Maddy is dressed and ready for a rainy, cold homecoming game. NB got creamed by Irondale.

Took the girls riding a week or so ago, things turned out OK despite numerous possible disasters with the horses fighting. We had fun, joined by my mom, sister and her kids Trav and Sadie. This is all three of the darlings with Al.

Madds' taking a breather in the shade once we were done riding. The trail was about 1 hour 20 min ling.

Allie pumped water for us to drink.

Aerial view of Maddy behind me on the trail, with Al close behind.

John and I rode The Tribute To The Troops ride again this year. 3 days, just short of 1000 miles. John is here with Rani and his GF Jenny is behind him. It was in the 40's in the morning when we left and warmed into the 80's mid day. Lots of clothes changes.

Isn't he beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! I lost this dear friend to a terrible respiratory illness. You can see here how he is fighting for air with his nares flared and his jaw muscles super flexed. He is dearly missed, he carried me safely for 11 years. I really loved him.

Allie started 7th grade this year, WOW! I had to zoom in from the front door and surprise her, she wasn't really in to a first day of school photo.....adolescents.

Spent Labor Day weekend at the cabin with the Johnson's. The girls found the loft and the food, well that is always the best.

Maddy caught her first fish at the cabin with daddy. Sam would like to help her with it.

Looks like "little girls weekend" to me.

John has been working with Allie and teaching her the love and safety of shooting at targets. Maddy would love to participate. For now she is simply learning the eye protection aspect.

The girls and I took a ride on the Taylor's Falls Princess. What a nice relaxing and informative ride. Madds has her face paint on from the state fair the day before.

We met John's family for a picnic at Wm O'Brien state park. Nice day, just a little windy. Allie and G pa Jim collected 20 species of leaf samples for a school project. Who would know that there were that many right there, Jim the forester said we could have gotten many more too. Amazing to me.

I picked up a fun little summer toy, John and his dad are trying it out. Good-bye savings account!

Maddy inherited a yard sized trash bag filled with dress up clothes, here she is modeling one of her favorites. Notice the glass slippers, she had to wear them to daycare the following day. I brought her other shoes, but when G ma brought her home she had nasty blisters!

Allie joined volleyball this fall, here she is setting the ball.

John and I took the bike to Milwaukee via Green Bay to celebrate our 4th anniversary. Cold very cold. We are at some waterfalls between the two cities.

We camped on the river with the Johnson's, weathering quite a storm.....really, there was 4 inches of rain in the rain gauge when we got home and from what I heard Osceola, WI. where we were got the worst of the storm.

We took the girls to Valley Fair, that was a gas! The never ending rides. We split up and I took Madds to kiddie land while John and Al went to the big spinning rides that make me ill. We met up for those rides we could go on together and the water park.

At the Almelund Threshing Show in August we took a stagecoach ride together, and below, Maddy is with one of her friends from daycare, Jack. We spent alot of time that day with Jack, Madds just loves him and he her.

July Jams

Maddy snuggles in to a lawnchair while the rest of us pack up to leave our campsite at Interstate Park this past weekend. Maddy and Ashley make the best of a cool clowdy morning on the river.

The girls enjoying s'mores by the campfire Saturday night.

Tequila!

Maddy and Ashley joined in the Wannigan Days Kiddie Parade in Taylors Falls.

Allie introduces Maddy to tubing behind the boat at Matt and Sheri's annual summer party. Maddy's reaction was as always, "I wanna do it again!"
Allie poses in a Captain's Hat compliments of Henry Johnson as Maddy plays in the surf.

Maddy and girlfriend Violet share a private moment at one of their daddys' softball games.

A bit of a blur here but just capturing the dog, cat and rooster in a play session. They all get along well and play together whenever possible.

Sammy.

An example of Maddy's temper.

Lucky.

Dynasty.

A cute little photo I found on Allie's camera.

A day spent at Wild Mountain water slides with cousins Travis and Sadie.

May, June, July

July 4th was celebrated on sunny Green Lake with our friends at the Carlson's home. Pictured here are Allie, Ashley, Steven and Thomas Holmquist and Maddy on a pontoon ride late in the day. Allie and Hailey ride the inflatable jet ski on Cedar Lake in Aitkin.

Maddy flies down and nearly off the waterslide at the Carlson's party over the 4th. Allie has her hands out to catch her as I am taking photos.

Grandpa Mark at his place in Aitkin with Allie, Maddy and Hailey. Grandpa and Grandma hosted us for 3 days while I was on a summer vacation from work. Thanks Mom and Dad!

The big girls Hailey and Allie take Maddy for a paddle boat ride.

Maddy sits in the sand at the beach with our girlfriends young and Henry.

The girls and I went trail riding with Auntie Christie and cousins for Maddy's first alone ride on her new horse Dynasty, pictured below.

Following her 3rd birthday Maddy moved into a big girl bed and said good-bye to her cribbie. Daddy is pictured in the transformation.

At the end of the school year Allie performed in another band concert. Go Al! you sound great.

Memorial weekend brought us to Gilbert 4 wheelin' with the Johnson's, Crusty, and Larry S and family.

Maddy is here meeting her new horse for the first time at her birthday party.

Here is Maddy in her Cinderella dress and next to her castle, what a little princess and what a mother won't do for one of her little princesses

Five generations at Mother's Day brunch.

Three angels gazing into a pond at Como Park.