Making Memories.

I grew up camping. Loved it. Can't imagine my childhood without it. We drove and camped along the way from MN to MT. Not sure if this was the trip, but one time we had to leave our tent to go to the nearby hospital to wait out the tornado that came through town. We came back to the campground and our tent was still standing - not many were.

I've always known I wanted to bring my family camping when I had one, but now that I do and I'm the mom, it's a little daunting. The preparation of everything seems overwhelming and not very relaxing. But this year, we finally did it. We borrow a friend's tent and we were off. We went to a campground not too far away in case the weather was bad and we needed to come home in a hurry. We also invited along Mike's sister and her family for more fun. We planned out meals to make and hoped we didn't forget anything. We ended up having beautiful weather and tons of fun.

Having a lake at the campground was a big pull for us - everyone caught a fish (Em even MADE her own pole and caught some) And Reese can't get enough of the beach and sand.

Sitting around the fire is always fun:

Amanda and Owen took a hike in the woods to explore and we went Geo cashing for the first time too.

When Amanda was keeping Reese company at the beach, she did a little of this:

Kids loved the park because there was lot of this:

And there was lots of all around goofiness:

We had such a great time, we purchased our very own tent and are planning for next year.

His Second Tri

Owen completed his second Miracle for Mitch Triathlon this weekend. This year he did it with 1140 other kids between the ages of 7-17. All of the kids get organized into their appropriate group and head down to the stage for some introductions and some celebrating of why these kids all gathered here.

As you look into the crowd of all the racers in the audience with their swim caps on imagine if your child was too sick to swim, or bike, or run. The children sitting on the stage are the reason all the racers are here. The kids on stage have all fought or are currently fighting childhood caner. Our friend, Body (5), is there on stage waiting to introduce himself to the crowd.

 Like last year, Owen joined his 2 cousins for the race. Each racer was racing for a child who couldn't (on their left leg) and then in memory of their grandma (Niners, on their right). Many children raced for strangers, a brother or sister, cousin, and a few raced for themselves (they were healthy enough to race). As we look to the stage and listen to many stories of lives these kids have helped and of children who have passes, I don't think there was a dry eye there. These 1100 children together raised over $670,000 to help MN families who have a child fighting cancer. All of the money goes to the families. EVERY CENT.

Owen's least favorite part in all of this is the swimming portion. He is an excellent swimmer, but he doesn't like the fact that he can't see in the lake water (spoiled pool boy). Other kids are all around him, splashing water and kicking up sand. So, he does the breast stroke the whole 100 yards. Reese snuck in to give him one more last encouraging hug before his group headed down to the beach.

His favorite is the 3 mile bike ride.

Sadly, we did not get him on the run portion this year, he was just too dang fast, and with over 3,000 spectators watching, it's a little hard to run all over the park to get him. We did get him coming up the stage after the finish line to receive his metal.

Owen did reach his goal for his fundraising this year. If you were a part of that, a big thank you. Since he hit the $1000 level, he also got another special big metal. If you wanna see it, ask him about it.

10 years ago, a little boy died knowing that his parents promised to continue to help other kids that are sick like him. 10 years ago, cousin Emily (on the right), started racing for kids that can't. Owen hopes to do this for another 8 years, along with anyone who wants to join him.

 

If you would like any information at all about the Miracles for Mitch Foundation, 

please ask us, we'd love to share in the awesomeness with you.

Lemonade Anyone???

Owen is excited again to complete a Triathlon. On August 17th, he is joining 100s of kids in the Miracles for Mitch Triathlon in Chanhassen. This will be his second time and can't wait. He is collecting donations for a boy who is fighting Hodgkin's Lymphoma. To help raise funds, he will be at the corner of our neighborhood with a Lemonade & Frozen Treat stand tomorrow afternoon 7/27. If you get a chance, stop by and bring your friends. You can help Owen meet his goal, help out this special boy's family, and see my fine Norwegian craftsmanship of the lemonade stand.

If you can't stop by, but would like to donate, please stop by Owen's fundraising page to donate online. If you have a child that would like to join Owen, he would love to see them there!!

It Comes to an End.

As the end of this school year approaches, there is a lot going on. 

Kids start to get squirmy and so do the teachers.

Reese had western day

Owen had wacky day

Reese went on a field trip

Owen went on a field trip

Reese had her end of the year performance and ceremony

She is now officially a Kindergartner and she couldn't be more proud!

Owen had his track and field day

On the Hipppiy Hop again.

Class against class tug-a-war. This year his class got second place. 

Check out the faces of determination and strength.

Spring Break 2013.

We flew to Florida, then drove from place to place to visit life long friends, Grandpa and Nana, and then, Mickey Mouse. Mike even got to do a triathlon with Jer. We had a blast and I would do it again in a heart beat...minus Owen's stitches, and Mike's hurt back, and Reese's vomit, and my 12 hour bug....

For some reason, I can't figure out, the picture quality is not great if you expand it, sorry. Deal with it.

This Boy is 8.

We celebrated very early this year because we were not going to be in town for his actual birthday. It seems that his birthday will always land during Spring Break (like mine always did for Thanksgiving Break). We decided to travel 25 days before we were leaving, so we quick whipped up his family birthday party.

 

He wanted a doughnut cake, because he doesn't really like "normal" cakes. So then it occurred to me that neither of my kids have tried Angel Food cake. I made up a batch of cupcakes for them to try and they loved them. So, I make an Angel Food cake with lemon glaze, topped with doughnut holes, eight of them.

One of his gifts was Battle Ship. Do you have memories of playing that game? It's a classic. Owen and his only boy cousin, Benji, played it right away...

Reese is always excited to give Owen things, so his birthday is an extra exciting day. We read though several cards, and she picked one that was very sweet and loving.

He also had a couple buddies sleep over, go to a trampoline place, and movie night (Spy Kids). In the middle of the night, Owen came into our room saying that he couldn't sleep, that he's been up all night and wanted to sleep in his bed instead of with his friends in the basement. I wonder how old he will be when he spends the whole night down there?

Will It Ever End?

Depending on who you are and your outlook on life, you would take the title of this post to mean one thing, while I on the other hand, am thinking something else. It you are most of the population where I reside, you may wonder if Old Man Winter will ever leave this 

God for saken place. (the answer is no). 

For me, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel of hockey season. Owen is only in Mites 3 and we have been going to the rink both Saturday and Sundays since late October. In March is the end of it all - you may wonder how it all ends. It ends with 2 weeks of hockey 5 days a week and then the Mite Jamboree which is 4 games in one weekend. Owen loved every minute and didn't complain once. The last game he got to play goalie (they each get a turn).  I as a mother, think it's horrible, just watching makes me nervous...and then there's the flying pucks....

At Owen's school for Music class, they don't do a whole grade or school performance at the end of the year. They do something they call a Music Informance. Each class does a performance on the small stage in the music room and the parents all get to sit close. It's really neat.  The class first came in and sat with their teacher and sang Do a Dear from The Sound of Music.