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.

The Day is almost here!!!!

I am so excited!!!! I just got off the phone with TJ, we thought we had just a few short hours with him on Friday before he heads off to the airport but we actually get to spend the entire day with him. He needs to return to base at 9pm. Then he leaves for P-cola at 2am in the next morning. We are able to go to the airport and wait with him there if we want to. Ummmm, no brainer. Of course we will. Who needs sleep? Anyway, I am so excited that we get this whole day together.

I AM A PROUD PARENT OF A SAILOR!!!

Gratitude Campaign

TJ IS A SAILOR!!!!

At 1:49 pm my cell phone rang and the sweetest words, "Hi Mom" were on the other end. A very tired TJ called to tell me he has made it through Battle Stations. He was not able to tell me the details of all that happened during the course of his "adventure". Prior to Battle Stations all recruits sign a paper stating that they will not divulge or discuss their experience.

Once they completed Battle Stations all the recruits were lined up in formation on the bow of the ship where they did the cap ceremony and received their NAVY cap. TJ said it was hard not to get emotional. From all that I have read and I read a lot these days that is a sentiment felt by most sailors.

So, from now until PIR (Pass in Review) or in other words Graduation. It will be less rigid for him but he is still in boot camp.

For now, we have have 7 days: 14 hours: 34 minutes until we see him

Track Meet at Blaine

Stats:
100 High Hurdles - 20.07 -
4 x 2 relay - 2 minutes and 2 seconds
300 Intermediate Hurdles - 56.93

She is consistently getting better with each meet. We are very proud of her. Usually Rylee does the 4 x 4 relay today, totally unknown to her parents she does the 4 x 2. That is why there are no pictures. I was gabbing on the phone to Christine. LOL!

The Countdown

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