The Great Gingerbread House Disaster

Hmmmm...I'd like my $9 from Wal-mart back please. I didn't even get a pic of the final product before it caved. Maybe it was doomed from the start from the push and pull of little hands trying to put candy on in...maybe I should have read the directions first about letting the glue...sorry, icing...dry 15 minutes before adding decor...maybe I should just roll up my sleeves next year and make a homemade one. Either way, I had only had a chance to clean up the mess and turn around before seeing our collasped house. For what it's worth, Owen said that he still had fun making it...and I guess, that's what it would have been worth even if it had stood intact.

Thanksgiving

We went to MN this Thanksgiving to visit my sister and her family. My mom bought the kids matching outfits for the big day. (She just couldn't resist!) While there, we also got to visit the zoo and Mall of America.

The Halloween Post

Re-introducing: Teddy Roosevelt, George Bush, FDR, Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Dolly Madison
He's serious about the New Deal.

Abe and Teddy

Amazing...

...That's what it is when you get to witness the beginings of a new family. Last night, we had the privilege of seeing our dear friends Anna-Marie and Brian meet their baby boy Knox from Korea.
Knox was crazy about all the kids that were there. He was squealing and laughing at them.

He was not at all scared of all the unfamiliar faces.

We are so excited for Anna-Marie and Brian on their new adventure into parenting! What a great family they will make.

Friends practicing their "reaction" for the big moment.

Some of kiddos. And see all the people in the background...they were all there to greet Knox...about 45 folks total.

Just Playing

Wifflefest Part 2

The Crazy Ninjas
The Beet Farmers...Owen was so impressed by thier overalls that now when Ellie wears hers, he calls her a little beet farmer.

Thanks Matt "The Voice" Hall for your superb announcing.

The Philibusters.

The Wifflers at bat.

Wifflefest 09 Part 1

Our team: Ann Justin for All
Owen played on our team... and got 4 base hits I might add.

The Pond Field. We had 13 teams in our tourney this year. We've grown from the 4 teams that we had 4 years ago when we first started this.

The Pine Field.

The kids playing in the Jump N' Jay.