My 2022 birthday

I turned 29 again this year and it was a great day! Shecklet #4 made me breakfast, Caribou treated me to a free beverage, and three of my kids joined me for a little thrift store shopping. (We found some good deals, which is always fun.) Dinner was takeout from a local Mexican restaurant and we had a Bundt cake for dessert. It was a good day. My heart is full.

Oh, and I was gifted new mats for my truck, which I am very excited about. (Tell me you’re middle-aged without telling me your age.) My previous ones had definitely seen better days – and had worn through!

And yes, Shecklet #2 finally passed me up. I’m officially the fourth tallest in the family. This was how things looked about a year ago.

Thanksgiving 2022

Our KS friends arrived on Sunday night and stayed until Tuesday afternoon. The kids seemed to pick up where they left off. The adults always do as well. I love that about our 18+ year friendship. Miles might separate us, but having walked with each other through some incredibly difficult times, we know friendship is for life.

We had to take the annual kid photo a day before they left because my boys both had school on Tuesday.

Shecklet #4 with her godparents.

Opening skiing 2022!

Trollhaugen has been making snow during this current October cold snap we’ve been having. The Trolls sent and email saying the slopes would be open for a few hours today.

Jake took the girls to get their first lift ticket of their 2022-2023 ski pass. (The boys had youth group tonight, so they stayed back with me.)

Taking out the dock

September is a busy month this year, so the annual dock removal and Nissedalen cleanup took place today. We had beautiful weather and had a lot of fun while working together.

Fr. Joseph visit!

Shecklet #3’s godfather came to visit us today!

The kids did some biking at Carver Lake Park while we caught up with Fr. Joseph. We then headed for lunch before having to bring him back to the airport. It was a very quick trip, but it was SO good to see him!

Summer Saturday

We went back to Carver Lake for an afternoon of riding.

And then went to visit Aunt Kari. The guys dismantled a pallet and we did a little yard work for fun 😊.

We burned the pallet wood and had s’mores, too.

First day 2022 – take 1

Shecklets 3 & 4 went back to school today. We have a 4th grader and a 6th grader. One in upper elementary and one in middle school. Here’s to learning new things, making new friends, growing (physically and emotionally,) and having a normal year!

HBD Kari 2022

We gathered in Hastings to celebrate Kari’s birthday (a day early.) The weather was gorgeous, so we spent most of the evening outside. The Shecklets enjoyed seeing their little cousins ❤️

Tractors in Hutchinson 🚜

Jake took the girls and one of his sisters out west to the Orange Spectacular this evening, complete with a tractor pull. Shecklet #4 even found a chainsaw 😆 (Yes, I know my tractor emoji is John Deere-colored. I apologize to the Allis-Chalmers devotees.)

Carver Lake bike ride 🚴‍♂️

It’s the middle of summer and we are just getting out for our first ride on the single track trails. It was a beautiful morning. We went to the park with friends and got several miles in before the rain came through. Great way to start a Saturday!