fitness challenge

I work with some of the most interesting and fun people on earth...not like my family of course, but very interesting none the less. We are having a wellness competition and I think our team name will be Jane Fondas...will have to find some spandex I guess.

mohawk

Our 15 year old has shaved his head to support his team in their meet this weekend at sectionals. GO CATS!

giggle factory

Our church rented the Giggle Factory in Hudson for 2 hours of play fun. The 11 and 6 1/2 year old were all aboard...here they are!

great winter concert

our winter concert went off so beautifully last night. I just love how we focused on gratitude, the Mitten and sang with our hearts and souls.

Thank you to my school community. children, parents and staff. I am blessed.

the mild days of late January

This afternoon our class went outdoors to capture some of the rays and wind and snow of northern Wisconsin. How refreshing!

22 and life to go

A very happy 22nd birthday to our charming, intelligent, athletic, handsome and funny nephews Kyle Jr. and Adam. 

driver alert

Our 15 year old passed his drivers written test...now he is eligible to be behind the wheel! I've driven with him once and I was impressed with this road sense.

prepared environment

In a Montessori classroom, one of the components is to have a prepared environment. We have been preparing heavily for the concert on Thursday, January 26. Minka and the Sharing Song.

parent night for our sophomore

On Monday, Brad went to parent night for our current freshman, next year sophomore. Not a lot of new content covered, but the thought of having a sophomore is pretty grounding.

storm troopers

O has a buddy over this afternoon and they are entertaining us with their stormtrooper fighting. They are two super sweet little friends.

soon to start behind the wheel

Our 15 year old will soon be taking to the roads as he passed his permit test. He can drive with Brad or I and he will be taking behind the wheel lesson very soon. The day will soon arrive that we will have 3 licensed drivers in our house.

headed to LaCrosse

Last night, I drove to LaCrosse with my staff to attend the Montessori conference today. I have a great staff and I'm so blessed to work with people who love children and how they learn.

happy birthday KT!

Here are photos from her actual birthday:

birthday breakfast muffins

Add caption

still waking up

birthday evening cupcakes

mmm mmm good

eleven

Like the character is Stranger Things, our little lass is now 11. KGO, you are so kind, fun, intelligent, articulate, athletic, artistic, sincere, passionate, musical, creative, dramatic and WONDERFUL.

I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

she's 38

happy happy happy birthday dear Molly Kathleen! Wishing you a wonderful 38th birthday.

the photo I found in People magazine--a baby named after Molly's maiden name

lovely Molly on Christmas Eve with her special Ivan George

ice ice baby

We have some major ice here in River Falls right now and I got this nice message from my Momma tonight, reminding me of my baptism birthday and my grandpa's anniversary of birth

Hopefully, you are not receiving or will not receive icy conditions in your area???  It's
tough traveling now. Schools were closed in B/O and Mtn. Lake.  There may have been 
more???  I am thinking of you today - Karen- and recalling this date 45 years ago when 
you were baptized at FL.  It was VERY cold but we bundled you and boys up and got 
to FL.  We had dinner at GR and GR Pierson's as Grandpa was celebrating 74 years. Y
our 3 oldest brothers got to sing at their baby sister's baptism. 

birthday party for KGO

On Saturday, I took our soon to be 11 year old and two friends and little brother to Sky Zone, Buffalo Wild Wings and the movie Trolls. A lot of jumping, eating and singing occurred as we celebrated a sweet girl's special day.

Lily's going in for a slam

KGO slamming

Abby adding some flair to her dunk

little bro trying to slam, but making the basket

Power Aid girls

happy birthday Julie!

My dear friend, Julie who was my maid of honor nearly 18 years ago, was one of my residents on my dorm floor 24 years ago celebrated her birthday on Friday, January 13. We did go out to the Dennis DeYoung concert on Saturday evening to celebrate her birthday and our friendship.

It was great hearing songs from my youth and singing with such a dear friend.

caring bridge for Les Grev

My dear childhood friend, Carrie is flying home with her son very soon to have a last visit with her Dad, Les. I have many fond memories of intelligent and articulate Les. Please keep Carrie and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

https://www.caringbridge.org/signin

Les' grandson as King with niece Liana as queen

minka Russian Folk Song

Our class is busy preparing for our winter program. We have recently purchased the sheet music for Minka--The Russian Folk Song. I haven't taught note recognition to my class, but we have a lovely set of tone bars in our classroom that can be easily played to accompany one of the songs we are singing. It's amazing to me how beautifully some children are doing that have shown little or no interest in vocal music. SOOOO exciting.


From what I understand, Minka has been written many times and even some music was composed by Mozart. I think this may launch into a study of cultural music.  

dorothy

The River Ramblers 4H Club will be presenting the Wizard of Oz this spring at their Performing Arts Festival. The girl cast as Dorothy is none other than our sweet soon to be 11 year old, KGO. So excited for you and for the audience to see you play that role.

Here she is as Dorothy October 2008--aged 2 1/2

swim meet

A had another great swim meet on Friday. He shaved 3 seconds off his best breast stroke time with a 1:13 in the 100 breast. I think him wearing a swim cap may have helped his best time.

top lane--lane 6

top lane--lane 6

Lane 6--3rd place

2nd term

My cousin Nels was sworn in for his 2nd term in the MN State House on Tuesday, January 3rd. Momma attended as did her brother, two sisters and two sisters in law along with his wife, kids and sister. I hope he has a great term and makes great things happen in the state of MN. Go NELS! The photos were taken by our relative Logan Ahern, the grandson of Bev Pierson Ahern (Mom's sister)

his 3 kiddos--Sonya, Mardoche and Nels IV

Mardoche

Sonya

Nels IV

Uncle Butch

Momma

Momma

Marily, Momma, Loie and Christina

Momma, Loie, Ruby, Butch and Marilyn

Ruby, Nels III and Nels IV

Nels in action

name plate

so cold!

It is so so so cold here in the upper Midwest right now. I know January is supposed to be cold, but indoor recess can be really tough on the kiddos especially during the week after break. They just need to move!

So thankful for warm home, work, food and clothing right now ;)

and then there was 8

Kent, Chuck, Diane and Kurt Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa B's

I think there was a little mix up in the order of slides, because I think some people took a few out to scan, but these are the final reel of slides. I have enjoyed the process of rediscovering these photo gems from my family treasures. Thanks Mom and Dad for capturing and keeping for so many years. 

Kent and Kurt in their coveralls 

At Grandma and Grandpa Nels and Annies

That two timing girl again from another slide show

Kurt and Kyle waiting for baby brother Cory to be born--when the sweet corn is ready boys...

I'm sure there's a story here, but I haven't heard it. Someone is just standing there in the background 

cutie Cory

my first day of Kindergarten with Kent, Cory, Kurt, me and Kyle

me in front of Mom's beautiful flowers

Christmas card 1978

my Dad's cattle

Kurt's college graduation with Mom

with Dad

Kurt and Kent Senior year football

Kurt prepping his pigs for the state fair

Cory and I enjoying all the milk you can drink for 25 cents