19Sep
Look at what came in the mail today??? I have been dreaming about the yummy colors of the fiesta ware! I know, that sounds really weird.
I finally decided to start slowly and collect all the colors! I now have 6 colors and I think my favorite is the peacock (although the tangerine is a close second!). I definately know what is going on my Christmas list this year! I’m very excited! And deep down, I think Joel is kind of excited about this collection as well! Just thought I’d share my fun news!
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19Sep
I’ve been looking forward to little getaways with Claire for a long time! Last night was the first organized mother/daughter girl scout overnight! Claire is officially a Brownie this year! It was soooo much fun! It was priceless to watch Claire interact with all of her girlfriends! The way her face lit up as they chanted her name when we arrived at camp……….I loved watching her relax, giggle and let loose! She laughed so hard and screamed so loudly throughout the bunk houses! It was also nice to just be with the other Mom’s and sit back and relax. If you can believe it——–I forgot my camera! Huge bummer!!!! But, I will never forget all the fun memories of our first little getaway together!
Here are some memories Claire compiled of our weekend together:
eating homemade pizza, making a fleece blanket (which is so cute!), making puppets, singing by the campfire at the top of her lungs, s’mores, hiking, first time drinking Grape Crush (yummy), the puppet show, giggling herself to sleep at 11:30pm (finally!), trailmix with extra M&M’s
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02Sep
Trego, WI was the Salzer weekend getaway destination this year! We found the fantastic cabin on Craigslist and it turned out to be a wonderful weekend! The kids had a blast playing on the bunkbeds in the loft! Believe it or not, that’s where they spent most of their time that weekend! We all had fun fishing, eating s’mores by the bonfire, playing texas hold’em, phase 10, playing on the swingset, ping-pong, talking, playing charades, ladder golf, jumproping, napping & laughing alot together!! Thanks everyone for a great weekend!
Uncle Dan showed the kids how fun it can be to crush cans!
Charlie is very serious when it comes to sports and winning!
I love Claire’s face in this one!
This one will be framed in my house next time you stop over—-guarantee!!!
This expression on Grace’s face is priceless!
Cousins on Uncle Jo-Jo’s back!!!!!!!!!
Are you ready for s’mores???
Here is the trap the kids made for the mysterious dog that visited our cabin!!
This one is darling of Papa & Daniel!
Grace learning how to jumprope!!! I love it!
The adults had to try out the new jump rope too!
Papa & Claire fishing—- so precious!
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21Aug
Our wonderful neighbors and friends, Michelle & Jeff, invited a few of us neighbors up North for the weekend! Hmmmmm…..10 kids and 8 adults equals chaos!! Not really! We all had a FANTASTIC weekend!!! The kids were inseparable and the adults found time to have fun and act a little crazy! Well, atleast some of us did!! No names please. Thank you so much everyone for a weekend full of memories! Can’t wait til next year……hint hint!
Everyone took a turn tubing!!
Britt joined us for some boating and tubing!
Jeff, our reliable boat navigator!!
Even Will had a blast tubing—-although Mom was a little nervous about it!
The 3 girls playing AG Dolls!
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19Aug
Our photography instructor, Gil, was so kind to invite Colleen and myself up to his studio in NE Mpls to get a little taste of what studio photography all entails! Let’s just say—it was FANTASTIC and so FUN!! I fell in love with the studio and all the equipment! It is so exciting to think that in time and alot of practice that my passion for photography could eventually become a business and a dream come true. The sky is the limit!!! For now—I’ll continue shooting as much as I can and continue on with this passion. Claire agreed to be our “model”! I think she loved it. Looking at these pictures makes me realize how Claire’s face has changed and transformed into a young lady. Why do they grow so quickly? So, with a smile and a tear in my eye I share these pictures!
This one is my favorite!!!!
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18Aug
Well, I finally ran my first race in almost 10 years! I ran the Purple Elephant 5k in Pequot Lakes in honor of Dru Sjodin. It felt fantastic to be in that environment again and to be there for such a great cause—–to “stomp” out sexual violence. Although it was hot and humid, I did come in under my goal of 30 minutes. Thanks to my dear friends who were there with me –Michelle and Jodi, and for Amy who was my running partner and motivator. Joel, you are the best for being there at the finish line and for getting some fun pictures of this special event.
Immediately after crossing the finish line!
Amy, Jodi, myself and Michelle
That was so exciting! Can’t wait for the next race!!
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29Jul
I haven’t blogged in what feels like forever. We are immersed in summer activities and are having a blast!! Soccer, swimming, lots and lots of playdates, art camp, weekend trips to spend with old friends, ice cream for breakfast (what?), sleeping in, fishing, cabin visits, staying up way too late, sleepovers, bike rides, days at the beach, memorizing every word to the VBS CD………….these are just a few of the things that we’ve enjoyed so far this summer.
I’ve also been running again! Yeah! I fell in love with it again after an 8 year break. I have a 5K (Dru-Sjodin Run in Pequot Lakes) in mid-August and are in the midst of training for the first ever Twin Cities 10K in October. I’ve had some minor knee pain—but nothing that will make me stop at this point! This is the other reason posts have been few and far between.
Have a happy week everyone!
Oh, by the way……I just splurged and got my dream lens…..50mm 1.4 and love it!
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06Jul
We headed up north to Park Rapids to visit Ellie, Shawn, Conley & Sofie (and their chickens!). As always, we had so much fun with them! We relaxed by the bonfire, some of us napped (Joel!!), went for a boat ride, fished in the lake (only weeds—or was it a big fish?), swam at the Nevis beach, went out for ice cream, had a blast at the Park Rapids parade and stayed up til 11pm to watch the fireworks! Wow! Here are some pictures from the weekend! Thank you for a weekend full of fun memories everybody!
