Sunday, November 1, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
more pics
Bayley is joined by her floormate Karen, Braxton, Zoe, Emma and David. I, of course, am not in the photo since I'm taking it :). I guess the sun was too bright for Zoe :)
Catching Up!
The family went to visit Bayley at college! Family Day was alot of fun and started out with an MSU football game (which they WON). It was a beautiful warm sunny day on an open windy football field. :) After the game we walked around campus so I could show the kids where I stomped around when I was an MSU student. Then Bayley and I ended the by going to see the college production of "Rent". Sunday we went to Bayley's church with her then headed off back home. More pics to follow...
Some Recent Family Pictures
Emma plays her Scooby Doo game on the computer.
Zoe plays soccer in some early October snow.
Family gathers at the marathon finish line.
Some Family Videos (Sep - Oct, 2009)
Braxton playing football for the Mustangs sophomore team. He is #74 and is playing left guard.
David finishes his fourth marathon.
Emma plays a song for her Dad!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bayley Goes To College
Hey family! Well, it's official, I am a college student at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. My new mascot is a dragon and I'm living in the second oldest dorm hall in the history of MSU (Dahl Hall). Moving Day was fun; Mom, Dad, Braxton, & I left the house at 6:40 am for the 4 hour drive to Moorhead. David, Zoe, & the dogs were there to say goodbye, and I started crying.
Because of the awesome traffic, we made it to Moorhead in 3 hours, where my roomate was there waiting for me AND holding a parking spot in front of the hall (how awesome is she!?). We unpacked everything from the van and started unpacking in my room. But then Mom went to go get a tour of the childcare center that she worked in as a student, and then the 4 of us went to Fargo for lunch at AppleBees. And guess what! There's a toll booth at one of the entrances to Fargo! People have to pat 75 cents to get into North Dakota! Mom and I thought it was both funny and stupid, but we were easily distracted by all there was to see in the Fargo-Moorhead area, including a Target in both cities (yay!) and a Well Fargo bank only 10 minutes away from campus (double yay!!)
After a Target run for last minute shopping, I was taken back to Dahl Hall where everyone said their "goodbyes" & "I love yous." I returned to my room to keep unpacking and was shortly sent off to orientation which was full of corny ice breakers and TONS of introductions.
But I am very excited to to be here, the atmospere is so warm and full of new experiences. My dorm room is now liveable and it looks awesome, there a lot of organizations/clubs that I can join, including on-campus Bible studies and service projects. I love this campus, and I excited for classes to start on Monday, Love you all!
The newest college student, Bayley =)
Because of the awesome traffic, we made it to Moorhead in 3 hours, where my roomate was there waiting for me AND holding a parking spot in front of the hall (how awesome is she!?). We unpacked everything from the van and started unpacking in my room. But then Mom went to go get a tour of the childcare center that she worked in as a student, and then the 4 of us went to Fargo for lunch at AppleBees. And guess what! There's a toll booth at one of the entrances to Fargo! People have to pat 75 cents to get into North Dakota! Mom and I thought it was both funny and stupid, but we were easily distracted by all there was to see in the Fargo-Moorhead area, including a Target in both cities (yay!) and a Well Fargo bank only 10 minutes away from campus (double yay!!)
After a Target run for last minute shopping, I was taken back to Dahl Hall where everyone said their "goodbyes" & "I love yous." I returned to my room to keep unpacking and was shortly sent off to orientation which was full of corny ice breakers and TONS of introductions.
But I am very excited to to be here, the atmospere is so warm and full of new experiences. My dorm room is now liveable and it looks awesome, there a lot of organizations/clubs that I can join, including on-campus Bible studies and service projects. I love this campus, and I excited for classes to start on Monday, Love you all!
