regional champions!

The River Falls blue team in the Western Wisconsin Baseball League champions. What an exciting time for the team!

friends who have been playing together since t-ball in 2006

the team just after the championship

close up

proud momma

look what happened while Mom was away...

Yep. He's a bike rider! Still needs some strong practice on braking, but he is now maneuvering the world on a two wheeler.

homemade wine

Last night, a group of math people sat in the lobby and enjoyed wine made by one of the leaders of our grant. It was fun and a great community building opportunity!

escape room

Last night our math grant group went to an escape room in Banbury Place here in Eau Claire. Our task was to escape a room in an hour. It was super interesting and fun!

Before our escape room, we went out to dinner with the charismatic Smith family at a Thai restaurant and touring the Banbury Place--an abandoned tire factory that has been transferred into a community meeting place. A dance studio, gymnastics club, mixed martial arts club, mural art gallery. The urban renewal here in Eau Claire is invigorating!

blues guitarist

I'm in Eau Claire this week for my math grant workshop. My friend Maggie and I are staying in a beautiful new hotel and went out for dinner/stroll/blues in the park last night. We heard and amazing musician named Charlie Parr. I have a new favorite musician--not my ultimate favorite, but one of mine.

magical whiffle ball game

On Sunday night, I was home to help with my family. After spending much of the day in Mountain Lake, Kim and Kyle invited us out to their place for pizza. Kyle's family of 5--missing Liana, Cory's family of 5, our family of 5 and Mom and Dad enjoyed yummy pizza and then Kurt drove up in his cool little cart that he won in a drawing.

The elder Blomgrens and Katie took on the young Blomgren boys. It was so much fun to watch them all giving it their all. We ended the evening with picking apples from their trees and then driving home. Our kids had one of the best times of their summer in those golden hours of whiffle ball.

Trenton, Osten, Katie
Thomas, Ryan, Anders, Adam
Brad, Kyle, Evan, Cory, Kurt

amazing game

The River Falls Wildcats Blue team played the New Richmond Tigers grey team on July 25. Blue was down 2-5 in the top of the 7th. The team rallied and our amazing 15 year old drove in the tying run with 2 outs. His buddy struck out to end the inning and the Wildcats held the Tigers in the bottom of the 7th.

Into extra innings where Joey started out on 2nd. The Wildcats proceeded to score 5 runs in the top of extra innings. The Tigers started with their last hitter on 2nd. First batter hit into a double play and then Carter H. struck out the 2nd batter.

HOW exciting and the joy on the team's face was priceless. I was also impressed with the sportsmanship of both teams. It didn't seem like their was any gloating or pouting.

AMAZING GAME.

snow white

Last night was the production of Snow White. The fawn was lovely and the prince dashing. Thanks to Prairie Fire Theater and the kids and families of River Falls!

full cast

curtain call

the forest creatures

the prince and Snow White

after the show

Snow White, the Prince and Fawn

Ms. Rassmussen and the prince in 2008

Ms. Rassmussen with her former first grader--8 years later

 

mr. Joe is 10!

The third of the 2006 gang has turned 10 in the past week! Happy birthday Joe. We love you!

tiffany lamp shade

It's the little things in life that make me smile. A few weeks ago, my handsome husband and I were on a little shopping trip to our new favorite second hand store, the ReStore in River Falls which benefits Habitat for Humanity. I've been shopping for a lamp shade to replace the dingy one on our living room lamp. Up pops this interesting beauty...and it's made for a Tiffany lamp. I snagged it for $3.

another actor?

This morning our 6 year old went to an acting class. He was a total ham. I think we have another actor in the family.