Favored & Blessed

Thanksgiving Day 2010

2010-12-16T15:54:00.000-08:00

We spent Thanksgiving with Ryan's family this year. It was a wonderful day of sharing with family and eating (too much!) good food and, the kids were glad to play with cousins that we don't see very often. Here's Micah and Aabree... Grandma Barb with Anna Joy & Alayna

Grandma Barb, Grace, Alayna & Ella

Moving in the Playhouse

2010-12-16T15:44:00.000-08:00

This was a process! But we had great help and the kids love having it. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the playhouse!

From my girl...

2010-12-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

Apple Orchard 2010

2010-12-16T15:18:00.000-08:00

As a family tradition, we went to pick apples at an apple orchard in the fall. We went with Grandpa, Grandma, Jessica and Joe and had a great time! Our lil' Pumpkins! Grace, Micah, Anna Joy and Jessica & Joe

Rubber Duckie Races - Micah, Anna & Grace vs.

Grandpa, Daddy & Joe (a little unbalanced!)

Sweet & juicy!

The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

2010-12-16T15:06:00.000-08:00

On Micah's birthday we went to go see The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins at the Children's Theater. It was Micah's (and Anna's) first play at the Children's Theater and he was so excited that on his 6th birthday he sat in seat #6 and, that mom and dad had both seen their first Children's Theater play at age 6 also (Paddington Bear). It was a lot of fun with Grandpa, Grandma & Jessica too!

First Day(s) of School 2010!

2010-12-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

Grace & Jessica on their first day of school 2010. Jessica started 12th grade at Willmar Sr. High and Grace started in 3rd grade at Community Christian. Grace's back-pack - another Hello Kitty bag!
Our three on Micah and Anna's first day of school...
Anna Joy and her Princess back-pack...

Anna at her first day of pre-school, so excited!

Micah's first day of Kindergarten!

My guys!

2010-12-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

Micah loves to help Daddy...

Grace's Baptism

2010-12-16T13:46:00.000-08:00

On August 22nd, Grace was water baptised at our church baptism service at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer. She was so excited to take this next step in her faith walk! We are so happy and proud of her decision. She asked Daddy and Pastor Brad to baptise her...
with Great-Grandma Rose and Daddy...

July Photo Shoot

2010-12-16T13:32:00.000-08:00

Having fun taking pictures of the cutest kids ever ;) on a beautiful day in July...

These are magic years,

and therefore magic days,

and therefore magic moments.

Grandparent's Day 2010

2010-05-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

The kids were so excited for Grandparent's Day at school a couple of weeks ago! Our children are so blessed to have such a large, wonderful extended family that loves to share in their lives.
Great-Grandpa & Grandma and Grace

with Grandma Barb ...

with Grandma Jeanne ...

and Grandpa Guy

My Biker Babies!

2010-05-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

Easter egg hunt

2010-05-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

The kids hunting Easter eggs at Grandpa & Grandma Lindgren's. They had a great time looking for the brightly colored plastic eggs out in the yard - in their natural setting ;) Grandpa, Grandma, Great-Grandpa and Grandma and Graunty Judy rounded out the audience of fan club members watching the hunt!my girls!
the haul ...

balancing act

It was Anna, in the fridge, with the spoon...

2010-03-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

What's that old saying? While the cat's away the mice will play? Um, yeah. Make that, while mom's doing laundry downstairs the 4-year-old pixie will raid the freezer in search of ice cream and then leave to forbidden goods and the dirtied spoon in the refrigerator. The scary thing is that she probably would have gotten away with it too if she had put it back in the freezer instead of the fridge! (I wonder what other crimes she has gotten away with?)

The wearin o' the green

2010-03-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

My three wee green ones on St. Patty's Day.

Aye, but lucky ones are we! The three sets of feet in their "leprechaun socks"

Singing in the rain...

2010-03-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

This was the first time that Micah and Anna were able to use their new umbrellas. Needless to say, they were beside themselves with excitement! They walked extra s..l..o..w..l..y everywhere that day trying to savor the ambiance of the umbrellas for as long as they could. Anna said "I wish it can rain everyday so we can use our 'brellas". Hmm, I don't think so. But if that is a dream of hers, then maybe someday she'll live in Seattle, or London, or someplace else where umbrellas are preferred to sunglasses. But hopefully not. They are awfully cute though! :)

Pioneer Day

2010-03-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

Grace all dressed up and ready for "Pioneer Day" at school. The 2nd graders were finishing a study unit on Laura Ingalls Wilder and the pioneer era and they ended with a Pioneer Day where everyone was to dress as a pioneer, they did lessons on "slates", and used pioneer terminology. Grace was so excited for this day! She had been talking about it and planning it for weeks before hand. Yes, I said weeks. She even took an authentic cold lunch to school that day. Here she is, looking adorable, in her pioneer out-fit, sunbonnet and pinafore/apron included.

