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

Last Days of Summer

 Carter did 6 weeks of Summer hockey at the Bloomington Ice Garden and loved it.  He has now convinced us to let him to fall clinics as well.

 The girls did a sewing class with Miss Tara.  She had them make a pillow case and a pair of pajama pants.

 Mike and I enjoyed two concerts:  Paul McCartney and Kid Rock at the State Fair

 Taylor had sleep overs with her besties: Jaclyn and Kylie

 The girls did a shooting camp.  Taylor won two medals for her age division in shooting games and Hailey received the "most teachable" award for her age division.

 We took an afternoon off to serve at Feed My Starving Children packing mana-pak meals.

 Taylor had a dance camp with her friends: Kylie, Jaclyn, and Hannah

 Carter celebrated Isaac's birthday with Isaac and Avi at the MN Twins game.  He was tossed  ball from the KC Royals players and made a great catch.

 Taylor got some funky face paint at Mike's summer picnic with his coworkers at MHI

 We celebrated with Ania for her 40th birthday!

 Sonja and Hailey school shopping

 An afternoon at Moir park

 Mike set up a Newton Ave. home run derby for the kids.  Carter won the whole thing!!!

 Newton Ave bike are Lake Nakomis

Grandma and Grandpa Vis came for Labor Day weekend and surprised us by taking Miss Kensie along!  We had so much for spoiling her at the MOA and we were also able to celebrate Mom's 63rd birthday at Benihanas'