Kindergarten

We got some surprising news today. We have been told all summer that Brooklyn will be attending afternoon Kindergarten this fall. We were given another letter confirming that she has afternoon kindergarten just a couple weeks ago. The bus company sent the letter of information about pick up and drop off times. I noticed that the pick up time was 8:20 a.m. so, I called and ended up having to call the school, which I then found out, that Brooklyn has been re-assigned to morning Kindergarten. It's not that big of a deal, but when it's one week before school is suppose to start and we have had no morning schedule, it's a little shocking. Good think I haven't signed Gavin up for any of his classes in afternoon yet. I guess we'll be going morning too.

We have the school Open House tomorrow night (Wednesday) to see her class room, meet her teacher and see what friends are in her class. She is really looking forward to school. I know she'll do great, and meet lots of new friends. My little girl is going to Kindergarten!

The Great Minnesota Get-to-gether

We went to the state fair this past Monday. It's our annual tradition and one we really look forward to. Every year the kids are enjoying it more and more. We arrived around 2 p.m. and stayed until 9:30. Here's what we like to do:

• Take the bus (free)
• Ride the "Giant Slide" and take our annual picture of Brooklyn.
• Visit the "Miracle of Birth" Barn (self explanatory, although, this year Brooklyn was fascinated at a cow delivering the after birth! I know, try not to dry heave too long.)
• Visit the Horse, Cow, Swine & Sheep Barns.
• Ride some of the "Kid Way" rides
• Visit our favorite radio and TV stations sites. We tried to get on WCCO 5 p.m news, but didn't get there early enough for a good seat.
• The butterfly exhibit
• The grandstands shops
• Of course our favorite food stops. Pronto Pups, French Fries, Sweet Martha's cookies, Cheese curds, Snow cones, Lemonade, Root Beer, and Turkey leg on a stick. YUM!

Some new things this year

• This year we went to the Republican booth and purchased a button for John McCain. We were glad to contribute to his success, A whopping .50 cents! We may even get a bumper sticker at a later time.
• We also got to see my Mother's very first quilt she entered into the fair this year. No prize, but it is adorable and on display!
• We saw a lumberjack show. I'm a new fan of that sport. Also, are there any Real World Boston fans out there? I met Shaun! Yup, that's him, holding Gavin!
• Brooklyn tried a new ride as well. She was flying. I have a cute video of her too, but it's too big. Maybe I'll post it some other time.
• Gavin loved the tractors. In one of the pictures, he was even able to find a "Brooklyn" and try to scoop her up!

We had a great visit, and got to see some of our friends as well. The Thompson's, The Sessions', and The Johnson's. It was great to see you all.

Brooklyn w/ the Quilt Brooklyn & G.


Brooklyn with The MN State Fair Mascot "Fairchild"


Our Traditional Annual Picture of Brooklyn


Gavin scooping up Brooklyn





Shaun from Real World Boston (The one holding Gavin)


At the Kids Way - Flying



Holding a Butterfly!

Our first Camping Experience

Well, we did it. I'm not sure how well we did it, but the kids had fun and so did we.

We went camping with the Gray family to William O'Brien State Park. No injuries and everyone slept! What more can you ask for? We arrived Friday evening and Gavin took about 5 minutes to look this way...

We set up our tents then got down to business, Making dinner. We had hot dogs over a camp fire, which the kids loved. After dinner we decided to walk the trails they had along the St. Croix River (it separates Minnesota and Wisconsin). Here is Gavin, Anna, Brooklyn & Adam in front of it (Wisconsin is on the other side of the river in the back ground)

After our hike, we made s'mores, sat around the campfire at talked. Then we tried to hang out in the Grays tent for a while, but as BIG as it is, it was too small for all our wild kids. And it was bed time. Everyone fell right asleep. We woke the next morning and Mike made breakfast for all of us. It was Niki's birthday and she had a feast and didn't even have to make it. Thanks again Mike!

We decided to rent canoes for a couple hours, which turned out to be fun, but very frustrating. It's very hard to paddle a canoe, teach a 2 1/2 year old sit down at all times, and steer without tipping over. I got a little frustrated to say the least. We turned our canoe in just as our 2 hour time limit was up. Gladly!



We went back to camp to eat lunch, then went Geo Caching. There was one state hidden cache in the park that we found. Here are some pictures along the way.








Doesn't this look like the flower from Horton Hears a Who?!





After our hike, we packed up and headed home. Brooklyn wanted to stay longer, but I think we had enough for our first time camping. Both the kids fell asleep on the way home. All and all, it was a great trip.

Happy Anniversary Honey!

Okay, so I'm two weeks late (no not that), our anniversary was two weeks ago and I've been a little delayed posting about my hubby!



