Typical Sunday Afternoon

Rylee and Gunnar like to play their version of cops and robbers. Cowboys and Indians. Whatever. Today, Rylee dressed up like a robber to see if she could fool our dog. Hmmm... she was not even out the front door. Gunnar was resting peacefully in the back... it is hilarious to watch.

He attacks... she screams.

Mom... will you make him give me back my scarf? I swear it's like TJ never left.She runs, he chases. It is a great game.

In the end, it wears my little guy out. But first, he MUST jump in the pond. Grrrr.

Happy Anniversary - 11 Years

Rylee's Big Day

Rylee had a great B-day. It started with a full day at the at the "Just For Me" spa in Stillwater. Then we went to dinner with her best friend Megan Bauer and her parents to Benihanas in Maple grove. On Sunday we had our best friends and MN family the Bennett's over for cake and ice cream.

Rylee has been spoiled since July which is when Utah family started celebrating her birthday.

She had a great sweet 16

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN!

Today we celebrate truly the sweetest girl on earth. We love you Rylee and are so proud of you and the choices you are making. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love always and forever,
Mom, Dad and TJ

Accident At Girls Camp

So, I get a picture text from Kim (he is man in camp tonight), Rylee has had an accident. On my phone I cannot see the picture very well. It just appears she is laying down. So, I text back, "what happened and is she OK?" To which he replies she fell off the climbing wall, look at the picture. OK, all you moms out there. When you hear that your child falls off a CLIMBING WALL a bit a panic is in order am I right? However, trusting my husband is taking care of our child I just tell him to CALL ME!!

About what seems like a year later, he called. "Did you see the picture?" "Did you see the blood and the bones sticking out of her arm?" WHAT?!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING?!!!!!

Yes, he was kidding. It was a mock exercise in how to treat a compound fracture.

I hung up on him! Jerk!

Welcome Home Rylee

I MISSED THIS FACE!!! Rylee went out west to visit family in Utah. She had a FABULOUS time. I know this to be true because I think she called me once and I think there was a text or two in there as well. That tells me she was in good hands and that she was having a good time. However, her time at home is short lived as we barely have time to wash her clothes and she is off to Camp. I am glad she is having such a great summer. That is how is should be.

Visit to Pensacola

Kim and I were fortunate this last weekend to take a quick trip to Pensacola to visit TJ. HE IS DOING SO WELL! I cannot tell you how proud we are. It is really something to see him in his new surroundings. We were able to spend one day in Destin on the beach and the other on Pensacola beach. The sand there is like powdered sugar and the water is just beautiful. We were also able to visit with some of TJ's close friends and that was a real treat.

Is was so great to be with him and see how well he is doing.

Taylor's Falls

Usually over the fourth our family heads up north to stay in either Lutsen or Grand Marais. This year, Kim and I felt more like empty nesters. So, this is what it will be like for us in a couple of years. Anyway, we decided that even though we did not go away for the weekend we would at least escape for the day. So, we went to Taylor's Falls for the day and walked along the St. Croix River. It was a great day!

Happy 4th

I Love My Freedom. I Love My America.

Have a safe Independence Day.

A Walk with Gunnar

These are some trails behind our house that Gunnar LOVES! Today was a great day to go because it had rained earlier and so the temps were a lot cooler.

Happy Father's Day

Father’s Day is a great day to reflect on the importance of fathers and how our fathers helped us become the people we are today. I am so appreciative of the many great fathers in my life. My own dad, my wonderful papa, Mike, my brothers and of course my brave husband. Your role has never lost it importance on me, no matter what the trends in society may be.

Visitors from out West

My Dad and Sandee came for a quick visit on their way to their annual pilgrimage to Hayward WI for Sandee's family reunion. It was so fun to be with them and to have all us girls gang up on my dad. LOL! Actually, he got off pretty easy this trip.

As expected they were both adoring grandparents to Rylee and or course Gunnar.
LOL!

Thanks for the great visit!

EFY 2009

EFY (Especially For Youth) was held at Gustavus Adolphus College in Southern MN. This year the the theme was, Be Thou an Example. This is the full, five-day, overnight program which begins on Monday morning and concludes early Saturday morning. The kids have the opportunity to learn and grow together while attending classes, devotionals and firesides together. Weekly highlights include Family Home Evening, dances, a musical program, a banquet, games night, service projects, a variety show, and a testimony meeting. Both TJ and Rylee have been able to attend EFY and have always loved it.

Track 2009

This photo is a little disconcerting to us, her parents.

Rylee

For Laughs

Potting Planters

Dorothea and I made our annual trip to Noble Nursery. They have a great spot where you can bring your own pots and use their soil. Then wonder around the nursery and pick your plants. It is fun to be creative that way. We had some terrific help by some of the experts there at the nursery. They helped us put plants together that I would have never even thought to use.

Once home, I was watering some of the planters on the sun deck and Gunnar got a little thirsty.

Yard Clean up

Kim was trimming some trees in the backyard and Gunnar helped with the clean up.

Last Track Meet of the Season

Rylee did very well. In the 100 high hurdles she came in 3. However, 300's she came in first place. In the 4 x 4 she was anchor and brought her team (currently in last) to 3 place.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I am so grateful to be surrounded by such beautiful and timeless examples of motherhood. My own mother of course, she has always done so much for me with so much love and I could only hope to be the kind of mother she has been to me to my own children. My wonderful grandmothers, my beautiful sister-in-law, Sandee my touchstone and my darling Dot Ben.

I feel truly blessed that I can be called mother. I love my children and I am so very proud of them. They have enriched my life and brought joy to my days.