The Kearns'

WORMS, WORMS, WORMS

2009-06-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

CAUTION: The following post is gross and slimy--

read at your own risk...

One morning early this Spring I woke up and could find neither of my boys. After looking around for a while this is how I found them...worm hunting.

Josh had to leave for work but Micah kept at it.
Close to 100 nightcrawlers in all their slimy glory!
When Katie woke up she wanted in on the fun too!
Homeschool Math lesson for the day--counting and sorting worms--gotta love homeschool!

Micah Turns 6

2009-06-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am a month late getting this up--its been a crazy Spring! Micah turned 6 in May and celebrated with family and friends. In my quest for non-cavity inducing treats for the goody bags I had a warped sense of humor moment in the favor aisle and decided on yucky teeth instead of candy.The gang modeling their yucky teeth.The dino cake was a hit.Micah's chosen birthday dinner (which we all ate along with him)--Sloppy Joes, Blue Bag Doritors, Cheezits, Ritz Crackers, Mandarin Oranges, Pink Lemonade and 3 rolos for dessert. So there's nothing green in there, but believe me it was an improvement over his five year old choice--balogna, cantaloupe, and strawberries.

Wilder Amish Country

2009-06-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Historical fiction has quickly become Katie's favorite genre. She has been working her way through the Little House on the Prairie Series both by book and Netflix. We went with Mom and Dad for a day trip up to Amish country and stopped at an official Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Burr Oak, Iowa.

Papa Paul and Boby with the kidlets in front of a hotel that Pa and Ma once managed.

Katie and Micah on the banks of Silver creek--they played for a while along this same creek where Laura and Mary once played.

The Amish are wary of being photographed too much so I was attempting to be discreet, but couldn't resist a few shots. We passed this horse and buggy several miles from the shop--he arrived just a few minutes after we did--obviously a hard working horse!

Two Wheels

2009-04-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Micah made the switch!! This year has been full of transition for us--the move, job, homeschool, teeth falling out, hair pulling out, land/home searching, reading, division, more hair pulling out, etc. I smile every time I jump in the car with the kids and hear click, click as they both buckle themselves in with no help from me. My babies are growing up--when it doesn't make me sad to think of how fast they will be out of the house it is extremely satisfying to see the little signs of independence that they accomplish along the way. It is hard to hope to be a good enough mom to one day be put out of my job--but I do!!

My Dad has taken Micah on several bike rides on a trail behind bike attached to his bike--they decided it was time for Micah to loose the training wheels and venture out on his own!

And he is off...

Now that is sheer concentration on my little guys face

It may be pink--but it has two wheels and gets the job done! Micah's bike is still in storage--a big thanks to a co-homeschooling mom who let us use this bike!!

Easter at the Kearns'

2009-04-21T07:07:00.001-07:00

Easter Sunday the kids and I drove to Cedar Falls to celebrate Easter with Josh's family.

Nana and the kidlets dividing up the spoils.

My nephew Boogie with a mouth full of chocolate--YUM!

My nephew Tyson.

Ty worrying about something.

Katie Grace listening to Nana.

Papa Keith taking it all in.

Jess and the eggies.

Boogie and Dave.

Boogie must have worn him out.

Easter at the Prescott's

2009-04-21T07:02:00.001-07:00

Bobi and Papa with the kids and their baskets full of eggs.

Katie and Micah with their baskets--ok so they are a bit spoiled.

Katie on the hunt for eggs.

Micah in his most comfortable speed--FAST. He kept shouting, "This is the best day of my life!!!"

Easter Egg Thief

2009-04-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter with our families. Easter Saturday the Easter Bunny left a LOT of eggs in the yard while the kids were at lunch with Papa. I came home from a quick errand to find that a squirrel had decided the kids didn't need ALL those eggs--so he helped himself to one.

This fat little squirrel looked as if he knew exactly what he was doing--he clutch the egg, ran up a tree and whacked it on a tree limb to crack it open--he nibbled off the top and ate some m&m's. I asked my sister if squirrels ate eggs because he seemed to be so confident of what he was doing--she laughed at me hysterically and said, "Well, I don't know about eggs, but that's just what a squirrel would do with a nut."

Spring in Iowa

2009-04-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

We are experiencing our first real Spring in five years now that we are in Iowa (the bird chirping commercials they play in the Northland to tell you that Spring is here don't really coun't--sorry Northland friends.) The weather is on the warming trend, the trees are budding, the birds are singing the peas and spinach are sprouting! I love Spring--so full of hope and new life (although a few less bunnies to ravage the garden would be okay with me, hee hee). If only I could gaze upon the seas of Bluebonnets in Texas too!!

A couple of Sundays ago, we had a surprise snowstorm--not much stuck but it was so sad to see the little robins who thought it was safe to return to the midwest searching for cover. In the church parking lot I could see a line of about 20 fat little robbins hiding out under the cars.

Protecting her frozen nest.

This one is so fat she must be ready to lay her eggs any day!

Kearns' Homestead

2009-04-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

View from the front door.

Josh--standing on the house site.Josh and his Dad Keith trimming away making room for our back yard.
Working up a sweat.TIMBER!!!We spent a day on the land working and playing. The cousins came over and got some exploring in. After we got some land cleared we had a picnic and some ice cold tea!

A few shots of the land that we are in the process of buying. It has a ton of old hard woods on the front 4 acres and is thickly wooded in the back 6.

An old tree has fallen where we hope to put the house.

Micah and the neighbors dog at the trail head leading in the woods.

Katie's Photography

2009-04-18T09:00:00.001-07:00

Katie has been working on a few photography pieces for LTC (Leadership Training for Christ). This is the photo she entered. The theme for this year was Light, Life and Word.

The Lord in Our Hearts

Light of Life

Katie's Interpretation: The green of the eye is the world, the black pupil is the darkness inside it, the arch of the eyelid is the gateway to heaven and the cross is Jesus in the world leading the people from darkness to light--the white part of the eye.

New Dog, Old Doghouse

Katie has been renovating the old dog house behind my parents house and has trained Stella to go in it--now if she could just train her to stay there!!

TEXAS!!!

2009-03-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

The kids and I made a mad dash to Texas last weekend for my cousins wedding. We spent Friday night and Saturday with Grandma and Grandpa Prescott.

Katie's note: I took this picture of Grandpa's big smile--it was hard to get a picture of him though because he doesn't like to smile for the camera.Katie's note: It was really easy to take this one of sweet Grandma because she likes to smile for the camera.Pillow fights and relentless tickling are a must when Grandpa is around!Katie has discovered that the only safe zone from Grandpa Hurston's pillow attacks is next to Grandma Elsie!Katie and Micah gang up on Grandpa!
Micah and Grandpa fighting it out.Safe!Uncle Steve walking my cousin Erin down the aisle--he worked very hard to be able to do this on his new leg.Grandpa did a beautiful job performing Erin's wedding ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Berg

Sunday morning we woke up early and drove to Hamilton to worship with Grandma Tubbs! We stayed for potluck and then Grandma and I went to her house for a visit and watched the Mavericks--she is an avid fan!

Micah studied my cousin Matt closely and by the end of the day could do a mean Matt impression!

Cousin Matt in his big racin' truck, named FESTUS.

Cousin Matt and Uncle Ronnie watching the kiddos.

Matt took Micah on few laps on the go cart before we turned him loose on it solo.

Micah--born for speed--is looking to see if I am going to make him stop speeding--a couple of crashes and he slowed down a tad bit.

Katie Grace enjoyed it too--although she is super cautious.

Sweet Carley

Carley and Katie were friends from the moment they met--kindred spirits no doubt. They spent a good amount of the time playing in the tank--paddling from island to island and getting good and filthy!

Matt and his girl Betsy--she is a sweetheart!
Me and my Aunt Pam

Uncle Ronnie and Micah have a talk.

Aunt Pam and Katie Grace

I couldn't resist some cowboy shots of Matt as the sun went down.

Sunset over Blue Ridge and our time in Texas is over--

we made the trek back to Iowa the next day.

Bible Time!!

2009-03-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

Let the studying begin! With Bible Bowl just around the corner I have adapted Katie's reading and Bible lessons to include the Book of John. Each of the kids from church challenged and adult to a Bible Bowl Competition. Katie chose her Auntie Amy to challenge--she said she couldn't choose Papa or Daddy because they preach, she chose Mama for a while and then signed up Amy--those of you who know my sister are probably questioning her choice!

Dad was challenged by one of the teens and so he and Katie have joined forces and are studying through the book of John together.

Micah is a bit young to participate in the Bible Bowl but we have been studying the judges in his class--which sometimes gets a bit tricky with Kindergartners. Samson is coming up--so in honor of the Nazarite tradition of not cutting hair--we left Micah a mohawk when we cut his hair last week. OK, so its a stretch, but its better than a long shaggy hairdo and he thinks it is hilarious!!I planned to give him a regular haircut after our Samson lesson but he begged me to let him keep it just until Wednesday, so I agreed. This is why he wanted to keep it--Wednesday was April 1 so he and Amy had made plans to fool April on April Fools!!

Snow Town

2009-02-09T07:43:00.000-08:00

Banks of snow fill a pretty good section of the church grounds. The kids from church made a snow town out of it complete with tunnels, snowball reserve cubbies and playful children. This has quickly become Katie and Micah's favorite outdoor play place--along with the sliding hills directly opposite the town!

Here's Katie in the main tunnel.

She dug on this particular tunnel all week long.

Micah in a side tunnel--

they were hoping to meet each other in the middle.

My friend Eileen said of this pic, "Well, we see who has been doing all the work now don't we?" Although Micah is taking it easy here, he actually did dig like a little mole for hours at a time--the only thing visible being the white tufts of snow flying out the end of the tunnel he was in!

