My Dad's 70th Surprise Birthday Party

 In June of this year, we began to scheme up a plan to surprise my dad for his 70th birthday on September 22.  We thought it was a lofty goal to keep it all a secret, but it totally worked!  We began set up at the Hiawatha Lodge in Pipestone, MN early in the afternoon and at 6pm our guest began to arrive.  My mom came up with a plan to tell him that they needed to come and look at the lodge that evening to see if it was a good venue for her upcoming class reunion; he didn't expect to see almost 80 people yelling "Surprise" as he walked in the lodge: priceless

Kensi, Hailey, Harper, and Cassie

Allison and Cassie

Dad's sisters minus Marge

Dad and Allison

All 21 of us!

Dad and his siblings

The originals

Grandpa, Grandma, and the 11 grandkids

"I Worship You" in Leota Church the next morning

"Where Love Is" duet by HAiley and Taylor

Mike's 40th Birthday!!!!!!!!

 Mike turned 40 on September 10.  Taylor surprised him with a homemade double layer cake for his birthday and I found his old guitar, got it tuned up and bought him an amp.  

We then celebrated with more than 50 friends and family on September 15th by taking a Lake Minnetonka boat cruise.  The weather was a blazing 85 degrees when loading the bus for the party, but we were so thankful for the beautiful sunshine that allowed us to be outside to celebrate.

 The back of the bus was packed and each of the kids got to take a friend on the boat; they were just a little bit excited to be a part of all the fun.

Mike's Mom, Uncle Roger and Kenna

Pam, Christine, and Allison

Hailey, Olivia, and Sonja

Mike and the original MVPs

Pam, Mike and Ginnie

Our Captian

Hailey and Ginnie

Carter and Isaac

Brad and Mike

The whole crew

Taylor and Jaclyn

The Sioux Falls Crew

Teresa, Allison, and Jodi

Tara, Allison, Laura, and Michelle

Taylor and Jaclyn posing in front of the Arabella

Taylor Swift and Olivia's Sweet 16

 A wonderful night with Taylor and girlfriends at Taylor Swift at US Bank Stadium......it did not disappoint and the girls had a wonderful time

Happy Sweet 16 Olivia!!!!

Hailey and Olivia have been friends since they were 5 years old and have stayed close despite us moving out of the neighborhood just 10 miles away.

Back to School......2018

 Back to school night was a bit different this year for Carter and Taylor as their former "Calvin Christian School" had decided to reveal their new name:

AVAIL ACADEMY: CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ON PURPOSE

 Carter starts 5th grade this year.  His teacher is Mr Peterson and he also gets to start band this year.  He chose percussion for his instrument.  He is currently playing soccer for Avail Academy and starts hockey soon for the Jets at Minnesota Made.

 Taylor is in 7th grade this year at Avail.  She continues to play the saxophone in band, plays keyboard for the praise/worship band, and is on the 7/8th grade Avail volleyball team.

 Taylor has a great group of girls in her 7th grade class

Hailey Joy started her 10th grade year at Southwest Christian in Chaska.  She is currently playing B/C volleyball as their setter.  She is working on her behind the wheel training and plans to play club volleyball over the winter.  She is taking her first AP class and decided not to play in band this year, but continues piano lessons at home.