Here are some cute pictures at the parade!
This is when Joel caught the really big “fish”!!!
How cute is Charlie in this one? Even with the leftover lunch still on his face!!!
Charlie putting out the bonfire. He made sure to put extra water on the firewood!
Charlie acting goofy as usual!
Mint chocolate chip ice cream with a sugar cone please!!!!
Look at how cute Sofie is in this one! She was trying out her ear phones before the fireworks started!
On our way to finding the perfect spot for fireworks.
Will’s first experience with fireworks! When they were finished he signed for “more”!!
Will (and myslef) was in awe at all the fireworks! They were pretty amazing!
You can’t visit Nevis without taking a ride (or 10) on the “Wee” (sp)!!!!
One final photo of Charlie on the ATV! Doesn’t he look cool??!!
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16Jun
A few months ago Joel looked at me and said, “I’m taking the family on a vacation this summer!” So, we made a few phone calls, did some research and decided Phoenix, AZ was the destination! The Graif’s agreed to take all 5 of us in to their lovely home (thank you guys so much—you are the best!) for the week! We packed the sunscreen (love that Irish skin) and we were off!!
The vacation, however, started off a little rough—-some major turbulence over Denver, CO had Charlie, Claire and Joel nauseated and sick! Thank goodness for efficient flight attendants on those puke bags! Then, an expired license at the car rental??? Nothing that we couldn’t handle, right? How about the car rental exchange/return—how was I supposed to know the car didn’t have A/C??? That is another story for later! Nonetheless, we had a FABULOUS week in Arizona! There are so many memories to share, but here are the highlights. I have so many pictures to post, but I’ll pick out a few of my favorites! The kids couldn’t have been happier! I am just bursting with joy and will never forget our fun vacation in Arizona!
Day 1: Relaxing by the pool!
Some pics by the pool! When I asked Claire what her favorite thing about the vacation was, she answered with “swimming”! Of course.
I love this one of Claire!
This one is priceless of Will!
I had to take advantage of the Graif’s beautiful front door for a fun photo shoot!
Day 2: More relaxing by the pool!
Will just fell in love with Maggie! He followed her around and pulled her tail. Thank goodness she didn’t mind.
Will fell in love with Mrs. Graif (Katie) as well! Who wouldn’t???
Day 3: Off to the Zoo and the Diamondbacks game!
Charlie S, Charlie G, Tommy, Will & Claire at the Phoenix Zoo!!
Charlie so deep in thought as he tried to figure out where we were on the map!
There was a fun waterpark inside the zoo! Claire and Tommy were having a blast! Who said they needed a swimsuit??!!
Tommy and Charlie “flying” on the carousel!
Thanks, Jay, for scoring such a great deal on the tickets! I love this picture outside the stadium!!
One of Charlie’s highlights of the week was the Diamondbacks game! Doesn’t he look excited to be there?? Really, I think he was sad
that they lost to the SF Giants—-8 to 4. Bummer.
g
We love outdoor stadiums!!!
Day 4 and 5: Off to Sedona, the cabin and Sunset Crater Volcano
We drove north of Phoenix. The drive and the mountains are just amazing! Here is beautiful Sedona. It really is breathtaking! We found a chapel in one of the mountains and purchased a cross as a keepsake. It is simply gorgeous.
It was so peaceful up at the cabin. We were able to ride the golf cart around town. The kids thought it was hilarious that we got to ride the golf
cart to dinner that evening! We had the best pizza at Lone Pine.
This one cracks me up of Will!
The cabin had a cowboy western decor/theme and the kids were in heaven! They had a blast dressing up!
Joel and the kids are crossing the bridge to Sunset Crater Volcano! The kids were amazed that they
were able to see and walk on the site of an old volcano. It actually was quite interesting.
The kids and myself on the trail of the volcano remains.
Day 6: Our 10yr. anniversary
June 12th marked our 10 yr. anniversary!! Wow! Katie was so kind to take the kids and let us have the morning to ourselves!
We decided to hike up Pinnacle Peak! We really enjoyed it and found it very invigorating!
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That afternoon Claire got her ears pierced! She was so brave! She is so proud of them!
What a fun memory to have on our trip.
Sarah Graif got her doubles! A cute picture afterwards of the two girls and their new earrings.
Our last evening in AZ the kids planned a surprise Anniversary Cafe to celebrate our 10yrs of bliss together. It was just darling. They dressed up to serve us. The table was set so adorably for us (most things came from the Dollar Store). Thank you, Charlie G, for coming up with this idea and thank you, Katie, for directing this event. We will never forget it! Here are a few pictures of the table. Champagne, flowers, candles and the works!
Kiss the cook!!
We were instructed to write “love notes” to each other during dinner. How sweet is that??
Look at this adorable cake! The figurine?—Dollar Store!!!
The evening ended with a “play” of our lives! It was just too much! This one is of “us” getting married played by
Claire and Charlie!
Day 7: Return home to MN
This photo was taken at the airport as we were ending our trip! What beautiful memories.
This is our “welcome home” from the “hood”!! It is so good to be home sweet home!!
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29May
Thanks Colleen for finding this fun photography class! I have learned soooooo much and have had so much fun spending this time with you! I love to rehash about our classes the following day. Gil is my idol! I am lucky to have you as my sister-in-law! And thanks, Joel, for allowing me to be gone for 7 nights! You are a great support!
Here are some shots! They aren’t the best. But, I’m workin on it!
These are of the stone arch bridge—–without any post-processing!
(this is some “art” I found under the bridge area)
This one Colleen took of me as I was taking a picture of her! Did you follow that?
Colleen—don’t be mad about this one! You are too cute!
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