Katie and Micah got to drive the gator to Snow Town.

Several of the kids from church at work (and play) in Snow Town.

Some used the shovels to dig--others simply used them as snow clump launchers.

Before long the kids were no longer visible--but you could see random clouds of white from the kids digging below.

Stella, our doggie, left this message in the snow for us one morning--she loves us!

Leopards, Carousels and Mowhawks

2009-02-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

I'll never forget the day I told the kids to jump in the car for a quick run to Walmart. As the kids are proficient in buckling their own seatbelts now I hadn't even glanced up at them until I opened the jeep door to let them out.

Out came Micah wearing this--plus a pair of cowboy boots and sunglasses. I put him back in the car intending to go home for a change but then abandoned common sense for public humiliation and decided to go in anyway so as not to throw my whole day into a time crunch.

Yes, people stared. The kinder ones asked him if he was a wrestler to which he responded, "Nope I'm a leapord...RAWR" My only consolation is that he loves the leopard because of its fierceness!

Note to self: look at your kids more often and especially before loading them into the car to go to a public place.

Second note to self: Hide or sell daughter's outgrown clothes before son finds and claims them.

Micah's mohawk--he enjoyed it for a while then we shaved it even.

Micah, passive aggressively going about his business while a little boy from our homeschooling group expresses his frustration slightly less passively! Micah--who's strong point has never been control and calm--did a very good job of holding it together and simply pretended not to notice that there was a child screaming at him!

Josh and his Dad recently had a camp board meeting in Cedar Rapids so the kids and I went along and spent the day with Nana. After the meeting we all went down to Coralridge Mall to walk around a bit. This was Katie's favorite place to play as a toddler--she still remembered the carousel and play place! I am not sure she will ever outgrow her love of horses--or playing!

Micah has no recollection of this place but it didn't take him long to feel right at home.

Kisses to Katie.

More Hats

2009-01-16T08:06:00.000-08:00

So I am about ready to abandoned hats for a while--I decided this a while back but then had several promises to fulfill before I really did. I am working on a very simple scarf for the moment but still have two promised hats in mind before I get into a sweater or something.

Anyway--they have been so much fun. Here are a few new hats.

Simple Cabled Trapper

A trapper for my friend who is an avid Iowa Hawkeye Fan.

This one is for my secret sis--ssshhhh!!

This one is for a little guy up in Duluth--I made a matching Norwegian cap for his baby brother to be born in June!!!

Micah found this yarn all by himself while I was browsing the yarn aisle at Hobby Lobby and really wanted an army helmet--so here it is!

This is the first bonnet I made for a friends new baby but I wasn't very happy with the yarn choice so when Katie fell in love with it and it fit her baby doll perfectly I let her keep it and knit another one for my friend.

Here is the second bonnet in a heathered baby alpaca yarn--much better feel and sheen although once it was completed I liked the smaller border of the first one better. However, if I don't stop this Katie is going to have a whole wardrobe of baby doll bonnets and I will never move on!

My new favorite baby cap--I combined three patterns to come up with this one. It is a Norwegian shape with an Inga braid border and sizing and stripes from my favorite helmet style hat. This one went to a little guy who will be born this Spring in Duluth.

Second Norwegian Sweet Cap toddler sized for my little Riley and Ashlyn--they have been sharing a hat I knit for them earlier this year--I figured this one was appropriate as they are of Norwegian lineage.

Ribbed and Cabled Watch cap--I made this one for my Mother-in-Law but added tassels to give it a little more feminine flair--I considered earflaps but decided against it as she already has a earflap hat.

Iowa State Capitol

2009-01-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

As every Iowa school child must--we took a field trip to the Iowa State Capitol Building! It was so much fun. I hadn't been there since I was a child--brought back a lot of memories. We went on a tour--with only two other people, so our tour guide took lots of time to answer all of Micah's questions! We found out too late that you have to be six to go up high in the dome to the whisper hall and library. Josh wanted to go with us too and Micah will be six in May so we are planning another trip then!

We played a fun game of Near/Far-Grover style throughout our time there. Here is the 10 carat golden plated dome--up close!

NEAR

FAR

NEAR

FAR

NEAR

FAR

I was lying on the basement floor looking up into the dome--here the kids stand over me!
"Okay, mom" they say, "Enough pictures, Let's go see some more stuff!"

NEAR

Next to the Mosaic mural of people heading west. Katie loved this part because the eyes of the people in the mural follow you and no matter where you standing it looks as if they are coming straight toward you--I'll have to take pictures of it next time! Her other favorites were the civil war American Flag--all tattered and torn and the dolls wearing all the first ladies' of Iowa's inaugural gowns.

FAR

I stayed by the mural and had the kids go down a level--Here they are standing by the dome circle and front entrance.

One of the four corner domes.

Micah's favorite were the canons (and a huge model ship--again--pictures next time).
Here they are in front of the hand carved Supreme Court Bench. Started in the 1920's and added to by the same carver 40 years later!
Micah in the little bitty Senate Balcony Seats. They look child size--they say people were quite a bit smaller when it was built.
The Senate Chandeliers--from Austria.

A chandelier in the governors office.

Katie and Micah on the steps of the capitol with the skyline of Des Moines behind them.

Snow Play

2009-01-08T12:40:00.000-08:00

The weather has been beautiful lately--lots of snow, above zero and not too much wind. Today, however is a different story. I had to pick up the 50 pound dog and throw her out the door in order to get her outside for her morning business--its so cold she refused to go out.

-17 with a -46 windchill---BBBBRRRRR!!! We're hoping the winds die down a bit for shoveling later--for now we are hunkering down and keeping warm inside.

Josh has been taking the kids on little snowmobile rides. At first they just made some loops around the yard.

He discovered a local park with some decent riding area and access to trails. Josh and Micah blaze a trail through the fresh snow!

Katie's turn--she said she had to close her eyes a lot--Josh said they only caught air once or twice!

Off they go!

Through the park!

This is just one small portion of the live Dennis-the-Menace cartoon that is our yard! I had to giggle one night after a fresh snow when I looked out the window and saw tracks everywhere and no boy in sight--then at the very corner of the yard there was Micah on all fours plowing his trail.

Complete with dashed lines, obvious pit stops and the mischievous little boy who made them.

Katie joins Micah for a snow angel stop.

Worn out from a thorough romp in the snow!

Sliding

2009-01-06T10:35:00.001-08:00

For Christmas Katie and Micah each got some money from my grandparents--it didn't take them long to figure out what to do with it. We headed to Wal-mart and they each bought a sliding saucer.

New Year's Day Josh and I took them sliding. It was a bit icey but they had a ball and we managed to escape with no major crashes!

Micah was in his element from the start.

Katie not so much--It took a few minutes of convincing to get Katie to go down.

She made him promise to push her gently down the hill--but he didn't listen.

She is still not too sure about it.

By the time she made it to the bottom of her first slide she was having a ball!

Micah was already on his way back up the hill before Katie made it all the way down the first time--he went down about 2 times to her 1!

Off he goes again

Squealing all the way!

By the time she made it back up for the second run she jumped right on!

Before the day was done Katie was whizzing down the hills like a pro!

Christmas with the Kearns'

2009-01-06T10:34:00.002-08:00

We spent the New Year's Weekend at the Kearns' this year for a late Christmas celebration. It was a lot of fun. The girls and I worked on our knitting so I didn't take as many photos as usual!

Keith and Lavonne and their new wall clock.

Emily and her skeleton toy--she loved that thing.

Tyson and his super cool sweatshirt.

Katie and her IPOD boom box.

Micah and his glow station.

My nephew Caden in his new hat.

My nephew Tyson sporting his new hat.

My BIL Dave in the new hat I knit for him--finally.

My FIL Keith--and his new hat.

Christmas with the Prescotts

2009-01-06T10:34:00.001-08:00

Christmas 08 at the Prescotts was a very joyous occasion. My stinker brother informed us a week prior to Christmas that there was absolutely no way he would be able to come home for Christmas. But when Katie woke up Christmas morning and discovered "a big bald guy brushing his teeth downstairs" we all squealed with delight and ran for hugs. He traveled for four days (1900 miles one way) to make it home all for festive mint brownies and eggnog. Everyone agreed--having him home was the best Christmas present of all!

Uncle Johnny took them on a photo walk.

NEAR

FAR

We soon delved into our stockings and presents--here is Amy with her favorite stocking stuffers--a little irregular don't you think?Joseph and Mandy traveled all the way from Alabama to be here--they surprised us a day early--lying all the way! Here they are looking at a photobook of little Jackson.

Baby Jackson LOVED his musical sea horse.

Boby opening her stocking.

Katie Grace opening her new IPOD from Santa.

She's such a good big sister--she split the

earplugs with Micah so he could listen too.

Micah and his new toy rifle--he's ready for deer season.

Oops--Josh (who cuts human tissue all day long as an occupation) managed to puncture his own hand opening Micah's rifle. After an hour it was still gushing blood so we made a quick trip to the ER for a couple of stitches. He returned to work Friday (with the help of ibuprofen) and is pretty much back to normal by now.

Josh (still a little pale from the previous incident) finds a skoal can--empty of course--in his stocking. The guy at the bait store gave it to me to keep his waxies for ice fishing in.

Micah and his John Deere Gator! Santa collaborated with Boby and Papa for this one. He makes daily trips to the church gym to ride and even busted out into the parking lot last night after quite a bit of ice had melted off.

He even let Katie drive although it was a feat stuffing her long legs in! Those of you who know Micah well, will see that he is, as usual, checking out the wheel motion as he rides.

The kids terrorize uncle Joseph.

Uncle Johnny terrorizes the kids.

Johnny takin' pictures.

