10th Street NE

Our beautiful home. I think I'm going to cry as I type this. This is our last Christmas in this home. We've been here 8 years December 20. On December 24 we sold the house and are planning to move closer to church, school, and work(after closing Feb 26. 2010). We are excited, but I'm a bit nervous because we have so many good memories here. We took a picture in front of our tree 8 years ago right after moving in on Dec. 20. I may just have to go back and find some of those early pics to post. We'll see.

Snickers

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This is Snickers who came to live with us many years ago before we had kids. After child number 2 came along, I decided I couldn't handle 3 "toddlers" He was a very needy, clingy dog and Grandma and Grandpa Markgraf agreed to adopt him. We've enjoyed seeing him mellow out and I enjoyed seeing Morgen snuggling with him over Thanksgiving. I feel bad that the kids don't have a dog, but I don't feel bad that we don't have the responsibility.

My latest...

Crocheting

I am trying to learn to crochet. My neighbor, Melissa is my teacher! :) She's a great teacher, but I'm a slow learner. It's so hard to be consistent in my stitches. Let me tell you, this picture makes it look better than it really does. : ) Since then, I've attempted one for me too. So far, I guess my motto is "just don't look too close".

For Sale...

The house...not the kids!  : )  We are praying we can move closer to work, school, and church!  We will really miss our neighbors, town, and beautiful home, but feel that all the traveling to and from is too much, especially once Morgen starts full-time in First Grade next year.  We pray for God's leading as we see what he will have for us.

Apple Time

This fall has been so busy, we didn't have time to go to the orchard like we usually do.  There is a small orchard real close that we just went and picked up a couple of bags of apples.  The owner gave the kids each a tiny apple to eat while we were going home.  Ethan was so excited to be included.  So, I grabbed the camera when we got home and took some pics of them eating their apples.  So...here is 2009 Apple Orchard Pics  : )

Sleeping angels

Ethan...

I couldn't resist putting this one up from 12 months ago : )

Ethan now...

Tea Parties

Morgen and Jeanie enjoyed the beautiful sunshine having tea the other day.

Today was a rainy day and Morgen and Erin enjoyed tea indoors.  After the lightning came the table got moved away from the window.

Ethan running...

Even before he can walk, Eric has him running.

Butterflies at Como Zoo

Como Zoo and Conservatory

If you care to, go to this link first and put the music on while you look at the pictures : )  I wasn't sure how else I could get the music on my blog or a better link.  I'll keep looking.

http://www.last.fm/music/Raffi/_/Going+To+The+Zoo

Grandpa and Grandma Flaming's house

Grandma's fish pond.

Uncle Jake's play football pads!  How fun Grandpa!

Trip to Indiana

Aunt Anna's cop car

Have you ever been kissed by a cop?

Carsten's Tree

Morgen's tree

The amish neighbor's horse

Ethan

Ethan does not like that grass right now.  He can't walk, so he's kind of stuck for now.  This was Grandpa and Grandma Flaming's in Indiana!  We were there for the 4th of July!

Grandpa and Grandma Markgraf

They came this past weekend.  The sun was quite bright.  Wish we could have got some smiles out the kids.

Garage Sale~

I have now completed my first garage sale ever!  That is hosting it myself.  It was a ton of work, but it went relatively well.  I didn't get much sleep the night before, but not because I wasn't ready.  I was in bed by 10:30, but my mind was racing.  I guess nerves.  It was hot, but we endured and got rid of alot.  Not everything is gone, so I'm trying to be creative on how to get rid of it soon and make a little more money.  (Once Upon a Child, Craigslist, Half-Price Books, and of course Goodwill).  Nothing is allowed to come back into the house.  : )

The kids enjoyed selling lemonade with their friends.  I'm thankful for my friends who came to help out and those who contributed to make it a "Extremely Huge Sale"!

Happy Father's Day Eric

For the past 5 years in June, Eric gets two special weeks in a row.  First it's his birthday and then it's Father's Day!  This year we ordered Buca di beppo "To Go" and took it to the park.  It was yummy and even though it was wet from rain we stayed dry under the shelter.  

Happy Birthday Eric!

Last night, I took Eric out for dinner to the North Coast Restaurant in Wayzata.  

 

Tonight we celebrated with the kids, Luke, Jess, and Bekah.  I told him the ice cream was supposed to resemble an old man.

Morgen lost her first tooth!

She actually swallowed it while eating an apple!  : (  She was so bummed she couldn't have it to put under her pillow.  I felt bad for her too.  Eric's been talking that up the whole time it's been loose.

Swimming lessons

Morgen and her friend MacKenzie are doing swimming lessons with Community Ed this week and next.  They are enjoying doing it together.