So long ago

Well, I have definitely been slacking on this blog.  Things have been so crazy.  Lets see, summer happened. We won custody of the girls (which was expected).  All the girls were gone (which was a nice break), then Evan and Kayla came for awhile (which was crazy with 7 kids in our home).  Now the kids are back in school and things are beginning to settle down.  I did get accepted into the Masters in Nursing program at the University of Minnesota (which was an honor considering how many people applied) so I did accept, then later had to decline.  I still enjoy my job and trying to get in a position for Justin to change jobs.  The idea of him coming home is so exciting for both of us.

I have so many pictures to post, but unfortunately we have had problems with the computer and all our pictures are on that computer.  Hopefully some day soon I will be able to post all the pictures. 

I will try to be better about posting on our family blog, especially with pictures since everyone seems to enjoy seeing the pictures of the kids.  Until next time....

Camping Trip #1 for 2010

Well, unfortunately this was a camping trip that did not turn out too well.  It is one that we will laugh about later, but did not laugh about at the time.

First, the cabin we were suppose to have was not available, so we ended up using tents.  When we first got there and set up the tents it began to rain.  Then, we went to go rent a boat and it was so windy they did not let us take out the boat so we ended up swimming.  Once we were done swimming we go to our campsite to see our tents half blown away.  We ended up having to move our entire campsite to a less windy spot.

Then, the next day we go to take out the boat and once we get out there the boat dies on us.  We are stranded (and stuck) near shore on a boat that didn't work.  After about 2 hours they came to rescue us just in time to go home.

What a trip.  Oh, and by the way, the dang pony stepped on Justin's foot too.  Ugh!!  Here are some pictures of our first camping trip this year.

Fishing 2010

Here are some pictures from our fishing trip about a month ago.....enjoy.

So pretty

Things are starting to turn green around here.  I love this tree in front of our house.  Its so pretty...

Blog, blog, blog!!

I am so far behind on blogging.  I plan on catching up within the next few days.  I've got lots of stories and pictures to share.  Hopefully I'll find some time to tell you all about them soon. 

What a Great Day!

So today started out with me volunteering at the Cancer Treatment Center.  I love doing that.  I get to meet some of the nicest and strongest people.  Volunteering there makes me realize how fortunate we all are.  After volunteering I picked up Ashlynne to take her to the ear doctor.  It was a great visit!  Each time we go to the ear doctor we keep getting better and better news.  Last time they told us that her hearing loss was temporary and that it had slightly improved and today they told us that her hearing is within normal range.  Granted, it is on the low side of normal range, but it is in normal range!  So she got a clean bill of health and follow-up in 6 months.  Then, after that Ashlynne and I went out for an ice cream cone to spend some time together and enjoy our happy day....which to our surprise did not end there.  We decided to go shopping for her friend's birthday party gift and during that time I got a phone call offering me a job!  So, now I can say I'm currently employed and my family is in great health and we are one step closer to Justin being home on a regular basis!

Family fishing day...

Today we packed a picnic, gathered up the kids, bought them their own fishing poles and headed for a day out on the lake.  We had a really nice time.  We caught 11 fish which dad is fixing for us right now.  The kids seemed to really like fishing...well, maybe not Elyse as much as the rest, but everyone said they had a good time.  In fact it was hard to get them all to call it quits for the day.  Ian was funny.  Initially he said the minnow was his "best friend" but the worm was not his friend because it was too scary for him.  Then, after he caught his first fish, he suddenly began to feel sorry for them. He said he didn't want a worm on the hook because that would make the fish sick and that was yucky for them.  So, here are a few pictures of our trip....

Getting ready to go fishing

Gersito fishing (he caught 5 fish)

     Elyse fishing  with Ian next to her    

Ian showing us his "best friend" (the minnow)  lol

Val and Ash fishing together.

The fish in our sink...yuck!

Ian's first catch!

Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the other kids holding up their fish.  I am the picture taker in the family and I was helping Ian when the kids caught their fish. 

Spring is here

Finally enjoying some beautiful days here in Minnesota. 

The boys blowing bubbles on our deck.  

Elyse's smiling self hanging out.  :)

   Ashlynne and Valerie spending time with their puppy.

Ashlynne loves her Thumper.  :)

Elyse and her friend Tessa playing around.

Valerie and her friend Kierra being silly with their huge sunglasses. 

Sisters hanging out and enjoying each others company.

Justin's 32nd Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD and HUBBY!!!

We love you and hope that you have a very happy birthday today.  Lots of love from your family who misses you very much. 

FROM THIS.....

TO THIS.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A day at the zoo

Yesterday was so nice outside so I decided to take the kids to the zoo.  Justin left for work, Val was at a friend's house and no one else felt like going so I ended up taking Ian by myself.  We had a good time, except when we saw the huge gorilla.  I joked and said it was King Kong and then Ian freaked out.  The gorilla was right up against the glass and he was huge, so we didn't stay too long.  Ian had to keep his distance and kept saying, "King Kong is scary" or "King Kong eats people"....crazy thing though is King Kong was actually eating his own vomit.  It was quite disgusting.

So, here are a few pictures of our trip.....

Together.....forever

I found this OLD picture (the first photo).  I think its almost 6 years old.  I can't believe how much younger we looked back then.  haha....Justin so serious.  :)

Spring Break with Evan

We had a good time hanging out with Evan during his Spring Break.  The only bummer was that all our other children were still in school.  Each time Evan comes it seems like he changes in some way.  He is growing up so fast and becoming quite the man.  We love you Ev!

Here are some pictures of our wonderful family.....all together.  :)

A Few Cute Pics.....

Spring Time....Maybe?

Yesterday was so beautiful.  We ended up taking a walk and then playing outside for awhile.  Here are some pictures of Ian riding his Big Wheel.

There's a first time for everything!

So Ashlynne spent the night at her friends house last night and I heard that they were going to go skiing so I asked her friend's mom to take some pictures for us.  I did not want to miss out on an opportunity to take pictures of Ashlynne's first time skiing.  Anyway, I was told she did a great job minus a few spills.  Here are a few pictures of Ashlynne's ski adventure.