Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Lutsen trip


We just got back from our short, but fun vacation in Lutsen. We skied 4 days, and the boys could have gone on for who knows how many days, but their mom and dad are shot! Today, our last day skiing, I said to them at 2:30 when I was exhausted and it was sleeting, and a cloud was situated right on top of the hills, and you could hardly see what you were skiing over, "If you guys want to quit early today, that would be fine." (I thought they thought they HAD to ski til close at 4:00 to get their moneys-worth. :) Oh, no! Emmett would have no early quit time, even though it was day 4 on the slopes. He wanted to ski right up til the last minute! He particularly enjoyed a narrow, bumpy trail through the woods (black diamond--advanced) and said he would never get tired of that trail. I, on the other hand, made it down that one twice, and said ENOUGH! Fun, but my legs weren't up to such a beating on the 4th day! Aedan isn't quite as much of a risk-taker as Emmett is, but he does enjoy skiing. Amara is not quite as interested in skiing as the boys, and I think it's more due to personality than age. She's older than Emmett was when he started, but doesn't have quite the same enthusiasm for speed and agility that he does. She skied quite a bit the first two days (mostly on the bunny hill), hardly at all the 3rd day, and only did the 4th day because we had a reward attached to it. She got to make a Build-a-bear art project and also worked on a friendship bracelet that was a gift from a friend for her birthday. That kept her occupied in the lodge while the boys skied.









Friday, December 19, 2008

School holiday parties

I actually took time off and WENT to their holiday parties this year. That is definitely a first for me.Aedan's class made gingerbread sachets.

Amara's class had an outdoor playground day (they don't usually have recess) followed by a movie, hot chocolate, and popcorn.

Emmett's class went on a scavenger hunt and then made gingerbread houses. Messy!


Saturday, December 13, 2008

Amara in gymnastics


I put her in a class once in a while, but gymnastics is never going to be a big thing for us, I don't think. I just like Amara to get a little exercise during the winter.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Amara's Birthday

Amara had a Fancy Nancy party. She was, indeed, very fancy. Kris also got dressed up fancy in a black velvet skirt and black lace poncho. (Ditched that, though, when we got deeply into the "fancy" art projects and snacks!)
It was a BIG party. I think we were missing 4 girls or so in this picture. When I took the picture I didn't realize some of them hadn't come up from the basement when I called. Kris was more wiped out than Amara when it was over, definitely!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Waterpark on Thanksgiving Day

Both boys and Brian really enjoyed the surfing, but Emmett's pictures turned out the best. Kris did NOT enjoy it--just when she was getting the hang of it, the water would shoot her up to the top, tumbling head over heels.
I guess we'll be going back again one day soon with our free passes we got when Emmett slipped and ripped his chin open. Those "free"passes are actually pretty expensive since we had to pay $180 for the emergency room visit. (Could have been worse if we weren't already into the 80/20 section of our insurance.)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Removal of the tree

We were SAD that this monstruous tree had Dutch Elm disease and had to go. We had even continued the schedule of injections to try to keep it healthy.



Strangely enough, we didn't miss it as much as we thought we would when all was said and done. Now we had a more convenient place to store the boat...although we may change our tune when we notice the lack of shade next summer.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Our house

I'm not exactly sure why Brian wanted this picture on the blog...The flowers in front are long gone, you can't see the beautiful firey maple or the addition...but I guess you can see the porch we added on that we greatly enjoy!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Cub Scouts

Aedan is in his second year of Cub Scouts (Webelos 2). He'll be graduating shortly and entering Boy Scouts. Emmett just started this year and is in Wolves. It's kind of time-consuming, but they both love it--lots of fun, boyish projects and activities to work on. We wouldn't get around to doing stuff like that as often if left to our own devices!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Emmett's new trick

Here is Emmett with a new trick on the Trampoline.

