Zachary!

Here is our family photo after the ceremony. It was a nice ceremony.

We received notice last month that Zach had been entered in a coloring contest at school for the Am Vets on Americanism. He was one of the top three for the 1st grade. We were invited to a dinner and ceremony. When we arrived, we found out He placed 1st! Here he is with his teacher Mrs Clark - who is now out on Maternity leave with twin girls soon, and Mrs Vogel the principal. (nice to see he is on good terms with her!)




There were several schools that entered. From St Joseph's, there were 7 winners. All three from 1st grade and three from 3rd grade and one from 5th. Zach is in the front with the two girls from his grade.

Here he is with his medal. So proud.

They had all of the pictures displayed as you walk in. Kindergarten and 1st grade were to draw a flag, 2nd, 3rd and 4th were to show what a veteran means to them, and 5th through 12th were to write an essay on what Americanism means to them.

Here are the three pictures from his grade.

Fun with the cousins!

We were able to head back to Barnesville over the kids spring break. On Saturday (14th) it was so nice the kids were playing outside all afternoon building snow forts and having snowball fights! It was nice to be back and see everyone!

Little Ridley

Here is my Elementary Friend's little one. Allie and Don had little Ridley in February and he is a honey. We were able to stop on our way to Barnesville. Jaci had a blast holding him and Zach was playing with their two older boys. Allie and I had a nice visit. She is doing awesome and it was so much fun catching up with her! Congrats to your family!

Cuddles

On the cold days it is nice to cuddle with Dakota! He is 12 years old and like to lay on anything soft. He has found the bean bags to be the best. Here he holds his face in the bag. Crazy dog!

Jaci was using him as a pillow. She is his best friend.
Here are the three of our "kids".

Winter!

We have had an amazing winter in Bismarck this year. With today's snow there is well over 80 inches that have fallen. This is a photo from January 15th. Unfortunately there were not too many days that were practical for playing in the snow!

Christmas Smiles

Here is Kaden, he loves to peek out of the box! He has plenty of brothers to put him in one!

Zach and Taylor are enjoying some of their new Christmas gifts.

Kaden was all smiles with his little race car.

Just to see the smiles as they open thier gifts is so enjoyable!

Christmas Season 2008

The kids had their Christmas program in December. Here is Jaci dressed as a chicken as part of the manger scene.

Zach and his class were angels.

Jaci is part of the choir. This is the first year she was able to join and really enjoys it! This is a photo of her (bottom middle -shortest one) next to one of her friends Bailey.

Dakota was enjoying the Christmas season. As soon as the tree was up and the skirt was under it, Dakota was camping out. Here is a shot of the first time he did it. The tree wasn't even straightened yet! He is a little lost now that it is all taken down...until next year!

Halloween 2008

This year Jaci went as a Taco Del Mar waitress - apron, visor and shirt! What great advertising! Free too! :-) Zach went as a spider. We bought some extra thick pipe cleaner wires, but when it came down to it, he wanted to run from house to house and not deal with the extra arms! We had a gorgeous night. We walked the neighborhood with one of our neighbors and their little two year old Shaylee. Anywhere the kids went, she was trying to keep up. Hope you all had a fun time!

Snow Day

These are photos from Sunday morning. The wind is done, and the trees were beautiful. Just a slight snow was coming down. It looks nice, but hopefully it will all melt shortly! Who knows!

We finally had a snow day! Well actually, the kids already had the day off for conferences, and the snow came and cancelled public schools too! From what we hear it has been at least 11 years since Bismarck has cancelled schools. It was expected to hit Wednesday, and the rains did arrive. Thursday about 1pm the snow started. The blizzard conditions came with the nasty winds and not helping with the rain that had frozen underneath the snow. The temps are not that bad in the 20's and low 30's, but the wind chill is the major factor. The snow stopped in the early morning hours on Friday. Now the wind we contend with. We did open the south store later and the north one (in the gas station) I opened and had a normal day. A person never knows! Deer hunting should be a good weekend. Stay warm!

Dakota Zoo

Kaden was ready to go! He had his shades and a big smile.

Brady loved the play area and the static is his hair was hilarious when he came down the slide

Kaden had a blast outside most of the day. He did a great job!
The porcupine was just fine hiding in his tunnel.

The grizzly loves to park his rump on one rock and lay his head on the other.

The snow leopard was on the other side of tunnels for the cat exhibit.

Since the weather was so nice, we were able to take in the Zoo in Bismarck also. They just added the Large Cat exhibit. These are the three tigers they have, White Bengal, Golden Bengal and Golden Tabby. The two came right up to the window and posed together. The tabby was across the yard on top of the underground tunnels. People were actually underneath it!

Connor's hair is the same color!

Brady and Jaci on the tractor

Zach our scientist! That could be dangerous!

Papa's Pumpkin Patch 2008

Over MEA my Mom, sister Trisha and her four boys came out for a visit. The weather was fabulous and the first night we took in the Pumpkin Patch. Taylor is the same age as Jaci (9), Connor is 6, Brady is 2 and Kaden is 8 months (not pictured here). Brady wanted everyone to see him smile in the sunflower!


We walked a little back trail and found some wooden animals that they all had to sit on.

Here they are on top of one of the bale piles. Connor, Zach, Taylor, Jaci and Brady

The higher they could be they would! Here is Connor, Taylor in back, Zach, Shaylee, Jaci and Brady
When we arrived our neighbors were there also. They have a little girl that was born on the same day as Brady. She loved to see all the kids. She is Jaci's little sidekick. Here is Jaci with both Brady and Shaylee.

School Time

And so the official first day of school has come and gone for 2008-2009 school year. Jaci is now in the 3rd grade at St Joe's and Zach is in 1st. Dakota is enjoying the quiet house when we are all away for the day....

Summer Fun!

We were all able to get away a little this summer. Pat and the kids did more of the Missouri River camping, jet skiing, four wheeling & dirt biking. I was able to get away with friends to Canada once again. Thanks Girls! While I was away, the kids stayed with Aunties and Grandmas. Everyone had a blast and all were happy to get back into routine. For Labor Day weekend, Craig, Brenda and Ron came out to visit. We had a great time and wished we could visit more often! Thanks guys!

West Hawk Lake, Canada

Jaci's Birthday!

So our princess is now 9! Actually in August she had her birthday.
Jaci loves the High School Musical and we all enjoyed the Birthday cake! She received a bike from us for her birthday and has been having a great time trying to keep up with Zach on some of the ramps! I have to look the other way on some things.....

Trolley Time

There is a trolley that takes tourists south from Mandan to Fort Lincoln. It is about 25 minutes one way. It was a gorgeous HOT day, but the kids loved it!

This is the open trolley that was added to the set.










The original trolley was built in about 1898 and would shuttle people from downtown Bismarck to the Capitol for business. It was the enclosed one (the original one) that we rode in so that we didn't have kids jumping around!

Brady just kept saying "Train! Train!"






Since Zach had to remain in one area, he finally tipped over and took a nap for the last leg of the ride! The puppy was lookin' on.