A Bloggityville Birthday Announcement!

Go on over and wish this sweet lady a happy birthday today!!!

Tiptoe-ing through the plague

The people around us are falling like flies to a yucky stomach virus. Friday night we had visitors and Saturday morning got a call that their daughter had been sick throughout the night. Saturday the boys played football with friends and after they got home one of the other boys got sick. We went to a party last night and one of the kids who stayed with our kids got sick in the night.

Tis' the season. I'm not sure if we are the carriers and are spreading it to those around us, or if we are iron-wall resilient to whatever this yuck is. I have been staring quizzically at my kids all day... bracing myself for what seems sure to come.

I just hope they don't do it behind the Christmas tree...

Just another day in paradise

I was going to post about the nice little day we had yesterday... but it will have to wait as I have been alerted to the fact that the kitten puked behind- yes *BEHIND*- the Christmas tree.

I quote... "Mom, I thought there was an ornament down behind the tree, but then I got closer and it looked weird, and I realized it wasn't a weird ornament, it was just puke. And I think Mango did it 'cause she was behind the tree. And she was eating the branch."

Enjoy the images you may have of me dealing with said pile... *BEHIND* the tree in the corner. Mmmm...

Ahhhh...

Tonight was the Kidquest and Bible Buddies Christmas program at church. The kids did so well in each of their parts! I will have to share photos soon... but not tonight. I'm pooped.

Just one more holiday production ahead of us now. Sunday both Jake and I are in the Christmas Cantata at church. I've really enjoyed taking part in the theatrical end of it this year and last. Someday I wouldn't mind doing a community production... maybe when my kids can be in one too! :)

We got cookie dough made today... and will maybe cut out and bake sugar and gingerbread cookies tomorrow evening. Doodle, Bella and I are headed to "A Little Princess Christmas" tomorrow morning (Daws kind of groaned at the title, but when he found out it was a play, he was excited- Meanwhile his sister was planning what she was going to wear... She thought she got to be the princess) !
I am off to bed. Good night one and all...

This is our snowman the other night with his biggest fans...

Our kiddos with ALL FOUR grandparents. Here. In our house. AT THE SAME TIME!!!

 

Noodle's Christmas concert?

Alright, grandparents, this is a feeble attempt to let you see Noodle in his "snowman finery" at the Christmas concert last night. Mind you I tried to use my digital camera's video feature- and I was up in the bleachers, so it's not the best quality, but here's our boy! ( when I downloaded the video to" youtube" The sound doesn't match up with the video... not sure why this is!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YPOvxZLXGY

And don't miss this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prnRlKrlorI

Dahl family update...

We are all alive and well- we've just been hither and yon far too much to keep you updated!

I am back on the bean and it's a good thing. I'll have to post a photo of this new pot. Starbucks sent me a voucher for the next model up (which DOESN'T have the same electrical problems) at a discounted price. The machine kind of looks like an alien space ship, but it makes a great cup of joe, so I'm not complaining.

After my woeful tale of not being able to go with my family to meet Hannah, see the new house and see my sisters-in-law... I ended up being able to go. It was such a wonderful trip! Jaker and I talked the entire way down while the kids slept (except for the occasional shrieking of the eel- I mean, Bella. It was wonderful to take a morning walk with my SIL's, see our beautiful nieces, and enjoy family time. We found out the trip was only 4.5 hours, which is an ol' hat- that's how long it takes to go to my Mom and Dad's- So look out, Seversons, we just might come see you more often! :)

We got back Sunday night. Monday and Tuesday the dust flew as I got our house ready for friends to use while we were away. Tuesday night the younger two kids finished swimming lessons. Doodle passed on to level 3 and Bella said as we got into the car, "I thing I'm starting to like level 2!" (A good thing seeing as how I think she may be in it for awhile!)

Right after lessons we took another 4.5 hour journey to Mom and Dad's for the Thanksgiving holiday! Oh, it was fun. My brother was there (PTL!) and it was the first time all 10 of us (immediate family) were together for a year and a half. Thank you, God! We enjoyed a huge feast with extended family, played multiple games of canasta- our family game- and had a great "day-after-Thanksgiving" shopping spree.
I had NO Christmas gifts bought before the day began and have a lot done now, so I consider it a successful day. The crowds weren't even that annoying, and except for Kohls, the lines weren't long. I think unless you're up before 5 and rushing to be the first one in- that day is overrated. It's not that bad.

