Wisconsin Winter Fun

Wisconsin has been absolutely Siberian this winter! We had school cancelled for a few days because the wind chill was -40 F, good heavens! Everything I've experienced before this winter was "pansy" in comparison.

Our former pro-hockey player neighbor and rockstar of a dad cleared a retention ditch to use as a hockey rink. It is a part time job maintaining a pond rink! We spent several hours plowing snow out there, and our neighbor spent more. But to have your own private rink surrounded by the fresh Wisconsin winter--what could be more magical? Every time we played, we stayed until dark. 

When we couldn't bear clearing the rink anymore--and when it was too cold to play outside!--we moved indoors. One fun day we reserved the rink for an hour. We played hockey with three adults against about a dozen kids (some of them using the fun "walkers") and had a blast!

Of course there's always sledding (little Max barrels down like a champ!):

In our backyard we built a "bobsled run" going down the steps from our deck balcony and around the yard! Where was the photo on that one? Here's cute Michael instead:

One perfect day we drove up to Sauk City to watch for bald eagles. We spotted about 25 this year, up from 6 last year! Some friends came along:

One day the temperature was well above freezing and we decided to ride bikes. It was frigid, but so liberating to do something "summer" in the middle of the winter:

That was the reasoning behind my going running one day when it was -6F! Yikes! I couldn't feel a thing afterwards!

Here's beautiful Madison from the air--notice the capitol on the isthmus with frozen Lakes Mendota and Monona to each side. Wisconsin, we love you, winter and all! 

The kids and I are going to an all-day winter camp this weekend. More on that later!