Kids are Back from AZ

Erik, Dane and Emma are back from their 9 day trip to Arizona to see Grandpa Rich and Grandma Renee. I'm having a hard time picking from the 400 wonderful photos that Grandpa sent back with the kids to find some for this post. The kids had a fabulous time swimming, going to restaurants, going to the water park, playing mini-golf, shopping, riding mini-bikes, going to the crater, going to the zoo, more swimming and more restaurants and sun sun sun. They had a fabulous time with grandparents and cousins. Here goes with some pics........

Storm Report

Okay, It's been awhile since I have updated our blog, and I have some super cute pictures from our summer that is just flying by. Unfortunately the pictures that I am posting first are just a few of the pictures from our yard after a recent storm that ripped through (LITerally) our yard. There are many more pictures of the damage to our gardens, chicken coop and driveway, but I will only post a few of the ones closest to our house.

Here goes: This is the view of the house from Emma's playhouse. This is the view of Emma's playhouse from the yard. This is the view of our backdoor, which was unuseable for two days. Here we are walking down to check out the pond and gardens. Here is day two of clean-up with our friends Jack and Steve working the chainsaws. My neice Kaleigh and my nephew Elijah happened to be staying with us for a few days. ;-) We had two days with no electricity, no water (which means no toilets), no phones, no air conditioning, etc. We finally had power restored last night and are working on the inside of the house. Dan was out of town, so he missed the excitement, but arrived home that night to begin clean-up.

Prom, Colorado and Yes, It's Snowy Outside!!!

Last night was prom here in Cannon Falls. Erik went with a group of friends. Here is a picture of him all dressed up and ready to go out for the evening.

Lynnie and I enjoyed some time in Durango Colorado with Dad and Renee last week. Their place on the Florida River is absolutely beautiful!!

Prayers and Positive Thoughts for Elijah!!

Please keep Baby Eli in your thoughts and prayers. Eli is scheduled to have his second open heart surgery. For more info and updates please go to: www.babyporta.blogspot.com

April Fools Day Joke!

Okay, I wish this was a joke. Here is a picture of Dan and Emma taken the afternoon of April 1st, 2008. Yes, that's a snowman they have made in the middle of the winter wonderland that was our yard. After a week and a half of having the kids home with me for their Spring Break; and after numerous sleepovers, playdates, swimming trips, Mall of America, movies and game after game (not to mention the endless teenage drama), I was very ready to send the kids to school yesterday morning. Then we woke up to this!! It was a Snow Day in Cannon Falls. (Thank Heavens, because I really needed to help Emma sort her Pokemon cards and get them in order, again! Good times....... Did I mention that Dan was in Arizona over Spring Break?)

Here is a darling picture of Emma and Jasmine swimming at the YMCA during Spring Break. One day we might actually be able to swim outside!! Imagine that. ;-)

Grandma Renee's Visit

Grandma Renee came by Wednesday night with an enormous birthday cake for Dane!! We loved seeing her, and now we have a ton of delicious leftover ice cream cake in the freezer. (I'm trying not to eat another piece right now. ;-)

Update 3/24: Oh, evil cake. Why do you call me late at night down to the freezer to consume large slices of you? Wicked cake, I now search for a workout class to help me lose the constant reminder of you around my waist. Bad cake, Bad!!

Boy's Band Concert -- March 2008

The boys had a their band concert last night. We got to see them perform together in the jazz band, where they both play trombone. Erik performed with the symphonic band, playing the tuba and Dane performed with the concert band, playing the trombone. They are each in a steel drum band and they performed with these as well. The pic below is one of Erik trying to look like Jim from 'The Office' (although he really doesn't have to try too hard).