So this week we're settling back into school. My goal is to be halfway done with our curriculum by Christmas, which means 20 lessons between now and then. It's doable, but with all the holiday festivities and preparations, I know it's also a hard time of year to stay on track. So, we'll do our best and try to enjoy the season first and foremost. Take Care... Happy Monday!

Striving to exist in the java-free zone

My coffee maker was recalled. It was a beauty of a model that Jaker got me for Mother's Day this year. Oof I've loved that appliance. UPS came yesterday with a coffin box to send it back in.

So this morning I made myself a big 'ol cup of tea. I like tea. When
I choose to drink it. Since I am being forced to by the impending headache NO caffeine would bring on... well, Let's just say the tea isn't cutting it.

So, if your reading this over a steaming cup of java (Fannie, Ringmaster...) take you next sip for me. I'm not sure how long my Java-free life will last- you'll be the first ones to know when I'm back on the bean.

For the Love of Scrabble

Always a game fan, here's my official Scrabble score...

Pholph's Scrabble Generator My Scrabble© Score is: 18. What is your score? Get it here.

We had such a good weekend- With many thanks to Poppy and NC!
Oh, and a very happy anniversary to them, too! (the 13th- NOT the 24th!) :)

This week is looking great... a lot of school and a lot of cleaning! I was SO looking forward to a trip to Iowa to see our newest niecethis weekend, but due to an uncooperative work schedule will not be able to go. I am very sad not to be able to meet Hannah, not to be able to see the new house, and not to be able to see the "sisters from afar." I know that God has a reason. He has a plan. I'm going to roll with it.

Take Care, all. Have a great week.

Off!

Noodle is off of school tomorrow. We are headed (mommy and kiddos) on an outing to the south. We need to pick up a part for a broken seatbelt in the van, do some big-town grocery shopping, then a play lunch outing (hopefully as a reward for good behavior!). I'm excited to spend some special time with them as in the evening... WE'RE OFF- Jake and I- to the couples retreat with our church. Basketball starts Monday and I'm excited for some alone time with this handsome guy...

 

Happy Weekend! 

In the words of David...

... There is such relevance and truth.
David was so real.
He didn't pretend that everything was always great.
He wasn't afraid to cry out to his God.
When others hurt him, he ran to the One who wouldn't bring more pain, but healing.

His words ring with truth...

Psalm 29:11 "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."

Psalm 27: 14 "Wait for the Lord: be srtong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 25, Psalm 31... thank you, David. Thank you, Lord.



"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Cor. 12:9

"Skullatins" and the Fairy

We trick-or-treated this year with two scary "skullatins" (according to the boys) and a beautiful (NOT GRUMPY!) fairy. We had a lot of fun! I drove the van for tired and/or cold gremlins while Jake and a couple other friends walked the neighborhood with the two skeletons, the fairy, two pirates, two princesses, two pumpkins and a fireman. Here are our little munchkins, gorgeous and horribly scary, respectively:


  

Dreaming in Purple

My dear husband, as I type, is in the Metrodome cheering for his Vikings in Monday Night Football action against the Patriots. I am so happy for him! Don't get me wrong- I despise the Vikings (Every good child from the Packer Belt does), but I love my husband. I wish each of you could have seen his face when he found out he was going to get to go to see his team- like a child on Christmas morn... Priceless.

He went to the game with a Patriots fan. I hope it doesn't get ugly.

If you're watching the game look high into the stands- upper deck... in one of the end zones. Look for the grin as big as the Rockies. That's my Jaker. :)

I've got three tired troopers tucked into bed. It was a beaut of a day in the northwoods, so we took a hike and took huge deep breaths of Indian Summer air as tomorrow's high is supposed to be 39.

I'm scrapping... and about to correct some 5th grade math. All in a good day's work, my friends, all in a good day's work.

G'night.

Just one hundred years ago...

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!
I found it on another blog... AMAZING INFORMATION!
The year is 1906.
One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the Year 1906:
************************************
The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.

There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.

With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in the US. was 22 cents per hour.

The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year. A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home.

Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health."?

Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !

Now I forwarded this from someone else without typing it myself, and sent it to you and others all over the United States, possibly the world, in a matter of seconds! Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

Thankful Tuesday

I'm sitting here thinking how thankful I am- so with no disrespect intended to Banana for it only being a Tuesday, here goes.

1. I'm thankful for friends. They ARE a gift from God. We don't NEED them... we only NEED Him, but He gives us friends because He knows they can bring us such joy.

2. I'm thankful for the bible study I'm doing right now, entitled Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh De Moss. It's a great book. It's very simply written and liberating. I'm learning so much- and the simple fact is I wouldn't say I believe these lies, but there are some that I live. Our actions are the fruit of our heart. I'm thankful that God isn't finished with me yet.

