Visit from Sarah

We were so very happy to see our cousin Sarah from Ashville, NC. It had been several years since we saw her so it was very nice to see her and catch up.  We also met her friend Amy who we all really liked.  Of course the boys were all over Sarah like a jungle gym and were very happy to see her also!!

 

A gorgeous night to be out walking and checking out the garden!

Sunday Drive



It was such a beautiful day for a four-wheeler ride up to Mine Tower.  It was especially fun since my dad took the ride with us.  We enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and the beautiful day!!

Dylan's first Grouse!

As you can see by the HUGE smile on Dylan's face, he is in his GLORY! This boy has a need to be in the woods and a need to hunt - like father like son!!

 

Dylan spotted a grouse at the end of our driveway, and dad gave him the opportunity to take a shot at it.  It was a sneak attack and a longer shot for him, but deadeye Dylan got it with ONE shot!!  I think he was just as surprised as we were! 

 

It sure was a very joyous and proud moment for all of us!

 

GREAT JOB DYLAN!!!

 

A proud father and son!

Antique Tractor Show 2012

Once again, the Northern Aged Iron Antique Tractor show was a huge success with a very beautiful day! The boys have so much fun getting the old Farmall out and entered into the show.  This year Dylan drove the tractor in the parade...he was so proud to be driving his dad and brother this year!  This year we also were happy to have our MN family join us.

 

Here is Dylan driving his dad and brother!!  First year where Hayden didn't fall asleep!

The wagon ride is always so relaxing and fun!

Our "Farmall Boys" making us so very proud!!!

Another Chapter for Hayden

Wow.....as I type this I have tears in my eyes..... Our little Manny Man's FIRST day of school heading to Pre-K!! As a parent, there is nothing more bittersweet than your childs first day of school.  Sending your child off to school for the first time is so difficult as it truly is a moment of their life that shows another chapter in their life. This moment reminded me of the first verse of the song "The Walk" by Sawyer Brown.

 

Hayden, we wish you a year of so much fun and many new friends! You are such a sweet, smart, and caring boy and we know that you will succeed in whatever you do! Have a great year, being our 'big boy' in school!  We love you so very much!!

 

Our big boy all ready!!!

Big brother wishing him a great day!!!

 

Showing us his backpack that he picked out!! 

 

"Don't be scared Hayden, I will help you" LOVE THESE TWO SO VERY MUCH!! 

Cause I took this walk you're walking now
Boy, I've been in your shoes
You can't hold back the hands of time
It's just something you've got to do
So dry your eyes I understand just what you're going through
Cause I took this same walk with my old man
Boy, I've been in your shoes

First day of Fourth Grade!



Today marks another milestone for us...Dylan's first day of the fourth grade!! Dylan, you have grown up so fast before our eyes!  We wish you a wonderful year full of learning, making friends, and making deeper friendships with your current friends. We also wish you peace as you continue to grow into the fine young man you are becoming. Reach for the Stars Bud Bud and know that we will always support you!

Hayden wishing is big brother a GREAT day!!!

Happy 49 and Holding Jeff!!!

We sure made some memories and had a great time celebrating Jeff's "49 and holding" birthday this year!!  Tammy pulled it off and the surprise party was DEFINATELY a surprise as Jeff had no clue!  His face when he walked in was priceless!

 

Jeff and his dad Glen

 Awesome Gabrielle cake

Jason and I

 Uncle showing some love to Abby

Raingutter Regata and more.....

One of the things that we absolutely love about cub scouts is that we also learn many things!  Until cub scouts, we had no idea what a raingutter regata was, but we can finally say we now know.  The boys were given some materials to build what ends up looking like a sail boat.  Each boy designs their boat in the hopes that theres is the quickest when sailed down a raingutter.  Each boy was not able to touch the boat at all, but were able to use their own steam by blowing on it.

 

Dylan must have a lot of HOT AIR as he came in third place.  We had a great time playing games, enjoying a potluck, and watching the boys in their races.  It was a beautiful night on Long Lake at Wildwood Haven!!

 

Crystal Lake....a little piece of heaven



Everytime we camp at Crystal Lake we feel like we are a million miles away from home and in a place that is so relaxing.  This year we enjoyed our final camping trip to Crystal with three other families and had a great time!  The meal sharing and hosting, beach time, biking, spending time with great people, watching the kids swim and play, beach football, campfires, and so much more was absolutely amazing!!

