We’re Campers!

Grandpa Russ and Lori came up to the cities for the RV show last weekend. A few days later I got a call asking if we want to buy his toy hauler.

Absolutely! I’ve had enough of our tents blowing down and getting damaged from storms.

We’re excited to use it and already have a few trips planned.

Pizza~n~Cream

There’s nothing better than some deliciously creamy ice cream. I think it’s worth another drive to Rushford.

Maybe a family kayak trip down the Root River is in order this summer.

The Moon and Me

I love the moon. No matter where it is in the sky I will find it, or attempt to given the weather. The moon never looks the same. It varies in color, size, shape and even brightness. Phone cameras never do it justice. That’s okay though. The moon is held tight in my mind and inked in my skin. It tells me that I am never alone.

Promise of a better day. Promise of a greater hope. 

Chick Magnet

The kids are always excited about their crafts made at school. This one was super exciting for Noah. Over the course of three days he was pulling this chick out and showing it to whoever he crossed paths with.

Although he kept referring to it as a duck also. Chick, duck, you made it kid, call it what you like.

Boots n Boys

It felt like a good day to wear my new cowboy boots to work. As I went in the porch I saw Noah putting on his cowboy boots.

Those boots have done some walking in their 10 years of life. They were loved by Seth when he was 3-5 years old and are now carrying Noah through his preschool years.

He’s stinkin cute! I tried finding a picture of Seth in those boots and I’m not having much luck. But I did find him in his brown boots which Sam took over after he grew out of those. I also found Sam in her cute little Mexico dress and her red boots.

I love kids in boots!

Sunday Funday

Today Nick and Belle went up to RJ’s and flushed pheasants with the dogs at the state natural area adjacent to his property. The littles and I kidnapped Anni for the day. We abandoned grocery shopping and grabbed lunch at Applebee’s. We then went to the store and picked up jump ropes for the girls and a Spider-Man kite for Noah. Off to Vermillion Falls to walk the river, jump rope and fly a kite.

We almost lost Noah’s kite to the river when the hook came off the string. I saved the day and according to the littles I almost fell in.

It was chilly out but that didn’t stop them from playing. 

We then headed out on a two mile walk to the top of the Hastings bridge over the Mississippi. Nick and RJ came into town and the four of us ran so we could make it to the top of the bridge. 

Green Mill for dinner and home to cycle kids through the shower before bed.

RHFD Banquet

Tonight was the fire department banquet. We had dinner and played bags, jenga and box hockey with friends. It was also our inaugural game with our jenga set. Nick was a sweet man and went home to get ours after one of the wives got a sliver from the other homemade game. It was so much fun. We closed down the event at headed home. 

A Model Plane

Seth took his art project a step further and decided to make an airplane. How cool is this?!

We are all pleased that it didn’t blow up in the kiln. I’m super pleased it wasn’t another bowl to add to my collection.

Cadet Brunner

Seth went to Red Wing with one of the Sargent and picked up his new uniform for the Civil Air Patrol. 

He’s a cadet now. I’m proud of him and I look forward to seeing where this new adventure takes him. 

I Miss This Place

I have our TV set up to use Shutterfly pictures as our screensaver. I turn it on just to look at pictures. Tonight the cabin came up and all of the memories followed.

Hours of fishing. Dance offs. Hanging out with kids down the road. Learning to ski. Watching my grandpa clean fish and later cleaning thrm with him. Watching grandma make crafts. Square dancing. Mad dashes to the outhouse at dark hoping a bear wouldn’t eat me. Family. The cabin brought us all together and it left me with lasting memories.

Kiss My Plaster

I thought about replacing walls in the house with sheetrock but after tearing down the few sections of wall in the old office this plaster can kiss my rear! The plaster crumbled while the metal lath eats up blades like it hasn’t been fed in a century.

My bedroom closet and the office closet are no more. The other side of the plaster wall is my bedroom. I cannot wait to have a master bathroom.

~ Live ~ Laugh ~ Love ~

It’s easy to get caught up dwelling on the negatives. I need to remind myself to live hard, laugh often and love a lot.

Maybe this tattoo should have been on my wrist. I forget it’s there with our long winters. Even after getting it seven years ago today.

