Anthony's birthday

16 years
He spent his day at cross country practice, marching with the band at Godahl Day's, and enjoying  ice cream cake from DQ.

Godahl Day's

Labor Day is always a day spent in Godahl.  There is the parade and music and food stands.  This year was the 62nd year of this small town celebration.  It's a most fitting way to transition from the end of summer to fall and back to school.  We spend many summer nights in godahl while the girls play softball, godahl feels like our summer home

Birthday party fun

Saturday Rosie had a few friends over to celebrate her birthday. It was a rather impromptu celebration, when we discovered an empty Saturday evening and an even emptier home free of siblings it seemed like the perfect time to finally celebrate her birthday with friends. That July birthday makes gathering friends together so challenging.  They ate pizza, had a silky sting battle, watched movies and talked all night long! Ice cream cake topped off the celebration in the best way.

Kevin's birthday

The kids took their Dad to LaPlaza Fiesta in Madelia for his birthday.  They were excited to celebrate his birthday but also to see the new restraunt returned to its main street location after the fire that burned it down over a year ago. It was their grand reopening in the day they went.

Beckie's birthday

She is strong and determined
Kind and Independent.
She has a traveler's  heart and a generous spirit. She lives life fully and is fiercely protective of those she loves.  Happy Birthday Beckie! Love seeing how you define life!

Nickelodeon Universe

Saturday, August 26th was our annual trip to the adventure park at the mall of America.  Once again we spent the entire day riding rides and exploring the park. They look forward to this every year.

New desk

Her aunt repurposed this desk i to the most awesome design for this basketball loving girl!

Solar Eclipse

We prepared to watch the eclipse the making pinpoint viewers, talked about eye safety and not looking up at the sun directly and then waited for the best viewing time 1:06 pm. 35 minutes clouds rolled in removing our chance of seeing the actual eclipse at 1 it started to sprinkle.  Even though clouds covered our view we still knew something big was happening by the darkened daylight.

Minneopa

They spent an afternoon exploring Minneopa state park with Dad.

Cassandra and Eric's wedding shower

Saturday, August  19th, 2017 a athering of family and friends in celebration of their wedding.

Selfies

When one leaves their phone unattended at any family gathering there is always the potential for photos showing up that you didn't take. Especially when these two are present.  These are just a few of 20 some photos on my camera roll from last night.  Perhaps the best or most bold photo is the one they took with me blissfully unaware in the background while they filled my camera with selfies.  These two never disappoint.  #tweens #selfies

Save the Date

Beckie and Greg's engagement party held exactly 1 year from their wedding date.  A fun night spent with family and friends celebrating this amazing couple.

Ice cream man

For 28 years Doug has been delivering Schwan's to our home. Every two weeks would bring the opportunity to purchase ice cream treats or pizza or any other item in that colorful food filled catalog. He has watched the older kids grow up, and seen the arrival of the younger ones, he knows their likes and dislikes especially  in the ice cream department. He wasn't just the Ice cream delivery man (although to Reyna he will always hold that title) he became a family friend.  Today was his last day, he is being transferred to a route in Iowa (which caused the youngest to say with perfect dramatic flair "why is everyone moving to Iowa?") It's a bit of a sad day for all of us...we will miss seeing Doug's smiling face around town and at our door,  but mostly we will miss this friend who has shared so many years with us.

Kindness Rocks

I've read about the kindness rocks projects popping up in cities around our country.
The idea is simple leave painted rocks to be found include a hashtag so when the rock is found a photo could be taken and shared on social media. The goal to spread kindness and a smile, to make someone's day a bit brighter.
Because
Kindness matters
Kindness is important
Kindness ROCKS!

We've been busy painting this morning...and soon we will be leaving rocks to be "found" if you find one take a picture and include the hashtag #kindnessrocksstj
Keep the rock for yourself or place it in another location. Join in ane paint a few rocks yourself and scatter them to be found. Share a photo and include the hashtag. Who knows just where these rocks will go.... after all we can all use a little extra kindness in our days