God and Me

This summer Bryce and Micah participated in the God and Me program through Crossroads church. The boys learned how important God is in their lives. Each week, they made a game to represent different parts of the bible and their relationship with God.  They had a great time making each one and playing it together. This award is also recognized by both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America.

Derek explaining the award to the kids at the Crossroads Feast.

The entire group with Pastor Tina.  Abby, Bryce, Daniel, Micah and Justin

Micah with his new award.

Bryce with his new award.

First Day of Our School Year

On August 15,2011 we started our new school year. Although, we do some school year round I try to make a point of doing something different on the first day of a new year. Now, the boys are "officially" in their new grades.  It is also a time for us to get back into a full day of school, as during the summer we typically drop down to one or two subjects a day to allow us more time to be outside.

This year, we ate lunch outside and took pictures after doing our work.  The boys have also asked for a weekly assignment sheet, so they know what is expected of them each day. This will take some more organization on my part but if it cuts down on the arguements about what needs to be done each day it will be worth it.

Bryce our new third grader.

Micah our new first grader.

Matthew our new Preschooler.

Family Camp at Covenant Pines

This summer, we went to Family Camp at Covenant Pines for the first time. It was a wonderful weekend full of a wide variety of activities. The boys had a hard time choosing what they wanted to do the most.

The Red Shark was at the top of every one's list.

Mom and Dad wanted to go for a simple pontoon ride.  We also went canoeing as a family, interesting sums up that experience. No one tipped the canoe but they did do a lot of rocking.

Bryce relaxing on the pontoon.



 We Tye dyed t-shirts with the Sheppard family. It was fun to watch all the adults jump as the kids picked up different colors of dye. The kids were all very excited to see what their creations would look like.

Matthew had fun on the zip line with Arthur.

Gaga Ball was the biggest hit of all the kids at camp. Bryce and Micah played every chance they got.

After getting home and cleaned up, Bryce spent some time reading to Matthew.



Hidden Bluffs - First Half of Vacation

We started our vacation picking up our fixed camper on our way to Hidden Bluffs Resort in southern Minnesota.  Yes, we camped at Hidden Bluffs earlier this summer. On the way home from that trip the axle of our camper broke. Now it is all fixed, so we had to travel south to pick it up. Fortunately, we had no plans to go camping until it was all fixed. As a result, we camped at Hidden Bluffs for 3 nights before coming home to wash clothes and repack before heading to Family Camp at Covenant Pines.

Nana and PopPop joined us for the 4 day 3 night trip to Hidden Bluffs.  It is fun to vacation with grandparents. The boys get to build special memories and we have adults to talk with or in some cases irritate. Derek decided he needed to annoy his mother on more then one occasion. Here he is bringing the fire to her.

The boys loved swimming in the pool and trying to tame the shark.

Hiking is a part of every camping trip.  This time we walked over and through a river.

Sometimes you just need PopPop's shoulder to make things better.

Hiking holing Nana's hand is the best.

Derek decided I needed to have my picture taken too.

Balloon Rockets were a hit while we were at our campsite.





Fred and Ted Go Camping

Who needs to eat when there is a new Fred and Ted book to read?

Not Matthew!  On Sunday morning, as we were packing to go to Hidden Bluffs, Matthew found this book on the kitchen table waiting to be packed. He stopped eating breakfast to read the book. Micah and Bryce were anxious to read it to.  As soon as Matthew was done reading and they were done eating they stood at the kitchen table to read the book.

All three boys read this book through out our week of vacation. Matthew picked different people to read it to all week, some days more than one person.

At the table or on the table, Matthew was happy to read his Fred and Ted books.

The Start of Vacation

How do Bernard's kick off a week of vacation?

With a night of Fireworks of course :)

Derek has been waiting for the right time to set off the fireworks he got before the 4th of July. Well, the start of a week of vacation seemed like the perfect time. The boys had a great time - Derek included.  The fireworks were great and the boys loved the start of our vacation.



Girls Night Out - Sushi

My friend, Reagan, came to the cities for work at the beginning of August.  I was privlidged to go out for dinner with her and just hang out. We had fun going to Akita's in Woodbury.  I have only had sushi one or two other times but it sounded good and it was fun. Reagan ordered many different things and I had fun trying it. I am still not solid on eating raw fish but I sure did have fun trying the different varieties.

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