Bye Bye Tonsils

Today Dylan joined the ranks of Taylor and mom.......we are all tonsil and adenoid free! Thankfully, the surgery went very well and Dylan was a super trooper. He went in with a smile on his face and left with a smile on his face (so much like his dad). He made sure he had his blanket and his Guardian Angel with him at all times (a gift from Grandma & Papa Good). The Anesthesiologist got a real kick out of the angel which has an inscription that reads, "May an angel always be by your side" which has always been one of my favorite quotes.

Unlike our spitfire Taylor, Dylan actually swalled his medicine right away (vs. holding it in the mouth for over 30 min) and we got out of there earlier than expected. What is so sweet is that the moment he got home, the girls have been right there to help care for him. It's a riot watching them tend to his needs and making sure he feels loved. Lots of cuddling and Taylor even gave up a few of her "children" for Dylan to sleep with tonight. They tucked him into bed, kissed his forehead and tucked the animals in beside him.

We would like to extend a very special thank-you to the Dunavan family for graciously caring for our girls today so Dave and I could both be there for Dylan. They had a blast and it was comforting for us to know they were in such loving hands who just happen to have fun, adorable children to play with.

Dylan is sore and tired but is expected to recover within 7-10 days. His big award for being such a brave patient is a date to the MN State Fair this Friday which he is very excited about (unfortunately, bungee cord jumping is out for D this year). Here are a few photos from my new Droid which I love but am still learning to use - Techno Tina :)

Arrival at 6:30 am - all smiles

"Check out my Guardian Angel"

Post-surgery with his blanket and Angel

Time for his first liquid - a popsicle

So proud of his little man

Mama bear snuggling her drowsy cub

Trying to muster a smile

Wagon ride exit - there's that smile again!

Summer Vacation Memories

We just returned from a weeklong vacation in N. MN at Arcadia Lodge on Big Turtle Lake. GREAT TIMES!! We couldn't have asked for better weather: it was HOT all week long with oodles of sunshine. We were joined in festivities by the Brigham family (+ Grandma Loretta and Lynn's nephew Cole from Rhode Island) and the Erdman family. Our group included 7 adults and 11 children in an 8 bedroom lodge right off the beach. Our newlywed friends, Carlton and Lorraine, also joined us for a few days/nights and drove all the way from Alabama. The Pichler family who have a cabin nearby also graced us with their presence for a day/night. We thoroughly enjoyed it!!

We brought our boat and new 4-person tube and Jim brought his fishing boat. In addition, we rented a pontoon for a day which just happened to be the hottest, sunniest day of the week. The water was so warm and crystal clear and fun was definitely had by all. We spent LOTS of time swimming, boating, tubing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, jumping on water trampolines and toys, playing in the sand and even skiing. Dave pulled out his old skis and a few of us gave it a whirl. Dave and I were lucky enough to get up on one again (after 20 yrs) so I guess we are not as old as we think! :) Evening bonfires and adult card and board games (after the kids were in bed) were hysterical and competitive. The men even gave the ladies a "night out" so we could enjoy a child-free summer evening at the Eagles Nest Lounge at sunset. We were the only customers and we closed the place down; the manager just left and we had to help ourselves out. It was hilarious!!

The children all got along so well and enjoyed their nightly slumber parties. The 6 boys decided to camp out in one big room and the 5 girls decided to spread out a bit and share two different rooms; all on one level (we decided to keep the varmints together on one level, far away from the parents on the other two levels :)

We took over 400 pictures but only 240 or so made the final cut. Below are just a few photos but feel free to check out the rest by clicking on our KodakGallery link on the right hand side of this blog. There were so many good photos! Of course, that's what happens when you have good friends + super kids + awesome weather = FANTASTIC vacation!!!

Dave and Taylor sharing a laugh

Bedtime hugs
This is the life

I could fish ALL day!

Aqua Girl

Aqua Girl 2

Kayaking is a close 2nd to fishing

YEEHAW!!!!

Lindsey holding on tight

Daniel Boone was a man

Grandma Loretta ready to tube (Girls Day Out)

Rock Climbers at the Fish Fry

Ladies Night!

Boys Night

Sand castle teamwork

Popcorn before bed

Team Arcadia 2010

(missing Carlton, Lorraine, Pichler's)

Erdman Family

Brigham Family

Camp Clark

More Tonsils Coming Out

About a year and a half ago, Taylor had her tonsils and adenoids removed because they were posing so many problems for her. NOW, Dylan is the next to have the same surgery on Monday, August 23. Like Taylor, he suffers significantly from many of the complications of enlarged tonsils & adenoids. Not only does he snore louder than a freight train, but he doesn't get restful sleep at night and tires out easily. There are other complications as well and it all boils down to cutting out these useless organs so he can flourish once again.

