Bemidji, Minnesota

Hello from Bemidji, Minnesota. We hadn't been able to come to Bemidji all summer. We are finally finished with t-ball, baseball and swimming lessons, so we packed up for a 4 day trip to visit grandma. the boys had such a fun time in Bemidji. The highlight of my trip was, of course seeing my sister, nephews, and mom, but right up there was eating at "Dave's Pizza". Ooooohhhh, it is so good. It is our favorite place to eat when we go home. we all went out for pizza on Tuesday night when we arrived in town. We stayed at my sister's house. The kids all had so much fun together, Will was a little disappointed because Taylor was in Michigan, so he was kind of bored. Jack and Max had fun catching little frogs. Those poor frogs, they squeezed them and played with them ALL day long! Charlie and Joey had fun outside, they played and played until bedtime. We al went to "Put n Go" to ride bumper boats and go-carts. Everyone rode except Grandma. Grandma, Will, Jack, Charlie, Paul and I also had a picnic at Diamond Point Park. I used to play there when I was little. It has really changed a lot. We had Paul Bunyan Sub Shop... YUMMY! Can you tell we have our favorite places to eat when we are in Bemidji. If you ever visit Bemidji, you have to go to Dave's Pizza and Paul Bunyan Sub Shop. I am positive you will love each place. We had a very relaxing time in Bemidji. Tiffany and Jim left on Thursday afternoon to go on a cruise to Greece. We stayed with the boys until Friday afternoon. I love spending time with Max and Joey. they are so cute and sweet. I wish we could spend more time with them. They boys really miss their cousins. We headed back home on Friday. School starts on Monday. See you again soon!

Will and Charlie playing outside
Max and Jack caught little frogs and had a blast playing with them

Charlie, Will and Jack

we had a picnic in the park with Grandma

Charlie, Jack, Will, Joey and Max

Riding the go-carts

First Day of School

Will and Jack heading off to school.

I have taken a picture of them in front of this wall for years.

It is fun to see how they grow from year to year

Jack and his Twins stuff

Will is so proud of his Colts backpack

Hello again.

Today was our first day of school. We have had a very busy week, so I am afraid the boys were a bit tired for their first day of school. We bought a few new clothes and tennis shoes for each of them. They were more excited for their school supplies. Will got a Colts backpack and Colts stuff for his locker and colts supplies. Jack got Twins stuff and he is going to use his Twins backpack from last year.

Jack is in 2nd grade this year. He said this morning that he is excited to see all of his friends again. Jack is such a social butterfly and so friendly to all. He will have a good year in 2nd grade, he has an awesome teacher and all of his friends are in his class.

Will started middle school this year, he is in 6th grade. I can't believe he is so old already, I still feel like he is my "baby". He was a little nervous with all the changes in middle school. He has to change teachers each hour and has a locker com to worry about. We went up to the school last week to get his locker and practice his com. It took him a couple tries, but he got it. This morning Jack and I walked with him to his locker and he opened it on his first try. I know he felt better after that.

Charlie and I had a lazy morning at home, it felt really good to relax and just be home. Charlie asked me this morning "Where are my boys" he will miss them. Of course, I did some laundry and Charlie watched cartoons. We went to the grocery store and had lunch with daddy. It looks like we are all back into the swing of a new school year. I hope the boys had a great first day!

Great Grandma

Grandma, Will and Jack having donuts

Will, Grandma and Jack

We loved having Grandma come and stay.

My grandma came to Linton for a visit. She stayed with us from Monday until Thursday afternoon. She lives in Theif River Falls, MN. My grandpa died 19 days after Paul and I got married, so Paul never got to know him. We had such a nice visit. She is the only grandma that I have. She is such a sweet lady. She is almost 86 and to me doesn't look much past her sixty's. I hope I look that good when I am her age. It was fun to hear her stories about when she had her kids all at home. She had 4 girls and 3 boys. Her youngest is only 2 years older then I am. I always remember when we would visit, she made chocolate chip cookies and homemade buns. Yummy!!!!! We didn't do too much when she was here, it was fun to just visit. She hadn't been to our house since Charlie was 3 months old. The boys enjoyed her too. She went to swimming lessons with us, we played cards, went out to eat, went to morning mass and just had fun.
I hope she can come back sometime soon.

