pitch perfect

Our family enjoyed watching the movie Pitch Perfect last night.  All 3 kids loved the music and the youngest of all couldn't contain his excitement and danced for a good portion of the movie.  It was a little naughty in parts, but not bad.  I think we will be requesting from the library again.

First water fight of 2013

On Sunday, K wanted to have some friends over so we invited the Zalusky's over for some fun and frolic.  Our neighbors John and Andrew and our neighbor Hannah also stopped by to play.  Water guns were distributed and we will up the little wading pool. I think it was a bit chilly, but the kids had fun.

Peddler

Little O has learned how to pedal his tricycle.  He laughs with glee as he tools around the sidewalk and into the garage.  It is so sweet to see and hear his enjoyment.  He is quite pleased with himself.

Saturday

Was a day that we got a lot accomplished.  Raking the yard, washing A LOT of clothing and hanging the laundry on the line.  Burning sticks and having a little weiner roast, getting some smore makings and roasting marshmellows over the fire.  Fun day"

ag day on campus

little man far right

little man far right

little man far left

Yesterday there was a great little event on campus that O's class was able to attend.  Ag Day!  My student worker, MiAnna reported that she saw O on campus looking at the dairy calves, the pigs and the puppies. 

I love that people I enjoy working with know my children and take an interest in sharing the special moments with me.  Another blessing for sure!

whew!

One of the biggest evenings of my work year is done--now it's just time to send thank you notes, file away all of the documentation and kick up the heels.  The 47th Annual CAFES Awards Banquet is now on the books.

We had nearly 300 guests in the ballroom at the University Center last night.  I had fantastic student help with scooping ice cream and terrific students serve as emcees for the evening.  I belong to such a cool College!

We announced the winners of a photo contest for our Centennial...here is the winning entry:

a newborn colt and mare....pretty cool.

happy Wednesday!

One year ago, our Kindergarten class took an awesome field trip into the rainforest portion of St. Croix.  Here is a photo of our family enjoying smoothies at the Snack Shack--the petting zoo of the island.

Eager for green trees and grass to appear...

spring?

This lovely photo was taken by our campus photographer this morning...those poor little robins are a little confused.

super scientist

The first grade super scientist is pictured above making bubbling wizards brew.  She had a week to complete the assignment and she did it the first day she was able.  Her report card was spectacular--noting her initiative and kindness to others. 

She is an all-around terrific kid--and super scientist.

fung shui

A couple of weekends ago, I discovered a dust community that had made residence under/behind our bed.  To battle the resurgence of another community taking residence, I decided it was time to rearrange the furniture after being in the same place for nearly nine years. 

With vacuum and bodies working overtime, our bedroom has a new orientation and nice flow.  K has claimed the little area right behind the bed as a little K nook...I have found sunglasses, pillows, kleenex and a little giggling girl there on more than one occasion. 

fresh morning

playing race car with the breakfast nook chair

4 loads of laundry on the line

bulbs trying really hard to emerge with the snowy weather

up and at em early in the day...

blessings

loving siblings

watching the junior wheelchair basketball team in action

visiting cousin Dionne at the Courage Center last Friday

Here are some more photos of our visit with cousin Dionne last Saturday.  I love how loving our kids are with one another.  We are blessed. 

happy 20th anniversary!

Happy 20th wedding anniversary to the lovely couple of Cory and Joan Blomgren!  Wishing you a lifetime of love, health and happiness.

flipper

The other day, on our adventure to the Twin Cities, we stopped by the Courage Center to visit Dionne.  It looks like she will be leaving sometime this week.  To entertain, K decided Dionne would like to see a gymnastics performance.

Here are some action photos of our little flipper.

the sunny side of life

K's dear dear dear friend Kenny just lost his Daddy.  Kenny's Mom Alicia is including the following in Dennis' tribute bulletin...

Keep On The Sunny Side:

There's a dark and troubled side of life
There's a bright and sunny side too
Though we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we we also may view

Keep on the Sunny Side always on the Sunny Side
Keep on the Sunny side of Life
It will help us every day it will brighten all our way
If we Keep on the sunny side of life.

hippy hippy shake

Grandma Betty went under the knife on Friday morning to have a new shiny hip to replace the hip that has been giving her sooo much pain.

After her surgery, her doctor told her that she had the most severe looking case he had ever seen--couldn't believe she had been living with that pain for so long.  But he did assure both Bud and Betty that her surgery was the least complicated surgery he had ever performed.  He was extremely pleased with the results.

Our family stopped by on Saturday to spend some time visiting.  She looked great and said she was in pain, but it wasn't the deep unrelenting pain that she had been experiencing.  She especially enjoyed the hugs and kisses from the kids.

Bud spent the past couple of days at our house doing electrical work and keeping the house lively with singing and stories. 

She is now heading home with her groom to further recover. 

bicicleta

A is the proud owner of a new to him bike.

Over the winter, A's bicycle seemingly shrank so Brad has been on the lookout for a new model on Craig's List.  It just so happened that the perfect bike showed up in a search on Friday evening.  We were headed to a baseball planning meeting on Saturday morning about six miles away from the address listed on the advertisement.

Brad negotiated the price down to $50 and now A has the best bike in our home.

Congratulations and here is to many lovely rides this summer and for many spring/summer/falls to come.