Sunday, August 28, 2011

Short but SUPER worthwhile trip to the Shack!

We spent Saturday morning exploring together. The boys were so fun together. They are so so busy!
In front of the play house Grandpa built them.

David spent the whole week with Grandm and Grandpa. He was SO SO SO good for them. They said he is so funny, has the best memory, and was just a great little boy the whole week. We are so proud of him.

Cool Kid!

The boys have found their favorite corner at the shack. There is a patch of dirt under the screen porch that entertains them - they play trucks in there for long periods of time.

Looks like TROUBLE to me!

Mikko playing on the hill. He was trying to figure out how to roll down it like David does.




Busy guy exploring everywhere!

Foxy loves the river. It was the shallowest I've ever seen it. She could barely make it up the riverbank after going down for a drink.

Funny!

The guys.

The boys occupied themselves for about a half an hour picking up little apples and putting them in the dump truck. Then they would haul them over to the feeders for the deer.

Playing together SO well.

Well - playing together so well MOST of the time : )

Dumping his load at the deer feeders.

It was just the most absolutely perfect weather for the Shack. Still summer, with a fall feel.

Typical scene. Boys playing and the dogs wrestling in the background.

We spent Saturday afternoon 4-wheeling and the boys helped Grandpa with some jobs.

Picking up birch bark for winter fires. David and Mikko LOVED helping Grandpa in the woods.

Mikko would follow Grandpa into the woods - so cute.

David was helping pick up birch bark. He was even carrying it in his mouth.

Grandma even went for a ride!

Mikko was so sad when he'd be left behind. Here he is waiting at one of the trails for Daddy and David to come back on the 4-wheeler. We couldn't leave this spot because this is where they entered the woods. So cute.

We took a long ride Saturday afternoon. Stopping for a rest and some refreshments.

Here is Grandpa teaching David all about nature!

David got a new camera and would follow Mikko around taking his picture.

Jimmy and Foxy in doggy heaven! They were pooped out on the way home.
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We spent a super fun weekend at the Shack. Fall is coming and we can't wait for more weekends at our favorite place! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for being SO good to the boys.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

2 Big Events - Daddy's Birthday and Mikko's First Twins Game

Here is Mikko at his first Twins Game! Don't blink - that is about how long he sat in his seat! Luckily the row of seats behind us was empty so we took an empty area.

In and out of the chair, over and over over and over.


Britta's measure for how long a kid can be at a baseball game is one inning per year of age. We chanced it and made it through 3 innings - barely.


He liked the escalator too.

We got home and gave Daddy his birthday presents and a piece of French Silk pie - his favorite. Mikko blew out the candle.

Happy Birthday Damon

Monday, August 22, 2011

3 Day - Day 3!!!!

Day 3 - here we come! Bringing out the feather boas.
This picture made us all laugh so hard. What the hell am I doing. Becky looks absolutely miserable and Carrie and Sara look like they are going to kiss. Too funny.

Making our way through downtown St. Paul to the Capitol.


My work friend Carol lives downtown and waited for us with a cooler full of ice cold wash clothes!



We did it!



One of the Safety Crew that is out on the route keeping us safe - he is our 3-Day crush. He made all our hearts pitter patter a little bit.



Closing Ceremony Shoe salute to those we've lost to breast cancer.




Celebrating the survivors who walked - even those going through chemo participated - amazing.




Ending the day with a beer and letting Damon grill an awesome dinner for us.

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Yesterday was the end of another AMAZING 3-Day. While I didn't walk all the 60 miles (blisters and some sickness prevented it), I had the most amazing experience.


Thank you so much to everyone who donated - your donations to breast cancer screenings, early detection and advancements in treating breast cancer are the whole reason we walk. I was amazed at the donations I would receive and the support I got from family, friends, co-workers and facebook friends.


Thank you to everyone who took time from their weekend to cheer us on - Carol, Mandy, Leah, Britta, Winnie, Viv, Tracy, Mary, Christine, Sophia, April, Adeline, Carol S.


A special thank you to my parents for your trip here to support me and Carrie and helping with the boys.


And the biggest thank you to Damon for hauling his parents-in-law, kids, niece and nephew around in a mini-van all weekend. I can't believe how supportive you were through this whole event. I love you so much Damon.


A moment that I will always remember is at closing ceremony. Walking in with 2000+ walkers, each who raised over $2300 to participate. As we were walking towards the capitol a very young woman, I'm guessing she was in her early 30s. She was bald, clearly as a result of chemo. She was crying and holding onto her husband. She was cheering "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you" to all of us walkers. We did the easy part - asking for money and getting some blisters and sore muscles.

3 Day - SECOND DAY

Beginning Day 2


Once again, my great work friend April came out to cheer me on with Adeline! So nice of her to take part of her Saturday to support me : )

Seeing the boys for the first time was the best - here is David's sign he was so proud of.

Wagner Family - the most supportive parents!

Sophia had no problem finding pink for the occasion!

My little darling Mikko Man.

Charles was a big fan hit with his fairy wings.

One of the silly sites along the walk.

Photo op with Firefighters. I bet Damon is super jealous that he has his arms around me.

David and Gretzky cheering everyone on.

Day 2 complete. We added more blisters, muscle aches and sore muscles. But we were all in good spirits. We enjoyed one more "Sweat Lodge" before the last day of the walk.