This is the Dave I will always remember, smiling, taking it all in, and enjoying his family.

You will be so missed Grandpa Dave.

Snuggles with David.

David making Grandpa laugh. He was always so amazed by everything new the grandkids would do. We are so happy to have such wonderful memories to share and pictures to show the boys of their Grandpa. There will be no question that he loved them. Every picture of him with the grandkids has a smile on his face.

Walking to the beach at Peter's Resort. Dave said this was his favorite picture..

David and Dave

Buca 2010 to celebrate Grandpa and Grandma's Birthdays

Broadway pizza for Mikko's first birthday - his favorite!

Playing with Mikko. Dave always commented on Mikko's great smile.

Mikko chillin' with Grandpa.

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You will be so missed Grandpa Dave.

SO ANGRY, yet it is so pretty

The train set apparently needed some sparkle.

He even "bedazzled" his toy chainsaw.

David loves my crafting supplies. However, our next home project will be putting a LOCKED door on my craft room. David sprinkled glitter ALL OVER OUR BASEMENT. Not just any old glitter, but the super fine fancy pants Martha Stewart glitter. We are going to have glitter in this house for a decade, I'm sure of it.

I am so angry about it, but our house sure sparkles. Uggghhh.
Calgon, take me away.

Lefse Making

We spent the afternoon making lefse at our house. Grandpa Dave really likes lefse so we thought we'd bring some to him. This was Damon's first time rolling out the lefse. I am terrible at it and it is usually up to Carrie. I am a much better flipper than roller.
The lefse cooks.

Grandma Opal's lefse rolling pin and pastry cloth. Prized possessions of mine. She made so much lefse she even wore a hole in the middle of it.

Memories pour into my head of her in kitchen making lefse with a handkerchief on her head.

Busy Saturday mornings

Today was Mikko's "Show" day at Little Gym.
Happy little runner.

Doing the Steam Roller with his teacher.

He got his very own medal like David got.

After Little Gym we headed to the arena to watch David's skating practice with Grandma Carol.

We ate lunch at the rink afterwords - a huge treat - hot dogs and mini donuts.

Mikko 18 month check up, at 20+ months : )

I finally got Mikkers in for his 18 month check up...can you tell things slack a little bit on your second child. With David I always had his appointments scheduled way in advance...anyway. Mikko is a little guy like David was. He is 14% (23 lb 13 oz) for Weight, 15% (31 1/2 inches) for Height, and 51% for his head. He was just a delight through the whole appointment and charmed the nurses and his Pediatrician. He got 1 shot and barely cried.

David's Show at Little Gym

David doing what he does best - run around like CRAZY!

David was "reading" the note from his teacher.

David got to go on the podium and get his Little Gym medal.

It was so cute.

His class
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Tonight was David's last night at the Little Gym. All the kids put on a show and demonstrated all the moves they learned. We were so proud of David. The first few classes he wouldn't even go in the gym without Damon, but tonight he was running around, playing with friends and showing off his moves. I'd say he still has a bit of trouble standing in line and waiting his turn, he wants to run around constantly, but he has really come out of his shell. Mikko is going to continue going to Little Gym but David is going to continue with skating lessons and start swimming sometime soon so there isn't room to fit Little Gym in.

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Videos of David's Show


Push Play

Push Play

Push Play - This is David's Grand Entrance at the beginning of the show

Outdoor Skating at Phalen

Greta and David

They are doing so good for just learning how to skate. They both wanted to use this walker but we got it away from them quickly.
David and Daddy

Getting help.

David was getting frustrated because he wanted to skate fast but kept falling. Bobby was so nice to him and explained to him that he fell a lot too when he first started skating. Now he flies all over the rink!

Away they go.

They look like a Precision Team.

Grandma and Mikko trying to keep warm. We spent most of the time in the nice warming house in front of the fireplace because it was wicked cold.

Grandpa bought a round of hot chocolates for the kids.
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We ventured out into the cold, and brrrrrr...it was cccooollldd. We got together with Bobby and Greta to go skating at Phalen Park. There was a hockey tournament going on which I think made Damon very nostalgic. I heard him commenting to my Dad that he hopes David wants to play hockey.

As we got into the car, David proclaimed that he wants to play hockey AND be a goalie! We know how our weekends will be filled if that does indeed happen!

A wild and crazy Saturday night with the boys.

We were invited to a Luau at church. One of the social clubs (all old people) called and asked if we wanted to come. Since we had no other plans and Damon had a gig, it was something to do on a Saturday night. Here David is sampling the punch wearing a lei.
Mikks got LOTS and LOTS of attention from all the ladies, adoring his red cheeks.

David ate a cupcake, a bun with butter and some jello "salad" with marshmellows.
A perfect Church Lady dinner.

Mikker's red cheeks.

GAC Girls night at Tracy's

Guess a two second timer is too quick for me to get in the picture!

There we go!
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The Gusties finally got together to celebrate Christmas. We originally were going to get together the night of the big blizzard. We laughed SO much my stomach hurt. We stayed overnight at Tracy's. She cooked us a yummy dinner. Lots of food, drinks and most importantly laughs!

A day with Bobby and Gretzky

Playing with the air rocket. Bobby would shoot it off and David and Greta would try and dodge it. So glad noone got hurt : )
They ALL played with Mikko's play house and filled the "house" with all kinds of stuff. Mikko was like their play doll who lived in the house. He loved it and loved all the attention.

He was getting buried by Greta and David.

The 3 oldest kids playing wildly.

I am envisioning that this was how Damon's house was growing up with Dusty and Mandy.

For being the biggest kid, Bobby sure liked playing with Mikko's toys too!

David's picture in our church's newsletter.