Football Season 2012

Prior Lake Flag Football season 2012 is now finished. If you ask Dylan, his team (the Gophers) "won". In fact every week, they "won" in his and his teammates eyes :) It was a super fun season for both Dad and Dylan. Dylan had a blast practicing and playing one of his favorite games with his buddies. He was awesome at defense and getting lots of flags but he was also a really good running back (ok, so I am biased). Dave thoroughly enjoyed co-coaching and creating and calling the plays. Although, he couldn't quite understand why 2nd grade boys didn't always follow the play book to the "T". Hmmm... "now why did they go left whey I said go right"? Mom and the girls enjoyed cheerleading on the sidelines and in fact, I believe my loud cheering may have startled a few people around me. A grandpa standing next to me one Saturday commented that I had a "solid set of lungs on me". Yes, I do :) I get that from my mom and brother and all the years we cheered on the BHS Demons, the Vikings and the Twins! GO DYLAN!!!!

In Memory of Papa Egg

One year ago today, our family had to say goodbye to an amazing man, our Papa Egg. We love you and miss you SO much, Papa! Although you are not with us here on earth, we have faith and take comfort knowing you are in Heaven watching over all of us, especially mom (aka Grandma Good). Instead of being sad, we want to remember all the cherished moments we were privileged to share with Papa. 

We remember with great fondness your smile, your infectious laugh, your crazy jokes & humor, your matter-of-fact attitude, your tasty meals and baked goods, your knowledge of trivia, your love of farming and the countryside, your love of reading, your impressive dancing skills, your amazing memory, your knowledge of politics and point-blank honesty about those "less informed and oblivious to reality" (aka Obama, liberals), your patience and respect for door-to-door salespeople :), and most importantly, your boundless love of your family and of God.

You were a father who really cared and took interest in our lives and showed us all the true meaning of hard work, honesty, integrity and the importance of developing and maintaining solid values and principles to guide our life.

We look forward to the day we are all reunited in Heaven; no health problems, no worries, no sadness - only overwhelming joy and peace. Until then, rest in peace and save a place for us. Lindsey, Taylor and Dylan are convinced you and Shaq are together waiting anxiously for our arrival :) The Best is yet to come, indeed!

Apple Orchard

We are absolutely spoiled with this amazing fall weather! This past weekend was so gorgeous and we spent a great deal of time outdoors soaking it in. Sunday we treated the kids to an afternoon at the Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard in Jordan. They have such a quaint orchard with lots of activities including apple picking, wagon rides, live music, apple slingshots, a corn maze, pony rides and a petting zoo. Or should we say "biting zoo". The donkey decided Lindsey's fingers looked like a tasty snack (in addition to the other 4 children she nibbled on). A little drama since she pierced the skin on L's fingers but it's all good. The donkey was happy Taylor sacrificed the cob of corn she had grabbed from the corn maze. After she saw how hungry the donkey was, she gladly shared it. 

It was a perfect day and we now have a BIG bag of fresh apples to make caramel apples and apple pie and some pumpkins to carve & add to our Halloween decor outside.

Here are a few photos from our day but as always, feel free to check out our Shutterfly link for lots more. 

Happy Fall to all!

 

Farewell Shelda

Farewell, Shelda. Rest in peace, little hermit crab. Hope you and Hermie have a joyous reunion in Heaven :)

Two hermit crabs have fallen; Godzilla remains healthy and vibrant. Maybe we will have better luck with a puppy? Oh, Daaaaave. It's almost time! The Christmas wish lists for 4 of 5 family members have PUPPY written at the top in bold print :)

Blasts from the Past

Now that I am FINALLY catching up on Shutterfly photos and Camp Clark blog updates, I had to share a few photos from May that are priceless. Dave had the opportunity to coach Dylan's baseball team and I had the opportunity to coach girls track and be the group leader for LTD and their friends (Erickson's and Ethan) at Vacation Bible School in June. Needless to say, the volunteering was both fun and rewarding for Dave and me. Check out a few photos below that are worth sharing on our blog. I have updated our Shutterfly photos as well so feel free to check those out to see many more memories by clicking on the link in the right hand column of this blog. Summer memories are caught up! And now it's time for Fall :)

Girls trying to lay a kiss on Dylan

Come on, a little lipstick doesn't hurt anybody

Ok, maybe?

Come closer Dilly Bar

Oh, girls, this is SO silly!

Back To School

Yesterday was the first day of 2nd Grade for Lindsey, Taylor & Dylan. They were ecstatic; mama bear held back the tears. They are growing up much too fast and I wish I could turn back the hands of time most days. I am so thankful they love their new teachers and their school and being back together with their friends. SO, I will sulk as I look back on yesterday, BUT ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, for the first time in two years, I will actually have time to get things done around this camp! Oh, so much to do! Photo projects, organizing school and artwork bins, getting photos up on our walls, reading, lawn work, deep cleaning, exercising, painting the kids rooms (while Dave holds his breath - Mr. Perfectionist), organizing, washing windows, and helping Dave with his rental properties and marketing SlimGym. It's time to get started :)

August Memories

Is it really September? It is just SO hard to believe! We had a great vacation in August which we already posted about but we also had many more great times including: fishing with little people (Tegan, our neighbor joined us for her first fishing experience), celebrating our good friend Jon's 40th birthday, ValleyFair (multiple times) boating and tubing on Prior Lake, taking in the MN State Fair with the Brigham family, sharing time with our dear friend Sarah from Colorado and visiting Sarah's sister, Nancy, at her lake home/farm on Bone Lake in Scandia, MN. 

The "farm" was an absolute blast! Not only did the kids get to swim and tube on a beautiful lake, they also got to meet 3 new friends (Shadow, Roman and Emmie) and ALL their animals including ducks, chickens, roosters, geese, dogs and a few cats. The kids were in absolute high heaven feeding and carrying around the ducks and chickens! These chickens were not the typical chicken, they were fluffy, little furballs and completely tame. By the time our kiddos left the farm that night, the animals were worn out and supposedly slept until noon the next day! It was very precious and we can't wait to go back. On our drive home from the farm, the kids had a very serious conversation that lasted the entire 1-hr drive about buying their own farm with animals and what chores they would each be responsible for. Dylan said, "Hey, girls!  You can each give birth some day too which means we will have even more help on the farm!" What???

I am posting a few photos here but feel free to check out our Shutterfly link for many more photos from August. Wish I had taken more!

Next up, First Day of School, 2nd Grade! Sniff, sniff, sniff.