3. I'm thankful that today isn't what it looked to be at 5am. Doodle came flying into our room, "Mommy- I'm sick!" and stood queasily at the toilet for the next 10 minutes while I scratched his back and prayed he'd feel better. Thankfully he does, and it didn't take the emptying of his stomach to get there. He went back to bed with a towel and bucket and seems to be great.

4. I'm thankful for my husband. Before going into work for the 4th straight night I told him we needed to go on a date. He set it all up while I was at work and last night we enjoyed a quiet dinner and conversation. Ahhh... He even said that it would be easier to shop with him last night than 3 kids on my own tonight, and we got groceries, too! (We know how to party.)

5. I'm thankful for grocery fairies who stop by with gifts- even when they are in more need than you are. :) Thank you, sweet grocery angel- you know who you are. :)

6. I'm thankful for the amazing provision of God. We have SO much. Not just us- the majority of our country. We are blessed beyond words with things . Most of which will be gone in the blink of an eye.

So, I'm thankful. With good reason. God IS good.

Our weekend and Underwater Adventures!

We enjoyed a long weekend as a family- This time headed north (IN THE SNOW!) to an indoor waterpark on the shore of Lake Superior. We enjoyed a full day of play on Thursday, then my sis and her husband joined us for Friday. The only bummer was that Ellie had ear trouble Thursday night, then again Friday night. We found some homeopathic drops at the pharmacy that worked very well- So it's a blessing to have something other than antibiotics that may help!

Friday we stopped for yummy coffee drinks and smoothies, then drove the scenic route to the northern-most tip of Sconnie. We stopped on the shore for photos- and nearly got blown away- literally. We stopped in tourist-y little Bayfield and hit some shops, then off to our aunt's house for a delicious dinner and rousing game of Canasta. Oh, we had fun! [Except for a near-death choking incident that left me without a voice the next day! :)]

 
 

















Yesterday we had the chance to meet HM and her girls at the Mall of America. We went to Underwater Adventures- the underground aquarium. The kids loved it- especially Doodle. He must have said, "Mom! LOOK AT THIS!" about 100 times.

Bella conquered her fear of the "esalater"...

 













And the kids had a chance to touch sharks and stingrays (stingers were removed, people!)...

  

Favorite photos from the weekend...

We had a wonderful trip "up north" this weekend to see the Mangelsen family and be the proud sponsors of baby Grace at her baby dedication (according to us and her parents). It was a relaxing time with lots of bumming, 4-wheeler riding, fishing and game room time (think Pole Position, Ms. Pac Man, foosball, darts and pool... Our boys' dream room!). We got to check out H and J's newest (soon-to-be)acquisition- the cutest kitchen store EVER! So friends and family- let me know what's on your wish list {Within reason, or I'll just give you directions :)} Mom, you and I are going to have a BALL there! Here's a photo of each of our pumpkins...

Bella- making "clay balls" from a cool clay deposit in H and J's beach:

 












Noodle- maxing and relaxing in the hammock:

 












Doodle- hard at his favorite pastime (for the record he never caught a fish, and never gave up trying. His attention span is not lacking.):

  

We're having a great week at the Dahl house. Noodle finished up soccer this week- I think they even had a winning record! He really had fun and learned a lot from a great pair of coaches. School for Noodle is going well. He likes his teacher a lot and seems to be enjoying third grade.

Doodle is reading more and more... We're working through a chapter book together. He reads a page, I read a page, etc. Next comes the "adored by many" Magic Tree House Series... Then we'll be talking bookworm. I'm really proud of how much effort he's putting in.

Bella and I are reading "Little House in the Big Woods" and having so much fun with it- I am truly not sure who is enjoying it more- I think it might be me.

We're looking forward to the Bulldog Homecoming game tomorrow night, and a rousing Boy Scout Spaghetti Supper beforehand. Hoo Yaa! Even better (I know- hard to beat), we get to spend a weekend with the Mangelsens at their cabin. I'm so excited. :)Rumor has it Jacob turned 30 this week (hee hee hee...)

School pictures came in yesterday. Oh boy- don't laugh. Doodle has a great toothless smile- but his dear mother didn't check his face beforehand and if you look close there's PEANUT BUTTER on his CHEEK! Mom of the year, folks. Look NO further.

On that note- I'm headed to bed. Have a great weekend one and all and we'll try to post a photo update early next week.

I found this on Jodi's blog and it looked fun. I laughed out loud at the memories some brought on!