That's my Boy!

2010-03-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

Micah actually likes to help with dishes (Anna too). This particular evening it was just me and my little man and, as we were chatting he asked me "Mommy, where will I live when I grow up to be a daddy if I don't live with you?" Then, after further discussion he decided that maybe he will live next door to me so that I don't miss him... oh, be still my heart! I figure that even if I have to re-wash some things, that it's moments like this that make it totally worth it. :)

Jump-Rope for Heart

2010-03-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Grace at Jump-Rope for Heart Health at school. She was so excited to do this again this year, she was even conditioning herself to get ready for it! Each "team" chose a name for themselves and made a team poster. Grace's team was the Rainbow Hearts - if that name doesn't just scream 8-year-old-girls than I don't know what does! Pretty sweet!

Frosting

2010-02-16T07:54:00.000-08:00

One morning, couple of weeks ago, the kids and I decided to take a drive around our area and soak up all of the beauty that belongs to winter alone. Sometimes we get so impatient for spring to arrive that we forget to appreciate the splendor of the cold months. I wanted the kids to see the hand of God at work around us. They wanted to know where we were going and I told them that we were just going to take a drive and see how beautiful the snow was and, as we were driving, Anna said "Look Mommy! The trees have frosting on them!" Yes, they do. Frosted by the hand of a loving God as a special winter-time treat for us.

"He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes... Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws." Psalm 147:16,18

As you can see, I had a little fun with photo editing! :)

Anna & Micah "boxing"

2010-02-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

This is a video of Anna & Micah pretending to "box" like on the Wii Fit that we got for Christmas. You can hear Anna coaching Micah "Right, Block, Right, Block..." (notice Micah's outside mittens substituting for boxing gloves!) and then at the very end she says "you didn't even break a sweat did you!" (just like on the Wii game). It's pretty cute!

Anna's 4th Birthday

2010-02-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

Anna Joy had a My Little Pony birthday party this year (she'd been planning and praying about it for almost a year - truely.) Hmm, I wonder where she get's that pre-disposition for planning ahead? ;) Anyways, it was a fun, pink, glitter and pony filled party which made it a success as far as the birthday girl was concerned. Mom on the other hand, can't believe that my baby is 4 already! Sniff! But we can't wait to see what God has planned for your life sweet girl - we love you so much! Now to start planning next year's shindig! ;) cake decorated by Grandma Jeanne

(with the balloons done by big sister Grace!)

another My Little Pony -

it's too bad that since she already has so many that she doesn't get excited about a new one anymore! ;)

I think that Aunty Kate has always wanted a pink princess umbrella...

Sledding fun!

2010-02-08T08:57:00.000-08:00

Micah Grace

Daddy & Anna

Christmas morning 2009

2010-02-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

I should really tell the photographer that unless the camara is set for fast action, any attempts at photographing excited children moving about at the speed of light on Christmas morning are going to be futile. I see she managed to capture a couple of non-blurry moments... Anna Joy and her new piggy enjoying a spot of tea with her new tea set
... and then sharing with big sister Grace

Tiny chefs

2010-02-08T08:33:00.000-08:00

It was the week before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring (except for our three!), I awoke one morning and what did I see? Three tiny chefs making a "surprise" for me!

Mmm, Christmas Cookies!

2010-02-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice - plus a little powdered sugar and peppermint!

Hmm... Is that frosting I see on your face? Save some for the cookies!

Pre-School Christmas Program 2009

2010-02-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

Micah's pre-school class at their Christmas program - it was very cute and a lot of fun! Micah really got into to it as you can see!

Anna - hamming it up in the audience...

Micah & Daddy

2010-02-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

A great way to spend a cold December's night, all warm and cozy by the glow of the Christmas lights and the crackling fire - except that we don't have a fireplace, better make that by the glow of Monday Night football...

I'm going to have to share my kitchen!

2010-02-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

Grace got a kid's cookbook and handmade apron from Graunty Becky for her 8th birthday in December. She's been very excited about it and is always looking for new recipes that she wants to try.

Grace at the CCS Christmas Program 2009

2010-02-08T07:48:00.000-08:00

Grace takes her stage performance very seriously! ;) As you can see through various stages of her expression, she really got into it! (She is so excited for the Operetta in April because the 2nd graders get to wear costumes!)

Thanksgiving 2009

2010-02-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

Anna Joy was so tired that she just fell asleep right in the middle of all the action & noise at Graunty Kathy's house - she slept just like that for a couple of hours too! So sweet! I guess Aunty Kate was a bit tired too!

