Indoor Waterpark Oct 3, 2009 Saturday

I was a little nervous going to the waterpark with the boys by myself, but they were so good! Stan went to the Priesthood meeting while I took the boys to Arrowwood. It was cheaper to wait and go after 4pm. We had a good time! I was surprised we managed to stay 3 hours!

Jaden is a "pro" going down the slide at Arrowwood. 

Gavin went down the waterslide all by himself!

I told the boys to give me their silliest face. They had fun with this pose!

I got the boys to sit and pose for a photo toward the end of the evening. It was sure tough getting a nice picture. 

The Minnesota Zoo Saturday Aug 22, 2009

We went to the Minnesota zoo. We have been trying to go to the zoo since we moved here over nine years ago. Erin was able to get 4 free tickets through the Headstart program. Erin, Casey, Jaden, Gavin and myself went. Jessie had to work and Stan went to an air show in Fargo.

The butterfly garden was alot of fun. Jaden wasn't real cooperative for photo's. We all really enjoyed the butterfly's. They asked that we check ourselves before leaving the area. I thought I had looked myself over but had a butterfly on the back of my shirt. I had to go back into the garden area to have the butterfly removed from my shirt. 

The boys in front of the fish tank. Isn't that an amazing backdrop?

Erin and Casey in the butterfly garden. 

Gavin, Jaden, Erin and Arlene in front of the shark tank. 

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Taking an icecream break. We were getting tired and had one more stop to make to the farm. 

Gavin interacting with the goats. He loved brushing the goats. 

The farm was our last stop before heading home. Jaden and Gavin didn't want to leave. We were at the zoo from 10:30 am till about 4 pm. It surely was a long day!

July 25th RRD Annual picnic

The RRD Annual picnic was held on Saturday July 25th at Lake Charlotte Park in Long Prairie. It turned out to be a pretty nice day though the clouds looked like it was going to rain at any moment. We had a nice turn out, about 300 people. Stan and I were both committee members. 

Getting ready for the picnic. Arlene helping get things set up. 

Gavin poses for Mica, my boss. 

Jaden at the playground. 

These 2 are a barrell of monkey's. 

Stan helped out with the games for employees and their guests. 

Gavin and Jaden couldn't wait to jump in and find quarters during the money pit game. Jaden pulled out $4.00 and Gavin got out $1.5o. The kids love this game!

4th of July

Stan and I had Friday, July 3rd off for the holiday. We enjoyed going to the beach on Friday and Saturday.  It was great to just relax!

We headed to City Park on Saturday to swim, read and grill.  Jaden loves to swim and showed off his new skills he learned at his swimming lessons. He tried so hard to catch up to the ducks. 

Saturday evening we headed to Casey's to play mini golf. Grandma just took her swing and is watching to see if she has a hole in one. 

Jaden knew his way around the course and seemed quite the pro. He had been there recently with Mom and Dad.  

Jaden and Hannah waiting for the fireworks to start. We found a spot to watch fireworks along Lake Darling, across the lake from Arrowood Resort. The Rinnickers were there which made Jaden very happy. Jenny is Jaden's daycare provider and Hannah is his buddy. We waited  2 1/2 hours for those fireworks to start.

Memorial Day Weekend Home visit

Stan and I went home to Pittsburgh for a quick visit Memorial Day weekend. Because Erin had to work that weekend, we ended bringing Jaden along last minute. The plan was to leave Thursday at noon. Since it was Jaden's last day of school on Thursday afternoon, we postponed leaving until after his school party. Stan was called to the High Council and their first meeting was that Thursday night. He couldn't miss that first meeting, so we didn't get on the road until 10pm Thursday night. Never again! Long trips to Pgh must start early morning, by the time we got to Chicago at 5m, we were both exhausted!  We got into Pittsburgh late Friday afternoon and stayed with Lynn and Gary. We were so happy to spend time with Gary before he left for Texas to help Justin and Claire move to Pittsburgh. 


I was so excited to be able to spend time with Michele on Saturday. Michele and I worked at Shields Chiropractic many years ago. Michele is married now and has a sweet little girl named Bella.  Jaden and Bella took a moment to pose at the park. Jaden and Bella played at the park while Michele and I visited. I've known Michele since she was a teenager...she has always been mature beyond her years.  Stan and I were able to visit with Dave, Theresa and Autumn Shields Saturday evening. 

Lynn, Mom, Lisa and Arlene enjoyed Sunday afternoon visiting and catching up!  Laura was unable to make it, she wasn't feeling well that day. We missed you Laura!  We ate too much as usual!  I love my family so very much and can't wait till we can go back...but seriously considering flying next time.  Not long after we got back from our trip, Mom fell and broke her tibia (knee) while washing her walls. 

We promised Jaden we would stop at a waterpark on the way home. He was so incredibly good the whole trip and in the car. We stopped in Madison WI at a Holiday Inn, they had a really nice mini childrens waterpark. Jaden had a lot of fun!

Old men!

Jaden and Gavin took a bubble bath on Saturday. I asked Jaden what we should caption these photo's and he said, "Old Men". These boys make Grandma laugh!

Jessie and Gavin will be moving April 28th to the cities. Jessie got a job at Floyd's Barber Shop in Minneapolis. It is a new and happening barber shop with rock music and big screen TV's. Jessie is very excited about her new move. We will really miss Jessie and Gavin!

Easter Sunday

Stan and I thought we were going to have a quiet Easter Sunday. Erin worked a double shift and Jaden was with his Dad. Eric , Amanda and Daxton went to Fergus Falls with her family. Gavin was with his Daddy. I was hoping to not have to cook and go visit friends from church for dinner, but Jessie had no place to go. I wanted to keep our Easter dinner simple, so I headed to the cities Saturday morning...by myself to the Honey Baked Ham store and bought a ham and side dishes. While I was in the cities I went shopping at the Albertville Outlet. I had a great day... all to myself.

When we got home from church Sunday it didn't take long to heat up the ham and fixin's.  By evening it was quiet no longer, we had James, Jen (friends of Jessie), Eric, Amanda, Daxton and Gavin.

After Dinner Jessie and Gavin dyed easter eggs. Gavin was more interested in putting the stickers on his face instead of on the eggs. 

Daxton is 3 1/2 months old already. Where does time go? Daxton and Grandma posing for the camera on Easter Sunday.