Happy Birthday Sarah!

Sarah is getting ready to charge the pool with her boys. 40 years old, doesn't that beat all? I'm her big sister, always will be her big sister. I remember the day she was born, I tell her. I was ten years old. It was 5:00 in the morning when my dad called his sister, my Aunt Kate, to tell us that he had a little red headed girl. I listened to them talking where I lay 'suppose to be sleeping' on the floor. My younger sisters, Mary and Alice, sleeping next to me. I woke them up and told them the news. Baby Sarah Ruth, eleventh child, joined seven brothers and three sisters. Oh My, What a Story.

Lumberjack Days in Stillwater

This is the look of a boy who is saying that he doesn't understand why he is in a one mile race. He loves to be chased, he loves to run but this thing his moms signed him up for - does not do it for him. We had several training runs for this one mile. During our training runs their heart hurt, their side hurt, their head hurt. Even so, they are signed up for their first triathlon. A swim, bike and run. That will be in a few weeks. How fun for the moms. I have never done a triathlon myself. This was much more their style. They were able to do about five bouncy things.

By the way - they did the mile in about 14 minutes. Only a couple minutes slower than me. And - Crystel finished before Antonio. Could it be because he was running with me? He seems to think so and wants Mama Jody to be his running mate next time.

Charlie is an Eagle Scout

Charlie started babysitting for us when the children were still in diapers. Yes, he has changed their diapers. He can tell them that. He can also say that he helped them build snow people. He's all grown up now. Soon he will be off to a university. His younger brother, Sam, babysits the children. No diapers.

My First Video's

My first video's. Things I learned. One - you need to keep the camera in one position. Two - it records your voice.

Playdate at the di Grazia's

Don't worry parents, your children are safe. Those that should be wearing life jackets -are.

YMCA camp

Remember that big pile This was my workshop writing week. I was going to write while the kids were off at camp - every day - from 8-5. I've never had so much free time. I missed them. I moved more wood chips then I did words - waiting, waiting, waiting, for them to come home. Antonio and Crystel heading to camp with Alex and Tori.

A Birthday Song And A Tooth Fairy

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. I'm sad it's not my birthday yet. Happy Birthday to you." Crystel singing to Antonio on his birthday. I reminded her that she would be getting four teeth pulled out shortly and therefore the tooth fairy would be making a visit. This made her happy. The first time Crystel got four teeth out - her four bottom teeth - pulled by the dentist to make room for the ones coming in - I made a mistake and asked her if she wanted to see and then gave her a mirror. I didn't make that same mistake this time. OOOPs. Crystel just asked me, "Who is that?" while looking at the computer. Her response to realizing it's her, "I look funny!" And then she left. Damage control once again. But she did laugh which means that her shock will be over soon.

The Lund's Did Come

Eli Lund Antonio and Eli Kevin and Gary bean bag throwing. Soon they will walk across water. Bandit Rose and Karen.

Once in awhile

Once in awhile you'll come upon something and say, "What is that?"

And the little girl will say, "It's Tinker Bell going on a canoe ride". And then you will say, "Of course. It's plain to see."

A fire, a flood, a tornado warning

I'm generally not this tired at the end of the day. But on this particular day the dog got it right. We had a fire, a flood, and a tornado all within an hour. By the end of the day, I felt like Bandit Rose looked.

It was cousin's day. Tina and I took care of the fire in the bbq grill without the seven children in attendance ever knowing. She had a good idea. Just let the brats cook. It's 400 degrees. Don't worry about putting the fire out.

Then the floods came. Fortunately, Ralph and Tina, took ownership of the water pouring in the house through the window that was not properly affixed. Oh, the problems we could have had - if we were not at home - My computer and camera were sitting on the floor in the flood plain. Ouch.

Then the tornado siren. If no children were present this would have been a warning where the adults would have stood outside and looked up at the sky. But not with children. We hustled the seven children - five of which are five and under down the basement stairs and to our tornado shelter. All was good. They watched a video on the DVD player until we were ready for them to come up.

Okay, dog, you can get up now. Tomorrow is another day.

Antonio's birthday week

In our house you get a whole week to celebrate. This is the first of his many cakes. Thank you Uncle Marty and Aunt Kathy! The presents came before the cake. Even before dinner.

This is his slice. Just kidding. Crystel can't wait for her birthday. Six weeks is a long, long time.

Camping

We don't go far when we camp. In fact, we don't leave Hennepin County. This is Baker Park. Lake Independence. Maple Plain. Still as Crystel and Antonio say, "I like being in a different world." This is not home. We camped for only one night but everything was so different it felt like three days. Even the neighbors kindof laugh at us. One moment they see us packing and the next moment we're home. This was the first camp program we attended. The children are old enough to listen and be interested. Crystel was one of the last children to leave the program. They had to rip the mouse out of her hand and tell her to go home. She was so excited. Antonio and Jody left and walked the dogs. I kept a respectful distance from the rodents.

Jody has given up on me when it comes to setting up the camper. As well as she should. I would rather move wood chips. She is now training Antonio who likes to help with everything. You may wonder what Crystel is doing in the background. Or you may not be wondering. The princess is having breakfast. She is the only person in our family who is late to bed, late riser. The rest of us are early to bed, early to get up. On this morning we were up and at em while she was sleeping. She has no qualms about being different.

The Lund's are coming

Jody gets worried when the Lund's come to our house. For the past several years they have come once a summer. "You always trim when Gary comes," she said. "Now the front of the house will be unbalanced. You're not supposed to trim in the middle of July." "Oh, honey," I said. "Don't worry." I thought of the trimming I had left to do. "It will be balanced." She just shook her head. Next year she may insist that the Lund's come for a visit in early spring or late fall.

A Mama and her boy

Happy Birthday, Antonio. We're a lucky family!

Crystel and Kayla

Kayla is our 4 year old neighbor who is fast becoming a fixture at our house. Antonio enjoys Kayla, also. Mostly he likes to play catch with her dad. Crystel and Kayla dress up and are showing me their babies. Antonio disappears when they do this.

I wasn't kidding - this is Amie's family in the pool

Carrie, Max, and Winne Dave and Max Jody and child and someone else. Even their dog came along.

Be careful when you're invited for dinner at our house.

Look what happened to Aunt Amie. This was the load that didn't fall over. Others are swimming and eating. Crystel provides good directions. Thank you, Amie.