Thanksgiving #3 (in four days) All the Lindgren cousins... You'd think that we'd eventually learn not to wait until it's late and all the little ones are tired and crabby before we decide to take pictures - you would think, but then, you would be wrong. At least they're all sitting together, and most of them are not crying.

Yippee Ki Yi Yay!

2010-02-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

In early October we celebrated Micah's 5th birthday (which was actually in September) at an Apple Orchard in Delano. It was a Cowboy themed party and everyone had a lot of fun with it - especially the kids! It was a great way to combine our annual trip to an apple orchard with Micah's special day. Here's the rootin'-tootin' li'l cowboy himself...Cowboy cake by Mom... My 3 little cowpokes!

the family...

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children are a reward from Him" Ps. 127:3

2009-09-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Our little boy is growing up so fast (they all are). It's hard to believe that he's 5 already! (Or as he'll tell you, "a whole hand!") He's such a blessing to us, an awesome brother to his sisters and a joy to raise (it's a blessed exhaustion!) Adding even more joy, Micah asked Jesus to be his savior on Aug. 25th. We love you honey!

First day of school 2009...

2009-09-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Grace on her first day of 2nd grade!With her Hello Kitty backpack & umbrella (the Hello Kitty lunch box is inside the bag - can you tell that she really likes Hello Kitty?!) Micah's first day of Preschool!

Showing off his Lightning McQueen backpack - he was so excited about his backpack and getting to start school!

Good Clean Fun!

2009-09-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

It was a hot summer day at Grandma's so we decided to let the children run through the sprinkler in the back yard... "Have fun," "watch out for your sister," "be careful of the hose," etc. I guess we forgot to mention "don't take a mud bath"! Oh well, a mud mask is good for the skin right? Good news is that they clean up well and, really, who else can pull off this look

while still looking absolutely cute?!

Face Paint with Aunt Jessica

2009-09-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

A half-Birthday party

2009-07-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Grace's half-birthday on Tuesday, combined with her friends Cora & Alicia who also have a winter birthday. We were able to have the party at a cabin on Lake Florida so that was totally great for our Hawaiian/Beach party theme. They had a good turn-out of friends and spent hours swimming, building sand-cities, playing games and getting good and worn-out before they all went home - love that. I'm thinking that half-birthdays are a good idea worth repeating but, for now, I'm still trying to catch up! the "beach" cake, not too bad I think ;)
the birthday girls

the younger siblings (that were invited by default) enjoying

some cake and other good stuff

Anna & Gabe trying to dual with fun noodles

Grace doing the Limbo

I think that Anna has an unfair advantage over the other kids at Limbo...

Soccer Camp

2009-07-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Grace did a park & rec soccer camp in July.

She learned some new skills and had a great time!

She can't wait for the next soccer sign up. Go Grace!
Micah & Anna had to get in on some action too!

Fun with Grandma & Grandpa

2009-07-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

My family was here and stayed with us for a few days over the SonShine festival. It was fun, but it was cold! That's right, C-O-L-D. In July. Notice our jeans, jackets and sweatshirts. That's what we get for living in Minnesota right?! I guess it'll give us a good story that we can repeat over and over again to our grandkids and anyone else who will listen to us when we get that old. ;)

Micah & Grandpa Guy
Grandma the Brave & Grace the Monkey

Deep thinkers? Deep conversation? Or maybe just thinking about that

DQ ice cream that's calling to them. Yeah, I think that's it.

"You want Chocolate or vanilla?"

Naps with Daddy are the best!

2009-07-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

T-ball

2009-07-30T10:55:00.000-07:00

Micah played T-ball this year. He had a lot of fun and we had fun watching him. Watching 4 year-olds "play" T-ball (or anything for that matter) is quite entertaining! So excited to play with his friend Malachi
the Purple team

Camp Shamineau

2009-07-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

The week of July 4th we went to family camp at Camp Shamineau and had a blast! The kids still cannot stop talking about it and asking when we're going back. Awesome memory making!

Ryan, Grace & Micah after playing night games... That's Grace waaay up there on the indoor climbing wall

Anna & her little friend Gabe, or as she says "that's my Gave!"

Morning cuddles with Daddy

ahhh summer!

my girlies!

my handsome guys ;)

Not the best picture of the kiddos but enough to prove

that the camara lady really was there too!

Anna Joy sleeping with her glowstick - so sweet!

love it!

Micah & Grace went on many horse rides...

It just wouldn't be summer without getting good 'n messy

with melty ice cream dripping down all over yourself. Yum!

Daddy & Anna in a pink Kayak (of course! Are there other colors?)

Ryan got in on some beach vollyball

Grace and her friends Cora & Alicia watching

fireworks in nearby Brainerd

Princess Day

2009-07-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

The kids decorating cookies at Prince & Princess Day at the library with Willmar Fests Princess candidates. Cookies, frosting, stories, and lots of sparkles and bling = another funtastic summer day!

