The Great MN Get-together

OINK!!! That's how we feel after a day at the MN State Fair today. It was an absolutely perfect day for it since the sun was shining and the temps were in the low 70's. We had a fun time partaking in lots of activities including: Turbo Bungy Jumping, Swine Barn, Horse Barn, Cattle Barn, Miracles of Birth (baby animals), Kidway rides, DNR fish pond, Skyride, and lots of stops in-between. We "pigged" out on a jumbo tub of french fries, milkshakes, LOTS of cheese curds, and a tub of freshly baked cookies. Oh, and an ice cold beer each for Mom and Dad. Nothing on a stick though which is so un-Minnesotan. Oops, I forgot, we are tecnically Nodaks :)

Do you think one tub is enough?

Dylan was SO proud he hit the 42"h mark and couldn't wait to try out some new rides. His sisters ran in alongside him and jumped on the rides before they could measure them, thankfully, since they are only 40" & 41" . It worked on 3 of the rides but they got the axe on one of them. Shucks! BUT, Dave was happy they passed for "older" 3 yr olds on the Skyride and they rode for free!

42" was not a requirement on the airplanes
Performing on stage for fair spectators

Taylor took this photo of Mom & Dad
Taylor ready to give the pig a kiss

Milkshakes at the Dairy Barn

Taylor getting ready to Bungy Jump

Dylan flying HIGH!

Lindsey thought she could touch the sky

At the end of the day as we were heading back towards our car on the Skyride, Dylan said, "This is awesome! I can see the whole world from up here." Lindsey added, "yah, even some liberals". Yet more laughter :)

Gotta go ta....North Dakota!

Many of our friends have heard me and the kiddos sing the ND state song.......

"Gotta go ta...North Dakota!

See the cattle and the wheat, and the folks that can't be beat.

Say hello ta...North Dakota...

...and you just can't say goodbye!"

It's true, even though the song is a bit silly, at least when I sing it (according to Dave).

We had a really nice time in Bismarck sharing time with the grandparents, Uncle Ken & Aunt Heidi, cousins Faith, Anna, Jordan and Baby Sarah, and great friends. LTD had fun taking in our local favorites: The Elks Pool, Bismarck Zoo, Raging Rivers outdoor waterpark, Sertoma Park and scooting around the neighborhood with friends and cousins. Dave and I had a fun date night with friends and took in some local bands on the river (even though Dave spilled TWICE down my shirt while jitterbugging). Here are a few photos from our trip. Feel free to check out our KodakGallery link for more photos from our visit. Next up, MN State Fair!

Posing in the garden with Grandma Clark

We love our Papa and Grandma Kemmet

Lake Memories

We just got unpacked yesterday and are getting through ALL the photos from a great week at Arcadia Lodge on Turtle Lake in Northern Minnesota and a week in Bismarck before school starts. There are so many fond memories to look back on; we will be sharing KodakGallery updates this week with LOTS more photos. Here are a few more shots from the lake (we will post some from Bismarck as well in the next few days). HUGE thanks to the Erickson's, Little's and Boland's for all the fun times and laughter up North. You hold a very special place in our hearts and we are truly grateful for your genuine friendship! The Best is yet to come :)

Dylan's first fish - a whopper (thanks Daddy Jon!)

Geared up for a boat ride
We like to go super duper fast! Feeding the ducks on shore

Two peas in a pod out kayaking

"Family" Vacation

We just got back from a week in Northern MN at a lake lodge with 3 other triplet families; 13 children and 8 adults. Two words explain it all: WE SURVIVED!! Seriously, we had some great fun, the weather was beautiful and sunny, and the lake was absolutely gorgeous and one of the cleanest lakes we have ever been on. The resort was perfect with lots of activities for all ages. Yes, there was a little madness at times but mainly it was truly enjoyable and the children had an absolute blast with all their favorite triplet friends.

The only bummer for me was that Dave was not there to share new memories with our family and it was very sad for me personally at times (ex: Dylan fished for the first time ever and caught his first fish). We missed daddy incredibly but he was definitley there in spirit and in our hearts! BUT, Grandma Ione fit in very well and even became known as the "SORRY" opponent to beat since she was a bit ruthless at the board game.