 

It wasn't as warm as we would have like for our beach time, but we sure made the best of it and soaked up the sun as much as we could.  The weather was very nice for biking and we did plenty of that. 

 

 

With the wind gusts, flying kites on the beach was prime!!

 Sarah and I - one of the most amazing people in my life

 Dylan trying out the SUP!!  He did great and had fun!

Watch out Bo Derek....

 All the guys and the kiddos

Intense game of beach football

God Gave Me You!

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I've lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it's true
God gave me you

 

We have definately had our ups and downs,

Our days of doubt,

Days where we think we lost our way,

But through it all we have prevailed. 

Thank you my dear husband for the wonderful 17 years together and 15 years as your wife!

You mean the world to me....Happy Anniversary Jason!! 



Family Ride to 23 Falls

Summer four-wheeling rides are absolutely the best thing.  Enjoying God's country and exploring to new places is always so much fun.  This ride we enjoyed with Granny and Tammy, Jeff, Brad, and Abby and we headed to 23 Falls.  It was a gorgeous day that we thoroughly enjoyed!!!

Weekend on The Hour Time

We were once again invited back onto our friends boat The Hour Time.  Not only do we love seeing our friends Mark and Rita, but we enjoy the time away (just the two of us) and the mini vacation that we have.  There is truly NOTHING like sitting on the water and listening to the waves hit the boat, and sipping an old fashion with one of my bestest friends while watching fireworks!  Going out fishing for salmon is always such a nice treat and bonus to the trip.  Thank you so much Mark and Rita for hosting us and for the very nice visit!!!

 

Jason and I with our awesome catches!!

Jason and I enjoying our drink (lake side) waiting for the fireworks to begin...also laughing hysterically watching Jason impersonate the neighbor boater....too funny!

Our lovely hosts, Rita and Mark (aka Superman)

Rita, Mark, and Jason ...look at that amazing sunset!!! Don't look too close as you will see the swarms of spiders that come out at night!! Now that was right out of a horror show!!

Beautiful night

In an effort to see if we can catch some walleye....the whole family went out with the boat.  It was such a beautiful night (check out that sky) and the lake was so calm.  Unfortunately we didn't catch any 'keepers', but we still had a fun time!  Thanks daddy for taking us out and being so patient :)

 

River Fishing

We are always so fortunate and grateful for where we live.  We all went down to the river just down from our house for a little trout fishing.  The whole family went and had a fun time (except for the mosquitos!!).  In one of the first few casts, Dylan got lucky and landed a beautiful trout!  It was the only fish that was caught that night so he was one happy boy!

 

One of our favorite places to be...



Some of our most favorite times spent are at Long Lake with our family!  We are never disappointed in the peace and tranquility that this place brings to us and our family.  I would have to say that this is one of our most favorite places to spend time.

Hayden with his beautiful cousins Abby and Casey

 The cousins enjoying the sun and time together...oh yeah and the boys being 'macho'....

Wilderness Walk - Then....and Now....

Oh how I LOVE to take pictures and then years later take a picture in the same location to compare the differences.  One of these years neither one of my boys will be able to fit into the Flintstone car at Wilderness Walk, but until that day........ what a difference 2 years makes! 

Love these boys soooo very much!

 

Anderson Girls

These girls hold a very special part of my heart!!!  Love you all!!!

 

Dylan Marching with Scouts

This 4th of July we had the pleasure and honor of watching Dylan march with his Cub Scout Pack in the 4th of July Parade.  They were able to mark with the veteran's this year, which was quite an honor.  Even though is was a scorcher of a day, the boys did a great job and didn't complain at all!  It was very weird not having Dylan with us to grab candy, but when he got to our spot in the parade and then all of the scouts saluted the flag I was one proud mama (also choked up).

We are so proud of you Dylan as you represented yourself very well and honored the flag of this country the way it is supposed to be!    Great Job boys!!!

Dylan's birthday Party

Dylan and his buddies at his 9th birthday party!  Bowling, Pizza, Soda, Jukebox, Dairy Queen and friends...what more could a birthday boy ask for??