It's MUCH harder than it looks! You should try it. :O)

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Aedan at Eagle Bluff

The 5th grade field trip to Eagle Bluff is much anticipated for years before. Aedan was thrilled it was finally his turn. He enjoyed learning about environmental topics, doing a high ropes course, acting out some skits, and sleeping in a cabin with his classmates.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Annie and Len's wedding

2nd wedding of the year that my kids got to participate in! Amara and her cousins were woodland fairies instead of flower girls. They carried flowers in the shape of a wand and skipped in to the ceremony.
The boys were "laddies" instead of ring bearers. They did carry the rings in, but on a bird's nest situated on the top of some sticks that were in the shape of a torch.

Amara wants me to do her hair like this again someday. Ummm...Grandma? Do you want to do all those braids again?!






Monday, September 22, 2008

Hunter Convention 2008

Friends from Australia, North Dakota, and Minnesota come together. (We took the picture by the map on purpose!)Kris traveled to Europe with Michelle and Lisa years ago and that is how Michelle met Wayne. We were glad to all be together again! (We're standing in front of the maps of Australia and the US.)
Some of the Burchill girls ...
Brian was looking for the kids and didn't make it into any of the pictures. That's ok with him....

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Kids back to school

Amara is now off to Kindergarden! Aedan is in 5th grade and Emmett is in 2nd. They all enjoy school (except when it comes to homework afterwards). Getting three kids out the door on time with homework and lunches in hand is a brand new challenge for Kris!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Visit from Aussies

Our old buddy Michelle who now lives in Australia came to stay with us for three days this summer. What a privilege! We had a great time. Below is picture after we all went for a bike ride to the Hopkins Depot. That same night Brian taught Sam to ride without training wheels. The kids had a great time with their friends.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Trip to Duluth to see the tall ships



We went to Duluth with Annie and Len to see the sailing ships in the harbor.


Watching fireworks the first night!
We stood in line for 3 hours to get on the ships! (I THINK it was worth it.) They especially enjoyed learning about cannons, ropes, and how to sleep in the hammock. I enjoyed thinking about the concept of "knowing the ropes"--that was a much bigger accomplishment than a person would ever stop to think about it. Everywhere you looked there were ropes, for each tiny mechanism of the ship!


The picture below is from the top of Enger Tower. One of the sailing ships was out sailing with a private group. It was IMPRESSIVE to see it actually sail!

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Amara in summer Soccer

Amara enjoyed soccer this summer. (Unlike last year) She knew which way to kick the ball, and even ran after the ball sometimes! She loved it so much, she decided to continue playing in the fall.

Summer tennis for Emmett

The kids always get a list of options before summer starts and they have to limit themselves to one sport and maybe one or two other activities. Emmett chose to take a tennis class--a new activity for him.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Goodbye party

Some of our favorite neighbours moved away...they will be greatly missed!



Monday, July 21, 2008

Emmett at YMCA Camp

Emmet was in YMCA Horse camp for a week this summer. Dad went with to family night and got to see the camp with Emmett.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Emmett diving/cousins

Emmett took a diving class at the Y in the spring. Great form!

Cousins! (Amara and Kaylee usually try to match when they're together :)

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Last picture with SweetTart

This was a few days before we put her down. She somehow had become paralyzed in the lower half, and couldn't get around or even stand up anymore. It was a sad decision to make. :( Since Skittle died 2 years before, that left us catless...permanently I think. (Too many friends who are allergic to cats...and we value our friends a lot!)

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Birthday Party for Aedan and Emmett

For Aedan's 10th and Emmett's 7th birthday, we did a combined party (again) and took 8 boys to ValleyFair. Brian hung out with Aedan and his friends, and I hung out with Emmett and his friends. It was a great way to kill 3 birds with one stone (2 birthdays, as well as the high hopes of going to Valleyfair at least once during the summer).

I made a rollercoaster cake. (Cake-making is sort of a hobby of mine...I love to spend a lot of time on an elaborate cake, but I'm also glad I only have to do it once or twice a year!)

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Hail Storm/Bozeman

These are pictures from the hail storm last night.





May, 2008--I guess some pictures from Joel and Alayna's wedding got stuck in with the hailstorm. We enjoyed a swim with them the weekend of their wedding. They were very generous with their time!



Stopped at our favorite halfway point on the way to Bozeman!







The Foners

The Foners
Brian, Kris, Aedan, Emmett and Amara