Summer 2011...The trailer

Every year we have a tradition of Dave making a family summer vacation video. This year we even have a movie trailer for the film that will be debuting on the blog in a few weeks. Enjoy...

A future rocker!?

The next Justin Bieber? Just maybe. He's got the hair, the drum skills, and the ladies love him (at least his 3 sisters do). Enjoy Kyler's debut on the drums (shirtless, of course!).


Thanks to our dear friends, the Gilberts, for letting Kyler play uninhibited on their drum set! He now has an obsession for drums or as he calls them, "bums!"

Teyah is Four!!

This cute Indian Princess turned 4 this summer!


The Native American theme was her pick of course, and it turned out super cute! It was a nice break from the standard girl b-days we have done. Lauren and I sewed the dress ups and made the cake and had so much fun doing it! Did I ever mention how it was the best months of my life having my sister live with us?! Anyway, the girls looked darling!


Even though Kyler had the cutest"Ky-Boy" outfit on, he wasn't so into the hat or posing for the camera.


Lauren sewed an extra costume for Teyah's doll "Morgan." Then Grandma bought her an American Girl doll that is a Native American named "Kaya." Those two dolls sure are loved!

For the party, Dave created a homemade teepee that the girls played in and pretended to roast marshmallow's over a construction paper fire.


The girls decorated their treat bags, played a trading game, had "pony" rides, and of course...


ate cake! I was pretty proud of this one, but like I said, Lauren gets half the credit!


As per tradition, we rode the rides at the mall with just the birthday girl.


We love our Teyah!

About Teyah...

1. She added "rockstar" to her full name and always introduces herself by her first, middle, and last name plus "rockstar." She demands that we say rockstar when saying her full name and insists it is her real name. Hilarious!

2. She really loves her sisters and is always trying to keep up with them and do the things they are doing.

3. After getting her tonsils and adenoids removed and a new set of tubes, I think she only had one minor illness this winter! This is AMAZING!

4. She has been in speech therapy and occupational therapy since September. Her therapists just love her and say she has been a hard worker and a quick learner. Because of this, she probably won't be in speech therapy much longer. Her articulation has come a long way this year. Great work Teyah!

5. Teyah marches to the beat of her own drum and chooses dolls, stuffed animals, etc. which is what she wants and is not influenced at all by other people. When purchasing her Kaya doll, the AG salesperson even commented how so few girls choose dolls that are not their own race, but the ones who do tend to be more unique and creative. This is Teyah for sure.

6. She is uninhibited in so many ways and super affectionate and happy... One time she asked if she could give the random stranger lady sitting next to us at the movie theater a kiss. She will walk up to her teacher at school or church and hug and kiss them. It took a long time for her to learn to kiss them on the cheek instead of the lips! I think she has finally learned what a stranger is and that we don't kiss them, but not because she doesn't want to!

7. She loves soft things -- blankets especially. She will not sleep without her "little yellow blankie."

8. She is a lefty! Her hand will still tire though, and then she will start using both hands and sometimes switch off to her right to give her left hand a break, but it always starts out in the left hand.

Teyah's positive personality brings so much joy, love, and affection into our home! We love you!

Teyah's field trip

Teyah and her cute Joy School friends enjoyed a beautiful day at Gibb's Farm.


We have to post these pictures because this field trip started Teyah down a path of loving "Little House on the Prairie" books and everything Native American...teepees, kayaks, trading, log houses, etc.


She loved this old-fashioned country school room and now everything is all about this era! I love preschool obsessions! They are so fun and quirky!

End-of-school-year fun

The cutest fairy ever arrived at the Fairy Tale Ball

And the most expressive Kindergarten singer performs the Spring program.

Like most things, Ellie is all business.

She was surprisingly sooooo excited about this program. I think perhaps her favorite part of her Kindergarten year was all the songs.

Aubrie beautifully performed her piano recital piece. She is becoming quite the pianist.

And quite the ballerina. Next year she will dance two days a week!

These two divas danced as a Gargoyle and Night Mite in the children's ballet held at this famed theater.

Some Firsts for Teyah

Teyah completed her first year of preschool (Joy School). This picture is sooo Teyah. We were going to have her take off the glasses, but it's just so her that we decided to let her be. She is a true fashionista.


This might have been my favorite year of Joy School. Or do I say that every year? This group of kids were just darling, sweet, and fun.


These all-star mom's are what made it such a success. I love this program and what it has given me and my children. In the fall I will be starting my sixth straight year teaching it! Crazy!


Teyah had her first dance recital this spring too. She loves trying to keep up with her big sisters, and she really loves to dress up. We were a little afraid how she would fare at the recital, but she pleasantly surprised us. She tends to dance to the beat of her own drum and not the one that her teacher suggests, but she did pretty well sticking to convention this time.


So fun to have the true ballerina Aunt Lauren to watch and be part of it!

Summer....Finally!

Fortunately, the third snowiest winter on record in Minnesota is now a distant memory.

But, we had to post these pictures so when our kids tell their children about this winter, they have proof of their stories.

This is a place where people love to talk weather and share the worst weather stories ever, and for the first time, everyone this year said they never remembered a winter quite like this one. It was intense!

Here's the proof that winter really doesn't last forever, and summer here is truly heavenly.

A li'l dunkaholic

One of Kyler's first phrases was, "dunk it!" And Daddy couldn't be prouder! Enjoy Kyler's first highlight reel.

Easter Fun

After many attempts, this is the best photo we could get of four wiggly kids after church in their Easter Sunday best.

We were grateful for sunshine and no snow this Easter. That doesn't usually happen here in MN.

What a treat to have Lauren with us to dye Easter Eggs!

The kids were successful in the hunt.

Kyler liked his creamed eggs!

I'm so grateful to our Savior Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us, so that we may be a family forever!

Pure Joy....and fear

One of our favorite moments from our trip to Disney World...

Ellie turns 6!

Ellie decided she didn't want a traditional birthday party this year. Instead, she wanted to take one friend to Build-A-Bear! We eagerly agreed to her request and had a wonderful evening at the mall.

Anxiously waiting to stuff.

Falling in love with a new soft friend.

Kate and Ellie of course chose matching bears and matching outfits!

I realize this isn't a post about Teyah, but you can't help but notice Teyah and her "style." She would never choose the same bear as someone else!

A happy Ellie! It was a success!

She also wanted to celebrate with dinner at the American Girl Doll store.

I love seeing a happy Ellie. We haven't seen much of that smile this past year (more on that later).

Ellie has always been one of our more facially expressive kids, and this is a classic 'Ellie is happy but embarrassed look!' The waitresses sang to her, but since Kate is just three days older, they also sang to her too!

American Girl Doll Bistro has been one of our favorite parts of Mall of America.

Secrets? Something is obviously pretty silly.

This year Ellie...

*started kindergarten and successfully transitioned to all day kindergarten mid-year

*learned how to read and advanced quickly through many reading levels at school

*was pricked, poked, and x-rayed more than you can imagine and was amazingly brave

*saw a pediatrician, allergist, opthamologist, ENT, infectious disease doctor, two gastroenterologists, rheumatologist, immunologist, neurologist, and two geneticists

*Planned out which house she's going to buy when she is 'big' (the only one she knew for sale close to mom).

*Cried over the thought of delivering a baby because she doesn't want it to hurt (this kid is 6 going on 20)

We continue to search and wonder how to make Ellie feel better. I'm determined to find the answer. She has horrible mouth sores, lots of pain, vomiting episodes, and a handful of other really miserable symptoms that are so persistent. She's been doing a bit better as of late, but please keep her in your prayers.