Vacation Photos - Part 1

Vacation! Doesn't that word bring a smile to your face? For me it does because this last vacation was our very first family vacation all by ourselves. We have always gone on vacations with other people but this one was just the 6 of us and it was so much fun. The kids were incredible, scenery was so beautiful, and our time together was priceless. We couldn't have asked for a better vacation and we are very thankful for having this opportunity to go on one of our very own.

Duluth. We just got to the canal park and the aerial lift bridge just as a massive ship was coming through. It was so awesome to see.
Zach off the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth.

Jordan off the shore.

A pic of the aerial lift bridge in the background.

These stinking seagulls were everywhere. Not a highlight of my day.

Love this pic. A view of the streets as they leave the shore. They were all inclined like this. Would stink to keep these clear in the winter when this area of Minnesota gets an average of 50+ inches of snow a year.

One of my favorite pics, Riley and Gavin. A perfect example of how our week was, we all got along perfectly.

Curt and I, it was nice having two older boys who could also take pictures.

The kiddos.

The kids and I along the lake walk. A nice little stroll and so pretty.

Gavin was so stoked to see Bumblebee in Duluth. And for those of you who don't know who Bumblebee is, it is a transformer from the Transformers movie, Gavin's favorite Autobot. (This really isn't the real car, but he sure thought so)

Gavin playing on the frog slide at our hotel.

Riley going down the huge water slide also in our hotel. Every night was spent in the pool, a nice ending to every day.

Jordan along the shore in Silver Bay. This area was only about a quarter of a mile from our hotel. Was awesome to look out our hotel room every morning and see Lake Superior.

Zach along the shore as well. Kids had so much fun here throwing rocks and exploring.

Officially Have a Teenager

WOW. I can't believe my boy is a teenager today. I really don't like the thought of my kids growing up, but I will say that Jordan has done a great job of it. He has matured so much in the last year that he is almost a different kid to us. It is amazing how helpful he has become and he is such a wonderful big brother. If you want to get to know Jordan a little better here are a few tidbits about him:
- very loving (he is our hugger)
- very kind
- generous
- talkative
- loves to laugh
- loves movies
- loves to swim
- loves to fish
- loves to learn new things
- isn't afraid of trying new things
- helpful
- new love of weightlifting
- loves to play all sports
- LOVES family
- loves the outdoors
- just loves life and all that comes with it

Vacation to Lake Superior (June 2010)
Track (May 2010)

Easter (April 2010)

Favorite sport, swimming (February 2010)

Plenty of snow for him this last year (December 2009)

One of my favorite pictures (October 2009)

Last summer vacation at Maine (July 2009)

Love you so much Jordan and we are blessed everyday to have you in our lives. Happy 13th Birthday!!!!

Zach's Track and Field Day

Wow, I only had one in the school's track and field day this year. Jordan is in Jr. High Track (will post that next time) and Riley and Gavin are too young. It was nice though only having to concentrate on Zachy and not moving from one kid to the other. And as always, it was a fun day for the kids. Lots of events for them to do and a fun tug of war contest to end the day.

Zach in the 100 yard run.
Relay race.

Trying to do a flip on the mat for the obstacle course.

Softball throw. Pretty impressed.

Long jump.

Waiting for the three legged race. I was worried he was going to drag Taylor. :)

Potato sack race. I think one of his favorites.

Finally the tug of war. Look at all that fierce determination.

Soccer

Hi everyone. I thought since the kiddos are being really good for me right now I would pop in and share some pictures of Jordan, Zach, and Riley's soccer season.

Zach throwing the ball in
Zach taking a bit of a breather

Jordan fighting for the ball against his opponent

Jordan doing a corner goal kick

Riley trying to entertain herself as goalie

Riley with her coach, Nick

Riley throwing the ball in.

Soccer seemed to fly by this year. It was here and gone in the blink of an eye. I suppose it was because once the snow finally melted we realized that we really needed to get the soccer forms out and get the season started. So since it was late for us getting all the forms and coaches ready we were right into the practices and games (stinking snow really threw us off this year). For our home games we were also in charge of the concession stand so that also keep the season busy and made it zoom by even faster.

Father-Daughter Dance

Hi all. Here are some pics from the father daughter dance Curt and Riley attended back in mid March. She was so happy to go and she stayed extremely happy for the rest of the night. She must have had tons of fun that she tuckered herself out and was asleep soon after she got home. It was kind of funny because Curt said he was pretty nonexistant that night with her. She was having too much fun with her friends and wanted to dance with them. Curt was OK with it though and was just happy to escort such a beautiful little girl to the dance. Besides, he was able to get these great shots since he had all the free time. :o)

By the way, Riley picked out her very own dress. She just fell in love with the polka dot one the minute she saw it. A girl just knows.

State Swim Meet 2010

Well, the State Swim meet is a memory now and we are very pleased with how the day went. The boys started out with a little bit of nervousness, but as the day went on they settled in and did what they do best, swimming for the love of the water. We always tell the boys before they compete, just swim. Do what you love and shoot for one goal, to better your times. And better their times they did. Every single event was was bettered by both the boys, that is a success to me.

The final results: Jordan - 7th 50 fly, 15th 50 free, 7th 100 free, 11th 200 medley relay, 10th 200 free relay. Jordan will get a ribbon for all his events except for the 50 free. Zach - 12th 50 fly, 17th 100 individual medley. Zach will get a ribbon in his 50 fly. So proud of the boys. They accomplished a lot this year and can't wait until next year. But we aren't done quite yet with this season. They both still get to compete at the Regional Swim Meet in Minnesota at the end of March. That is a nine state meet and you qualify for the meet with your best times for the year. Jordan made it in all his individuals and Zach made it in the 50 free and 100 IM. Will keep you posted on that.

Riley and Gavin finally watching a movie at the end of the day on Dad while he is sleeping.

Riley loving her photo taken.

Gavin showing his dimples.

A way to pass the time. Watching everyone play the DS.

A photo of the swimming arena. HUGE.

Jordan diving in.

Zach in the fly. Second lane from bottom.

Zach diving in, on the left.

Zach patiently waiting to start.

Zach in the hole waiting for his event.

Jordan ready to get started, lane 7

Jordan in the fly, really kicks it in in the last 25 meters.

Jordan in the hole.

Zach at his first State Swim meet.

Jordan at his second State Swim meet.