Dave and I are a bit worried about anesthesia as most parents are when it comes to putting our little ones down. But we know God will be watching over our little man and so will his Guardian Angel. On the bright side, Taylor is offering LOTS of support and feedback: "you get to play with lots of toys and ride a wagon and watch movies at the hospital and they even give you popsicles!" and "It's no big deal, Dylan. It don't hurt and you can be just like me". Dylan is actually excited to get all the attention and special care. Both Lindsey and Taylor are already planning on being his nurses when he gets home.

We are so thankful that they are able to squeeze it in before school starts since we want him to be completely healed and ready to thrive on their big first day of Kindergarten. Did I just say the "K" word? Sob, sob, sob!!!

PS - We have one proud little man. He just lost his second tooth and is anxiously waiting for the Tooth Fairy visit tonight.

My Bad!

I have been SO bad about updating our family blog over the last month. It seems like summer is running away on us and there is so little time, so much to do yet. We have had such an incredible summer and we only have one month left before Kindergarten starts (sore subject with me as I fight to hold back tears on that issue). ANYWAY, I am back in the saddle regarding this blog and hope to keep it better updated in closing out our last month of summer. LOTS planned and so much to look forward to.

In the meantime, check out our KodakGallery link for just posted "misc photos from June & July". Cheers!

http://classic.kodakgallery.com/campclark

Bittersweet Birthday Week

Last week Sunday, July 18, I turned 46 years old! Yikes. That means I am rounding the corner to 50. BUT, as I reflect on my life, where I have been, where I am now, and what matters most......."It's Not About Me".

It's not about how much money we make, what we do for a profession, what size house we live in, what kind of cars we drive, what brand clothes or jewlery we sport, or the size of our bank accounts and financial portfolios. Living for Jesus Christ is the ultimate purpose in this temporary life and I can say that with 100% confidence and blessed assurance. The legacy we leave to our children and their children is the most important gift "we humans" can leave behind. But nothing compares to the ultimate gift we have already received just by believing in our Savior. That's definitely worth celebrating.

So, this last week I celebrated 46 years of "this life" with my very best friend (Dave), our sweet children, our genuinely amazing friends and their beautiful children. The following slideshow captures some of my favorite moments from this past week that I was priveleged to share with some of the most important people in my life. The Best is yet to Come!

Schwartzenberger Reunion

What do you get when you combine a smorgasbord of german food, children laughing and partaking in outdoor games and baseball, a family auction where Dave picked up his new "one man band" contraption, 60th birthday celebration for Aunt Mac, an outdoor picnic at Sertoma Park, volleyball, 50th wedding celebration for Uncle Jerome and Aunt Christine complete with a dinner and dance with a polka band, Grandma Good playing her accordian and singing with her brother and sister, children and adults alike doing the Chicken Dance and Holky Polky..........................................................

The Schwartzenber Family Reunion!!!

Here are just a few photos. Like in our last post, feel free to check out lots more in our KodakGallery link or on Facebook.

Ya Oughta Go Ta North Dakota!

As the song goes..........

"Ya oughta go ta....North Dakota......see the cattle and the wheat and the folks that can't be beat! Ya say hello ta....North Dakota.....and you just can't say goodbye!"

SO true. We are back in Minnesota after a 2-week trip home to Bismarck to see family and friends. We had an absolute blast and were so sad to have to say goodbye. Nothing beats sharing time with high school friends and family from across the country (for two family reunions), Grandma Good's 69th birthday celebration, Mandan parade, fireworks displays, enjoying a bonfire and sleepover at Uncle Ken's gorgeous new home, listening to Dave sing karoake outdoors at Tom's party, playing volleyball with family, fishing with Papa and Grandma Clark, swimming, walking with friends, playing ball with Papa Kemmet, bike riding to the park, polka dancing, eating TONS of german food, picnics, savoring pizza burgers flying style from the Big Boy, sipping Clam Diggers on the deck at the Broken Oar on the river, golfing the junior links with Papa Clark, ETC ETC ETC. Seriously, the list could go on and on.

To all our friends and family we shared time with, THANK YOU SO MUCH, for the fond memories, laughter, cheer, tears and helping make this one of our best vacations ever. To those who couldn't make it back, we sincerely missed you.

Here are just a FEW photos. Please feel free to check out lots more by clicking on our KodakGallery link on the right hand side of this blog OR by checking us out on Facebook. We only wished we would have taken more.