More Christmas 2012........

 

The whole crew

 

 

 

We did have a great time. Pajama theme this year obviously. Next year's theme TBD.
Priceless......

 

Christmas 2012 cont.....

 

 

A scarf for Christy.

 

 

A fleece for Kellers.

 

Darts anyone?

We lost a couple. I think they both have one eye open just in case.....

 

Christmas 2012

 

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” ~ Andy Rooney

 

I love this quote as it is sooo true!! We had a great time celebrating Christmas this year.

 

 

More assorted pictures from the day......

Em and Nateria try to get a cheer going with Morgan.

A sweater for Em.
So soft..........It is really cashmere and Rob did such a good job shopping for this color!!

A hat for AJ.
Remind you of Randy Quaid from Christmas vacation??

A necklace for Nateria.
Goes well with that cookie monster shirt!


More pics on the next post........

 

A few pictures from the pumpkin patch near Ft.Dodge. A great day for grandma, grandkids, Nateria, and Christy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lincoln came for an overnight. We had a great time with him. Such a big boy! Almost 14 months.

Can't wait to see the halloween costume.

 

 

 

Today(Sept. 30th) we hit the Waverly to Readlyn trail. It was an awesome day and the leaves were perfect!

 

 

 

Now that summer is over, I had to add summer shots from bike rides/trips.

The first one is from Lanesboro - east trail. We love this barn and small silo.

Got to get in some more trips before it gets cold and not so much fun.

 

 

 

 

One morning before work. This is the dam by the ice house.

 

 

 

Ragbrai 2012. I think this is the Shellsburg stop. Steve Kelly and I rode one thursday.

We had a blast!

 

 

 

Another early morning trip before work.

 

 

 

Congratulations to Emily!!  Passed her life insurance and health insurance certifications!

No pressure really that she had accepted a position contigent on this and left her other job
at Slumberland about three weeks ago. BUT it will be worth it! Awesome job Rawls!

Bike trip to the "High Trestle Trail"

We went 52 miles from Ankeny to Woodward and back on Labor Day Weekend.

Had some great stops including the trestle, which is the highest trail trestle in the world

AND of course we had to make a few pit stops at the Flat Tire and Night Hawk.

Shortie joins the family. A fast trip to the Twin Cities a couple weeks ago.

He fits right in and will be a great pet!

Weekend in Lake City. We had a blast! Rick and Dawn Panther,

Archie and Kim Manning, and us

Lincoln turns 1..!!

August 15th

We had attended a great party the weekend before. Lots of kids and great food!

The messes will only get worse....

Rick and Emily Newgaard are now official!

The day was perfect. Family and friends watched(yes you would think we would have pictures!) as they took their vows. About 30 people were there. The reception and casual time followed and everyone had fun. After the long hot summer it was a relief to actually have a day when we all could enjoy being outdoors.
Pulled pork, Rick's aunts famous potato recipe, salads galore, Grandma Jane's hand made mints, cake, cupcakes, punch and more. No shortage of food, to say the least.

Lots of laughs, lots of toasts, splashing in the water, bags, kids catching minnows....  All was great!

The happy couple took off for the Amanas for a short honeymoon.

Em and Rick!  Getting married on August 11th!

Wedding on the River - Cottage Row.

Awesome stuff!

Morgan turns 2!

Great scenery on a bike trip to Lanesboro in mid-June.

Peaceful, quiet, and an easy ride.

Pirate ship on the Cedar!  Jesse and his brother made this on

memorial day and it was quite a hit.

Grandma time. Kelli and Lincoln reading a book at AJ

and Christy's house. Lincoln is 9 months old now and weighs in

at 19lbs. Fun times!

Em entered a womens physique competition in Kansas City on April 28th.

She Won!

Overall Champion in the Figure Novice Division.

Here is a picture from the event.

She did a great job! Lots of very hard work and determination that really paid off.

Spring sunrise in April

Had to share this picture from our front yard. Maybe one of the best!

Grandma and Grandpa weekend

Palm Sunday weekend - We had Grace and Morgan for the weekend.

We had lots of fun and enjoyed every bit of it! Here are a few pictures.

Grace is growing up very quickly!

Morgan is loving the tunnel. So cute!

Grandma is getting in on the fun...

Grandpa giving assistance at the bottom.

We will wait for warmer weather and boat rides are next.  Dock is in and summer fast approaches - hopefully!

Orange Beach

We had a another great trip to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and the surrounding area. It was 10 days, just Kelli and I, which is the longest trip and time together since we have been married. We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary while we were down there. We did have some beautiful weather and got to do so many things and actually had some time to relax besides. Priceless!

Below is a view from the bike trail we found that goes along Mobile Bay.

We found an arts and crafts fair along the bike trail in Fairhope on St. Patty's Day and even found a place to have a beer!

One of the bike trails in the State Park. Very nice.

Scenery along the bike trails in the State Park. Did not see any gators or snakes. Darn.

Sunset on the Gulf from our balcony.

Men of War jelly fish invasion the middle of the week messed up our beach time. Worst I had ever seen.