The newest college student, Bayley =)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Bayley & Braxton's Tennessee adventure
Hey relatives and friends! Bayley here to give you all the lowdown on what Brax and I have been up to recently. On Sunday, July 12th, Brax and I left the Mall of America parking lot on a beautiful coachbus to drive to the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, Tennessee for a covenant youth conference called CHIC (Covenant High In Christ) that happens only every 3 years. The bus took 23 hours to drive through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. We slept through Indiana, although hardly anyone actually slept. Braxton and I only got around 2-3 hours of sleep because of being uncomfortable, untimely pitstops, and a bumpy bus. But at long last, we arrived at UT around 11:00 a.m on Saturday morning (Tennessee time).
And what an amazing time we had: excursions, concerts, amazing/inspiring speakers, great calls to action. Braxton went white-water rafting and packed food for Feed My Starving Children (a ministry that brings food to starving families all over the world). I got to drive go-karts on the Nascar speedway and went shopping in a tiny town called Pideon Forge. Every night, there was an event called "Mainstage," where the entire CHIC community would hear famous Christian bands and speakers from all over the country, including a pastor from Minnesota! Brax and I saw live performances from David Crowder Band, Israel Howdin, FlyLeaf, Third Day, and the incredibly awesome CHIC band. We heard amazing sermons from pastors who build a church from the ground up or who have found the injustices of our country and came out successful. And lectures from men and woman who made it their passion to fight the injustice of slave and human trafficking.
I went to a lecture called "Slumdog Millionaire meets Slumdog Professor," and the man speaking told about his life growing up in the slums of India, and what he is doing now to help his country with his Ph. D. He told stories of childhood friends that would suddenly disappear from the slums, and never to be heard from until many years later where the child would return mentally damaged and physically weakened. He told us that children were, and still are, being kidnapped off of the streets or tricked into leaving their families for the promise of a better life and money to send home, but more often than not, the children are forced to work in some slave trade or human trafficking, never getting paid a penny. And they do not return home, until their master deems them "useless," where they are kicked out and left to find their own way home. After hearing all this, my blood was boiling, how can someone purchase a child of God? How can a human being treat a fellow human with so little...feeling?
But while this trip was extremely eye opening, it was also inspirational and hope lifting. Over 2,000 letters were written by CHIC students and leaders to their state senators about the importance of abolishing slavery and human trafficking. And in the span of 5 days, we prepared and packed 527, 896 meals for Feed My Starving Children! But what is even more amazing, is that in 1 single offering at Mainstage, the CHIC community donated $109, 327 for ministries in Thailand!!
About 6,000 high school students and their leaders came to CHIC this year from all the world: Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Sweden, etc.. The entire experience was unforgettable and I am VERY thankful that I was able to spend so much time with Braxton before I leave for school. We left CHIC on Friday, July 17th at 9:00 a.m (Tennessee time). We had lunch in Kentucky and dinner in Illinios (where I rode a carousel for the 1st time in FOREVER!!!!). We got back to that MOA parking lot at 2:45 a.m, that's right, A.M!!! Mom, David, and the puppies (I call them "puppies") where they were waiting when we arrived and we quickly went home so Brax and I could sleep in our own beds, which we did, until noon. =)
And what an amazing time we had: excursions, concerts, amazing/inspiring speakers, great calls to action. Braxton went white-water rafting and packed food for Feed My Starving Children (a ministry that brings food to starving families all over the world). I got to drive go-karts on the Nascar speedway and went shopping in a tiny town called Pideon Forge. Every night, there was an event called "Mainstage," where the entire CHIC community would hear famous Christian bands and speakers from all over the country, including a pastor from Minnesota! Brax and I saw live performances from David Crowder Band, Israel Howdin, FlyLeaf, Third Day, and the incredibly awesome CHIC band. We heard amazing sermons from pastors who build a church from the ground up or who have found the injustices of our country and came out successful. And lectures from men and woman who made it their passion to fight the injustice of slave and human trafficking.
