SUPERSTAR!

Caden is getting his spot in the lime light thanks to Michelle and her magazine, Community Quarterly. This photo was taken last fall at Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota, where we attended his fall preschool field trip. He also graced an ad for Pinehaven Farm inside the magazine, along with his bestest friend, Riley. Be on the lookout for your copy in your mailbox if you have not received one yet, it is just too cute! Autographs anyone???

Good-Bye To Summer...

As we say our final good bye to summer of 2009, here are a few of our favorite memories...

Make a Smilebox greeting

All Boy

Caden is 100% all BOY! This is his newest skill that he learned from watching an X-Treme Bicycle/Skateboard show at the Minnesota State Fair. Thanks to Dad for making him a jump, he is now "doing tricks" for everyone to watch...

He has also convinced his friend, Riley, that she can also "do tricks"...!

A Cousin's Photo Shoot

Some crazy fun with our wonderful wacky cousins...

Back 2 School

It's back to school for Calli and Caden.......what a bitter sweet moment! Calli is starting the fourth grade today, and Caden is a brand new kindergartner. Both kid's are starting something new this fall at McKinley Elementary...

In fourth grade, Calli, will start specialization. It is a different way of learning, and in my opinion, a terrific way to gain information. She has 2 teachers this year that will "specialize" in her specials, such as reading, math, social studies, science, spelling and writing. She will alternate between two classrooms, and will have her things with her via a trapper keeper. She will gain great organization skills as well as responsibility and independence this school year!

Wow...our little boy is starting kindergarten! As happy as we are to see him starting this new journey, it is a sad day in our hearts as well. We wish him all the best as he starts his learning adventure every other day this school year. We are so proud of your bravery, Caden. You are doing a fantastic job!

Top...Calli and Spencer
Bottom...Caden and Riley



Off to the bus stop...

The new bus stop crew waiting for the bus to arrive...

Calli and her best friend, Alexis (happy to be at the same bus stop, but sad not to be in the same classroom this year)...

I was happy to be able to greet Caden off the bus as he arrived at McKinley Elementary for his first day of kindergarten...

Waiting in line with his kindergarten teacher for all his classmates to arrive...

Have fun, Caden, we are so proud of you!

Labor Day Weekend

We did some different activities this past Labor Day Weekend! We usually spend our time over this long weekend in Duluth, but this year we decided to stay home and try other activities (some by choice, and another not by choice)...read on to see what I mean.

We started out our weekend by spending Saturday at Bunker Beach. We had a splashin' good time enjoying the slides, wave pool and water! The weather was incredibly warm and beautiful...

On Saturday, we headed down to the Great Get Together at the Minnesota State Fair with my Mom. It has been quite awhile since we attended the fair on a weekend, the crowds were unbelievable, but we still had a terrific time.

We tried out some new activities/shows this year that were a lot of fun to see. Caden is still in awe over the bike/skateboarding x-treme show (it has prompted some new "stunts" to try at home with his bike, but that's another blog entry in it's own). We also watched the Lumber Jack show, which was incredible as well. Calli thought it was pretty cool that a girl could keep up with the boys.
I also was convinced to go on a ride, wow, am I getting old...it took awhile for my equilibrium to return( the things you do for your children)! Jo Jo also had a great time playing a few games with the kid's and winning prizes.


This last event was not by choice, but never the less left an unpleasant memory of the weekend. My Mom and I spent Labor Day at Unity Hospital following an incident that happened at her neighbor's house on Monday morning. I received a terrifying call from my Mother around 10:30 a.m. to find out that she had been bitten by her neighbor's grand-daughter's pit bull/rottweiler. She was loading up her bicycle to enjoy a picnic and bike ride with us at Bunker Park when she unfortunately encountered this beast. As her neighbor entered her own house to borrow my Mom a bungee cord, the dog toppled her over to bust outside. My Mom sustained multiple bites to her left side and arm which required 9 stitches. This unlucky journey is far from over, but we are so blessed to know that it could have been much worse, and she is here with us to tell her story...