Cousins

2009-07-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

Anna and new cousin Will
Anna & Alayna wearing their matching dresses Grace and Ella selling goodies at the garage sale -
Cute is totally good for business!

Crocodile Dock

2009-07-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

This year's Vacation Bible School was at "Crocodile Dock." The kids loved it! They still ask to go back. Great Job VBS Team! :)

Grace's last day of 1st grade

2009-07-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

Last day of school 2009 - We went to an awards ceremony in the morning ... Grace received awards for great attendance (only missed 1 day) and perfect Bible memory for the whole year. She was also given the character award for Gentleness (expressing personal care appropriate to another's emotional need). Way to go honey-girl! :)Grace & her teacher Mrs. Greene
Friends being silly!

I was able to help out with a field trip to the bowling ally too -

Here's me & my girl!

Grandparent's Day

2009-05-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Guy, Grace & Grandma Jeanne
Grace & Great-Grandma Lindgren

California in April

2009-05-21T08:50:00.001-07:00

The week after Easter Ryan had a conference to go to for work in CA and I tagged along with him. It was a nice, if short, time spent away together. Here is a shot of the sunset one night. We have now had the privilage of watching the sunrise on the Atlantic ocean and the

sunset on the Pacific - very cool. Ryan just had to snap this - ebay Ave!
We ate at this cute little 50's diner at the end of this pier...

Easter 2009

2009-05-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Children's Museum

2009-05-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Over spring break we went to the Children's Museum with Grandma

and Uncle David. It was a lot of fun! Three kids, do you think that I could get at least one of them

to actually look at the camara?! Maybe next time!
Upon entering the room where they had the Clifford exhibit
Anna said "Oh! This is my room!" Too cute!

Watching for shoplifters...

Girly time!

2009-05-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Since taking pictures at the photo studio isn't exactly cheap, we did the girls birthday pictures at Mom's Photo Studio instead (in other words I did them and saved us a bunch of money!) I think they turned out okay, of course it helps that they're so gosh darn cute too!

Sisters

goofy!

Christmas 2008

2009-05-21T08:19:00.001-07:00

Anna and Grandpa Guy (& Cinderella of course!) Our 3 Beautiful kids - best gifts ever!

Grace & Micah with Grandpa Steve

Christmas Goodies!

2009-05-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

We even got Daddy in on some of the action!

Grace's Birthday party

2009-05-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

We had 12 first grade girls over for Grace's 7th birthday, add in one little brother and one little sister and you get a whole lot of crazy fun! They all had a great time decorating pre-assembled gingerbread houses. Yes, LOTS of sugar! Get them all sugared up and then send them home - a hallmark of any good kids party! ;) Good thing we have a big enough kitchen, we had 2 tables set up for all of the sticky little artists.

Shades

2008-10-31T08:32:00.000-07:00

Anna and Grandpa getting ready for a walk.

Apple Orchard 2008

2008-10-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

Our annual trip to the orchard was another great family day! The kids (and us too!) look forward to this all year and at the first signs of fall are already asking about when we'll be going to pick apples. It's such a yummy tradition! Like years past, Grandpa, Grandma and the kids joined us. We make quite the crew roaming through the rows of Apple trees and pumpkins. Here's Miss Joy enjoying another Apple Doughnut!Anna was just tickled by the goats! She loved feeding them corn.
Another Beauty! Grace discovered this year that it's a little bit difficult to eat apples without front teeth but, as they say, where there's a will there's a way!

Micah and Daddy

2008-10-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

Over MEA weekend Ryan and I went to a little cabin in Hayward, WI for a couple of days - minus the kids. It was so nice and much needed to get away and spend some time exclusively with each other. The weather was a little bit chilly but nice and we had fun doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, you know, how it was before the kids! Ryan's been talking about going back there already (actually, he was talking about that before we even left there!) Ryan got a little hungry while we were fishing!

Sunset on the lake

Micah's Birthday

2008-10-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Our little All Star had a sports/baseball themed birthday this year for his 4th birthday. He was so excited about his party, the cake, the decorations, everything really! The funny thing is that now that he's turned 4, he thinks he's 5 now - probably because big sister has been telling him that he can go to school too when he's 5 and "old enough".

Our Kids Love Their Veggies!

2008-10-31T07:51:00.000-07:00

We've all heard about the Princess and the Pea, well how about the Princess and the Cucumber?! We had such a bumper crop of cucumbers out of our garden this year that we drew "Larry" faces on a few and gave one to each of the kids to play with. Anna loved hers so much that we found her snuggled up to it in bed one night - you can see the replaced Teddy Bear in the corner! So cute!

