Blaine in the Prep Bowl

In four years of Blaine football the prep bowl was never in the cards for TJ. So, this is bittersweet for him to see his school finally go to the prep bowl. Blaine knocked off two nationally ranked teams to get to this point. The championship game is the day after Thanksgiving and will be played at the Metrodome. Go Bengals!

California Dreamin'

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Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving dinner will be good this year. Seriously, these turkeys walk through are yard everyday at this time of year. Rylee used to call them "naked turkeys" because their feathers were not out.

Gorgeous Ghoulies

Rylee and her best bud Megan went to a party dressed as these gorgeous ghouls. After their party, they went to the Blaine Football section finals.

Blaine beat Coon Rapids 24 -21. On to state.

Who says big boys can't dress up?

Will the real Dark Knight please stand up?

TJ went to the Young Adult dance with Luke Lehman. While there TJ made a new friend, none other than the Timberwolves Mark Madson. We are hoping for a friendship to bloom and maybe score some centercourt seats againsts the Jazz.

Other highlights to his evening include coming in second in the pie eating contest.

8 Days Till the Happiest Place on Earth

WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!! THIS WEEK BETTER GO BY FAST!!!

Look who is finally excited for Disneyland

Apple Orchard

Last Saturday we went to an apple orchard in White Bear Lake with the Bennetts (I know shocking, we almost never hang out with them). Anyway, the kids picked out pumpkins in this HUGE pumpkin patch, then we went into their store and bought a ton of apple delights.

Princess Surprise Party

Some may think I am a little long in the tooth to have a princess party... but then you must not know me very well. LOL!!!

My sweet husband and Dorothea plotted, yes I said plotted because I don't like secrets( I must have control at all times), to give me a surprise party. But not just any surprise party, a Princess surprise party and not just any princess my favorite princess Cinderella.

It was great. Kim told me he was taking me to a park to boil shrimp (not fun). Then we drove to the Bennetts and he said oh they are coming too. But really as you can all guess that was his diabolical plot. Oh he is so tricky. We had Steak, shrimp, crab legs, twice baked potatoes, salad, homemade bread and cake and ice cream. Dorothea decorated the house so cute and it was so much fun. But the best part of the whole evening was when Crane got down on his knees and bowed to me. If only we had a picture. I do have witnesses.

5 Shopping days left...

Six shopping days left....

Disneyland or bust!

The Dorney and Hoyt famlies are doing their part to boost the economy. We decided to throw caution to the wind and take our traditional trip to Disneyland. We even travel on election day.

This will be the first year that TJ will be able to vote and he will be the swing vote in our house. That is all I am going to say, you will have to draw your own conclusion as to what side Kim and I are on. Needless to say, we are having some heated debates. You think you know someone....

Anyway, we are really looking forward to this trip, especially me and my brother Brandon. We get more excited about this trip than the kids.

34 days! Make sure to vote.

First Day of 10th grade

What a beauty!

Laces Down

This is Gunnar's ball of choice. TJ used to have a dozen practice balls. This is the remaining ball.

Summer ends... Labor Day

We celebrated the end of summer with our best friends, the Bennetts. We had a blast! Crane displayed his expert BBQ skills with burgers and brats. We then played volleyball (our own version). We call it Suburb Volleyball.

Gunnar Needs a Bath!!!

By the time we got home from the dog park Gunnar was ssmmmeeelllly! So, we decided to give him a bath and with a 95 lb Lab, this is a family affair.

After his bath we combed him out then TJ brought out the aftershave. "This is what Grandpa Ken does for Sully".

So now puppy is fluffed and folded and smelling pretty.


By the time we were all done the poor guy was pooped!

The Dog Park

So, most of you know that as a family, we are in LOVE with our dog Gunnar. We have all vowed to lay down our lives for this dog (Christine is rolling her eyes). Anyway, we decided to take Gunnar to an "off leash" dog park not far from our home. He had a blast and made some new friends as well.

Lions and Tigers and Bears.... Oh my!

For those of you that don't know, I am over the activities for my church. This year for our summer party I rented two huge pavillions at Como Park. Como Park has this great little zoo that is free to the public. So, during the day families were able go to the zoo and see the sights. Then, everyone met at the pavillions for dinner.

As everyone was arriving, the little kids (and some "big" kids) were given zoo animal masks and then little bags to go on a safari. We hid little animals all around the area.

The tables were covered with butcher paper and I put crayons on the table so people could exibit their artist abilities. Also, I put little bags of animal crackers on the table for everyone to nibble on.

After dinner there was softball, volleyball, Badminton, frisbee and so on. All in all I think everyone had a good time. I will never get released!

Gunnar Loves Megan & McKenzie

Gunnar followed Miss Megan & Miss McKenzie the entire time the girls were here. HE LOVES GIVING KISSES! I think the Dorney's need to get a normal size dog. Oh, I forgot about Tinker.