Hunting in your own back yard

Well, here's the story. You can't see a whole lot in this picture, but, we spent lots of $$ on flowering plants and shrubs in our back yard. The rabbits have managed to eat about half of them already - so Bob is fighting back! Those pesky rabbits.

Happy Birthday to Cindy

Here are most of the Rahrich girls - although we're missing one of the best - Sara. Now, this picture is being posted in honor of Cindy's birthday - she is the leader of all of us! Cindy - or, Cinsia as she is well known in our family - had a birthday yesterday. Sorry, I missed it by a day.

Hope you had a great day Cinsia!

Here are the girls: Back Row: Cindy, Janay, Chris, myself, Barb
Front Row: Kate, Tessa, Melissa, Mary
Oh, and let's not forget Honey (dog).

Rain, Rain, Go Away.....Please!

If anyone is wondering why we would have 2 buckets and a plastic bin sitting together in our bedroom...... we have a leaky roof. And, it's raining to beat hell today. All you can do is laugh - it's not worth crying about. Bob is leaving work early today -- probably around 9:00am to make sure the buckets don't overflow!

Denny

We all lost a good person last week. It's scary to know that you or a loved one may not wake up in the morning.

Bob worked with Denny for 20+ years, and they were buddies. It was a shock to hear that he passed away.

Say 'I love you' often - and give hugs!

Pear-y

Most of our friends and family have a pet of some type. Bob and I wanted something with a bit less maintenance - something that didn't bark, shed, poop....etc. So, here -- meet Pear-y. We named him that because he is a pear tree, non fruit bearing. But, if you look real close you might find a couple of gifts that we've given him hanging in the tree somewhere. We bought him a pear, and a partridge :)

What! You buy your pets gifts, don't you?

John Prine

Barb, Kate, Kevin, Bob, Jerry and myself all saw John Prine in concert last night -- it was a kick. I'm going to invite him to come up for Dad's birthday this summer, it would sure make a great 'sing-a-long' with him there!

Happy Birthday to Allison and Donna

Two really fine people are enjoying a birthday today -- Allison and Myself! What are the chances that I would get to share this special day with one of my favorite people!!!!

Happy Birthday Allison! Enjoy a great day :)

Happy Birthday to Sam

Our nephew Sam is 16 today! What a great age -- what an exciting Birthday! Bob and I and the entire Hougen family met up for dinner last night in celebration of Sam and my birthdays. I still say it -- we're twins, that Sam and I! I think he really believed it when he was very young, and even if he really didn't believe it, well I like to think he did! This is Matt and Sam, and, it's almost a rare occasion to have Matt around..... What a fun evening we all had.

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY SAM :)

Who Do I Work For? LodgeNet

The day is here - the sale of On Command is complete. We were sold to our largest competitor -- LodgeNet, housed in Sioux Falls, SD. So, today is my first day of work - we are now considered 'The New LodgeNet'. Now, day 1 is difficult to know if you are going to like the Company - or if they are going to like me for that matter, but here is how we celebrated the new Company! First Day - Champagne and Cookies....... I think I'm liking it so far :)

Happy Birthday to Higgy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIGGY :)

Bob's best friend, Higgy passed away April 8, 1995 - 1 week after his 45th birthday. I can probably say -- Higgy was Bob's best friend, and I often think that if he had not passed on, the three of us would be living together :). All in good company, he was a GREAT guy, and I miss him dearly myself. So, today is his birthday and and he would have been 57 today. Each year, Bob and I visit Higgy's grave and have a beer with him. Most people (probably the normal people) adorn their loved one's graves with flowers - Bob and I always leave a full can of beer for Higgy. Well, if he were alive we'd probably be drinking a beer with him anyway!

Happy Birthday dear friend, Higgy! We love you!