Tree Trimming Time!

I am so thank I still have one of girls that will help me trim the tree!

Zoe was a big help this year and we had alot of fun decorating the tree together.

Have fun watching this weeks Vlog!

Thanksgiving Week!

We had another enjoyable Thanksgiving this year,  it feels like each year I host it gets a little bit easier and things run just a little bit more smoothly!

Enjoy the vlog!

Week of November 29th

This Thanksgiving behind us it is always fun to dig out the Christmas decorations and go to town decorating the house.  Normally I have some sort of plan but this year we're just winging it and I am sure it will turn out great.

Zoe and I had an enjoyable day shopping together for holiday decorations and going out to lunch... I really enjoyed having some one on one time with her.

On Thursday Zoe talked me into taking her roller skating at the local rink and we had a great time.  She is really getting very good at it and for me it's all coming back slowly.  Thankfully neither one of us fell which is awesome and we had a great time.  But after two hours of non-stop skating we were a little sore for a couple day... all worth it though.  I'm thinking we will be back at the rink soon enough since we had so much fun!

Here's this weeks Vlog!

Week of November 8, 2015

We've had another eventful week and even some cabin time!

Check out the videos below:

Weekly Vlog: November 1, 2015

The beginning of the week we mainly focused on getting Zoe ready for Wolf Ridge.

Lots of shopping, packing, and chatting about what she thinks will be her favorite part.

Then early on Monday morning I dropped her off at school to catch the bus to take her away on an adventure for the week!

She was so excited!

Here is part one of this weeks vlog:

Thursday brought around my Annual Girls Weekend where we rent a room and shop non-stop for two days.  It's always a fun time catching up, acting silly and getting a good chunk of our Christmas shopping finished.

And finally part two of the weekly vlog;

Halloween 2015

We had another enjoyable Halloween this year.   It was so nice and relaxing to have it on Saturday instead of a weeknight.  I felt like we had time to enjoy it alot more than normal.

Trick or Treating was a little different this year in that Carrie and her crew decided to go out in her neighborhood which I don't think has ever happened before.  They had friends and family that wanted to be there for the kiddos so it made sense to do their own thing but I have to say it felt weird!

At our house,  Jaz invited over a couple friends to hang out but they all decided to go trick or treating with us so we had a fun little group to go with. 

JJ stayed home and had a campfire in the driveway while handing out candy to trick or treaters passing by.

Zoe lasted the longest length of time and I was just along for the ride!

Below is the Halloween Edition of our weekly vlog!  Enjoy . . . .

Weekly Vlog: October 25 - 29th

Enjoy!

Weekly Update: October 18 -24, 2015

Enjoy this weeks short Vlog

Upload this weeks vlog and realized I left out a whole bunch of footage.

I've since make a Part Two for this week.

Enjoy!

Weekly Vlog - October 11 - 17th

This past week was a pretty stress free week.

The girls only had school two days and then had a nice six day weekend because of MEA and teacher training.  They were very happy about that!

On Tuesday evening Zoe and I watched a the Prior Lake High School Volleyball game which was an amazing experience.  The team is currently rated 1st in the state!

Thursday night Zoe, Emily and I went and hung out at the bowling alley for a couple of hours and had a great time bowling and chatting together.

Then once again, Saturday brought two volleyball matches for Zoe.  Her team did a wonderful jobs against a much old and more experienced team but winning two of their six games.

This weeks Vlog is below . . .

Weekly Vlog: Oct 4, 2015

The first full week of October is upon us and it is finally beginning to feel like fall.

We took the kid out of school on Friday and traveled to Hot Dam Rock Dam for the weekend along with mom, dad, Carrie and her kid.   We all had a wonderful weekend, the weather was gorgeous - although a little chilly at night - the trails were in great shape and the fall colors were almost at their peak.  I have never been riding in the fall before, but let me just say it is amazing, gorgeous and a wonderful experience.  I'm already looking forward to doing it again next year.  Now I understand why people take trips just to see the fall colors!

This weeks vlog is below, it's a short one with little activities going on besides school.  Enjoy!

Weekly Vlog: Sept 17 - Oct 4

This Weeks Vlog:

Weekly Vlog for September 20 - 26th

I love this photo of Jasmine and Shelby Baby.  It reminds me of the few moments we have alone during the day as I drive Jasmine to school each morning.  I've come to look forward to it each day.

We've had an abnormally slow week this past week with only school and volleyball to plan for.  No appointments, no weekend activities - - it's been nice!

Enjoy this weeks short vlog:

Weekly Vlog - September 13 - 19th

This past week was a good one!

Highlights were the . . . 

Packer Season Opener - - WooHoo!  I love football season

Trip to the Cabin without out kids - talk about relaxing!

Nothing compares to Cabin Naps - - of which I took a three hour one on Saturday and it was Awesome!


Here's this weeks Vlog - - Enjoy

Weekly Vlog - Sept 6 -12

It's the time of year again that every mother looks forward to - - -

BACK TO SCHOOL

I'm doing the happy dance ya'll

The girls are too (well at least two of them are)

Every year it gets harder and harder to get the girls to stand still for their traditional back to school photos...I did manage a few quick shots of each of them, much to their disgust.

And here is this weeks video to enjoy!

Labor Day Weekend

The family spent another Labor Day Weekend at Uncle Ruben's cabin and as always we had a great time even though it was unbearably hot and humid.