Papa helping Micah check out the "engine".

Josh and Joseph shoot a few hoops.

Amy-The Cupcake Queen-Prescott

delivered on some yummy cherry cupcakes!

Of course--we all fell in love with this little guy--Jackson Daniel.

There are not many things that can stop Papa long enough to sit still--but cuddling his newest grandson is one of them!

Amy -N- Jackson

Boby and Jackson have a talk.

Uncle Josh and Jackson--he's still got the touch!

April -N- Jackson

Cousin kisses from Katie Grace

Even Micah fell in love with him--just wait till next year and he'll be teaching him all the little boy tricks he knows--hee hee!

The Little Knitters of Christmas 08

2009-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

Katie Grace got a loom set from Santa this year and is already working on her fourth hat!

This one was for Emily.

Emily also got a loom for Christmas from Auntie April and has completed her first doll hat!!

Our family Portraits

2009-01-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

In a quest for a Christmas Card photo and because my MIL's only Christmas request was new pictures for her wall, we decided to attempt it at home. My sister Amy was around so she stepped in to help. As you can see, one or two people in a photo can be pretty simple. Josh and I tested out the light before adding the kids so as not to tire their smiles out.The kids one on one were pretty easy.The difficult task came when we were all four together. This one is my favorite--even though Micah's leg is a bit of a distraction.

Micah--being a five year-old-boy kept things lively.

So our hair is a bit mussed from playing but we are still trying...

Our mad faces.

Micah's smile is wearing out.

Katie's super cheese smile!

The silliness is here to stay.

Micah is fading fast.

He's done.

Trying again.

The one we finally used for our Christmas Cards.

The Jaye's

2009-01-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

Over the Christmas holidays my baby sister, her husband and her 5 week old baby made the long trek from Alabama to Iowa. I couldn't resist the opportunity to practice a little family photography. We used available window light and a light sleeping back hung from the window and ceiling fan for a backdrop. It was fun and they were very patient with me.

Mandy and Joseph Jaye

Sweet Baby Jackson

Baby Jackson's perfect "O" mouth. Katie made this exact same face at this same age!

My Home's in Alabama...

2008-12-31T06:50:00.000-08:00

Okay not my home, but my sister and her family could sing that!

On November 17, 2008 the Prescott family welcomed its newest member into this world!!! My baby nephew,

Jackson Daniel Jaye

was born to my sister and BIL, Mandy and Joseph Jaye.

In early December Amy and I made a trip down South to Alabama to hold the little guy and hug our baby sis and BIL!

Our top 10 favorite things about Alabama

10. The gators (although we didn't get to see any live ones)

9. Crazy bridges and tunnels

8. Red Pines

7. Awesome seafood

6. 70 Degrees in December

5. Crayfish tails, gumbo & hush puppies

4. Little girls in Walmart who love "2 3 4 5 chicken"

3. Late night wading along the bay

2. Did I mention seafood?

1. Jackson Daniel Jaye & his Mommy & Daddy

Sisters, Sisters, there were never any better friends than Sisters....

Amy missed the memo about looking lovingly down at the baby for this one--actually she was a bit disgruntled because I booted her out of her seat so Mandy could be in the middle--she still got the best seat in the house!

Proud Daddy Joseph snuggling with his little guy!

Jackson gets some whisker kisses from Daddy.

Mandy is such a sweet and patient little Mama--the bond between these two is quite evident!

Jackson has a bit of a gas problem--poor little guy has a tummy ache.

But a little sh-shing from mama and all is well with the world.

I had to wait a full THREE WEEKS before I got to see this little man. I was literally starving for pictures of him and begging anyone who might be near him to send me some. I got a few, but when I asked for more I was told, well, how many pictures can you take of a newborn?

So maybe it was that touch of OCD showing up as it usually does when there is an infant nearby to photograph, but I couldn't help myself--I left Alabama with a full gigabyte of photos. The following are a very select few of my favorites!

Sweet Baby Jackson

Sleepy Jackson

After-Bath Jackson

This one reminds me a lot of Mandy as a baby

Grumpy old man face Jackson

(A glimpse into the year 2100)

Hungry Jackson

Jackson looking up to his Mama

Burping Jackson

Hand dimples, tiny toes and fat rolls--

it doesn't get any better than this!!!

MMMM MMMM MMMM My mouth still waters when I think of all the yummy seafood.

Amy and baby Jackson--notice he really wishes his favorite Auntie April was holding him--hee hee. Seriously, Amy and I fought over him pretty much the whole time just because we love him sooooo much--and cuz its a little bit of fun to fight with your sisters!

The only photo I got of me and my nephew--we shall have to fix that next time!!!

Me and my friend Jake the Gator--had to take one shot to freak the kidlets out a little bit.

Thanksgiving 08

2008-12-31T06:31:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving we stayed in Iowa as Josh needed to work. He has plenty of time off, but time around the holidays is a bit tricky as he is the low man in the order of things right now.

We spent the day with the Kearns Clan in Cedar Falls. Lots of yummy food and happy times--my sister Amy got to go with us too!

Our babies are growing up!

Gotta love Boogie--you never know what this little guy might be up too!

Jeni and Matt very graciously took kitchen duty after the big meal--thanks guys!!!

Our cousins Dan and Yolanda and their little guy, Wesley John, came over for a visit.

Guy Caps

2008-12-31T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've been whipping out several of these for the guys in my family--notice there are no girly details as my brother-in-law, Dave specifically requested. I'm working on number 16 in the past 30 days right now and still have three more on the list to complete--yikes! I may have to venture into something new before I go crazy!

The girly version for those guys quite secure in their masculinity--or for us girls!

2008-12-31T06:24:00.000-08:00

Katie Grace participated in the homeschool choir and drama group this fall. They performed in November. Katie was pretty shy about it at first but soon gained confidence and did very well!

Autumn in Iowa

2008-11-12T13:47:00.001-08:00

Green Castle
As autumn in Iowa draws to a close we decided to spend one of our last warm Sunday afternoons at the small park outside of town where Josh and I were married eleven years ago. It was still beautiful and romantical!This one makes me sing, "For amber waves of grain...." Aren't you glad I don't know how to put audio clips on here? Micah bringing me a rock.Katie Grace in the prairie grass.Trying to agree on something to play.Wandering.Wandering back towards Mama.This is getting serious.Fully committed to ASPCA play (the overly dramatic animal rescue show on Animal Planet). If they could only find an animal in need of a rescue. Whoop--theres one. Poor Stella has been "rescued" many times.Stella on point--her signal for a birdie.Stella on come.Stella on her favorite place in the world--between Katie and Micah and getting petted by both. As it turned out the kids actually did get to utilize their superhuman animal rescue skills as Stella poked her nose around some rocks where it did not belong and got bit by some little animal--possibly a prairie snake. This dog has survived bears, pocupines (25 quills in the mouth) and lyme's disease from a tick in Minnesota, but one little encounter with a small prairie animal has been quite an ordeal. She is recovering nicely now but got a pretty severe owie on the nose! You can see it forming above--I'll spare you the really bad photos.

A little fun in the leaves!

Halloween

2008-11-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Punkins!
Katie's Pumpkin before shot--mmmm pumkin guts!Katie's kitty pumkin--After.Micah's before--he is a bit more timid with the pumpkin guts, but we managed with no tears this year.Micah's spidy web pumpkin.Trunk-N-Treat
Our castle trunk. We got to particiapte in Marshalltown's church trunk-n-treat this year. It was so much fun--the kids even conned me into dressing up as their Queen--what we wouldn't do for our kids! Princess Katie peering through the drawbridge door where she handed out candy to somewhere around 600 little trick or treaters.Micah helped Papa and Boby pass out candy at the Prescott trunk--they had the music going, and their signature ghost and pumpkin.Boby with Princess Katie and Sir Micah, the Knight.
My son, Micah, and future daughter-in-law, Riley Sue.

Hats Hats Hats

2008-11-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

My sister Amy has talked me into joining her craft show adventures--She as the Cupcake Queen and Me as the Hat Queen! It is oddly hard to knit with no one in particular in mind. But these projects have been fun nevertheless--this weekend Josh will be up North and us girls will be crafting--I guess you might call it the crafters opener (you know like deer season opener, fishing opener, etc...)

A dear friend of mine gave me this skein before I left Minnesota, she said, "I'm not quite sure what kind of animal a mo is but I thought it felt really nice." The "Mo" she refers to is of course a Mohair Goat! Hee Hee!

This little set is a match to a set in different colors that I made for a little guy in Minnesota. He now has twin cousins so I made another set so that they could be twinkies!

Lumberjacks

2008-11-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we spent some time with my inlaws. Josh and his dad had a ball playing lumberjacks for the day while Lavonne, the kids and I took in a movie--I made it through an entire High School Musical! Josh was moving a little slow for a few days after!

The boys chainsawed and brought home quite a truck load of wood.

This must have been a whopper of a tree.

Creak, Crack, Split! Looks like they should be set for winter!

A Good Woman and the Playfulest Big Man Ever

2008-10-30T07:09:00.001-07:00

We enjoyed a wonderfully fun and sweet visit from my grandparents last week. At dinner the first night we all sat down. After the prayer Micah look at Grandma for a moment and said "Grandma, you are a good woman." We all smiled and went on with our meal. A few minutes later he looked at Grandpa and said, "Grandpa, You are the playfulest big man EVER." Those of you who know my grandparents will know that he had them figured out from the start!
Grandpa and Micah share a cuddle.Grandma and Katie curl up to enjoy a good book.And the fun begins...

