November 2014

 Hailey Joy with Grandma and Grandpa at the Growing Gracefully Fellowship dinner for Calvin Christian School

 Hailey was one of the flutist during the social hour prior to the event

 My parents and I at the event.

 My dad, Mike, Scott, and Craig at the Iowa/Minnesota game in the TCF suite

 The kids were so very excited about the early November snow fall this year.  The parents did not share the same enthusiasm!

 While Carter and Daddy were at hockey, I treated the girls to a manicure and pedicure.  They were so surprised, but I made them get their flu shot prior to being pampered.

 Carter received his first hockey jersey last week.  He is so very proud.

 Mike and I took a extended weekend trip together to Chicago last weekend.  Mike presented research at the annual American Heart Association conference.

Grandma Shar and I braved the cold to watch EPHS play at TCF in the State Championship

FALL 2014

We took advantage of beautiful fall weather and spent the afternoon at Sever's Corn Maze

Hailey, Sonja, and Faith

Hailey and Olivia

Hailey, Sonja, and Faith

Carter and Taylor

Allison and Jodi

Taylor in the corn pit

Carter and Hailey on the web

Corn maze

Giant pillow jumping

Taylor, Jaclyn, Olivia, HAiley, and Carter

Fall Field Trip with Carter

Leota bridge in the park

 MEA WEEKEND!!

loaded and ready for the ride

Carter, Kensie, and Hailey

Harper and Taylor

Zach and Carter

Loren's Farm

Combine with Uncle Loren

Carter with kittens


KENSIE'S 4th BIRTHDAY

COUSINS

Calvin Christian Challenge 2014

It was a cold windy day at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis for the Calvin Christian Challenge.  All three kids raised $600 for Calvin in running the race.  I am so proud of them!

Carter finished in 34 minutes

Taylor finished in 33 minutes

Hailey finished in 29 Minutes

Mike finished in 23 minutes

Hailey helped out the event with face painting.

Vikings Game

9:30am start to tailgating with a great group outside of TCF stadium on the U of M campus.  Mike served up Asian Tacos and we played a couple friendly games of corn bags

On field passes from US bank were an extra bonus before the game.

What a fun day and the Vikings won!

September 2014

The start of school has created a whirl wind of activity at our home.  Schedules for 5 people are a bit complicated, but according to many people: it may only get worse.

Hailey is really enjoying middle school.  She has started dance, volleyball, and piano along with the daily assignments from class.  Taylor has also started piano along with her gymnastics on Thursdays after school. She also has daily homework and some small projects due by the end of the month.  Both girls are in GEMS at church on Wednesday evenings and Hailey is now involved in youth group.  Carter is adjusting to full time school in 1st grade.  He has daily sight words, spelling, bible memory, and reading that needs to be accomplished at home.  He is involved in fall hockey at the Bloomington Ice Garden.

Mike has had an exciting month with two trips: one with his medical school friends to Cross Lake for a long weekend and a work trip to Washington DC with his life long friend Dan.

 The weather out in DC allowed Dan and Mike to enjoy all of what DC has to offer.  They had a fabulous time and were also able to meet Josh in the evenings because his work travel also overlapped Mike's time in DC.

 We were so blessed to have a long visit from Ginnie and her girls over the weekend.  Ginnie had work meeting on Friday which allowed me to spoil the girls at the Mall of America.

On Saturday with took all the kids to the Water Park of America and enjoyed a full day of fun there.

 Our kids love spending time with their cousins

 On Saturday night we went out to enjoy the 2014 Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Gala.  (Ginnie stayed home with all of the kids= thank you)

It is really great to hear some patient testimonies to learn how the foundation has directly impacted patient's lives.  I am so very proud that Mike is part of that group.

1st Day of School for 2014

 Hailey Joy~6th Grade

 Carter Dean~1st Grade

 Taylor Ann~3rd Grade

 This was the very first year that I dropped off 3 happy kids!!!

 Taylor and her bestie~Jaclyn

 Carter and Mrs. Mitchell

 Taylor said to me as I walked them in today, "hey mom, remember when I used to say that I had a tummy ache at school because I just wanted you?"

Hailey is in middle school and embarrassed that I am taking a picture