa Hardy's 100th birthday so the three daughters (mom and aunts Pam and Punky) decided it would be a great day for the family to get together. Those of us that could met at Pam and Jerry's house in Cedar Falls. We were hoping for an outdoor affair but the extreme heat made that impossible. We still had a wonderful time at the McMullen house. Great food and wonderful family. We missed those who couldn't make it.

Pat, Pam and Punky

We miss you Grandma and Grandpa Hardy

Seth, Christopher and Jack-on couch

Abby, Grace, Kirsty and Rachel-big girls

Noah, Sofia and Isabel-in front

Jack had his third golf tournament scheduled yesterday but it was rained out. Of course, we got all the way to Madison before we found out! He has another one this Friday, hoping for better weather!

Abby went to the Vans Warped Tour on Wednesday in Milwaukee. The goal was to attend the Paramore concert and she thought it started at noon. When she got there, she found out the Tour started at noon but the band she wanted to see wasn't playing until 8 pm. Her friend Martina and her were there all day and had a great time, except Abby's wallet was stolen out of her purse. Good thing she only had $20 and her driving permit in there.

Pretty low key weekend for the Rogerson family...first weekend in a long time where we actually have no plans.

Until next time....

July 11, 2011

This was a busy week in the Rogerson household. Rachel had her first "job" of the summer, babysitting three days last week. She had lots of fun with the two little girls she babysat.

On Tuesday, Jack and Abby went with me to Madison to Poppy's agility class. They got lots of chuckles watching the dogs run the course. "Scooter" is another Portie who is a tunnel magnet, he sees a tunnel, he runs for it no matter what his owner says. Then there is "Lucy", the rat terrier, who leaps over the jumps in a single bound. "Blue" is the Aussie who is probably the smartest dog in the bunch. And then there's Poppy....the only dog that can consistently complete the weave poles the first time. It was Poppy's final class before her first trial this week.

Thursday afternoon Jack and I left for Lake Geneva as Jack had a golf tournament on Friday morning. We played a practice round that afternoon. The tournament was held at Hawk's View, the Barn Hallow course, which is an 18 hole, par 3 course. It was a beautiful course, here is the picture of the barn I am assuming the course was named after.

Jack played great. He shot a 68 and the winning score was 59 (par is 54.) There were 3 scores better than Jack but because of ties, he ended up 7th out of 20 boys. Not bad but of course, he expects to win!! He's just a little competitive.

Thursday Rachel went with some of her friends to the Katy Perry concert in Milwaukee at Summerfest. She had a long day, left at 11:30 a.m. and arrived home at 2:00 a.m. They had a great time. Apparently Katy Perry didn't have such a great time in WI, the next day she woke up with a bad case of food poisoning and had to cancel three shows (elsewhere.) Must have had a bad brat!!

Cheyenne, Jess and Rachel:

Kyleigh, Jaclyn, Rachel, Jess and Cheyenne:

Katy Perry:

Saturday morning Tony went to an Indian wedding in the Chicago suburbs. The daughter of an anesthesiologist at the clinic got married. Indian weddings are huge affairs, lasting all weekend. We were going to go for the weekend but those plans were changed when Tony had a full surgery schedule on Friday and he thought he better not be gone in case someone had a complication. Instead, he got up early Saturday morning and went solo as I had been gone the past two days and just wasn't up for getting up at 6 am to make the 10 am wedding (I know, I'm lame.) Weddings are probably the single most important religious event in the Hindu religion, as illustrated in the photos. The bride was stunning, I wish I could have seen her in person. The ceremony lasted a mere three hours!

Here is the wedding stage:

Dipti and Jacob with their parents:

Dipti and Jacob:

Until next time.....

First post

I decided to start a blog to keep extended family posted about the happenings of the Rogerson Family.

Last week we were up north for our second trip this summer to Minocqua. We were up there 2 weeks ago as well. This trip we took nephew Seth with us and it was a joy to have him. He absolutely loves the lake and even said to me, "Next year I'm bringing a friend up here!" This year Seth got up on the wakeboard. In the photo he has the Go Pro camera mounted to his helmet. He tried and tried and tried to switch (where you move the board so your rear leg is in front) and almost got it down. He's really close and I'm sure next year he will succeed. Abby also invited a friend up, Tuti, who came for three of the five nights we were there.

The weather was beautiful for three of the five days. I always tell people you have to come to Minocqua for at least three nights to increase the likelihood of being there on a warm day. The kids enjoyed tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and fishing. Abby and Tuti went on a trail ride as well. Tony spent his days keeping the boys busy, whether it be on the boat, on the golf course or fishing. Tony and I got in a few nice slalom runs. We like to go in the late mornings, no boats are out at that time and the water is generally smooth. One day I got brave enough to go tubing...something I rarely do because the goal of the driver of the boat is to make sure he whips you off the tube. Mission accomplished...that's me skidding across the water. No injuries though, but I did throw out my back the last morning we were there. I was trying to get up on the wakeboard and got pulled forward and felt that familiar twinge...the last time it happened I was putting Poppy in the bath tub. Oh well...just confirms this chick is too old to be wakeboarding.

Here are a few images of Jack and Abby wakeboarding. Jack is getting more confident every times he goes out. Both of them are getting "air" but I have to say, Abby didn't make that landing!

This year the 4th of July will be different than past years. It used to be a family day however now that the girls are older, they will be doing their own thing. Tony, Jack and I will head to a few parties were invited to and will watch fireworks at the local park. I was hoping to get in a few rounds of golf this weekend but not so sure that will be the case with my bum back.

The kids aren't too busy this summer. Abby and Rachel are playing in a volleyball league. Jack is playing a few junior golf tournaments sponsored by the WI PGA. His next tournament is in Lake Geneva on Friday, he's playing an 18 hole, par 3 course. He is also involved in baseball. Rachel contemplated getting a job but we figured it would be hard for her to get a job and ask for so much time off since we will be up north for three weeks this summer. Instead, she is doing some artwork for family members. Here is her first finished product that she painted for her Aunt Lori.

Well, I must sign off for now...the burgers are almost ready and it's time to eat. Happy 4th of July to all of you!! God Bless America.