Saturday April 4th: We awoke today to some snow on the ground and cold temperatures. This was supposed to be our first ever Adventure Race with Cristin and Casey Hopp, but like all other events, it has been cancelled. I'm a little thankful not to be biking and canoeing right now though. Hopefully next year will be a little warmer.
Eventually the sun came out and we wanted to do a family music video. We had several different songs and "visions" in mind (especially Lucy). In the end, there were too many meltdowns and non-participation. Maybe someday we will be able to post a successful music video!
Sunday April 5th: Today we took a road trip to Wildcat Mountain State Park (inspired by the cancelled adventure race that was supposed to be in that region). We have always wanted to visit the park, and given that it is in the middle of no where, we thought it would be quite empty. The park started very quiet and we found a neat hike to do called "Old Settlers Trail". The kids did an excellent job hiking most of the way and had a blast. The 2.5 miles took us all morning, and we got back to the car just in time for a late lunch on the road. At that point the whole parking lot and overflow area was full of cars!
Back at home we had the kids change into pajamas and did a family movie night. We enjoyed watching the new pixar movie "Onward". Charlie quickly fell asleep during the movie and then had a very hard time with bed time...but he was the cutest snuggler during the movie.
Monday April 6th: Kerry got to head to the Caledonia clinic for a change of scenery. Every new Monday is met with another "rolling 2 week" period of cancelling the non-essential patients and setting up phone calls.
Meanwhile at home, the kids had a fun time doing home made puffy paint while listening to soothing music :).
Tuesday April 7th: Today was a day many of us figured was coming. Gundersen made the announcement regarding system wide furloughs. In the therapy department we are at a 50% staffing, and are on alternating weeks of furlough. Doctors and mid-level providers are doing a pay cut. The highlight of the day was enjoying the warm weather on a mini-hike on the Wood Duck trail with the kids while Dad went on a bike ride. As always, Lucy and Charlie found "phoebe" (Charlie thinks the same chickadee has been following him around).
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| Walking through the tunnel which connects the Marsh to Hixon Forest. Love all the trail options connected to our neighborhood. |
Wednesday April 8th:
Hmmm, today was a crummy weather day and we don't have much to show for it. Kerry got to work from home and I'm sure there was a decent amount of Disney + streaming happening. We did manage to get on a bike ride to campus. Lucy brought along her current favorite baby (Redina) and she took a graceful fall when trying to ride through the clock tower. The best part was Lucy saying "whoa, let's try that again"!! She rode through the clock tower multiple times after that flawlessly.
Thursday April 9th: Today marks the official start of "Spring Break" for the La Crosse school district. We were supposed to be somewhere warm and sunny right now...As a small consolation, it is raining and 50 degrees in Joshua Tree.
Today's adventure was a trip to Esofea County Park near Westby, WI. We can't wait to come back in some warm/sunny weather. It has a beautiful trout stream running along most of the campground and some nice hiking trails. As we were scoping out the stream, it started snowing today!
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| Trail glamor shot :) |
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| We liked all the green moss; a welcome sight amongst all the brown lately. |
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| Checking out the trout stream. Charlie was not pleased to leave. |
Friday April 10th:
Mom worked today, but this will likely be the last Friday I work for the next unknown amount of time.
A neat group called the "Beer by Bike Brigade" has been setting out daily tables of free local food items. Kerry passed Friday's table on her way home from work. We had fun decorating the dozen of farm fresh eggs for Easter!