ATV'ing, river chill'in, and even some down time in the camper - - it was a great way to wrap up the summer.

We made a special vlog for the weekend (must to the delight of the girls, hehe)

Enjoy!

Weekly Vlog - August 31 to September 3

This past week has been packed full with last minute activities and back to school events.

We started the week off by celebrating Emily's 13th birthday and ended the week with back to school events for all the girls.

Here's this weeks video vlog:

Enjoy

Emily's 13th Birthday

Thirteen years ago on this blessed day JJ and I welcomed a tiny bundle of joy we named "Emily" into our family!

It hardly seems possible that so many years have passed since that wonderful day . . . the memories and special moments I have of her from over the years are all cherished.

I feel so blessed to have been able to watch Emily grow into the kind, caring, fun loving young lady that she has become.

I'm excited to discover what the next year will bring in her life.

Love you Emily Jo!

Weekly Vlog - August 23 - 30th

Another jam- packed week.

Back to school is looking better and better for mommy!  Ha, ha

Our view of the casino lights from the campsite - Very cool!

This weeks video . . .

Weekly Vlog - August 15 - 22nd

We've had another exciting week!

This weeks vlog - - enjoy!

Weekly Vlog - July 26 - August 1st

Here's what we have been up to lately!

Weekly Vlog - Camping at Highlandridge Campground

Zoe, Emily and I met up with Carrie and her kids plus Grandma and Grandpa Coleman for one last camping trip of the season.

Tried out a new campground close to Menomonie that was a big hit.  Nice, wooded sites, a great beach and a nice sized playground for the kiddos.

The kids insist that we need to add it to our yearly list of vacations and I wholeheartedly agree!

Check out the video below to see footage from our amazing stay at Highlandridge Campground.

Part 1

Part 2

Vlog - August 3 - 8th

Here's what we have been up to the past week.

August 3 - 8th!

Enjoy!

Lacrosse State Tournament

This past weekend, Zoe participated in the MN State Lacrosse Tournament in Lakeville, MN

It was another hot, sunny weekend as most tournament days are.  Her team won two of their three games but unfortunately did not advance into the finals. 

Regardless, Zoe and her team seemed to have a great time on and off the field and it was wonderful to see how close-knit the team has grown over the course of the season.

This tournament marked the end of the season which will give Zoe a much needed break for a couple of weeks until her next sport adventure begins.

Camping At Rock Dam

The family had another great year at Rock Dam this past July.  Even though our stay was shorter than normal we still had a great time.

Shelf Portraits by Emily

Front Yard In June

Annual Hayward Trip

Once again we had a blast on our annual trip to Hayward.

Even had a wonderful surprise when Grandma and Grandpa Johnson showed up with their new camper.  It was awesome.

Like every other time we've gone to Hayward the time flew by way to fast and before we can't catch our breath it's time to go home already.  Next year we have got to stay longer!

We swam, rode the water slide, rode ATV's, kayaked, enjoyed campfire time, miniature golfed, jumped on the jumping pillow, took walks and bike rides - - even just sat and rested for a bit!

Emily by Emily

Last Day of School

Yippee!

Schools out and the kids are excited!!

Emily's Spring Choir Concert

Emily's school choir had their Spring Concert on June 2nd. 

Here is some of the video that I took.

History Museum Field Trip

On June 5th I had the opportunity to join Zoe and her classmates on a Field Trip to the Minnesota History Museum (on of my favorite Museums ever!)

It was a wild and crazy day and we all had a great time.

On the bus ride home, it was time to get crazy.  The kids had a great time taking selfies almost the whole way home.

Photo's By Zoe

Photos taken by Zoe during a boys gaming night.

Bait Bucket Tournament

Zoe's Lacrosse team had their first game and their first tournament of the season on June 6th in Bloomington, MN.

The first game was a little shaky at first seeing as about half the team had never played in a Lacrosse game before.  However it didn't take them long before they were getting the hang of it.

Zoe has improved so much from last year.  She is more aggressive and moves around a lot more.  I think it helps that she is considered one of the Big Kids on the team.  I just find it amazing how much differently she plays this year than she did last year.  It is very fun to watch.

The girls had a great time even though they were not able to win any of their four games losing the last game by only one point.  Each game was better than the last and it was wonderful to see their team spirit even after losing.  

I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

Track

Zoe enjoyed her second yard of track this past month of May.

New track events for her this year was the hurtles and high jump.

Her favorite events of the season were the relay race and the shot-put.

She's 15 Folks!

Happy Birthday Jasmine!

It hardly seem possible that you are now fifteen years old.  It seems like only yesterday I was anticipating your arrival!

I hope and pray that this upcoming year will be one you look back on fondly.  Many changes are coming your way - - driving lessons for one - - yikes!

Your such a beautiful, sweet, creative girl that I am blessed to have in my life.

Love you so much, 

Happy Birthday,

Mom

A New Hobby!

Emily talked me into buying her a bow and arrow set since we have a park with an archery range nearby.

She has skills at it too!  Her third shot ever hit the bulls-eye!  Should have seen the look on her face it was a combo of pure surprise and excitement.

She's had her gear for three days now and has not missed a day of practice yet.  Even stood out in the rain while I watch from under the safely of an umbrella last night she was so determined to practice.   She says she may take a break tomorrow because her arm is starting to hurt.

I am so happy she has found something that makes her excited. 

Easter Sunday

Cat Ears

Cutey!

She's Ten!