We are getting ready for school to start again, they start on Monday, August 24. Will is going to be in 6th grade and Jack will be in 2nd grade. Tuesday we are going to Bemidji to see my family. we don't have much planned, hopefully relaxing and playing with cousins. I will post about our trip later. bye for now!

swimming Lessons

not sure what he called this dive...

side stroke

relaxing!

Will was in level V and had his lessons in 10 feet of water. He loves the water and does very well in swimming. He told me to jump in the water by the diving board. I told him if I did, he would have to save me. He thought that was funny. I am amazed at what he has learned. He has to tread water for 5 minutes, many different dives, floating, breast stroke, side stroke and so many I don't remember. Will passed this level on the first try. He was very proud of himself. Great job Will! He has one level left and then he takes a lifesaving level.

Jack in the pool, ready for lessons to start

Cannon ball !!!!!!!

doing the back float

Jack was in Level IV. He has all of his lesson in 10 feet of water. I am so glad that they all love swimming and are taking lessons. I do not like to be in the water where I cannot touch bottom.

Jack did very well in his lesson. They are usually in a level 2 times before they pass. He learned to float, dive, tread water and lots lots more. Jack will be in level IV again next summer, he needs to get stronger and keep practicing. He was ok with that. Great job Jack!

Charlie going down the slide

fun at lessons

Charlie had swimming lessons for 1 week, he was in level I. He is not afraid at all, so it was a fun time for him. He wasn't too sure about going off the diving board, but he finally did on the last day, with a little help from the life guards! He will go into level I again because he is only 3 years.

MEDORA

Outside at Sanford's

It was very good!

a huge buffalo coming right to me

Jack had to get into the Medora fashion and buy himsself a cowboy hat

The Medora Musical!!!

Hello again. I have so much to tell you all, so I am going to have to blog a lot in the next couple days. We went to Medora on August 2 and 3. We had such a fun time. We went with the Brown's, Doug, Sarah, Ian and Ryan. We had not been to Medora since I was pregnant with Charlie, the boys didn't really even remember what is was like. They had so much fun, they didn't want to go home.
We ate in Dickinson at a really cool restaurant called "Sanford's". They had amazing food and the decorations were neat to look at. Thanks Brandt and Janelle for giving us a "Heads up" on this restaurant. We had a great time and will definitely go there again. If you ever go to Medora, I would highly recommend Sanford's.
We took in the 4M Revue. We saw Milo Hatzenbuler, he was a hoot. The boys laughed and laughed. They thought he really was from Strasburg!
Sunday evening we went to the Medora Musical. It was so good. All five of the boys sat so well for the musical. They were all in awe! You just have to go and see it. I am amazed how well they can dance, sing and entertain. The weather was a little cool, but we didn't mind. No bugs and we were comfortable with a sweatshirt. On Monday before we went home, we drove through the Teddy Roosevelt State Park. the scenery was unbelieveable and we saw a lot of wildlife. There were bison on the road, I could almost reach out and touch them. Don't worry, I didn't.
Thanks for checking in, I will talk to you again soon!

cousins come for a visit

Glenda and Lloyd

Jack and Lydia

Will and Noah

Tammi, Charlie and Lydia

Noah, Jack, Lloyd, Charlie and Lydia

Hello again.

We have been having a busy summer, we really love when we get company. you are welcome anytime! Glenda (Paul's sister), Noah, Lloyd and Lydia came for a few days this summer. We had a lot of fun. the boys really enjoy playing with their cousins. We had a fire one evening, which was awesome. You can't beat a fire roasted hot dog and s'mores. the kids really had fun. Jack and Lydia stayed outside with us until the end. It was very relaxing and a perfect evening. We spent one whole afternoon at the pool. Linton has such a nice pool, it is only 2 years old. I have posted pictures of our fun day, and we had no sunburns.....YEAH!!!!!! I guess I have finally figured out the sunscreen. Thanks Glenda for coming to stay, we love having you.