After getting pummeled by Grandpa in the pillow fights--Katie and Micah decided to join forces and plot their attack in the bathroom. They came out--but little did they know that grandpa had been doing some plotting of his own--he hid ready for ambush!
Micah gets a taste of the pillow action!A little threat of eating her toes and ears sent Katie into frenzied squeals!Katie and Micah strike back...A little one on one between Grandpa and Micah.Grandpa gets her again.Eventually Mama had to bust up the pillow fights gone wild to spare the ears of the rest of the adults around and Katie and Micah discovered another talent of Grandpa's--the passing down of the oral tradition...
Katie and Micah were enthralled by story after story and are recreating them in their journals (to be blogged about soon).

Apples Apples Everywhere!

Grandma was sure they had missed the apple harvest this year but they were still abundant--it only took us a few minutes to fill our basket.

Grandma LOVES apples! She says this photo is like looking at her mother.

We promised ourselves we would just pick one bushel--but who can resist crisp tasty apples--we ended up with two!

Papa Paul--pickin.

Grandpa carefully selects the biggest and best chieftans.

The Golden Harvest!

2008-10-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

The corn is finally getting dry enough to harvest. Yesterday Dad called and said--come on out if you want to see the corn coming in. So we did. Micah rode in the combine for several "strips". I hear it is a bit mesmerizing up there.

This is the tractor and wagon Dad pulls to the elevator while Farmer Cal fills another wagon in the field. Each of the kids were able to take a trip to the elevator with Papa.I had never seen this up so close! Pretty neat!
Micah is still riding along!
When Papa and Katie returned from the elevator. Papa gave her a quick lesson in corn harvesting.
They handpicked a few ears just for fun.
Then tossed them into the combine "mouth"Nothing like a little time with Papa to put a smile on your face!
Katie liked the combine almost as much as Micah!
Here she goes!!

Iowa Gold!
Farmer Cal and Katie Grace after their ride. Farmer Cal told us to go to the end of the field and wait for a bit. He said Dad was sure to show up there.
We quickly discovered why Dad might show up there...
This is Dorothy, Cal's mom, and I mean to tell you this woman can cook! She brought out a full spread of steamy hot mashed potatoes smothered in yummy beef and noodles completed with chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. She set it all out in the back of the pickup truck right in the middle of the field. She said her daughter keeps on her to write a book about Harvest Meals on Pick Up Wheels. I told her I thought that was a great idea. She says well, its just plain food...all I know is it was just plain yummy!
Here comes Cal for lunch!
MMMMM MMMMM MMMMM!
A little discussion over a hot meal about moisture levels and bushel counts from the elevator!Farmer Cal heads back to work.
When Micah was a little guy we often would wake up to this scene in the living room--every single John Deere tractor toy he owned standing on end, his Lightening McQueen and Mater toys facing them and a sleeping boy nearby on the floor. Obviously, Micah had been "tractor tippin'" in the middle of the night.

After lunch the kids and I settled in at the end of the field to live out the next scene from the movie Cars. While I waited for another tractor shot the kids played and played. We heard the big combine noise and saw this sight and I couldn't help but yell "FFFRRRAAANNNKKK"!! The kids ran and jumped in the car then we hightailed it out of there.

Tour of Animals

2008-10-21T05:02:00.000-07:00

Our homeschooling group recently took a tour of domestic animals. Our first stop was the vet. Katie and Micah (on the far left) watch a routine puppy exam.The surgery suite was pretty cool. The vet explained what kind of surgeries they do and basic procedures.
Then he saw Micah standing in the corner clutching his beloved froggy. He asked Micah to come "be the doctor" and "do surgery" on froggy. After having seen quite a bit of the operating room Micah was reluctant, but the vet assured him that they would not hurt froggy, so Micah agreed.
After the vet we made a stop at a doggie obedience school. The kids were taught how to handle a dog attack, how to (or not to) approach and pet strange dogs and some basic obedience training techniques. Those of you who know our Stella may see that I am listening quite diligently--we went away with a few tips. We are learning to be the alpha dogs in the house!

Our final stop (no photos) was the animal rescue league. After about 100--"your father would say absolutely nots" we left empty handed with barking ringing in our ears! There were some pretty cute pups in there! Micah's favorite animal was a little kitty that would reach out of the cage and pat him on the head. He wanted to name him "Patty". Katie wanted to take all of them--except for the rather aggressive rotweiler. She even wanted the cats regardless of her very severe cat allergy!

Finger Knitting

2008-10-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

The joy of knitting kindled in yet another young heart! I knew she was hooked when I woke up early one morning to find her already awake and finger knitting away on the couch!
Finger knitting is a very simple introductory technique--she took to it immediately and is already gauging her tension and speed finger knitting--40 necklaces and counting!

Katie and Auntie Amy at a craft show. Amy showcased her amazingly beautiful jumbo cupcakes, caramels and cards while Katie sold quite a few of her necklaces!

Northland Visit

2008-10-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Even though our time was limited we got to do some visiting over the weekend and managed to hit a potluck Sunday so we got to share lunch with our church family and get in a little more visiting. It was a blessed time! We already miss our Northern family incredibly and are forever grateful for their love and friendship!Here are Katie and Micah in their truest forms in Jay Cooke--Micah is a little ham and Katie a little sweeetheart. While Eileen and I were busy snapping shots right and left the kiddos were busy playing and running up and down the trails!
An attempt at sibling sweetness!
Enjoying a laugh on Rocky Mountain!
Aw--now there's my babies!
Katie Grace on the trail--I am still kicking myself for packing away the Minnesota mud boots--this is definitely not the place for white tennis shoes!!
On the bike bridge--Micah is about tuckered out!
My friend Eileen! We were having a ball attempting to capture the beauty all around us with our cameras!
Shutterbug Eileen!
We picked up Katie's friend Tyler for some lunch, bowling and playing at the house. He's a pretty sweet kid!So I guess we need to work on Katie's bowling skills--I'm just glad the ball was going in the lane direction!Micah getting set up.He has pretty much perfected the granny technique.

Northland Autumn

2008-10-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

We went up north this past weekend to take care of some house stuff and for Josh and his friend Randy to fish while the kids and I visited. The house ended up being more involved than we intended but we were able to get some visiting in. Saturday morning my friend, Eileen, and the kids and I made a trip through Jay Cooke State Park. The colors were absolutely amazing--what could possibly be more magnificent than God's own paint palette?

We took pictures like crazy and ooed and awed the whole time! It made me wish my sweet grandmother could be there with me--I am pretty sure I get my love of nature from her! The following are some of the nature shots...

The Remnant

2008-10-13T11:30:00.001-07:00

"But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes..." Ezra 9:8
We left Minnesota in early August--just a couple of weeks before my beloved garden came to full harvest. I watched the little seedlings emerge, then struggle to survive, nursed them to strong plants and then deserted them. It was heartbreaking. I am forever indebted to my lovely friends and neighbors in the northland who shared in my heartbreak and came to the rescue of my helpless garden. They harvested and put to good use many of the abandoned veggies before the frost settled in. I was thrilled to hear of all the things they were able to make out of it!

We went up north this past weekend to take care of some house issues and for Josh and his friend Randy to fish the Rainy. Frost is in full force up there, but by the grace of God there was still "a remnant" remaining in the garden (pictured above). As I collected all that I could and prepped the garden for the winter, I couldn't help but think of God and his people--his remnant. How he has through the ages, watched us grow and salvaged us from sin. I can hardly imagine his pain at the losses and his joy in the remnant!
My friend Eileen took care of the tomatoes--most of them were canned and put away, but when she heard that Josh and I were coming up--she saved these out for me--I can hardly wait to get some marinara cooking!

The Mad Monkey of '08

The Mad Monkey of '08 will join Bob the Tomato of '07 in our Hall of Crazy Tomatoes! Katie discovered him as we were cleaning out the garden. He is frostbitten--so we are pretty sure the angry expression is a result of being left out in the cold!

Rock Creek ?!?!?!?!?!?

2008-10-12T22:43:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting to blog about this until after today, as Josh wanted to use it as a sermon illustration this morning. A couple of weeks ago Dad, Mom Josh, the kids and I decided to take a Sunday afternoon fishing trip out on the barge. It was a beautiful day and Rock Creek is notorious for its twilight bite so we were anticipating a healthy crappie catch.

If you've ever spent much time hangin out with my family you may have been lucky enough to experience a "Prescottism". They make great sermon illustrations but I have to admit, in the midst of them sometimes you wonder how in the world you are going to get out of this mess and how you got there in the first place.

We put the barge in the water, but somehow the back wheels of the boat trailer slipped off the landing pad and got stuck on the edge of the pad--the truck and the trailer were stuck fast. 3 Pickup trucks later, a guy with a super duty four wheel drive finally was able to pull the trailer (and Dad's truck) out of the landing. By this time we had about a half hour until dark and a very crooked looking trailer.

Josh prepared to get the boat out of the water to try to make it home before dark fell...but Dad said--"what are you doin Josh? We're goin fishin!" So we did. It was rather slow--a bluegill and a few crappies (mostly mom's) and then--as night fell I looked up to see Josh's ultra light nearly bent in half as he was very rapidly adjusting the drag. I yelled for Micah to help me find the net--we got it to him right as he was pulling this guy to the boat...

He was a 25 inch and 5.5 pound walleye. Bigger than any walleye Josh has caught up North. He just kept saying---at Rock Creek????? He sure tasted good! He made a meal for the whole family the next night! We even ate the cheeks--the very best part of a walleye! He bit on a ultra light rod, pink and white crappie jig and 2 lb test line!

And this is why its not a good idea to pick up a walleye by the lip---yyyouch!

Two weeks later Josh and I spent a Sunday evening out at Rock Creek and this is what he came up with this time. He doesn't usually keep bass, but he brought this one home--just for Boby (my mom).

