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).

Happy 15th Birthday Dane!!

Happy 15th Birthday Dane!!

Here we are at King's in Miesville enjoying a tasty burger. This is the first year that Dane hasn't wanted to go to his favorite restaurant Fiesta Mexicana for some spicy food. The burgers and fries were delicious! Dane then spent the rest of the evening playing his new M-rated and totally violent xbox360 game 'Call of Duty 4' that he seemed to enjoy and has no doubt warped his young impressionable mind.

ps.... Feel free to call Dane and tell him he needs a haircut. His cell phone # is : 507-491-2116

Happy Birthday Elijah!!

Party Hat? -- My nephew Elijah turned One last week!!

Kaleigh and Elijah -- Just take a look at that neck!! Is this the juiciest baby ever?? Yummy!!

Opening Presents with Mommy -- What a sweetie!

King's Day

January 2008, Phoenix AZ -- Me, Renee, Dad and Jason

King's Day celebration at Dad's hospital.

Our Last Day with Kaleigh

We have had a lot of fun with Kaleigh over this last weekend. Emma has been sooo helpful and sweet with her. It will be sad to see her go home tonight.

What are the boys doing today?

Erik (with Lucy) is getting ready to go to work (I really really enjoy saying that). Dane is getting ready to spend the day skiing. Dan is watching more Planet Earth.

Bubblicious!!!

Emma and Kaleigh -- February 16, 2008

Bath Time -- So cute!!

MairzyDoats

Emma and Kaleigh -- American Idol Audition?

Video: "MairzyDoats" (Kaleigh is the only child ,other than my own, who actually knows this song. Hmmmm..... we must be related.) I will have to teach her all the words to "There was a little girl, who had a little curl" (which is one of Emma's favorites) while she is here this weekend. We have already shreiked our way through "On Top of Spaghetti" and "Nobody Likes Me" loudly and gleefully several times.

Jemima -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

THERE was a little girl And she had a little curl Right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good She was very, very good, But when she was bad she was horrid.

One day she went upstairs When her parents, unawares, In the kitchen were occupied with meals.

And she stood upon her head In her little truckle-bed, And thus began hooraying with her heels

Her mother heard the noise, And she thought it was the boys A-playing at a combat in the attic;

But when she climbed the stair, And found Jemima there, She took and she did spank her most emphatic.