Soccer

2008-10-31T07:46:00.001-07:00

Grace enjoyed playing her first 'season' of soccer this fall. She played for the Park & Rec 1st and 2nd grade group and was happy to have several kids from school and church playing with her too. She kept wanting to know when the "big game" was going to be!

First Day of School 2008

2008-10-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

Grace's first day of school this year was wet and rainy, but that didn't dampen her spirits any and she was happy for a chance to use her Hello Kitty rain coat and umbrella!

Summer Fun!

2008-10-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Grace learned how to ride her bike without training wheels this summer and had great fun riding up and down our street and going on bike rides as a family. Micah & Anna are working on it...

90th year celebration

2008-07-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

On July 12th we all celebrated Ryan's Grandma Rose's 90th Birthday. It was great to see so many family and friends there to celebrate Grandma, and it was nice to get to visit with loved ones that we don't get to see very often as well. I hope that I can look that good when I turn 90! Grace & Lauren (Ryan's cousin)
Ryan, Anna & cousin Ella

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

We all went camping at Sibley State Park over the weekend of the 4th. Over all it was a good time. Although, Ryan and I have decided that we probably will wait until the kids are a little bit older to do it again. The kids had a lot of fun playing at the beach, swimming, playing in the dirt at the campsite, going for walks and just exploring. Sleeping 'outside' in the pop-up camper (all of us together) was a novelty that left the kids pretty excited and left Mom & Dad pretty exhausted! Here's a pic of the very awake children roasting marshmellows for their sugar-laden 'bedtime' snack before watching fireworks on the 4th. Oh well, it's all part of the experience - right?!

Parade Day

2008-07-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

The annual Willmar Fests parade - the kids look forward to this all year! This year we went to the pancake breakfast at the firehouse first. The kids loved being able to get up close and sit in actual fire trucks, one of the highlights of the day!

Jeremy, Alysa & cousin Alayna came to watch the parade with us. In stark contrast to last year's parade, this year the weather was chilly, windy and, eventually, rainy. But, whatever the weather we had a fun time just being together!

Sail Away with me

2008-07-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

All Dressed up...

2008-07-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

May 31st we went to my cousin Jesse's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and we all had a great time - minus a close call with some bad weather! There were several friends and family members that came from out-of-state and it was nice to see all of them too. Since we left the children with a sitter, we actually had at least 4 solid hours of purely adult conversation! I know! It was such a rare high that I didn't even care that it was open bar! ;)

'The Girls' Jeanne, Deanna, Kate & Jessica

Grace's Kindergarten Program

2008-05-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that we're already at the end of Grace's first year of school! Wow! That went by so fast. They had the Kindergarten Program last week and it was fun, entertaining and bittersweet. They started the program like they start the school day with the 3 pledges (American flag, Christian flag and Bible), Grace was happy that she got to hold the American flag for the program. Grace telling us about "Mr. G" during the Letter People Play
Grace and her teacher Mrs. Keenan - what a blessing it is to have such

a wonderful and loving teacher!

Grace's Dance Recital

2008-05-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Grace had her dance recital May 16 & 17th. This year she's been taking a ballet/tap class at Colleen's School of Dance. The recital was beautiful and well done and of course Grace was our favorite star! She did great! They performed tap to "I Enjoy Being a Girl" and ballet to "I Feel Pretty". Perfectly appropriate, I cannot think of any better choices for our 'princess'!
Grandma and Jessica were able to come for the show. What a nice treat!

"I Enjoy Being a Girl" (Grace is 2nd from the right)

(Grace is 3rd from the right)

"I Feel Pretty" (in front on left)

Anna's new Bed

2008-05-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

The day after Mother's Day we moved Anna from her crib into a toddler bed. She's been totally loving her new "big girl bed" and the added freedom that it allows her. We're still adjusting to the change. It's a bit strange for Mom and Dad since we've had the crib set up pretty much non-stop for the past 6 and a half years. But, if we've learned anything being parents it's that each new stage brings with it new joys and challenges along with a few tears.The little bookworm fell asleep under the covers of a good read!

Grandpa's Birthday & Spring Fun

2008-05-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Steve's birthday is May 1st so we had a little party to celebrate, and then we had some outdoor fun (since the weather was warm-ish) with some of Grandpa's big-boy toys! They had a great time, and the kids had a lot of fun too! ;)

Grace giving Grandpa his birthday picture she made for him. Grandpa, Daddy & Micah putting together cousin Alayna's new wagon. Micah loves to help Daddy and especially if it involves tools and/or wheels!
After it was all put together Anna and Alayna took a spin with Uncle Jeremy.

But, wheels are so much more fun when they have some power!

Grace & Micah even got to drive Grandpa's tractor!

Anna was content to watch from her favorite perch!