I went to a lecture called "Slumdog Millionaire meets Slumdog Professor," and the man speaking told about his life growing up in the slums of India, and what he is doing now to help his country with his Ph. D. He told stories of childhood friends that would suddenly disappear from the slums, and never to be heard from until many years later where the child would return mentally damaged and physically weakened. He told us that children were, and still are, being kidnapped off of the streets or tricked into leaving their families for the promise of a better life and money to send home, but more often than not, the children are forced to work in some slave trade or human trafficking, never getting paid a penny. And they do not return home, until their master deems them "useless," where they are kicked out and left to find their own way home. After hearing all this, my blood was boiling, how can someone purchase a child of God? How can a human being treat a fellow human with so little...feeling?
But while this trip was extremely eye opening, it was also inspirational and hope lifting. Over 2,000 letters were written by CHIC students and leaders to their state senators about the importance of abolishing slavery and human trafficking. And in the span of 5 days, we prepared and packed 527, 896 meals for Feed My Starving Children! But what is even more amazing, is that in 1 single offering at Mainstage, the CHIC community donated $109, 327 for ministries in Thailand!!
About 6,000 high school students and their leaders came to CHIC this year from all the world: Canada, Mexico, El Salvador, Sweden, etc.. The entire experience was unforgettable and I am VERY thankful that I was able to spend so much time with Braxton before I leave for school. We left CHIC on Friday, July 17th at 9:00 a.m (Tennessee time). We had lunch in Kentucky and dinner in Illinios (where I rode a carousel for the 1st time in FOREVER!!!!). We got back to that MOA parking lot at 2:45 a.m, that's right, A.M!!! Mom, David, and the puppies (I call them "puppies") where they were waiting when we arrived and we quickly went home so Brax and I could sleep in our own beds, which we did, until noon. =)
Monday, July 20, 2009
mountains, mountains EVERYWHERE!!!!
When we drove into Tennessee, the mountain range was all around us, it was beautiful!!
RUN BRAXTON!!!
Yes, that is Braxton about to be eating by a gaint dog. The only things I'm confused about, is that he's smiling
Brax may be alittle too involved with football
the happy football guy and the "don't mess with me" mad hatterSunday, July 5, 2009
A Happy Holiday Weekend
We have been enjoying a great holiday weekend here in Minnesota, highlighted by the following:
- We were outdoors every day
- We were in the water every day
- Braxton did NOT break his arm
Paul & Gretchen came down on Friday morning to make it a full “Circus Weekend.” In the afternoon we packed up both cars with the entire family: Beth and I, four girls, two boys, and two dogs. We went out to the Clifton French Regional Park. This park has a tremendous playground with ropes, tunnels, cargo netting, and slides which all of the children enjoyed.
After spending time on the playground, we hiked across the park to the beach on Medicine Lake. This had not been part of the plan and we had not packed swim suits. But it was a hot day and the kids went and played in the water anyway.
Saturday was the Fourth of July and we went to my Parents’ house in the morning. They still live in the same neighborhood that David grew up in and there is a bike parade held every year on the Fourth. Emma decorated her bike, we dressed up the dogs, and we all participated in the big parade.
Saturday afternoon I went out for a long run and then we took the kids to the beach for some sun and swimming.
Saturday night was fireworks time and we went to our usual spot behind our old church to watch the display from Central Park in Roseville. This was a double celebration for our family this year. Last year Braxton had just finished his cancer treatment and was still weak where the biopsy had been done on his arm. He broke his arm right before fireworks while playing catch.
This year Braxton is a fully recovered cancer survivor. He is playing baseball again and is doing regular weight training in the hopes of playing football this fall. So returning to Roseville for fireworks, enjoying ourselves, and not having anyone get hurt was a major victory and brings us much joy!
Today, after taking Paul & Gretchen back home, David took Braxton, Zoe, and Emma to the outdoor pool at the Meanwhile, Beth took Bayley down to the Mall of America so she could meet her new college roommate. What a big day!!!
Sun, water, fireworks, health, safety, and new beginnings. All in all, a pretty good holiday weekend.
