Back from Jamaica...can't wait to return! We had an absolute blast the weather, water and sun were just what we needed. The food, service and people there were wonderful. We were really missing the kids on the last day and were very glad to see them but it was tough to come back to cold and snow.

Cold War reminents? I found these two items literally in the middle of nowwhere in northwestern South Dakota. The rock pile and center of the nation sign were not far away. Though an unsuccessfull hunting trip...for whitetail, which is what my tags were, I did find a good place for antelope someday.

Love moments like these...

The sun was just comming up here...the dogs have been having a banner year getting out running and exploring.

Trista made all the costumes this year for our theme...give you one guess. Joy can't be seen that well but she was a flying monkey! We did a trunk or treat at our church. We won (Trista won) best costumes!

The kids wanted to bring their fire helmets to the fire station last time they visited, then Sam tried on the real thing.

Did you know that Blue Mound State Park has a 1200' line of rocks that line up with the sunrise and sunset in the spring and fall placed there long before whites came to the area? We would have loved to see it...the kids had different plans this trip. Sam insisted that we go to Papa's house to go camping, Joy was hungry and Gus was feeling lazy...win some, loose some...

We visited Blue Mound State Park by Luverne MN today...we sincerely hope that the boys are not playing in poison ivy...leaves of three let them be, well they had three shiny leaves growing in the crevise of some pallisades...we'll know tommorow morning!

Sammy on a rainy day...one of the few times he requested a picture.

Gus had his first day of school last Thursday. He was very excited, his favorite thing about school was the school bus...we are documenting this now so that we can show him how cool the school bus is when he is 16! Sammy is in the background, Trista said that before Gus left to get on the bus he was giving long hugs all around, when he left Sammy siged and said; "Gus is my best friend." Talk about bringing a tear to your eye.

Sammy is 37" tall and officially tall enough to ride the go-carts...what a blast we had. The boys steered through the corners like they were born behind the wheel and neither Mom nor Dad let off the gas until it was time to stop.

Gus started soccer this month, so far its been alot of fun. I can't describe how cute it is to see 10 five year olds running around kicking the ball.

Ice fishing sleds make great pools...and they warm up quick too!

Enjoying a great day at the pool. Sam and Brian enjoying the lazy river while Gus rides solo.

The Brown's visited over Joy's first birthday. We had pretty good weather and enjoyed each others company for a few days. We played in the backyard alot and at the recreation area near our home. The kids had fun practicing flips on the trampoline. Joy's birthday was small but nice...I think she has a soft spot in her heart for Uncle Scott.

We visited Lewis and Clark Lake today and had a great time. The water was awesome the beach was sandy and the sun was shinning, can't wait to finally get the boat out...soon.

Brian, Gus, Sam and Joy visited Arrowhead Park today. They enjoyed playing on the rocks and around the barn.

Trista and the boys on the trampoline. We were torn about getting one but the kids have definately enjoyed it.

Trista took the boys and Joy up to Duluth for 10 days while Brian was in Texas. They had a great time riding four-wheelers, tractors and Kevin and Peggy's pony. Joy looks like a full-blooded midwestern girl with the sweet corn!

Gus sang us his graduation song on the way to his preschool "graduation." Love moments like these...

View from the top. Today we hiked to the top of a hill near our house. The picture on the right shows our neighborhood. We're really looking forward to the summer.

Trista was reading the boys a bedtime story tonight and when I put Joy in the bunk she went right over with the boys to listen too.

Today we spent some more time biking and hiking. Mom had to stay home with Joy. Gus and Sam found a snake sunning itself on the trail. Gus immediately tapped it, the snake slithered away about 2 feet and starred back, incredulous at the audacity of that 5 year old boy. Dad had to advise Gus that it is not best practice to touch all snakes we see. Gus immediately retorted that the snake he just touched did not have a rattle!

We've been spending some time riding our bikes on the bike trail near our house. Weather has been great and with winter still a recent memory we are going to take advantage of outside time.