Fourth bike's a charm?!

While I was in Jackson, MS with the kids, Bill was in Birmingham, AL riding his motorcycle on the track. This time... he hauled it in a trailer. I didn't receive a panicked call in the morning, so I assumed this one had not been stolen. : ) He found this bike on EBay - a year newer than the last and a bit more "suped" for the same amount he received in insurance for the old one. He's pretty happy with his new toy. I think he looks pretty good on it too... especially in that flight suit!
The boys sure enjoyed checking out Dad's new wheels. Dream on, guys, dream on...

Glynn Fields' Pirate Party!

Bill's brother, Patrick, and his family, live four hours north of us near Jackson, MS. I drove up there with the kids for the day, on Saturday, for our nephew Glynn's 6th b-day party (Bill was in Birmingham, riding on the track). Pamela did a Pirate theme - we all had a great time!Ivan hitting the pirate ship pinata...
Grant's turn!
Captain Corey (a.k.a. cousin Kaylen) led the pirates on a treasure hunt - searching everywhere for the remaining clues!
The boys each made a pirate flag.
Happy Birthday, Dear Glynn!!!!
Time for gifts!
And after the party was over... time for the cousins to play. Mary sure loves her big cousin, Kaylen. And she especially loved Kaylen's very PINK bedroom! She walked in, stopped in awe, and said, "Ooooooooh!" So cute.
The boys played the Wii together until it was time for dinner and the drive home. It was a late night for us, but so much fun too. Thanks for a great time, you guys, and Happy Birthday, Glynn!

Learning to SAVE

We are trying to instill a sense of wisdom in our kids, when it comes to money. We recently purchased cash boxes for the kids - cute metal banks with a lock and key, plus a combination. They love them and are excited to save their own money.

We have a poster in our kitchen of all the things we want to do this summer. One of those things was to have a lemonade stand. We waited for their banks to arrive, and decided it was time! Our neighborhood is pretty quiet... and we live on a cul-de-sac. That combination alone doesn't make for a great turn out. But, the boys were patient. At one point, they were sitting there, looking completely bored. While staring off into space, Grant said, "This is SO much fun, Mom." Simple pleasures, I guess. I remember my first lemonade stand - I was saving my money for an Annie doll. I still have her!
Each of the boys made a sign. Grant's has a cup of lemonade with a straw (the scribble ball and stick) and a man who is happy to drink it! Ivan made the sign with the steep price of 90 cents. I told him that seemed a little high. He came out with his sign that now said, "5 cents... or 90 cents." Pretty flexible. Luckily, most buyers paid full price. :) Even Daddy stopped his yard work to buy a cup from them! It was fun to watch them, hard at work. Ivan poured while Grant held the cups. They worked together and between the two made about 8 dollars!
Next lesson - learning to TITHE!

Mary's first triage injury

Mary had a special pancake this morning. Last night was pretty rough for her. It began when she dropped Ivan's "Razor" metal scooter across her toes, bruising three of the five piggies. We decided it was a nice evening for a walk (not quite as humid), and that it might cheer her up as well.

The boys were up ahead of us on their bikes, and I was pushing Mary in her plastic "car" stroller (from your garage sale years ago, Heather!). As we were walking along, Bill and I were talking... when the stroller stopped and sounded like something was dragging under the wheel. All in an instant, Mary pulls her hand out from under the wheel and it is covered in blood - I couldn't even see the top of her finger, besides it looking a little disfigured. I scooped her up and headed home in a hurry, as Bill gathered the boys.

I put her finger under running water, and had to carefully push her fingernail (what is left of it) back into place. She'd torn the skin off her finger from the end joint, upward, and the nail was cut in half and open like a book. Sounds lovely, right? Poor thing. I took her to the ER, not knowing what to do with it.

She had an x-ray (I knew it wasn't a bone issue), and they looked at it, but said they would do nothing at her age. I like that they don't want to traumatize... but when they told me that it may never grow back... not so good. So, we're praying for her little fingernail to heal and re-grow. I think she'll be fine... She just may not have a hand modeling career in her future!

