MEA in SE MN

Road trip Selfie!

 Sometimes you can live somewhere most of your life and never know how close you are to some beautiful places right here in MN!  This year's MEA weekend was spent in SE MN by Lanesboro and Preston MN.  We completed our annual Miederjamaki Superbowl at the local football field where the Miedemas' cam out on top for the second year in a row!

We enjoyed the hotel pool and game night back at the rooms.

 We enjoyed hours of biking of the trails between Preston and Lanesboro.

Hailey and Olivia

Group biking photo!

 On day two, we went and explored Niagara Cave by harmony MN

Carter by the "ribbon stalagmites". 

CCS Challenge--2015

prayer

 We were blessed to participate in the CCS 5K Challenge around Lake Harriet last weekend.  Over 200 runners participated in the race on a cool, crisp morning.  The colors were beautiful!  What a great community to be a part of!

Hailey and Daddy

Isaac and Taylor

Pre-race photo

post-run hot dogs with Sonja and Faith

Taylor finished with a smile

Mike and Isaac

Hailey Joy

Luthercrest Bible Camp- 7th grade-- 2015

 Hailey and her class at Calvin Christian were privileged to take a three day, two night trip to Luthercrest Bible Camp by Alexandria, MN to complete environmental studies and team building skills work with her class.  I was blessed to join this amazing group of kids.  It was an amazing experience and a great learning experience.

 The first day was spent learning to complete obstacle courses as a team.  

 Day two included pioneer workshops and survival trades.  

 Hailey was excellent with a tomahawk! 

 The afternoon was spent learning how to shoot a bow and arrow

 The fall colors were beautiful and the temps were great for hiking and singing around the fire.  The kids especially loved their silent night hike.

 The high light for most of the kids was the high ropes course and zip line.  It was all about facing fears, encouraging one another, and conquering the course.

Fall in SW MN

 We enjoyed a beautiful weekend back in SW MN to visit Grandpa and Grandma and cousins

 The theme this visit was CRAFTS!  Wreaths and pumpkin decorating

 We took a little road trip to see the house where my dad was born. 

We went to celebrate Merle's birthday in Ruthton

Corn Hole

 Taylor was all smiles after nailing her first ever "quad" in corn hole

 When you throw a quad, you get to sign the boards!!

We participated in the 2nd annual Syrjamaki corn hole tournament and won second the second year in a row

Taylor Swift--1989 Tour

 Hailey finally got to see Taylor Swift in concert after waiting years "patiently"

 It was her 12th birthday gift that we had for about 10 months!

It was a great night!

10 Years

It has been 10 years since Mike completed Medical School at the University of Minnesota.  To celebrate he met some friends at the U of M golf course.

Horseback Riding

 Hailey and Taylor received some riding lessons for their birthdays from their dear friends, Jaclyn & Julia

 The first lessons are all bareback riding to learn the art of balance

 Clearly they loved every minute!