As usual, while Josh was busy going after the fish, I was busy going after the shots! The sky was really pretty that night!What can beat a sunset on the lake in a boat with your honey?

Just a little boy and just a little girl.....

California Here We Come...

2008-10-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Josh's annual conference took us to Long Beach, California this year. It was great fun. Josh had classes during the mornings while I explored a bit. Then we adventured together the rest of the time!

Who needs a spa when you can get exfoliation like this playing on the beach?

The highlight of our whole trip was a day at Huntington Beach. The waves were absolutely beautiful.

Wading wasn't quite enough for Josh. He just had to experience the power of the waves first hand.

Assuming the fight position.

Wipe Out!

Ready for another one! There are not many things that can knock Josh clean off his feet--Every time he was knocked down he came up giggling like a child.

Josh had to drag me out there--it was rather cold but I adjusted and I have to admit--it does make you giggle uncontrollably!

I managed to stay on my feet for a while by running with the waves rather than fighting against them...

But in the end--they got me too!!

We played until we could play no more and then we began the very long walk to the pier--it didn't look so very far off, but it was! We collected seashells to take back to the kids along the way and then had dinner on the pier--the best fish I have ever tasted (and I've tasted a lot of fish!)

From the end of the pier we watched the big waves roll in with the surfers riding them.

One afternoon we went to the Long Beach Aquarium. It was amazing!

This eel posed for me like this for quite a while before slinking off.

This big ugly sea bass was a camera hog--I couldn't get a good shot of the sharks because he kept following me and getting in front of them.

Micah's favorite--a tree frog.

Jellyfish

Du Nu Du Nu Du Nu.... AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!

Josh petting a sting ray.

Other sharks in the petting pool.

A Leafy Sea Dragon--quite possibly the most intricate animal I have ever encountered!

A regular Sea Dragon.

Lion Fish

MMMMM MMMMM MMMM--the treat of the week!

Long Beach

Another favorite was a day trip to Catalina Island. We rode for about an hour on a big ship to this tiny island. We rented a golf cart and explored.

Amazing island flowers seemed to be everywhere!

A Lesson in Agriculture--Iowa style!

2008-10-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Harvest time is here in Iowa! My dad helps a local farmer, Farmer Cal, harvest the crops. The other day as they were working on the beans, Dad called and asked if the kids could come out for a lesson in agriculture---Iowa style!The massive combine hard at work--better known to Micah as the character Frank from Cars. The soy beans dried and ready!Papa Paul and Micah on their way to the combine. Katie very graciously insisted that Micah go first--however from the looks of her white face I think a little fear may have played into that!Micah up in the cab with Farmer Cal. Cal said he was quiet for about a minute and then jabbered the rest of the way full force!Micah and Farmer Cal in the field. Here is Micah's journal entry for the day:

The combine was the best part. We got to ride there with Papa in the tractor. It had a wagon in the back of it full of soy beans. I really liked the tractor especially the combine. The combine had these little sawers on the bottom and it had big ones too. It had a drill inside it. It wasn't too loud because I had my earplugers in. I didn't get to steer it or push anything but I got to ride in it. I saw it sucking up soy beans into a big loader thing and when it comes back it shoots out the soy beans from the loader thing into the wagon. When it first came over it kind of freaked me out. I thought it was going to come drill us. Cal was nice. I really liked that kind of machine. I got to ride in it. It was Frank from Cars.

Katie's turn! She was a bit reluctant but ended up loving it too. Farmer Cal said she was quiet for quite a while--that is until he mentioned Spirit the pony--then she got chattery too! Here is her journal entry...

At the farm I got to ride a tractor. My Papa Paul drove it. When we were on the gravel road it wasn't bumpy but when we got onto the dirt it was very bumpy. We also got to ride a combine. It was huge! It sucked up soy beans like a tornado. Cal is a good farmer. My favorite part is when they shoot the beans into the wagon. We nearly ran over a rabbit. We don't know if we ran over it because we couldn't see if it went the other way out of the beans or not--we hope we didn't get it. It was a lot of fun!

She's not too sure yet.

Here are Katie and Cal on the home stretch--she's an old pro by now. Cal made a friend in Katie by slowing down to let the bunnies get out of the way--I have a feeling that is not typical harvest procedure!

The kids and I in front of Frank's "driller". Micah was not completely convinced that it would not come to life and drill us. Whew--we made it!Katie and Micah in Papa's tractor--the one he pulls the beans to the elevator in.Micah sporting earplugs. He reminds me a bit of Frankenstein.Katie's Earplugs!

Apple Harvest

2008-10-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's apple pickin' time in Iowa! Dad, Josh, the kids and I went pickin. We came home with two bushels--just when I got one put away, our neighbor in Minnesota gave me another bushel from her tree!! They are so yummy--any apple recipes out there?

These shots remind me of one of Micah's favorite bible class rhymes:I looked way up in the apple tree

One little apple smiled at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could

Down came the apple
MMMMMMM MMMMMM MMMMMM

God is good!
Sweet Katie.Joshua with a picker full of apples.
Katie loved to use the pickers too.Papa Paul, the kids and the bushels!
Micah's cool boy shot.
I finally put the camera down to pick--Josh snuck a couple shots in too!
Katie through the tree!

Grimes Farm

2008-09-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

One very fun advantage of homeschooling is all the field trips and hands on experiences that we get to be a part of. We are currently learning about Iowa culture. Last week we took a field trip to Grimes Farm--A local conservation and educational center. Here is the covered bridge leading up to it.

Who else gets to take the lunch lady on field trips?

Micah explores a mystery box and all sorts of educational drawers.

Katie and her friend Bucky Beaver--if only Papa Keith had been around for voice effects!

Micah loved the animals pelts--especially this fox.

Katie's allergy kicked up a bit!

This whopper of a state record crappie was caught at the same little lake where we were married.

Of course ever Iowa child must be well versed in Pheasant identification so they may one day hunt with their daddies. These are all rooster pheasant variations.

Here is the classic rooster pheasant--Josh's all-time favorite game bird!

An eagle eye keeps watch.

Papa and Bobi enjoy a break with the kiddos in the butterfly garden.

Papa and Bobi--Wuv Twu Wuv!

Kearns Christian Academy

2008-09-25T06:58:00.001-07:00

Since we moved to Iowa before we sold our house in Minnesota we are living with my parents while we deal with house stuff and until we find a new house in Des Moines. I really didn't want to put the kids in school in Marshalltown, and then take them out and put them in another new school in Des Moines once we get settled there. So in the meantime I have decided to homeschool them until we get settled. My family has been a great support in this endeavor along with many helpful homeschooling moms in the area. It is a daunting task, but we are loving it! The following are some photos of our homeschooling day!

Katie's thinkin about it!

Her cursive is developing quite nicely!

Here is Micah working hard!

Teacher Mama. I love my role as teacher. The kids are learning a lot and I have to admit--selfishly I love being with my babies all day long! We decided Josh will be our principal! When Josh and I had to be away for a conference for a week, Nana (Josh's mom) stepped in as substitute. Since I wasn't around, I don't have any photos but I hear they had a great week!Bobi is our lunch lady--she prepares wonderful nutritious meals for the kiddos each day!Papa Paul has been teaching Micah how to lead singing. He has lead several songs now on Wednesday nights. His favorite is "The Battle Belongs to the Lord." He has also served on the Lord's Table twice now as the lid boy. He has to work at it but he manages to stand up there quietly and mostly still and slowly walks, not runs (his usual mode of transportation) the lids to the back after each prayer.Coach Papa leads Katie and Micah in Gym class. Papa rides in circles on his bike.Katie follows on her bike--she recently took a nearly 11 mile bike ride with Papa Paul and Auntie Amy. From what I hear, Dad and Amy were working to keep up with her!!Micah follows the bike train on foot--he's not quite proficient on two wheels yet.

Papa and Micah work on the bounce pass.

Catching the bball.

Stretching--this is by far the toughest for the kids but they are getting better.

Auntie Amy supplements our curriculum with letter, number, color, and yes pop recognition on pop.com. She is our computer lab and ingenuity teacher. She has the kids well trained to spot coke caps nearly anywhere and they diligently repeat the codes of letters and numbers to her as she enters them on pop.com. They will soon be an unveiling of a line of coke cap jewelry on ebay.

Our school mascot--Stella the Dawg

Okay, so she's a distraction more than anything else but we still love our doggie!!

Rock Creek

2008-09-02T06:18:00.001-07:00

We are definitely beginning to reap the benefits of living close to family. Over the labor day weekend we spent time camping, fishing and kayaking with both of our parents, my sister and our nephews--it was great fun!

Amy's work of art--fruit pizza--YUMMY!!!! It was such a hit she made two!!

My two little paddlers (Katie Grace and nephew Tyson) were hard at work! I'm just along for the ride!

Ty got worn out--there goes my free ride!

Josh over a crappie hole at Rock Creek--okay so they weren't Minnesota pounder crappies but there were lots of them!

Cuddles and smiles from Ki ki loo la and Auntie Amy.

Katie Grace sporting Papa's glasses and Bobi's hat.

Auntie Amy and her loverboy.

Auntie gets smooches from Micah.

Katie Grace's winning smile!

Bobi sunnin, fishin and relaxin on the barge--wearing Papa Tubbs hat.

Katie Grace at the helm--this is her focus face!

I'm not sure what he has in mind for this little guy, but I'm sure glad I wasn't born a minnow!

With a little guidance from Papa we managed to miss hitting the beach and numerous boats!

Micah--hooking Amy's minnow for her. She didn't mind touching them but just couldn't bring herself to hook them. After many protests, Katie (her usual baiter) said well, Amy, its not like were killing them--the fish do that part.

Skipper Katie!