Here she is, enjoying her "sunny" pancake. Chocolate chips first, of course!
She's sweetly displaying her owie for me (down here, they call it a Bo-Bo, not a Boo-Boo. I think that is hilarious.), as she attempts to eat a piece of turkey bacon. Thank goodness for "Hello Kitty" band-aids. She gets excited to have her bandage changed!
One of the sweetest things in this event was to see Ivan and Grant's reactions. Grant rode up to us on his bike really fast and was looking to see her finger. He locked eyes with me, backed up, and started to pray quietly, "Dear Jesus, please help Mary's finger to not be bloody and please help it to be OK, Amen." Ivan cruised up ahead of me, took one look, and went into fix-it mode. "Mom - will she need stitches? Should we take her to the hospital?" I love to see the differences in their God-given personalities, and in their compassion for each other as well. It is fun to have this little family - we're all in it together. I love that.

Our trip to Minnesota!

I have so many pictures to post from this vacation to visit my family. I think we had three cameras going during the 12 days we were there... My dad and I have come to the conclusion that while digital photography has been just amazing and wonderful, it could possibly lead to the death of us as well. How many hundreds of pictures can be taken in just a week and a half??? Too many. But... too many memories can never be made - that is for sure. Here is just a taste of our time in Minnesota...

THE AIRPORT
The kids sure enjoyed riding in the shuttle across the Gulfport Airport parking lot. I remember small events like that being so exciting as a child. The boys were troopers, rolling their own suitcases and carrying their own backpacks for this trip.
Mary loved the plane. She is such a busy-body right now - typical toddler! I think this is the most difficult age to travel with. I just kept her very busy with coloring books, magazines, empty cups, play-doh, even barf bag puppets!

This picture was actually from our flight home - she's using her play-doh cell phone to call Grandma. : )
I was about her age when I flew for the first time.
Wait a minute here! How come he always seems to slip a nap in? The boys were easy. We saved the videos for last minute, emergency entertainment. I usually pick up a little "surprise" for them to take along for trips. This time, it was some teeny tiny Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They had a ball with those for most of the flight.
Time to get out the turtles!!!
THE RIVER
We took out my parents' pontoon boat right away that first night. I think we were on water (the Mississippi or up north at the lake) almost every day while we were home! It is hard to be in Minnesota... and not get on the water at some point in time. Here's my handsome hunk at the wheel...
Grandpa and Grandma Anderson with the grand kids!
Me and Mary

THE CABIN
Sunken jet ski!!! Ivan had a thrilling time, attempting to ride the old Sea Doo. We had just had it tuned up for the summer... but it hadn't been done right. They got out into the lake, and it sunk! Ivan helped Daddy push it back in... he sure was excited to tell us all about it! The guys - heading out for the first of many fishing expeditions (who needs to jet ski anyway?).
Wishful thinking... stopping at a Marine sports store. They loved the four wheelers.
KOPPENDRAYER'S
While up at the cabin, we headed south for Leroy Koppendrayer's retirement party at their family farm. It was so much fun to see a lot of familiar faces that I had not seen since high school. Here we are with Todd and Stacy Manske's family...And this is a random shot with my dad, Lori Munter (Maria's big sis!), me and Mark Koppendrayer. So fun to see old friends! I was blown away by the number of people who came up to me and said, "We've been praying for your family." I love my parents' friends. Many of them are my friends' parents. They are just solid Christian people who love the Lord and genuinely love their friends as well. And in my case - their kids! We do appreciate the prayers... esp. during this time where our future is unknown.


Ivan and Grant had the opportunity to experience horseback riding for the first time! Grant surprised us and bravely volunteered to go first. They loved it!There was even a horse for Mary!

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN...
I spent a night with my friend Joy, whom I have known since I was 5. She's had a rough year (to say the least). This woman has been battling Lyme's, thanks to a tiny deer tick of all things!!! She was just given a clean bill of health last week - woohoo! So, we went out to celebrate and catch up on life... and spent the night in Minneapolis after having dinner with our husbands at the Melting Pot.The Melting Pot.... so yummy!
Better watch out!
Bill and Mark... don't ask!
In this picture, if you look at the background, you can see the 35W bridge being rebuilt. It's the one that collapsed this year and made national news.
Still my favorite skyline...
ROCKET PARK
We always make a trip to the Anoka Rocket Park.
Ivan never ceases to send fear into my heart with his antics. He is very nimble and quick... he reminds me of my brother.
FISHING
We spent many, many hours fishing with the boys. Whenever there was a lull in the week... we'd ask, "What would you like to do?" The answer was always the same... GO FISHING! Here we are beneath a small waterfall in a little creek that runs into the Mississippi. The boys caught so many fish here... but the most fun of all was catching the crayfish! My boys are introducing me to an entirely new activity... I never did this as a kid and spent so much time in this river! We'd put a worm on the hook, look for a crayfish, dangle it in front of him, and walla! He'd grab it, and we'd toss him onto the bank and throw him in the bucket! They just thought this was superb.
What a perfect fishing hole for two growing boys!
COUSIN NIGHT
We have started to make this a tradition - to have "cousin night." My cousins, and my Uncle Ed and Aunt Phyllis (my mom's oldest sister), all stopped by the house for dinner and pontooning with their families. I have always been close to my extended family and just love it when we all can be together. For those of you who weren't in town this time - we missed you!

