Weekend Highlights

This past Memorial Day weekend, we decided to head north. Carl and Jocie wanted to get in a horse back ride before their big trip to Mandan, North Dakota in a few weeks, so the little girls and I decided to tag along for the trip. On Saturday night, we headed out to the barn to meet Grandpa Dwaine's newest horse, Sage.


Going to the barn is always so much fun for the girls. They get to experience these big beautiful creatures up close and personal.

Ella has not yet learned how to ride by herself, but she loves feeding the horses oats (and they love it too).

Claire was in awe the entire time we were there. Her face was pretty serious right away, and you could actually see her wheels turning as Carl taught her all about the horses.

The horses didn't think much of my camera. Every time that flash went off, they scattered a little. Grandpa thought it was because they thought the flash sounded like the electric fence. Star, the horse with the white spot on her forehead, wasn't scared after awhile. She actually was very curious about what was going on. You will notice in many of the photos, she is looking directly into my lens. She's no chicken!

. . . see what I mean :)

Jocie loves every minute in the saddle, and has become quite a rider. Carl told me that she is a better rider than he ever was at her age. He beamed with pride while he bragged about her skills. Their love for horses is something they will always share.

Star takes one more curious stare, right before she galloped into the pasture with her friends.

Sage is the newest horse to join the Adolphson pack. I loved her gorgeous tan color and dark mane highlighted with blonde streaks. She was very gentle with the girls as they fed her oats and grass.

After the horses had been fed, Claire waved bye-bye to the horses :)

On Sunday, while Carl, Jocie and Grandpa Adolphson headed out for a trail ride by Old Mill State Park, I headed off to East Grand Forks. The little girls decided to stay in Argyle with Grandma. I hadn't been home since Christmas, and I hadn't seen my little nephew, Myles since Claire's birthday, so I wanted to get in a little visit.

On the way from Argyle to EGF, I couldn't help but admire the view. Most people maybe wouldn't think this flat farm land was particularly picturesque, but I have to disagree. I have come to appreciate it's fertile soil and straight tree rows, big green combines and neatly rolled hay bails. It is home, and I love it.

For some reason, I felt like I had to pop in my 90's music CD as a neared my hometown. I don't know if it's because it reminds me of my school days, but it seemed fitting to hear "Paradise City" (coincidence? I think not.) by Guns N Roses basting out of my mini van speakers as I rolled into East Side.

My first stop was my dad's house. He made his specialty eggs for my homecoming brunch. It was nice to be able to sit and visit with my dad and Barb (quietly). After brunch we headed to Jessy's new townhouse so I could catch up with her and hang out with Myles.

I got many smiles from Myles . . . until the camera came out. When that happened, he was pretty serious. He is so blasted cute, it makes no difference if he is smiling or not. The camera (and his aunt Annie) loves him!

. . . and so does his mommy :)

I can't wait to be able to hang out with my little buddy again. His piercing blue eyes, smiling lips and award winning cheeks will have me coming back for more in no time at all :)

Although this weekend was busy, all the hours in the van was worth it to be able to hang out with family. There is nothing better than that.

Hot Hot Hot!

This past week has been hot, hot, hot. . . and busy, busy, busy! Monday reached 94 degrees with 100 degree heat index! Unreal for Minnesota in May. So, after school, we headed outside for our first sprinkler run-through of the summer season.

While we were getting set up, Ella found a little friend...oh, she liked him so much!

This little fuzzy creature was a big hit with the girls. They loved the feeling of his soft feet as he creeped up their hands and arms. I was surprised Ella liked this little guy so much . . . she's usually not a big fan of bugs of any kind.

Claire has found a new favorite treat . . . the ICEE! Summer is not complete without this sweat treat!

The girls had a blast cooling off with the icy sprays from the sprinkler. Jocie even did a little happy dance!

The sprinkler dancing looked so fun that Ella had to join in!

Claire tried to walk through the sprinkler, but she wasn't so sure she liked it, so she stuck to the trampoline.

Then the girls combined two summer favorites into one . . . they put the sprinkler underneath the tramp . . . pure genius.

I was extremely busy at work all week. Thursday and Friday was Pinewood's Field Days. This is basically the Super Bowl for Physical Education teachers. It took months of planning and organizing. Weeks of parent letters and teacher emails, and TONS of back-breaking work to set up. But in the end, it was worth all the work to see all those kids have a blast!

Here my co-worker and I are welcoming the students at the opening ceremonies . . . as you can see, I like to talk with my hands :)

The jumping station . . .Jocie is in the jersey

The kids in action at the water relay.

Kids in motion at the football pass relay. Just look at that form. He must have a great Phy. Ed. teacher!

The High Jump . . . never mind his form. All that matters is that he cleared the bar :)

Jocie with fiends

Needless to say, my house is a disaster after a busy week. Mountains of laundry, scattered toys, few groceries, and no toilet paper. But such is life. There is always tomorrow . . . or the next day!

Kissing Bandit

We have a mad kisser on the loose! She is cunning and unpredictable. She will kiss at the drop of a hat. Sitting in her high chair, early in the morning, playing with babies, getting rocked to sleep at night . . . no matter what situation she might be in, she will pull her little lips together tightly, and give you her Kiss-Face. Most of the time, you would envision a Kiss-Face as puckered lips, but not this little lady. She does, what I like to call, "the un-pucker". It is like nothing you've ever seen. You will have no defense against this face:

Daddy is maybe her easiest target. He can't resist the urge to kiss her any time she looks at him with those killer lips. This shot was taken after a late night pucker. He was supposed to be rocking her to sleep (past her bed-time) and she gave him the powerful Kiss Face, and of course, she got her way. Smack! Right on the Kisser! She finished with a "ma" sound to make it just a little bit cuter. Dang, she's good!




If you see this Kissing Bandit, please do not give into her charms. She will use those lips to get what she wants, and once your hooked, you don't have a prayer . . . you are hers for the taking.

If you see this little devil with angelic lips in your neighborhood, please lock up your sons . . . they are next!

Congrats to New Parents . . .

Hannah Mae was born to my dear friend Nicole and her husband Justin. She tipped the scales at a healthy 9 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 inches long!

She is adorable and I cannot wait to meet her!

S-U-N-S-H-I-N-E

As we all know, Minnesota weather is unpredictable. Just last week, there was snow in the NE corner of the state, and now we are enjoying 80 degree weather! Next week, we are supposed to hit 90 . . . in May! Because of this temperature spike, we have been outside as much as possible, because we don't know how long we have before it is rainy and cold again.


Even though Claire walks like an over-weight, drunk man ready to fall at any moment, she still gets around like nobodies business! She is now able to walk from our patio, down the little slope and almost all the way to the play area! It is hilarious watching her waddle in a zig-zag pattern in pursuit of her beloved playground.


Claire and Ella have been quite good playmates lately. They do especially well when playing outside on the playground, in the playhouse, or driving in the Jeep.

Ordering ice cream at the drive-through at the "Dairy Queen"

Playing airplane with Dad

Jocie finally agreed to let me take some pictures of her. She usually rolls her eyes as soon as she sees the camera around my neck, but today, she reluctantly agreed to a couple of snap shots. What a treat :)

Too bad she doesn't allow me to shoot her more often . . . she is quite the model!

We are hoping next week's weather is a good indicator of what's in store for us in June, July and August!