Nana and the little men--Caden and Micah.

Keeping the peace between two very anxious little paddlers!

My father in law, Keith, testing the waters in his new kayak.

This must be where Josh, Katie and Micah get their determined face.

Go Keith Go!!

My mother in law, Lavonne and a great laugh.

Lavonne, kayaking like a pro!Now its my turn--a little different than kayaking the Sea Caves of Lake Superior--at least I managed not to flip!
My nephew, Tyson came to my rescue and pulled me ashore so I wouldn't crash land into the water as Josh waited expectantly with the camera for my big splash--atta boy, Ty!
Micah and Boogie diligently studying a dinosaur map--because you never know when you might just unearth one.

Little Kids on the Prairie

2008-08-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

We recently spent an afternoon on the farm that Dad helps out with--it was great fun! Here are Katie and Micah playing in the prairie grass and waiting for Papa Paul to catch the pony so they could ride.Here comes Papa and Spirit.Josh teaching Micah to avoid the pasture patties--eeww!Katie and her girl--Kindred Spirit!Micah--going for a ride.Katie loves taking care of her, brushing her and feeding her almost as much as riding.Daddy leads Katie around farmland!

Sweetness!

Micah likes the swagger of the pony's walk.Mama and Micah in the meadow--you'd think someone would have come up with something like snowshoes for prairie grass!A crop duster--dustin.When he saw us taking pictures he did a few fancy fly-overs for us.
Watch-out cornfields--Micah's at the wheel!
Papa Paul helping Micah onto a small tractor.
Katie Grace!
The kids and I explored a bit while Dad moved equipment around to get to the mower--we found this crazy spider that was hangin out in the barn. Upon a little internet investigation I discovered that this is the same kind of spider that was featured in the book Charlotte's Web by E. B. White. It is an Araneus Cavaticus spider--our very own Charlotte A. Cavaticus--the A for Aranea! Here she is spinning their traditional circle web!
Micah and his lady chips (were still not sure why he calls them that).

From the Northland to the Midwest

2008-08-21T11:22:00.001-07:00

The past month has proven to be a whirlwind of change and transition for our little family! July 1, Josh began a new job at St Lukes Hospital in Duluth, we enjoyed the fourth in Canada with some friends and came back home to a message from one of Josh's old classmates that there was a job in Des Moines that he really needed to look at. We dismissed it in the beginning as we were very happy where we were and looking forward to a nice relaxing summer. However, the Lord prodded our hearts and as we prayerfully considered it we were moved to send in a resume--just to see what might happen. Literally in less than a week, Josh interviewed, negotiated and accepted a job at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. We hit the ground running and by 8/8/08 our lives were packed up and we were leaving our home, church family and friends in the Northland and heading for the Midwest!

In the midst of this our 11th anniversary arrived. For a special anniversary treat, Josh and I hiked a couple of miles to a raspberry patch near a trout stream that he had found earlier in the season. We picked berries for a couple of hours then went to take a break by the stream. As we returned to the patch we saw this mama deer standing protectively by the patch, as we got closer we realized that her two babies were creeping to our buckets in an attempt to steal our berries!!!

Minnesota GOLD!

We managed to pick enough wild raspberries for a batch of jam! We also found some thimbleberries and blueberries to snack on along the trail.

Iowa GOLD!!!

When we arrived in Iowa, the sweet corn was in full swing--YUMMY!!

We just had to take the traditional Iowa family photo in the corn!

Pheasant over the corn--hunting season is not far off!

A week before we left I had the very difficult task of saying goodbye to the little ones I have come to love in my daycare.

Katie had a goodbye party with her friends. Stella the dog and a bubble gun served as the entertainment at the house--then we went out for a cruise in the cruiser and a round of miniature golf. It was a great day, although the good bye part of it was quite sad!

Katie's last moments in her very own room. She had been distraught for weeks about leaving her friends and this was the straw that broke the camel's back--she cried for a good hour--we were all in tears before she was finished!

Micah has set his heart on a new career choice--he now plans to become a professional mover. The movers were very patient with their little shadow and the constant stream of questions coming from him. They even let him tape a few boxes.

Okay--so, even though it appears that Josh is completely basking in the moment and letting the movers do all the hard stuff--in reality I could only hold him here long enough to snap a picture before he was up and stressing about the next thing that needed to done.

The Moon over our home in Minnesota the night before we left.

Sunrise in Iowa the next day--and a new life begins....

A part of our hearts will always belong in the northland--with those we have come to love there--our church family, all my sweet babies, our wonderful neighbors and friends.......We love you!!!

MWBC: Special Week II 2008

2008-08-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

After loading up our life in Northern Minnesota and heading to Iowa, Josh began a new job in Des Moines and the kids and I unwound at a week of camp. Josh got to come for the weekends and a visit one night. What a blessing to be surrounded by loving friends and family, and a time of spiritual renewal during this crazy transition.Director Paul (aka my Daddy) leading a chapel moment.

Mom was there too and a group of us girls got the make the annual trip to Stringtown Grocery (The Mennonite store) and the Kalona Cheese Factory---what fun!

Micah was truly in his element this year at camp. I tried to sneak a shot of him singing during chapel--but he caught me.

Here he is singing "Will it grow?" in front of everybody in the messhall with microphone assistance from Auntie Amy. His Sunday School teacher from Duluth, Miss Julie, would be proud!

Micah and Andrew became best buddies from the moment they met! They were so good for one another although they managed to strike fear into the hearts of many innocent campers and staff as the tore around on Andrew's Jeep and Gator! They became known as "The Gator Terrorists".

Micah is demonstrating one of the many tricks he learned from Andrew this week. It's called "the drive full speed down the hill into the messhall, then spin out before you actually hit it trick". You'll notice this maneuver requires some tongue action. It made me gasp everytime--but I think we made it through the week without actually hitting the messhall--I wish we could say the same about not hitting campers--sorry bout that Lori!!

They were such big stuff--everytime the bell rang for class they would hop in the gator and ride down the road to Miss Kate's RV! They absolutely loved Miss Kate's class and actually managed to learn all kinds of wonderful Godly lessons without even knowing they were learning!

Sweet Riley Sue showed up on Wednesday--the boys took turns giving her rides in the gator--there's just something women love about pickup men!!

After nine years of filling various roles at camp, I got to return to counseling this year. I had the most precious group of girls. Many of them I have known since they were babies--what a joy to watch these little ones turing into such precious women for the Lord!

As we were in the middle of a move I had my pets with us--Stella the dog, Superman the frog and Rainbow the fish. The girls immediately made a chart detailing who would get to feed which animal when. Cabin four quickly became known as "The Animal Kingdom". My girls published a form in the camp newspaper asking to be keepers of all camp animals. Before the week was out we had about twenty camp "pets" including tree frogs, toads, a wasp (which I strongly encouraged them to release), fairy shrimp, and all sorts of little critters. They even trained Stella to do her famous clothes line jumping trick for the talent show!! Their great love of animals lead to wonderful discussions of God's creation, living waters and his care of creation and us!

This is sweet little Abby with her infamous toad!

First time camper (and my sweet niece) Emily eating her spaghetti with a knife--initiation!

Emily again--working up the nerve to kiss the buck so she can get Auntie April's letter--she finally did it!

Here we are in the middle of a devo object lesson--expounding on my Papa Tubbs favorite verse--Psalms 121...

I lift up my eyes to the hills--

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip--

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you--

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm--

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore!

My mother in law (in the middle) performing the do re mi song with her fellow cooks! Keith (my father in law), Lavonne (my mother in law) and Jess (my sister in law) all treated us to wonderful meals at camp along with an outstanding, rebellious cook staff!!

Amy leading her girls in the non-talent show!

Katie has spent that past few weeks dreading leaving her friends in Minnesota. She misses them terribly, but camp really helped to ease her transition. She was a year shy of being an official camper, but spent a lot of time in my cabin and bonded with the girls--including her cousin Emily. She absolutely loved cabin devo time--she always made sure she could join us for those and spent every other night in the RV with her beloved Bobi (my mom)!

The Saturday night after camp--Katie was a bit worn out and collapsed into Auntie Amy's arms! She was sleeping so hard--I woke her up to eat supper and the next day she didn't even remember eating it!

Opening Ceremonies!

2008-08-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

The long awaited opening of the new bathhouse finally arrived at Special Week II 2008. With every flush, every moldy shower, every sopping wet squish of our feet in the old bathhouse we wondered--could this be our last? In honor of such a moment in time, we thought it only appropriate to host the 2008 Opening Ceremonies to the Bathhouse! The speeches were priceless!!

The carrying of the toilet paper torch!

The Bath Master (Kim) and the Plunger Prophet clothed in a former bathhouse shower curtain (Dad) oversaw all the opening ceremonies!

Bob lead the way in the parade of flags--every cabin was represented--Bob's flag is none other than a curtain from the old bathhouse!

My girls--proudly representing the Animal Kingdom, with Nana cheering them on!

Katie and Abby and the plunger Arch!

The Bible Teachers' contribution--the Bathhouse Ten Commandments!

Plunger Prophet Paul Knighting Sir Bob with a toilet paper crown!

Declaration from Plunger Prophet Paul---It........Is.................Clean!!!!!!!

The cutting of the toilet paper ribbon by Bath Master (and bathhouse creator) Kim!

Let the flushing begin!!!!

Watermelon Football

2008-08-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

My girls--beating the boys--go girls go!!!

Amy--convincing everyone through gasps of air that she was drowning--when she was really hiding the watermelon for a secret score!!

Emily and Wachie looking on from the lifeguard stand!

Who's got the melon!

An Intense Play!

Jeremy-the Wall-Bjelland!