Here are Mary and Lucy Kobielush. I think Lucy is plotting to steal Mary's sippy cup!
Balloon rockets were a hit with the boys... good outdoor entertainment!
Me and Becki - Great minds think alike... and shop alike! See, Dave? Becki and I don't dress the same at all!
The boys - playing with their catch from that day!
My cousin Jodi's son, Alex, is the same age as Grant. They are two peas in a pod - just too cute together. Grant would put his arm around him and say, "You're my best cousin ever, Alex."
We boated up the Mississippi to the Rum River to feed ducks. Here's my cousin Jers, with all the kids. Jeremy and I were the closest in age, growing up. I just love the guy - I have so many memories with him...
And, thanks to Greg... we all know what "SEE" food is!
The grandmas, moms and kids table...
The grandpas, dads and uncles!
My "little" cousin, Katie, and her husband, Tom, showed up later that evening. Tom led the guys in a golf ball T-off competition, across the river!

MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Each trip home, we try to take an outing to the Children's Museum in St. Paul. The boys look forward to this and almost always ask to go! I think the highlight this time was the snake guy. They loved touching the corn snake - although Grant isn't sticking to the "one finger only" rule!
Mary even touched (and pinched) the snake!
The life-sized anthill is always a hit too. They could run around in this thing all day!
MOM AND DAD'S HOUSE
More balloon rockets with Uncle David! This house is still "home." I love it here. My parents moved into this place before I was born... and three additions later are still there and loving it. Dave and I have so many memories in this place.
Mary loved to play "dress up" with Grandma. My Grandma Kredit was queen of beads and bobbles... she had so many necklaces! Mary was in heaven with all of her "jewels."
My parents connected their garage to the house in 2006, and are just now finishing up all of the landscaping, etc. I just love their new porch! Seriously... I think she should send a photo into Cottage Living. Isn't it cute? That archway used to be the "back" door of the house. I had my first day of kindergarten picture taken, standing under that arch - outside.
Here's Mary, playing in my mom's little school house on the porch. She loves any kind of little dolls, stuffed animals... she is just so "girly." It's very fun!
FOURTH OF JULY
We spent the Fourth at home on the river. Here we are sporting our $3.00 WalMart T's! Not bad, eh?

The boys sure enjoyed setting off fireworks with Bill. Mary was content to view them from the deck, as she's not a huge fan of loud noises.

LAST WEEKEND AT CABIN
Captain Hook did not appear this year, as he was pretty sick. Here you see him, dressed as my father, sitting in incredible misery... enjoying the view. : )Below is my dad's cute view from the deck!

Uncle David was the chief turtle catcher... the boys tell us, "The canoe is for catching turtles, the rowboat is for fishing."
Fishing with Daddy!
The guys - coming up from the lake in Grandpa's Jeep. This is the third generation of an orange jeep to be up at that cabin. My grandpa had an old one, that was ransacked and tossed into a swamp by Indians. The next jeep exploded (really!) in the woods just a couple of years ago, after my parents saw smoke coming from the hood and jumped out. They replaced that one with this, just last summer! That place just isn't the same without the jeep!
One day up there, we just spent a morning in the sprinkler and kiddie pool. The kids were just content to hang out on the front lawn. And amazingly, the mosquitoes weren't that bad!
Our last evening up north, we made smores! It was Mary's first time to try one - she is a fan. Who wouldn't be?! Grant kept stuffing his face with marshmallows - little stinker!
And last but not least... a traditional cabin photo. The family totem pole! Thanks for a great trip, Mom and Dad. We love you!