Grandparent's Day & CCS Operetta

2008-05-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

April 25th was Grandparent's Day at Grace's school and also the school Operetta. The Kindergarten classes recited the 23rd Psalm and sang a few songs including "You are my Sunshine" which is our 'lullabye' song so Grace was really excited about it! My parents were able to come for that as well as Ryan's Mom and Great-Grandpa and Grandma Lindgren. Grace was thrilled of course and she proudly told us about how she had the most Grandparent's there out of anyone in her class - what a blessing to have so much of our family close by!

Psalm 23 ..."He makes me lie down in green pastures"You are my Sunshine
With Grandma Barb
With Grandpa Guy

With Great-Grandpa & Grandma Lindgren

Later that day was the annual Community Christian School Operetta. Again Grace's class sang a few songs with the bulk of the performance being the 1-5 graders. Grace had her own fan club there with all four grandparents, Graunty Becky and Gruncle Larry, aunt, uncles, cousin Alayna, Mom, Dad, Micah and Anna too! It was a cute show!

Easter fun

2008-05-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

We spent the morning before Easter coloring Easter eggs for what ended up being an indoor egg hunt since this is what it looked like outside... (yuck!)

Grace observed: "I think that Spring's running a little bit late this year." At this point, it still is! Regardless of the weather, we still had fun! The kids look forward to coloring eggs every year.

We had Easter for the Lindgren side at our home this year. It was a long, but very fun day for everyone. Here are the kids (with cousin Ella) winding down with popcorn and a VeggieTale! Sounds like a good idea to me! ;)

I Love Bubbles!

2008-05-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Clowning Around

2008-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Silly Grandpa!

2008-05-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Anna loves her Grandpa (even if he is a little weird!) Here are the two sillies...

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

2008-05-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

March 15th Grace went to go see "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" at the Children's Theatre with Graunty Kathy and Aunties Kate & Jessica. This was Grace's first time to the Children's Theatre and she had such a wonderful time! She talked about for quite a while after and will still mention it from time to time. We are so blessed by the love, time and opportunities that are shared by our extended family! Here's Grace and Graunty Kathy... My beautiful girl is looking so much older all the time (sniff, sniff!)
Grace and the Aunties enjoyed a meal out after the play...

... and then topped it off with an ice cream treat!

What a big ice cream cone!

Grace and Uncle Caleb

2008-03-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

Anna's 2nd Birthday

2008-03-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Anna Joy turned two January 31st. I can't believe that my baby's getting so big (sniff!) We had a fun time celebrating the event with everyone. Mommy's camara was out of order so Auntie Jessica was our photographer for the day. Anna is really coming into her own little personality now - wait, let me rephrase that... she has a big personality in a cute little body! She is fun, adventurous, energetic, she is quite a climber and she loves babies!

(And she's still a Daddy's girl!) Sporting some new 'flower pretties' while opening her gifts
big brother gets in on the action...

Grace loves punch!

Birthday cake decorated by Grandma Jeanne, featuring 'Rocket & June' from the 'Little Einsteins' (Anna's favorite)

Rainbow cake tastes pretty good too!

Anna with her favorite baby, cousin Alayna

Our Christmas

2008-01-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas celebrations began with the Lindgren Christmas on the 22nd. We celebrated at Grandpa & Grandma Barb's with the whole clan, including Great-Grandma Rose which was a special treat! It was a good time for all of us. Here are all of the Lindgren cousins (for the moment): Micah, Anna, Alayna, Grace, Ella & Bryce. Note to self for next year - take pictures that include children at the beginning of the day instead of at the end and 2 hours past their bedtime! ;) Christmas morning at our home - bubbling over with excitement!

"Look! Santa came! Look at our stockings!"
They couldn't wait to see what Santa had put in their stockings.
We had all of Christmas morning to celebrate our own family Christmas. After the kids opened their stockings and ate breakfast, we read the Christmas story and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus - and that was so much fun that we did it again! :) It's fun to see the kids get more involved and excited about everything as they get older. Then we opened our family gifts and enjoyed our time together. Here's Grace trying out a new book for her Leap Pad...

Later on in the day our Christmas company arrived. Grandpa, Grandma, Josh, Caleb, Kate, Jessica, Joe & David all came to our home to celebrate Christmas here with us. What a time we all had! The kids could hardly stand all the excitement that happened that day. We enjoyed Christmas dinner, read the Christmas story and opened our last box in the What God Wants for Christmas series before we started in on the gift opening. It was so much fun it was sad to see the day come to an end - can't wait for next year! We are so blessed and have so much to celebrate. I don't think that we ever fully realize what an amazing miracle Christmas is. The God of the universe came to Earth as a humble helpless baby to live among us and ultimately to die for us - all so that we would have to opportunity to know Him and have eternal life - there's no greater gift...