Sammi--Watermelon Terror, Katie B enjoying it all, Brandon--just trying to survive!

Knittings!

2008-08-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

I just finished this little hat and bootie set for a little guy that will be born in January in Duluth. I am working on a similar set in different colors for another little one that will arrive soon!

Bear Paw 2008

2008-08-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

Since we were in the middle of a move, Josh and I didn't get to go to Bear Paw this year, but the kids did--which helped tremendously in getting things done at the house. We did go spend the day--here are a few photos of the kids swimmingKatie took swimming lessons this year and was quite confident in jumping off the diving dock!
Micah spent most of his time working up the nerve to jump off. I think he did once or twice but I wasn't there to see it.
No hesitation for Tyson!

Canada, Eh?

2008-07-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

We sent Katie and Micah to Grandkids Camp at Bobi and Papa's house for a week and so Josh and I got to go on a little Canada Camp over the fourth of July weekend with some friends. It was strange to be out of the states on the fourth--but we posted our American flags outside our tents and the campground residents had a little fireworks display for us!

The trip was awesome! One of the highlights for me was seeing a massive bull moose on the way--thankfully we breezed passed him rather than into him! We left Thursday night at 5:30 and arrived at the camp about 2:30 in the morning. We slept sitting upright in the car for an hour or two and then hit the ground running! There was only about 3 and a half hours of dark--from midnight to 3:30 am.Here is the sunrise from our campsite--this is what got us running that early in the morning! That and our friend Don--otherwise known as the energizer bunny!Daisies on the shore of Lake Mameigweiss--we camped just a few feet away. The water was crystal clear--Josh even bathed in it shampoo and all, but at about 40 degrees the water was a bit chilly for me--even though the air temp was pretty warm! I did wash my face in it but that was as brave as I could get!!

Gummeson's Camp--where we stayed was quite the setup. There was no electricity, no phones, no cell service. It made me a bit nervous to be completely out of contact with my kiddos but we managed okay and the Lord kept us all safe :) They kept ice the old fashioned way--since there was no refrigeration they cut huge chunks of lake ice out of the lake in winter and pack it in sawdust in an ice cabin! It stays that way all summer--just like in the Little House on the Prairie books! We used their ice chunks to keep our catch and food cold!Eileen putting out the breakfast fire so we could be on our way!This is one of the portage trails! After we ate breakfast and set up camp we headed out for the trails. You bring everything you need for the day and portage on trails to lakes where there are cribs with boats in them, take a boat ride across a lake then portage more trails to more sites until you end up on the lake you want to fish--carrying the boat motor and gas with you from boat to boat.Donny Jo served as our pack mule for the trip. He carried the bulky heavy gear and we made our way through the mud and muck with just a few lighter items!Josh is attempting to drive the boat back into the crib after accidentally tipping and fallin in, boat and all! He was lifting the boat motor off the back of the boat which was hanging off the end of the crib and down they went.Josh and Don loading the boat--now filled with water onto the crib--its a good thing we had two good strong men with us and the Lord watching out for us all!We caught so many walleyes I had to start kissing the smaller ones goodbye. Josh was the Northern Pike King---we caught as many or more of those as we did walleyes, but only kept a few. We would catch our limit, then go to an island and eat as many as we could then go back and fill our limit again!

Shore LunchJosh getting some water to clean the fish with--the rocks were rather slippery--the first attempt at collecting water landed him in the water! The water on this lake was slightly stained and choppy but still very clear--perfect conditions for wallys!We scrambled up these rocks with our catch and ice chests to get to our shore lunch spot on Bare Island!Don cleaning lunch.Josh and I with a couple of eaters on the island.

Josh about to crash on the island before cleaning some more walleyes.

Crashed!Lunch and a few wallys to take home.

4 Nice walleyes and a gator (Northern Pike).

Here we sit like birds in the wilderness, waiting for our food... These five seagulls followed us around the rest if the day after we shared our fish scraps with them on Bare Island. We saw a bald eagle too but he kept his distance.After two very full days of fishing, camping and portaging the boys were still raring to go for some more walleyes but Eileen and I were worn out (could be cuz we caught the most and biggest fish--especially Eileen) so we stayed behind on Bare Island for a little napsky and beautifully cool breezes in the shade!

Little Falls (On the way to the portages)Josh N Me at the Little Falls

Don N Eileen at the Little Falls

Kakabeka Falls - Niagra of the North
Kakabeka Falls--otherwise known as the Niagra of the North was absolutely awesome--sheer power. it took me six shots to photograph the whole thing. If I ever figure out photoshop maybe I'll try to connect them. You can get some frame of size reference from the semi truck in the background in the shot below.

Daisies seem to be everywhere up there--these were near Kakabeka.

Kearns Time

2008-07-08T06:01:00.001-07:00

Josh and Jess, just a swingin
Jeni--insisting that they were blackberries--not black raspberries!
My father-in-law Keith grillin his famous ribs!

Emily's "Look"
Caders!
Nana and Emily enjoy a passing moment in the rain.
Matt--chillin!
My mother-in-law, Lavonne enjoying a family moment
Jeni--my little sis-in-law--she hates me taking pictures of her but I sneak a few in when she's not looking.
Nephew Caden is as mischevious as he looks--he managed to flip me over in the recliner--he loves to pick fights with auntie April!
My nephew Tyson--he's all boy, but a sweetheart too!

Fish slap shirts

2008-06-25T07:50:00.001-07:00

Katie and Micah sporting their latest fish slap shirts! Micah's is a channel cat-he caught the biggest one of all of us and Katie's is her large mouth bass.
Katie finally managed to catch a keeper bass!

Campin and Fishin

2008-06-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

These are Micah's two fat channel cats. I'm sure my cousins down in Texas would propably consider these minnows for their trot lines, but it took everything Micah had to pull them in--we made a fish slap shirt out of the bigger one!Here is Katie and her tiny Rock Bass! She had a nice cat on the line about 30 seconds after Micah and I tried to net hers at the same time but it snapped the line before I got the net under it--she was pretty dissappointed, but kept trying!
We wore Micah out good at the playground and beach, so he had to catch a few z's in the bow of Papa Tubb's jon boat while Josh and I were pullin in pounder crappies! I also caught a nice size large mouth bass and the biggest sunny I've ever seen. We forgot to bring the camera to the fish house--so we decided that those fish will just have to live in our memories!
Katie and Micah at the playyard near our camp site. We spent quite a bit of time playing on the beach too, although the native children were swimming it was a bit chilly for us--about 60 degrees that weekend.Micah sporting his new double cap style!

Lemonade Stand

2008-06-24T07:50:00.001-07:00

Last Friday the kids and I baked cookies and made lemonade for an old fashioned lemonade stand. We loaded up the wagon and first delivered cookies and lemonade to our neighbors, then headed to the park for the official "stand". They worked really hard and on the way home ran from shade tree to shade tree to escape the heat, pulling and pushing the wagon and stroller. When we got home their faces were beet red and they finished every last drop of the lemonade and then headed to the cool basement. I found them all sprawled out recovering from the heat!! It was a whopping 76 degree day that day! I just had to shake my head and say you have no idea what heat really is.

Micah is 5!!!

2008-06-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Micah celebrated 5 years of life in May. For his birthday lunch he chose all his favorites--Strawberries, Canteloupe, Balogna, Crackers and Chocolate Milk---Yumm!Micah's Auntie Amy baked him a super special dinosaur ice cream cake!Micah's has a new love of frogs--here is his favorite stuffed frog. For his birthday we got him a small frog habitat and a little frog which he named Superman.

Minnesota Wild

2008-06-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

Eagle on the St Louis River
Mama eagle protecting her nest
The Eaglet she was protecting
A crane on the St Louis River
We saw this bald eagle protecting his nest on the St. Louis River. I made Josh promise to take me back for some eagle shots in better light next time! While he and a friend were trout fishing a nearby stream last week they ran into a black bear--I was pretty jealous I wasn't there for a photo opp! Maybe next time!
A sunset on the St. Louis River.
A mama Minnesota loon and her baby on Bent Trout Lake.
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have made a home in our back yard.
Some pretty flowers that come up in our back yard--wish I knew what they were.
A fallen birch tree some where in the forest.
Moon over Minnesota through a birch on the Blackhoof River.

Piano Recital

2008-06-24T07:22:00.001-07:00

Katie performed in front of 300+ people during her school program without even seeming nervous, but for her first recital in front of about 30 people she was nervous as can be--you can see the tension on her face as she waits to play--she just kept focusing on her music!Here she is playing Can You Feel the Love Tonight from Lion King and Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid. She played both perfectly!Whew! When it was all over she was ready to go again!

On the Needles 2

2008-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Its finally turning warm up here--I think we made it to 60 yesterday!!! I just finished this hat to match Micah's bus stop coat for next fall and now I am working on a design for matching mittens.This is for a friend named JoAnna--I had good intentions of getting it done while she could still use it this year, however, up here in Northern Minnesota your never more than a month or two from cold weather--so she should be able to wear it before long.

Confessions of a Four Year Old Boy

2008-04-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

After reading over Micah's journal I thought it might be fun to post of few of his entries--just for a snapshot into the mind of a little boy!
4-19-08
I love Mama in my journal. I was in front of the road today and I hurt my hand. I was running. I got an owie. My hands got muddy, that's all what happened and then I came inside. For my birthday I want gummy worms, a blue sharp tooth and blue teranadon. Most of all I want the dinosaur game that Papa saw. Can I go to kids.com? Papa Paul and Bobi stayed for three days. We got to sleep wif them. When it was three days they left. We went to Gander Mountain and got me that shark. I love them--that's how it ends.
4-17-08
I love Katie. I love my
Stella, I like to sleep
wif Katie. I like playing
wif Stella. I like to
watch TV wif Daddy.
I love cuddling wif
mama. I like playing
wif Karl. Babies don't
play very good and they
scribble coloring.
Is it all full? I love
my mom. I love my
Katie, I love my Dad.
Is it all full now?
I like mama to tell
me stories. I like Superhero
Micah stories. We got
three more lines. I like
to play. Just two more. I
like food it helps us be strong.
Yeah All Done!