Titans to Tommy

Today Sam wrapped up her one week Titans Spotlight Classic which consisted of one practice and one game. She played with Kyra, Autumn and Bree against another Titan team.

It was a close game with Sam assisting Autumn in a goal. We lost 4-3. Fiona from camp played defense with Sam and had RJ Asher coach.

After that game we headed to Eagan for her first practice on the Tommy Chicago Green team which mostly consisted of second year u12 girls from the Hastings A team.

It looks to be a fun summer season ahead.

Little Swimmers

Last day of swimming lessons for my littles. Adelynn can swim through the deep end on her own. Noah is all about playing. 

Start Right Now

I worked from Caribou for a bit today and found myself looking at this message a couple times.

The past is in the past. Why look back? Why fret over what you cannot change? Move on... enjoy the moment and only look back if it makes you smile.

Run Girls!

These two are the cutest when yhe bdecide to get along with one another.

It sounds like they had a good run and that Adelynn was pushing Sam to get off the ground and get back running. They were also excited to hear it’s two miles round trip.

I can’t wait to get back out and go for my evening walks and runs. It’s peaceful and a great opportunity for me to clear my mind.

Class of 2031

Tonight was Kindergarten Roundup at Randolph Elementary. Parents joined their little preschoolers to learn about kindergarten.

While the parents were hearing all of the “parent stuff” the kids were working on a craft. Afterwards we had malts, bananas and oranges. He’s excited!

Here’s to the next 13 years. 

A Future Cadet

Seth has found a passion that is pulling him in tight. Tonight I filled out a Civil Air Patrol Cadet Application. Each Tuesday Seth will spend two hours at the Stanton Airfield learning about aeronautics and how he can be of help during search and rescues among other things. He’ll be prepped for his first solo flight and be in line for his dream of becoming a pilot.

Within CAP he has also taken part in their Honor Guard training and Rocketry program.

A Second Bath?

9 years in this house

4 to 10 people living here at one point. 

1 bathroom

Here’s to a second bathroom. Hopefully within a month... or two. 

Titans Spotlight Classic

From one team to the next is what our summer is going to look like. Sam just finished up her u12 season and today was the first practice/scrimmage for the Titan Spotlight Classic in Andover.

Sam is on the orange team with Kyra, Autumn and Bree from her u12 team. We discovered today that her horse camp friend, Fiona, who plays for Roseville, will be on her team as well. It’s just a week long team with 1-2 practices and a game next Sunday. 

Sam did what she likes to do and stood with Coach RJ, as he talked to both teams. She’s pretty hooked on him. 

Afterwards the four girls and five parents ate at Osaka’s Hibachi Grill. Great food but still spendy as can be!

A Vegetarian

Tonight while watching a movie Noah saw some guys in army fatigues.

Noah: “Daddy used to be one of those but now he’s a fireman.”

Me: “Yes, he used to be in the National Guard.”

Noah: “Yup, he was a vegetarian.”

Me: “Veteran” *laughing*

When I Was Little

Noah “Hey! I used to rock these when I was little!”

Nick  “Dude, you are little!”

Noah “No! No! Like when I was three!” says the four year old boy. 

It’s amazing what you find under the couch.

Solo Girl at a Boy’s Party

Adelynn was invited to Easton’s 6th birthday party at The Grove Aquatic Center. When she got home I asked who all was there. With each psssing name I discovered she was the only girl.

As I’d ask her questions she’d give me the look...





Me “Which is your boyfriend?”
AJ *giggles* denying anything I say.

AJ “Guess what the boys did to me!!”
Me “Kiss you?”
AJ “Moooooooommmmmm!!!!! Nooooooo!”
Me “What then?”
AJ “They pushed me in to get the ball back! Those stinkers!”

She’s all giggles tonight.

Field Trip

Adelynn and Noah got to go on a field trip today to the Target Center for Disney on Ice.

Noah liked Goody the best because he is a dog who walks on two feet.

Adelynn didn’t say much but threw a princess dress on when she got home.

She asked me last night if I could go with. Not enough notice girly! These pics were sent to me from another mom. Love getting surprise pictures when I can’t be at school for all of their field trips.