Micah looking at the Nativity created with the What God Wants for Christmas set.

Anna and Aunt Kate reading one of our new books together.

Grandpa, Grandma, Kate, Jessica, Joe & David stayed with us through Friday so we had lots of time to play and have fun. The kids loved playing in the snow with Grandma, Joe and David!

"Look Mom - it's snowing!"

Snow bunny!

2007 Christmas Program

2007-12-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

Last night we had this year's Sunday School Christmas Program at church. It is always a fun and touching evening. The kids all did an awesome job and it's fun to see them grow and get better each year. Here's Grace's class... she's the one in the wine colored dress in the middle of the front row. Grace's class sang Jesus Loves Me (in English and in Spanish) and Ho-Ho-Hosana. Micah's class did Jesus Loves Me and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, although Micah was more interested in exploring the stage area than he was in singing! (He's the one in the red sweater at the bottom of the steps!)
Anna enjoyed her last year as a spectator from the comfort of Grandma Barb's lap

... and then later sampled the cookie table with Grandpa Steve!

Micah's self-photo ;)

Tea Party

2007-12-17T13:13:00.001-08:00

For Grace's 6th Birthday we had a Tea Party with her little girlfriends from school. It was a lot of fancy and pink fun and the girls really had a good time dressing up and having a fancy tea party! Mommy made a teapot cake for the occassion and we dressed the table up with pretty tablecloths, mommy's luncheon set, rose petals, sparkly sequins, candles and everything girly! What a fun day! The party princesses!
Micah didn't want to be left out ... oh well, he's only 3!

The 1st Snow is the Most fun!

2007-12-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

We got several inches of snow a few weeks ago and the kids had so much fun playing in the brand-new white fluff! Daddy-powered sled rides, snow tunnels, snow angels, and making "paw prints" are things you can only do in the snow - and so much the better if it's the first snow of the season! The only bad part comes when you have to go back inside! ;)

Santa Baby!

2007-12-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Can't really see her, but that's Anna under the big red hat!

Making Cookies at Aunt Kathy's

2007-12-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving weekend Grace and I made cookies at my Aunt Kathy's house with my two sisters, Kate & Jessica, aunts Kathy and Susan, and a friend of Kate's (Sam). It was a fun and messy afternoon of baking and uncles Jim and Don did a good job of "supervising" the excess of estrogen and sugar that was going on in the kitchen! ;) Grace had an especially fun time! Serving quality control samples to the uncles :)
Mmmm!

It was a fun and goofy time!

A look back to yesterday...

2007-11-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures of Anna in the dress that I wore at my parents wedding when I was the same age. I had done the same with Grace a few years ago too but, Anna resembles me much more. Hard to imagine that I was once that small. Looking at Anna sometimes is like looking into a mirror and seeing the years just fade away.

Indian Summer fun

2007-11-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

We had some fun while enjoying one of the last few nice and warm days of the year. "A rainbow of colors and cotton candy skies

seeing the world through a child's eyes..."
Our girls

Our handsome blue-eyed boy, a future heartbreaker!

watching the clouds roll by...

Micah's 3rd Birthday

2007-11-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Micah turned three on September 24th. Wow! It's gone so fast! My baby boy is getting to be such a little man (sniff!). He's grown a lot this past year, in every way. He loves to be outside, he enjoys spending time at home, he loves his sisters, and he has really been into "Larry Boy" (from VeggieTales fame) and anything from the "Cars" movie. In fact, he had a "Cars" themed party this year. He loves to help Mom & Dad around the house and he's such a sweet, cheerful, and fun-loving bundle of energy. He's definately all boy - and we love him!With one of his new gifts - a "Larry Boy"!

Our trip to Colorado...

2007-11-01T08:41:00.000-07:00

Late September Grace and I went to Colorado for a few days for my cousin Jerry's wedding. I was a fast and rather exhausting trip, but totally worth it! It was especially exciting for Grace as she was the flower girl in the wedding and it was her first time on an airplane! She had been looking forward to the wedding for months and, had great fun dressing up like a "princess." She was too cute! Unfortunately, Daddy, Micah, and Anna weren't able to make the trip, but we had a great time "just us girls!" It was so nice to be able to visit with family and friends that we don't get to see very often and, the wedding was beautiful too! How fun to be able to share our travel with Grandma and Jessica.

Ariana, our hairdresser for the big day. She did a great job!
Grace, making her appearance to her awaiting subjects! ;)

Jerry, Holly, Grace & baby Scott

a crown of flowers...

Mommy & Grace

Grace's first day of School!

