July 4th

We had a great time up at Lake Elkhorn at our friends The Johnson's. I think the boat pretty much ran the whole day. Here are a few pictures from our day.

Here is Carter and Landry - pretty cute couple huh? They had fun driving the little truck and Carter even let Landry drive. It was pretty cute because while she was driving he was playing with the radio.

Brooke, Alyssa, Tseganesh and Landry getting ready for a boat ride.

Brooke and Alyssa

Lucas, Kalley and Jaxon getting ready for a tube ride.

They had a great time - I missed the shot where they got some air!

Spring Violin Recital

Here are the kids playing in their spring violin recital. This was Landry's second recital but playing the first time by herself. I am still in shock that she actually did it. She was a little distracted with all the people staring at her but she did pretty well considering. Jaxon did a great job as well especially since he only got to run through his piece with the pianist twice that morning.

Vacation Pictures

These are some pictures from our cruise in January with some colleges friends and other friends from Hutchinson. We had a great time and can't wait to go again. Picture below is Greg and Sarah - Deron and Sally - Andy and Jen - Len and I - Bart and Tammy. We got to visit Old San Juan before we departed, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia and Grenada.

The whole gang on the helicopter pad for a group picture

Sunset after departing from Grenada

One of our formal nights

Waiting for our tour to begin on Tortola

Lenny and Bart got to hold the guns when we were at Old San Juan

Bart, Lenny and Deron giving us directions at the other fort in San Juan - This is maybe why we lost Greg, Sarah, Andy and Jen?

Lenny and I in a beautiful window at the fort in Old San Juan

Old San Juan was just beautiful

The beautiful sunset as we departed from Grenada and headed home

Just pictures

Just hanging out with my big brother

Just chillin with Jaxon

My new kitchen helper

Whipping up something delicious

Sisters

Eating some yummy cupcakes

Man that cupcake was good!!!

A Special Delivery

Here is a special delivery by daddy to Landry. It was a special surprise that she will not forget anytime soon.

Jaxon's 11th Birthday

Happy 11th Birthday Jaxon.

Jaxon and his presents

No celebration would be complete without two of the most wonderful cousins in the world

December Violin Recital

These are a few pictures from the December 12th violin recital held at the Copper Leaf Community Center in Willmar. This was Landry's first recital and she did a great job. Jaxon played two songs. He did a duet with Sarah (pictured below) and did one solo piece. He also did a great job. I will get the video up sometime soon - just need to get it from my friend since I left the video camera on that morning and the battery died.

Getting all tuned up with my teacher Melissa.

Landry getting ready to play her "run-pony-run" with the other students

Here is Jaxon and Sarah playing their duet. Only took one picture because someone gave me the glare to stop taking pictures (he is pictured on the right )

Our two violin players

O Christmas Tree

Here are the kids picking out the Christmas tree at Stacy's Nursery in Willmar. They always have nice trees and have hot cider and Christmas cookies. It just doesn't seem like Christmas yet since Lenny is still working in the fields. But we are thankful that this is our first Christmas with Tseganesh and she has definitely made this Christmas complete.

The three proudly standing by the tree.

Jaxon's pick was a little tall for the house.

Yes we did buy the one that Landry found - she was so proud that she picked it out. How could you resist that face and excitement for a tree?

Landry proudly starting by the tree. I think Tseganesh is wondering how she can pull everything off faster than we can put it on.

Tseganesh loved the lights - she kept yelling "puuutttyyyy".

Hair

Oh the hair drama at our house is never ending. Yes - she did it again. This time she cut her bangs two days before I had professional pictures scheduled. So we had to delay the pictures and pray for super duper fast bang growth!

On a good hair note - here are some pictures of Tseganesh and her newest hair style. We have been trying to get her hair in sections of little puffs so her hair won't get so matted down and will grow!!! I guess that seems to be a theme around our house - hair growth.

Our little dancers

We finally caught it on video - Tseganesh is such a little dancer but as soon as she sees the video camera she is more interested in that then dancing - so here are her little moves (Landry also appears for a little shake at the end)!!!

American Girl Store

For some birthday fun I took Kalley (aka Landry's best friend whom she adores - also a second cousin) and Landry to the American Girl Store at the Mall of America. Kalley turned 10 in August so for her birthday we gave her the choice of getting her doll's ears pierced or getting her hair done. We had a great time eating in the bistro, shopping and getting their ears pierced. Here are a few pictures from our fun day!

Landry and Kalley

Landry and her birthday sundae

Kalley and Kit

They even brought food for the dolls so Landry had a great time feeding her doll

Landry after she got to pick up her doll - so now they both have their ears pierced

Kalley and Landry at the front of the store

When we got home we celebrated a little more with pizza and our traditional Wuollet cake

Landry and Jess

Happy Birthday Landry

Happy Birthday Landry!!! Here are a few pictures of her big day. Thank you to all of our friends who made it an extra special day for her!!!

I don't think a smile gets any bigger - she was so excited to open presents!

Enjoying her melting beads (thank you UPS man for delivering those on the day that I needed)

Labor Day Fun

These are some pictures from our Labor Day - we had our traditional Perkins breakfast and then we headed to the lake for some fun. It was a perfect day (maybe a little windy) but the kids got to spend a lot of time in the water on the tube and knee boarding. I didn't get pictures of knee boarding because I got a little nauseous when we were pulling the kids tubing. Tseganesh was able to get in the water a little too and then she settled in and took a nap. It was a great way to end the summer.

Jaxon and Kalley

Just finished a wild time on the tube - thanks to Lenny (all arms attached)

Landry playing with the tube - we couldn't let her try it because someone forgot her life jacket

Lucas and Landry

Landry proudly sitting by her name that Stacy drew in the sand

Our new boat driver

Man this life jacket is a drag - but I can still eat so all is good

Sound asleep on the back of the boat