Owen-Flag Football-Bears

Owen played his second year of flag football for the Bears.  Will, Blake and Tyler Carda and Ryan Guthmiller were his coaches.  He loved to pull flags and of course carry the ball.  Will enjoys coaching as much as Owen enjoys playing so its a great time for both of them.

 

Lauren XC-2015

 Brandon Valley.  Started off the year with a 5th place finish! She trained all summer long.  She and several of her teammates met at the lake 3 days a week to run.  When she wasn't running with them, she ran on her own as well as taking strength and conditioning classes.  She also attended a week long XC camp in Brookings.  Her hard work really paid off this year.

 After a disappointing few races due to a terrible long lasting cold, she was finally ready to roll at ESD.  She got 16th place.  Just missed a medal by one spot. Here she is with her teammates and coaches walking to the start line.
 

 Celebrating with her mentor and friend Savannah Woods

 The morning of the State meet.  She let me help with her hair!!!  She had no emotional energy left to fight me.  The nerves had set in! 

 Heading down the first stretch after the start.

 

 The proud family after her 13th place finish at State!!  She remembered missing out on that medal by one spot at ESD and told herself that was not going to happen at the state meet.  She ran a PR and had a great day all around. 
 

On the awards stand taking pictures.

First day 2015

 Annual Back to School Supper.  Unfortunately, our week was so busy we had to condense it to just a dessert, but we had fun nonetheless!

 Our bible verse for 2015 was 2 Timothy 2:15-17

 

Lauren-8th, Jillian-6th, Madelyn-4th, Owen-2nd

Madelyns turns 10!

 

 

 

Madelyn celebrated her 10th birthday by the pool with her friends .  She decided she wanted homemade blizzards instead of a cake.  We also had cheeseballs and punch!  We celebrated with the family up in Sioux Falls as well.  She got an Ipad mini for her birthday which was a BIG surprise!

 

DeSmet SD Trip

 

 I had promised the kids a trip to DeSmet SD to see the homestead of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Actually I told Madelyn if she read the entire series of Little House on the Prairie books I would take her. She kept her end of the deal so I figured I better keep mine.  We took Lauren's Friend Kelsey with us and headed North to meet up with my mom half way.  We had a fun day!  We had planned to stay for the pageant but the weather turned stormy and it was cancelled.  So guess what that means?.... we are probably making a repeat trip next summer to see the pageant :)

 Owen playing the part of the disobedient student. 

Madelyn practicing at the teachers desk

July 4th 2014

4th of July at Grandpa's farm never gets old!

 

Softball and Baseball

 

Lauren and Jillian decided to take a summer off of traveling softball.  Instead they played on the same city rec team with Will as their coach.  They had a great season and ended up taking 2nd place in their league tournament. 

Owen started his first year of travel ball for the Yankton Twins.  He also played rec ball for the Snappers.

Jillian got picked up for 2 tournaments as well this summer.  She enjoyed being with her friends and getting a few extra games in.

Twins vs Cardinals

 We couldn't pass up watching our beloved Cardinals when they were only 5 hours away in Minneapolis.  In mid June we met Paul and Darlene and Jay and Natalie's family up there for 2 games.  It was a very quick trip but fun to see the new outdoor Twins ball park and spend time with family.

Colorado Trip

The kids and I decided to take a road trip to Colorado to see my college friend Tamra and her family and our old neighbors the Ahlers.  We already had a family vacation planned for the later in the summer so Will decided to sit this trip out and stay home here and work.

 

We made the drive in one day to Broomfield CO to see Tamra first.  We had an awesome time zip lining!  The guides were great, the scenery was beautiful and it was a very fun first time experience for all of us!

 The next day took us on a beautiful hike and then to a great pizza place on the way home. We also found time to swim at their neighborhood pool! It was fun to get to see the new house Tamra and her family were building as well.

 Then it was off to Monument CO. to see the Ahlers. We all met at the Denver Zoo before we went our separate ways.  It was so nice to see our old neighbors again.  The Ahlers kept us VERY busy.  We climbed rocks, went to an indoor rock climbing gym, played dart wars, rode rides at Elitch Gardens and the list goes on.  Its a good thing we had to get back to SD because we were getting tired :)  We had a great trip to Colorado!!  The kids and I handled the road trip with no problems and we made lots of good memories!!

Ruby has kitties!

 We took in a stray kitty in the Fall of 2014.  We named her Ruby.  She then had 7 kitties in June! 
We were beyond excited!  We have wanted a litter of kitties since we moved to the country.  They brought the kids (and me) so much fun and joy throughout the summer.  It was hard to give them away but they all went to nice homes and we hope Ruby will have another litter again someday.

 Penny, Pete, Parsely, Pippa, Peaknuckle, Polly and Peanut

Children's Choir Tour- KC

Madelyn and Jillian getting ready to board the charter bus for KC.  The Children's Choir takes a tour every other year.  This year they sang in Omaha and 2 different places in KC.  I think they had the most fun at the hotel with their friends.

 

 

 

The moms had fun as well!



Dance Recital

 

Madelyn after her dance recital.  She was in a ballet class and a lyrical class this year.  She is our favorite dancer! 

Last day of school

 Jillian received the President's Academic Excellence award.  She works very hard at her school work and it shows. 

 Jillian with her 5th grade teacher Mrs. Roth

 The last picture of all 3 at Lincoln School.

 Sniff sniff....

 Owen with his 1st grade teacher Mrs. Likness

 Madelyn with her 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Fitzsimmons

Lauren at the Middle School Awards assembly on her last day of 7th grade