If you care to give it a try, copy and paste it- then put each one you have done in bold. Let me know if you play along!

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula(A fifth grade teacher in our school had one- incidently he was a finalist for Christa McAuliffe's position on the Challenger)
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree (The redwoods!)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris (Sadly we were on the last leg of our trip and were only UNDER Paris!)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea (Does Lake Winnebago count?)
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (Nolan Ryan's 300th major league win with my Uncle Larry!)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (probably- I don't remember a specific time)
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (No comment... I wasn't a very good caretaker, right HoJo?)
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country (Mexico- at some girl's 16th b-day- Think Deana Carter "And We Danced Anyway")
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero (Doesn't every Mommy?)
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class (It was short-lived)
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music (Lottie, are you laughing right now? Remember the "Mrs. Dern" song?
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children - still raising!
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour (hee hee.. I was close with a local favorite- Vic Ferrari!)
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge (drove it!)
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth (watched and helped are very different...)
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild (Right, Joyce?)
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours in 48 hours (it's called jet lag!)
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head (ONLY the bottom half! I know- I can't believe it either.)
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

Apple Pickin' time!

Last week we enjoyed a beautiful evening of apple picking! The boys each brought a friend and in short order we had 2 bushels picked! It was a fun time, with beautiful apples to show for it.


 

Tex Mex Chicken Chili

I tried a new (and very easy) recipe the other night that was an instant favorite. I got it out of Jake's staff cookbook... but will give it to you with our alterations:

Tex Mex Chicken Chili

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken cut into small pieces (The original recipe didn't specify cooked, but I did poach it.)
1 can (15 oz.) tomatoes with juice (home canned pint)
1 can black olives (omitted by the Dahls... I would have been eating all the picked out black olives...)
1 can black beans
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 cup frozen corn
1 onion, diced
peppers, if desired

(I added 2 cups of water at this point as we are more soup eaters than stew eaters. The original recipe was called "Chicken Chili Stew" and no water was added.)

Cook 7-9 hours in a slow cooker. Add cream cheese at the end if a creamier result is desired. (We didn't - just added shredded cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips at the table.)

Mmmm... Soups are so good! This seemed so healthy (at least until I added cheese and sour cream), and the kids loved it. Can't beat having supper ready to go by 8 am!

Friday Update

It's a cold, windy and rainy day in the Northwoods. The kind where you kind of wish you had a fireplace and unlimited hot cocoa. And candles.

I let the little ones escape to the basement to watch Sesame Street before we officially begin our day. After all, isn't that show the 4-year-old-kindergarten of an entire generation? That and a loving stay-at-home mom were my 4K!

Not much to report... It was picture day yesterday at school. Doodle's first-grade photo is destined to be my favorite ever as those newly-lost front teeth will be front and center. Noodle claims he had a hard-core serious look... Jake thinks he's just trying to get my goat. We'll see in 3 weeks!

We have a quiet weekend ahead of us. The boys are attending the Fall Festival at our local camp tomorrow (they are very excited). Jake, Bella and I will cut wood (A Dahl family fall tradition that is necessary, yet fun). I hope there's a little lunch outing involved!

Happy fall to all...

The Dahl funny of the week

This summer our family increased by two as we brought a pair of kitties into our home. After a short adjustment period Maya (the 5 yr. old calico) has done wonderfully. She's beautiful (I'll post a photo another time) and sweet. Jack, on the other hand, has been trouble. He was the sweetest little handful of orange kitten when we brought him home, but has since become a wild child who attacks passing ankles and poops defiantly behind the dryer.

Darn boy cat...
I've blamed every bad behavior on his maleness.

I'm eating those words.
We brought him in to get fixed and declawed on Monday only to find out "he" is a she.

Meet our crazy GIRL cat, Mango...

  

We're back!

After a 2 1/2 month hiatus the Dahls are back to doodling about our lives. We had a fabulous summer and are back into a fall routine. Doodle and I are working hard at first grade with Bella joining us for "preschool." Jake and Noodle are back at school during the days- Jake in his TENTH year teaching and Noah in third grade.
All is well with us. The Lord is so good.

Here is a photo from a "mystery outing" we took the kids on towards the end of summer:
 

Now I'm going to TRY to be better about posting photos and news about our lives... To keep our friends and family informed. We love you all! 

He's still got it!

My dear husband had a chance to put his football finesse to the test yesterday when his name was drawn for the "Kick for Cash" challange at the high school football game. At halftime he had to start at the opposing 40 yard line and with one kick and one throw had to be able to be in position to kick a field goal. He actually had to throw back upfield after his kick to get a better angle, and made a perfect field goal!