+++
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
North Shore Getaway - Day 1
Beth and I were able to get away last weekend, so we went to our favorite spot - Lake Superior's North Shore. We got on the road at about 1:30pm and encountered fairly heavy traffic all the way up. Some of this was for Grandma's Marathon and some, I'm sure, was just summer cabin goers trying to get out of town for the nice weather.
But the weather wasn't so nice as we went past Duluth and trekked along the shore. A great mist was coming over the lake and the temperature started to drop.
It was cool and misty when we stopped at the Tettegouche to visit our favorite rock beach (and gaze upon the arch). But we hiked down anyway and were greeted by a virtual city of rock cairns (somebody had made 40-50 separate towers of stones and left them there). It was quite a sight. Beth, of course, got right to work making her own rock cairns and I just enjoyed the view.
By the time we reached our cabin along the Cascade River it was downright cold. We were quite happy we had decided to book a cabin that had a fireplace - even in June. After getting a couple of bowls of chili at the local greasy spoon, we settled in for an evening beside the fire and just enjoyed time with each other -- quiet, cozy time with each other!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Taking Care of Ladybugs
"I took care of the ladybugs," said Emma.
"Oh," said her mom. "How did you take care of them?"
"Last night I found two ladybugs in my bedroom. So I squashed them and threw them in the garbage!"
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Dave's Taxi & Entertainment Service
Day 2 of Beth's trip to Illinois and the day started early.
6:30am - Sunny woke David up to be let out.
6:45am - David drove Bayley to school for her speech meet.
7:50am - David drove Braxton to his friend John's house so he could go to baseball tryouts.
9:15 am - David & Emma drive to the hotel where Paul is having his birthday party and pick-up Gretchen.
10:00am - David plays games with the girls. First they play a round of speed-Life which Gretchen wins. Then David and Gretchen play a game of Battleship. Gretchen wins that game, too.
11:30am - David, Gretchen, and Emma take Sunny & Rufus to the dog park. Emma has a great time gathering up tennis balls and throwing them to the dogs. Gretchen was cold!
12:45pm - We left the dog park and stopped at McDonald's to pick up some lunch. Then we went home, met up with Zoe and Braxton, and whiled away the afternoon (during part of which time the girls drew faces on some of Emma's remaining party balloons).
3:30pm - David is back in the car again going to pick Bayley up from her speech meet.
4:00pm - David, Braxton, Zoe, Gretchen, and Emma drive back to the hotel where Paul is having his party and join the party for some cake and to watch Paul open presents.
6:00pm - David is posting pictures and drawings to the blog so Beth can see what we've been up to.
6:30pm - David uses all of his culinary expertise to prepare a meal of fish-sticks and tater-tots for the kids.
7:30pm - David writes this last blog entry for the day.
8:00pm - Time to put Emma to bed and start turning the clocks forward for tomorrow.
+ posted by David
--
6:30am - Sunny woke David up to be let out.
6:45am - David drove Bayley to school for her speech meet.
7:50am - David drove Braxton to his friend John's house so he could go to baseball tryouts.
9:15 am - David & Emma drive to the hotel where Paul is having his birthday party and pick-up Gretchen.
10:00am - David plays games with the girls. First they play a round of speed-Life which Gretchen wins. Then David and Gretchen play a game of Battleship. Gretchen wins that game, too.
11:30am - David, Gretchen, and Emma take Sunny & Rufus to the dog park. Emma has a great time gathering up tennis balls and throwing them to the dogs. Gretchen was cold!
12:45pm - We left the dog park and stopped at McDonald's to pick up some lunch. Then we went home, met up with Zoe and Braxton, and whiled away the afternoon (during part of which time the girls drew faces on some of Emma's remaining party balloons).
3:30pm - David is back in the car again going to pick Bayley up from her speech meet.
4:00pm - David, Braxton, Zoe, Gretchen, and Emma drive back to the hotel where Paul is having his party and join the party for some cake and to watch Paul open presents.
6:00pm - David is posting pictures and drawings to the blog so Beth can see what we've been up to.
6:30pm - David uses all of his culinary expertise to prepare a meal of fish-sticks and tater-tots for the kids.