Here are some of the activities our group enjoyed:

Tubing & Skiing

Fishing

Pontooning

Bonfires & S'Mores

Activity hour for children M-Th with Ms. Lynn

Movie night for children

Kayaks & canoes

Water trampolines & water slides

The "Rock"

LOTS of swimming and beach time

Building sand castles

Volleyball

Grilling out

Cocktail hour(s)

Slumber party for the kiddos

Board games

Feeding tame ducks on the beach

Listening to the loons

Sunsets

Since we have over 450 photos just on our camera alone, we have some organizing to do before we can get more posted on this blog and on our KodakGallery account. Until then, we hope you enjoy just a few.

Farewell to Summer Sports

Today was the last day of Pee Wee Sports (t-ball on Wed; soccer on Thur). Dylan probably enjoyed it most, mainly because he loves everything having to do with balls and running. His little legs run about 100mph and he always has a big grin on his face. It was also a big bonus that two of his buddies, Ethan and Nate, were also in the program with him. Lindsey & Taylor could take it or leave it. They basically showed up and went through the motions, but still had fun nonetheless. Below is a photo of LTD with Ethan and his sister, Elyn, whom the girls adore. Next up for fall, gymnastics for all three; fall soccer for Dylan along with another good buddy, Kendrick; and dance for Lindsey & Taylor. But for now, we are off on vacation for 2 weeks!!

Good News; Bad News

We have some good news to share, and some bad news. The good news is that Dave just received a confirmation letter on Monday from the US Government Patent Office that his patent on SlimGym will issue on August 18. This has been over 7 years in the making and is a long-awaited day in our lives. It was supposed to issue at the end of August but the government surprised us and is issuing it early – imagine that from the Feds!

SlimGym is a compact stack weight system that offers a complete full body workout YET only takes up 3-1/2 TOTAL sq ft when folded up!! A design option is to enclose it (conceal it completely) in a decorative armoire (wood, metal, etc) that coordinates with the interior of the room. Imagine the possibilities!!

SlimGym - Patent Issued 8/18/09

The bad news is Dave has to get his secondary patent filed before August 18th (a newly enhanced design that also includes the global market vs just the US as in his first patent). It’s a long story how that all works but it has shortened his deadline by over 2 weeks. Dave has been working on this secondary patent for the last several months and still has at least 200 hours to put in on it to complete it and get it appropriately filed before the 18th. Bottom line, he cannot join us on our family vacation in Northern MN with 3 other triplet families.

We are deeply, deeply saddened over this change of event and Dave is just sick about it; we both are! We were greatly looking forward to it since Dave has been putting in a lot of time over the last several months on this secondary patent and we could really use the time together and time with dear friends. But, this is an ultimate goal for Dave and we have to prioritize what’s most important: our future or a week at the lake. I think you understand what our priority is and why.

But I do have some other good news. My mom has decided to join us which the kiddos and I are extremely happy about. She is a lot of fun and will fit right in; maybe she’ll even bring her accordion and I can play the spoons or belt to entertain the crowd; we're good at that! Afterwards, we will be driving directly to Bismarck from Grand Rapids, MN, on the 14th for a little under a week in Bismarck. This will keep the munchkins and I out of Dave’s hair until the secondary patent filing is completed. It’s a very stressful and time-demanding last stretch for him.

This is a very challenging time for our family but we pray in the end, it will all be well worth it. God bless you and please keep Dave in your prayers that his dream comes true; a reputable fitness manufacturer sees the amazing potential and buys his license to fabricate it worldwide. That would be an American dream come true, hard work and determination, free enterprise, no government assistance needed (other than the patent approval)!

New Sheriff in Town

For those of you who know Dave well, he has a well-known nickname, Sugar Police. He gained this because of his strict "policing" of sugar intake at Camp Clark (and I truly am thankful for his persistence). Well Dave has now officially earned himself another nickname....................The Line Police.

Tonight we attended a local outdoor festival which is always alot of fun for all ages. One of the exciting features for children are large inflatables (gigantic slides, jumping houses, mazes, etc). LTD were having a ball and were instructed by Dave and me to "get in line at the back of the line" after each ride. Unfortunately, not all kiddos followed the same instructions and it got pretty wild & out of control. But have no fear, Dave is here!!! He got right in there, strictly enforcing the line procedures, having absolutely no mercy. It was a complete riot and some oblivious parents looked on with a dumbfounded look on their face while Dave went about his business. The only thing he was missing was his whistle and badge, darn. To serve and protect - it was hysterical!

Regardless, we all had a really fun time and ended the night with a fabulous fireworks display. LTD are snoring loudly and plain tuckered out from a great summer evening. Sorry, we forgot the camera but I managed to find a picture below of our new Sheriff.

Sheriff Dave getting down at a Disco Party