4-8-08
I love Katie. Does that say I love Katie? I love my Dad. Does that spell Dad? I love my mom. I love my Stella. I can't wait to see heaven. I hope it is going to be Spring time soon. I want to dig for dinosaur bones.

3-13-08
Help Katie get better. Good. Help me to be nicer to other people. A real gun for when I grow up. I fink about everything--the trees--I like to climb trees. I play in the snow, I dig wif a shovel, I find the grass. Help us get a new window. I like my toys, my cars trucks trains and dinosaurs and dragons and long necks too. And sharp tooth. Help us get a new clock because the black clock we have is so slow that we can't even see it move.

11-5-07
I fink Stella will get okay. I love Katie and my Daddy and Katie and my Mama. I love to do homework and play outside. I love to play wif alligators and three-horns and sharp teeth. Clara gave me kisses this morning. I love to play wif my brother Karl.
Nofing Else.

10-15-07
I was doing a very good job and it didn't take so long on my coloring alphabet book. I love Stella, I love Daddy. I know hoe to make letters. I love Mama. I love Katie. I'm going to have a new alphabet book. I love to play outside wif the toys. I went to Emily's house when we went to Nana's and Papa's house. Play. Got to play. I love Nana and Papa. I love to watch Curious George. I love to draw my paper alphabet book that Mama made.

7-11-07
Angle is here. Mykayla is here. Cadence is here. They are writing in their journals. Fatty words. Thank you for my curtains. They are dinosaurs. Thomas, this is Thomas. I want to go see Thomas. I'm drinking water, I want to swim in the pool today and watch Ice Age. I fix. Whhhh Whhhh Whhh FFFFFFF Fufah Fufah Yeah Fufah Fufah
The End.

7-5-07
Play outside. And playing Spiderman in the house. Yesterday go to the parade. I didn't get any candy then another truck came and he threw one at a little boy and I let him get it so I didn;t have any candy. Another truck came and I got so many candy. We went to Gordy's we went to fireworks. I got scared when the big ones shouted but my sister wasn't scared but I was. Rolling down the hill and running down the hill. At the tree I saw little boys. They played.

6-30-07
Fishing. We have a boat. Going fishing on it. Daddy caught a lot more big fishies than Mama. I haven't gotten anyfing yet. I caught a weed like this one. Putting it in the water. I been painting the boat. I got two weeds. Daddy caught a fish. I caught another weed. I've been opening up the ice chest because Daddy wants to put fishies in it. I'm trying to find something to play wif in my pack-pack. I found a crocodile!

6-28-07
When I was littler and I said watching movies wif my Rexy. Playing wif him and watching movies wif him. I made a necklace today, it was this long. I got a new fan at Walmart. It goes in a little circle and it turns on. My nose is running to bugars. Blue. There are lots of girls here writing in their journals. Going on the boat tomorrow going fishing. I'm going to catch a keeper then I'm going to keep it to eat it for lunch but I don't like fish to eat--real fish that live in the water. I like fishy candy. I like foodfish wif blue stuff on it inside.

6-27-07
Katie is my friend or my sister. She is sweet for me for my lunch. She is lovely for my lunch. She loves me in the hot lava. Uhh, Hot lava. Hot lava is gross. Building the tent. I built the tent wif Mama yesterday and I fixed all the golden fings together. Playing wif my Rexy and watching movies wif him. My Daddy going to work. My Stella playing outside. We run some errands at Walmart and we got some fireballs at night to play--I mean cracker fireballs. Look how many words--I got lots of fatty ones!

Wallies

2008-04-17T07:24:00.001-07:00

Here are Katie and Micah in front of the worlds largest Walleye

AAAAAHHHHH--is this karma? I tried to get the kids to pose like this for me but they wouldn't get near its mouth--I had to do quite a bit of convincing to even get Katie to take a picture of me like this as Micah was yelling MAMA DON'T DO THAT--GET YOUR HEAD AWAY FROM THERE!
Josh is a bit more of a seasoned walleye fisherman than the rest of us. Here he is in April 2008 on the Rainy River which separates Minnesota from Canada. Its one of the only places you can fish walleye out of season as it is a boundary river. There were literally hundreds of boats out that day!

Walleye Fishing on Eagle

2008-04-17T07:08:00.001-07:00

Last summer when Mom and Dad were here we went to Eagle Lake for some Walleye fishing. Here are Josh, Mom and Dad kickin back on Papa Tubbs jon boat. The kids and I were paddling around in a little paddle boat--by the way if you get off of one of those to swim for a while--it is next to impossible to get back on with no leverage and your kids will laugh hysterically at you!

Micah's first walleye--how do the little ones know to bite the little kid's hooks?

Katie's first walleye--a nice eater!

My first walleye--yum!!!

April 2008 Blizzard

2008-04-17T06:33:00.001-07:00

While the rest of the world is enjoying blooming flowers, warm spring rains and fresh green grass--here we are in Northern Minnesota getting hammered with yet another snow storm! These people are pretty relaxed about winter weather but when you see the Northlanders heading to the grocery stores in groves you know you better at least make sure you've got some bottled water, cans of spaghettios and some sort of wood pile for the wood stove--just in case.

The snowfall wasn't too heavy but the winds and visibility were atrocious! All the local schools, tv stations, even the hospitals were shut down Friday (so we all got to have a family day off together.) The kids begged and begged to play outside in the blizzard--but I had to put my foot down--no playing outside until the winds are 30 mph or below! The photo is of Katie and Micah--they dug tunnels from one side of the yard to the other and tried to meet in the middle, but popped the top off before they made it all the way!

Josh thought we shouldn't buy to many groceries ahead of time so he could ride his snowmobile to the grocery store in the middle of it! Anyway--it was fun and now the snow is receding into a lake in the back yard--more fun for the kids and Josh--more muddy floors for me!

Angels Among Us

2008-04-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

Since Katie was born mom has had the kids angel pictures taken each year. This year she insisted that we all partake in the angel tradition! So here we are. She threatened to make Josh put the wings on--but he rebelled claiming that he could only do that if Paul went first!Angel Amy just might be up to something...

Angel Bobi

Angel Me

Grandparents

2008-04-16T21:24:00.001-07:00

Safe in the arms of Papa Tubbs--he could always rock longer than I could fight staying awake!

This post is dedicated to my grandparents--who I don't get to see nearly enough! Above is my Grandma Geneva getting some snuggles from Katie and Micah at Thanksgiving. Below is my Granddaddy Hurston and Grandma Elsie--you can see where Micah's mischeviousness comes from!

April

2008-04-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Me n my girl at the Mother Daughter Retreat at Flaming Pine Youth Camp

At Josh's annual conference in Vancouver we took a day trip up to Whistler and Josh somehow convinced me to "zip" down the mountain--this zipline is the longest in the world!

Here I am at Gooseberry Falls

Micah

2008-04-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots of our little Micah--he's quite the character!His first walleye--caught all by himself!

At Gooseberry Falls

At Jay Cooke State Park

Look into my eyes--what do you see? Micah says there is a red girl dragon breathing fire in there! This is how he shows me.

Micah on a four-wheeler at the Sunnarborg farm

Micah and Papa Paul--Hunkin Horns!

Katie

2008-04-16T10:50:00.001-07:00

Here are a few shots of our sweet little girl, Katie Grace...At Gooseberry Falls

Worming her own hook

The model look

Pulled tooth

Enjoying the Sunset after a day of rain

Bob the Tomato

2008-04-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

This past year we put a vegetable garden in our back yard. We ate lots of yummy veggies--but this one was our favorite--we actually had our very own Bob the Tomato. He will be our very first entry in our newly founded Hall of Crazy Tomatoes.

Bob the Tomato of '07

Best Buddies

2008-04-16T10:37:00.001-07:00

At the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park

In Papa Tubbs pecan orchard.

In the Cloquet Forestry Center

Country Jam Session

At Gooseberry Falls

At Jay Cooke State Park

10th Anniversary Sea Caves

2008-04-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Josh and I celebrated our tenth anniversary in August by kayaking through Sea Caves near the apostle islands. It was a very fun and exhausting day! We were in a double kayak--worked well for me as Josh was my personal rower for the day while I took pictures (except for when we got into some pretty big waves--then we both had to give it everything we had).
If you look really closely here you can see a reflection in Josh's sunglasses--It's me--obliviously taking pictures and the wall behind me that we are fixin to crash into.

Here we are at Bear Paw in 2006!

Family Photos

2008-04-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Christmas 2007

Fall 2006

Josh in the Outdoors

2008-04-16T08:41:00.001-07:00

Crappie Love!Ice Out on the Blackhoof!Trout Fishing Baptism River!

Pheasant hunting in Iowa--go Stella go!

Angel Micah

2008-04-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

Angel Katie

2008-04-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Piano Debut

2008-04-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Last night Katie performed her piano debut in front of a crowd of 300 plus people. She played Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King. It was so beautiful--I had to cry! Below are Katie and her classmates performing dinosaur songs.
Bobbi and Papa came all the way from Iowa just to see Katie perform! It was such a special treat for all of us--especially Katie!

Widdle Nordern Boy

2008-04-15T12:15:00.001-07:00

We recently found Micah a coat and snow pants in preparation for the bus stop next year. He gets all his gear on and says, "Look Mama, I'm a widdle nordern boy."