Here he is (yes, I made him pose with the check- it's blurry because the Vikings are on and he's trembling with excitement... ), my stud...

  

Missing: Two front teeth

Doodle has just begun his first grade year. He's doing great. We are striving for diligence and neatness! :)

The biggest change so far though has been his smile... Isn't it cute?

  

Oh, Bella!

Sometimes I ask the kids a quick question like, "What are your five favorite things to play with?" or " "What is your favorite spot we've ever been?"

I just asked Bella, " What is your favorite thing about Jesus?"

To which she replied, "That He's my servant."

I said, "Oh, honey, Jesus isn't our servant, He's our Savior. We should be His servants."

She said, "Well, who's MY servant?"

Me: You don't have a servant.

Her: Yes I do. You and Daddy are my servants.

Me: At times it may appear as such, but we are not here only to serve you.

Her: oh.

Shedding these Lenses

It was way back in second grade that I began to wear glasses. My best friend Ellie had just gotten glasses and I'm sure my mom thought my first complaints of blurred vision were sympathy pains. My glasses were replaced by contact lenses in 8th grade. I wore them without complaint for 17 years.

A new era is about to begin as I am able to go in for Lasik surgery on Tuesday. I am so excited! I can't wait to wake in the night and see the clock... or to go swimming for the first time without my contacts. I'm excited for the first late night movie- usually I need to switch to glasses as my eyes are dry and tired- but Lord-willing Tuesday will bring an end to that! Please pray all goes well!

(More photos...)

A family photo from the Animal Kingdom (OH, I loved that park!):



The boys sharing a smoked turkey leg (bunch of little carnivores!):


Bella and I enjoyed a Princess Dinner- here she is with her favorite princess, Aurora!


One of the kids' favorite parts of the trip- the hot tub in Mom and Dad's bedroom!


Bella and I on the teacup ride- special bonding!

It. Was. Wonderful!

We are back and recovering from a very fun filled vacation. I will leave you with some photos... and no promises to my diligence in blogging this summer.

Here the kids wait in eager anticipation for their first commercial flight:


Noah with Beauty and the Beast:



Not a bad shot for an eight year old!


Doodle working hard at a Kids-cot project at Epcot:


Bella with the joyous mist machine:

Only two days...

... (whisper) and I can't believe I'm saying this... but I'm ready.

I know- I can hardly believe it. Everything is packed that can be. Just waiting on the toothbrushes and makeup bag. I have a handful of errands to run tomorrow, and I need to clean the upper bathroom, but I'm pretty sure that's it! I get to attend Noah's year-end picnic, trim Jake's hair (Oh, he has to mow) and I think that's that.

M-I-C... K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E--- Here. We. Come.

Tis true, tis true!

I got this in an e-mail yesterday-- Ohh, I laughed hard. Definately made up by a blogger...

Checking things off the list

The packing continues at the Dahl house as our departure date is now only FIVE days away! Yikes! I got my hair cut, have consolidated all the good Disney info we have accumulated (to one page Cliff Notes of highlights for each park including highway exit info, park hours and times for parades, fireworks etc.), and have the suitcase out and ready. A friend graciously offered to take the little ones Monday and I intend to do a room-by-room deep clean and final packing. It will be the last day of school for Jake and Noah, so we'll have a celebration dinner of any and everything left in the fridge. Whoopee! Check, Check, check.

Tonight is our last day of soccer. Jake will bring the kids as I have three-in-a-row at work starting tonight. He'll be heading up with 3 kids, 3 soccer balls, clothes to change said kids into after their games, and a list for deposits and withdrawls to do at the credit union. Check, check, checkity check ...

Today we have a precious 15-mo-old spending the day with us. All is well thus far! She is a sweetie.

Doodle graduated last night from Bible Buddies (Our Wednesday night program for kids age 3 to kindergarten). He's now a Kidquest kid, and was SO ready to move up. His Mommy and Daddy are thrilled, too, as we help out in Kidquest and now have both boys with us!

Well... I better keep moving. check.

Life is good.

Yes, it is this warm in the Northwoods. Eighty one as I type. The shrieks and squeals coming through the screens are what summer is all about. Life is good.

(and if I was all schmancy I'd be able to share video of Noah's "waving flag" dance as he hummed the Star Spangled Banner-- I think Jake and I both peed a little bit as we rolled on the lawn in laughter... He is so going to hate that footage.)