2007-09-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

September 6, 2007 was Grace's first day of school! She is attending Community Christian School in Willmar and loving it. She has been looking forward to Kindergarten with much anticipation for at least a year now. Mom on the other hand, has had mixed feelings about this milestone. Excited on the one hand, but hard to let go with the other. Ryan and I are both so happy that she is able to attend CCS, but still, it is hard to watch her go off to a world that doesn't include me, even if it's only for a few hours a day. Just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital and tomorrow she will graduate from high school. Don't blink - you might miss it. For now, we will just savor the moments, macaroni art and all! :)
Home again!

Fun at the park

2007-09-25T12:52:00.000-07:00

We found a great new park that they just put in on Green Lake in Spicer. The kids had a great time and can't wait to back there again, neither can we!

The Princess in her castle

Micah loved the tire swing

Sittin' pretty in the petunias...

What a beautiful day!

Shoes

2007-09-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

Miss Anna loves shoes! She loves to walk around the house in other people's shoes. She especially seems to like mine and Grace's shoes. Here she is trying to walk around in some of my high-heeled sandals - and doing a pretty good job of it too!

Our new bathroom floor!

2007-09-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

End of July Caleb and Ian came out to our place and tiled our bathroom floor for us. They did an awesome job and we are so happy with how it turned out! It was great having them here - the kids really enjoyed them and, it's not every day that we've got two good-looking guys hard at work around the house - usually it's just one! ;) Great job guys!Watch your fingers Caleb!
Ryan supervising
I think all that the hard work & attention to detail was starting to get to Ian...

The end result - beautiful! What a huge improvement!

Walk = Ice Cream?!

2007-09-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

Mom says: "It's really nice out tonight, let's go for a walk. The exercise will be good too."

Dad says: "Yeah, good idea."

So what happens?! We go for a nice family walk... to McDonald's for ice cream! So much for the good exercise! Oh well, I guess we hardly ever do that, so once in a while it's a fun treat! The kids sure enjoyed it. Walks with Dad are so much more fun than with just mom!
The kids sure enjoyed it!
We even let Anna eat some on her own, she had fun trying to get it into her mouth without sliding off the spoon first ...

maybe a cone is easier! ;)

Grace's First Sleepover!

2007-09-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

In mid July Ryan's Uncle David, Aunt Edwina and their two girls visited from Virginia. It was good to see them all again and, Grace and my sister Jessica especially had a good time visiting with cousins Mary Claire and Lauren. In fact, it worked out for the four girls to have a sleepover one night at our house, a first for Grace. They had such a great time together!

Our newest Cousin

2007-09-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

The newest Lindgren cousin, baby Bryce, joined us in late June! Now Micah will eventually have another boy to play with instead of just the girls. Here's a photo of the newly grown family: Emily, Bryce, Jason & Ella.

Willmar Fests Parade

2007-07-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Willmar Fests Parade this year. The weather was perfect and we watched it with friends. Here's Anna, the little American Cutie! Micah has the best spot, on Daddy's shoulders.

Grace (still watching the parade and not looking at the camara)

and her little friends Douglas and Philip.
Anna fell asleep on the walk home. All the activity wore her out!

Our little nest

2007-07-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

We had some birds build a little nest and lay their eggs in the planter right by the front door to our house. Grace and Micah were just thrilled to see the tiny eggs! Oh, the magic you see when you look at things with a child!

Pool Buddies

2007-07-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

When we can't make it to the beach or the pool, the kids really enjoy swimming in their backyard pool.

At the Cabin

2007-06-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

June 12-17 we were able to spend some time at a cabin up north with Ryan's parents, Grandma Rose, and Lysa, Jeremy and baby Alayna. It was a lot of fun and the kids especially had a great time! It's so neat for them to be able to spend time with extended family which includes Great-Grandma Rose. It was a much needed respite from the busyness of our everyday lives.
Micah canoeing with Ryan. He was so cute, pretty much the whole time he was out there he was singing "Row, row, row your boat..." (Micah was singing, not Ryan!)
My hero.

The kids had a lot of fun fishing with Daddy and Grandpa Steve. They caught a good number of fish during the week, enough to have a fish fry one night, although, Grace insisted that they threw any of "the cute ones" back into the water!

The proud fisherman!

Anna had a great time at the beach. She even taste tested the sand, yum! ;)

Better to taste a marshmellow instead of sand. Here she is with her first one.

Ryan and Grandma Rose

Ryan was able to try out wake-boarding with Lysa and Jeremy. He did awesome! He got up on his second try and was able to stay up for a while too! Way to go!

Father and son

Auntie Lysa and the kids

The whole crew (minus photographer Steve).

What a great week!

Our New Clean Team!

2007-06-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick disclaimer: No child labor laws were broken for the taking of these pictures! ;)

Just Kidding! The kids actually enjoy cleaning up (at this point anyways) and are always eager to help - I love it!

Anna is not about to be left out of all the "big kid" fun!