I am the luckiest girl in the world! I love Brian so much and I'm so thankful for the man that he is. He strengthens me, he encourages me, he is so loving, and generous to me and others, he's a fantastic father, a valiant priesthood holder and the man I get to spend eternity with. Like I said, I'm the luckiest girl in the world.



(This was skiing at Brighton- March 5, 2000)


We met on Jan. 5th, 2000. He moved into my singles ward in Utah only a couple houses down from me. He was roommates with my home teacher. I had to go meet this new guy. When I walked into his house, I saw a tall, dark handsome man standing on the stairs that, for a brief moment, took my breath away. I wasn't expecting to feel what I felt at that moment. If you ask him, it probably wasn't that great of a moment for him. But, he does remember what I was wearing, a yellow cardigan (I know a cardigan in the 21st century you ask?! ugghhhh!!) and couldn't remember my name for about two weeks. It was Mya for a while, but I didn't care. We slowly became good friends, then best friends, dated, became good friends again, and finally after my move back to Minnesota in Feb. of 01, we decided to get serious. The distance didn't work for him. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder. We got married on August 4th, 2001 in the St. Paul, MN Temple.






I could write about our reception, because it was beautiful and everything I ever wanted my reception to be, except for the fact that my new family was spending those few hours in the hospital after a car crash from the Temple to the reception. Brian and I managed to make it through with out going into hysterics, but I know it was really hard on his mom not being there for her only son's reception. I'll maybe post more details of that at a later time. Let's just say, one of my dreams would be to have another reception exactly like it for one of my anniversaries and have the whole family there again healthy and not injured. This was the only picture we have of the whole family! It was 104 degrees that day and we just all wanted to get back to my parents house for the reception and take pictures there. Too bad...

Piano Lessons

I just got a bit of fun news today. Long story that I'll shorten up a bit. Brian's mom called me and asked if we knew the a certain Family in our area. I told her of course we do, and in fact their oldest daughter is giving Brooklyn piano lessons. She couldn't believe it, but the grandparents of the family we know are great friends with Brian's parents. In fact they go all the way back to the young married ward at Stanford University. They used to spend Labor Days together every year until they moved to Utah years ago. Small world isn't it?! I told Carolyn that I would post pictures of Brooklyn and Ann Katherine (their daughter) at her very first piano lesson a few weeks ago. I also got to see Ann Katherine at camp last week and she told me that Brooklyn is a very talented piano player. The lessons that she teaches most kids within 2 months is the same that Brooklyn has picked up in 2 weeks. I'm so proud of my little girl. She practices a few times everyday. She loves it. Anyway, Carolyn couldn't believe that her Grand daughter is learning piano from her friends Grand daughter. I love stories like this.

Elm Creek Beach & My Girls

We love going to the beach. One of our friends wrote about going to the beach in her blog too. She pointed out the fact that she's from San Diego and it's not really a beach. Being married into a family also from California and a sister-in-law living in San Diego, they will probably understand her statement. She did, however, point out that it's all we got and the kids LOVE it, therefore, it is a beach! I have to agree. Us women love going to the beach as well. It's great watching the kids have a ball, get exhausted, eat a picnic, play with friends and then head home just in time to take a nap. But, we need the time together too. It seems that this summer has flown by. I can't believe we're already getting ready for school. I love getting to see my friends and having adult conversations with them. It is an unsaid rule though, we don't take pictures of each other in our bathing suits. So, I'll have to get some nice pictures of the girls at a later event. I do love my friends!

My BIG BOY!

I left for 1 week and my little man decides to grow up on me while I'm away. He is talking so well now. I can have a normal conversation with him and he understands. Unbelievable.

We also just reached another mile stone. I decided to let him take a nap yesterday (Monday) in a big boy bed. So, I took the crib rail off and tried it. I only had to go back in their once to tell him to get back into bed. He fell right asleep. Then and bedtime that night, Brian and I couldn't decide if we should let him try it for night time or if we should put the rails back on. We decided to chance it. He went right to sleep. He didn't get out once. WOW! could it be? So, nap today went perfect again. I didn't even have to go in there. Here's my little boo sleeping so good in his big boy bed.

I survived at Girls Camp

I got back from Girls Camp on Saturday and have been recovering ever since. Those girls wore me out. I had a blast! It was the funnest week. The weather was perfect the whole time. I even felt like one of the girls (Of course, keeping in mind that I was still a LEADER!)

The theme was "We can Survive together" and went off of President Hinckley's 9 Bee's; Be True, Be Humble, Be Clean, Be Involved, Be Positive, Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Still, Be Prayerful. Each ward had their own "Bee." Ours was Be Involved. The girls did so much. They secretly left goodies for each ward every night, they participated in all activities including BB Guns and Archery. It was just a great week.

I miss the kids and Brian so bad. I was ready to be home with them again. However, I would go in a second if they needed me again next year.