7:30pm - David writes this last blog entry for the day.
8:00pm - Time to put Emma to bed and start turning the clocks forward for tomorrow.
+ posted by David
--
A Picture for Mommy!
Emma drew this picture for Beth so that she'll know that Emma loves her Mommy!
Pictured from left to right are Emma, David, Braxton, Beth, Zoe, and Bayley.
---
Pictured from left to right are Emma, David, Braxton, Beth, Zoe, and Bayley.
---
Friday, March 6, 2009
Another Day with the Chatty Chatty Princess
Today is Day 3 of Emma's vacation from school, Day 2 of Bayley, Braxton & Zoe's vacation from school, and Day 1 of Beth's trip to Illinois. Bayley, Braxton & Zoe were at Brad's house last night, so David decided to take Emma to the office for half a day.
Emma is always greeted by smiling faces. She is known in these parts as the Chatty Chatty Princess and people in the office go out of their way to make sure they get to see her. She is one precocious and entertaining child!
Today Emma spent the first part of her visit opening up some of the toys she received at her kid birthday party: (i) a Thumbalina Fairy, (ii) a My Little Pony, and (iii) a couple of Littlest Pet Shop toys.
After playing with those toys and visiting a few friends, she worked on some drawings. She did a great job of entertaining herself while David was engaged in a one-hour conference call.
Great patience, Emma!!!
After the conference call, it was time for a meeting of the officers of the Toastmasters club that David is a part of - he is the VP of Education. Emma was excited to go to her "very first meeting." She brought her drawing pad and drew a picture of the event.
+ posted by David
-
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Car Repair & the Chatty Chatty Princess
Emma (a/k/a/ the Chatty Chatty Princess) had no school today because of parent-teacher conferences. So David stayed home from work to spend the day with her.
So what do a dad and a six-year old girl do when home alone for the day?
You guessed it - car maintenance!
David's car needed new tires, so he took Emma to the local Discount Tire to get replacements. The people were friendly and the service was great.
Here is a drawing from Emma showing the work that was done.
Beth's car also needed some maintenance today. Her car was due for an oil change. So after getting new tires on David's car we traded vehicles with Beth and took the mini-van to the local Insta-Lube.
Service there was performed with a smile.
See?
After the oil change, David took Emma to Super-Target to get some pizza and cheetos for lunch.
What a day!!!
+ posted by David
---
So what do a dad and a six-year old girl do when home alone for the day?
You guessed it - car maintenance!
David's car needed new tires, so he took Emma to the local Discount Tire to get replacements. The people were friendly and the service was great.
Here is a drawing from Emma showing the work that was done.
Beth's car also needed some maintenance today. Her car was due for an oil change. So after getting new tires on David's car we traded vehicles with Beth and took the mini-van to the local Insta-Lube.
Service there was performed with a smile.
See?
After the oil change, David took Emma to Super-Target to get some pizza and cheetos for lunch.
What a day!!!
+ posted by David
---
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Happy Birthday Again
Emma had her "kid party" this weekend and I am happy to say that we survived!
The Chatty Chatty Princess invited eight girls over for her party. They all arrived at about 12:30 on Saturday. After being greeted by Sunny & Rufus, the girls went to the dining room to decorate party bags. Then there was a game of "hot potato" and after that Beth served cake and ice cream.
Rich came over to help us transport the girls down the street to the family center where there is an indoor playground called "The Eagle's Nest."
The Eagle's Nest was total pandemonium! There were at least four other birthday parties happening at the same time and loud, screaming kids were everywhere. The girls had a great time climbing, crawling through tubes, playing in the ball pit, and going down slides. Zoe was there to help monitor things. Barb came and watched the chaos, too.
After letting the girls run wild for a little over an hour, we gathered them up to go back to the house.
Wait a minute!
We only have seven girls. We need two more!
After a little searching, we found the last two girls and got everyone home safely.
Once back at the house, Emma opened up her gifts. Then we finished the party with a pinata.
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