Snakes!

The kids sat at a distance for a safe fun holiday.

That lasted 5 minutes. See the match in Gavins hand?
GAvin has a new love....fire, fire, fire. Lord help us all!
See his first shiner? No it's not from fireworks....That would've been horrible. Nope, he was jumping on the bed with Lauren's parasol and it of course hit him in the face. It's nice and blue now....Lauren's favorite color!

4th of July pre-fireworks eat fest!

People liked the Black-eyed pea salsa so much....it was gone!!!!


Even the kids ate it!
Joel played with Annie....sorry Justin she's cheating on you with your brother!!!

Meyer Jam Session

Lauren and Annie Dancing to the music...sorry couldn't get it rotated!


Gavin a natural as a guitar player.
See! I'm telling you, when he thinks no one is watching he really cooks!

Mall of America

Poo Poo Nu Nu....Tak and Kids



Legoland....Gav's favorite!!!!
Gavin showing Avatar his Lego purchase.
Lauren and Gavin on the swings....Gavin's behind Lauren whos wearing bright pink.

Rainforest Cafe at Mall of America

Lauren loved it this time....Gavin wasn't so sure. He was very concerned about the gorillas watching him and thought it was too loud. He toughed it out like a good sport!

May I help you?

Gavin loved playing waiter. He served me ice in a cup every night!

Pajama day at the park

Gavin refused to wear anything else but his PJ's to the park in Minnesota. Justin, I'm sorry but I had to pick my battles and it wasn't worth the fight!

Lauren, of course, had a matching outfit and was picture perfect!

I have a tree thing...every cool tree must have a photo op w/ my children.

The Meyer Family!

Gavin loved the toys! His cousin....whom might I add looks just like Justin, took Gavin and Lauren on countless ATV rides. My kids really should be living on a farm! They're naturals!

Gavin making it "go"!!!
Lauren loving every minute of it!!!!
The Meyer boys....don't ask me to name them all, I'm still learning! Uncle Peter turned 85 the other day and is still farming! I was amazed at how sharp his mind still is! We should all be so lucky! I loved talking with these Minnesotians....LOVE their accents! However, they said we were the ones with the accents...I don't hear it?!

Story behind the picture

I had heard about this monument from my mother-in-law. Justin climbed to the top when he was a child. When I saw it, I just knew it was the perfect photo op! Not as easy as it looks. It's on a very steep hill with tall grass and TONS of bugs! After Momma fell smack on her tush due to poor traction, we all got a good laugh and the picture turned out pretty good! P.S. I bought new shoes the next day!!!

Minnesota or bust!

Papa Tom, Uncle Richard and Uncle Paul getting ready to head out to New Ulm. It's 5 am and the storms are rolling in. Complete down pours on the way down!!! Paula, myself and the kids were nice and cozy in the car.....sorry guys!



Kids + rain = peace and quiet!!!!
I loved New Ulm!!! It's so beautiful and peaceful there. Great place to raise children...hummmm.

Gavin's a baseball player....named Joel

Gavin loves Tee Ball however, we missed the game where the team received their shirts so we have been wearing Uncle Joels Tee Ball shirt from the 1980's. Yes, Gramma Paula saves everything!!!




Gavin at bat. He's a very good hitter...not so good the fielding. There's just too much to look at!
Thanks Uncle Joel for the loan!

Lauren and Gavin from Christmas 2004??

This is a video I found from a few years ago.....WOW! The kids have really grown! Gavin is as big now as Lauren was in first grade! Lauren is and will probably always be, the smallest in her class! Poor thing! She got her height from her Mama!!

Aunt Jocelyn came to town! w/ Mike!!!

Aunt Jocelyn and Mike came to town!!!! We finally got to meet Mike! I was starting to think he was a figment of her imagination!



It took Lauren a while to warm up to Mike. I think she was afraid she'd hurt uncle Jakes feelings up in heaven......but as you can see after a few hours she warmed right up and was sitting on his lap ready for the photo op!

Field trip to Columbian Park!

St. Mary's 3rd graders!!!


Lauren pet the lizard, cockroach, and even bonded with a rat!!! She doesn't get her love of animals from her mama....YUCK!
Gavin didn't have anything to do with the lizard or cockroach but after much coaching from Lauren he pet the rat.....Thank God for hand soap!

It's Magic!

Lauren was doing a magic trick for Gavin and I. She put 2 bears down on the chair, put a towel over them, said her "magic" word and .....



POW! Gone!
Gavin was so impressed he quickly checked his nose and ears!!! I guess the coin trick she's been doing has had a bigger effect on him than I thought!!!!!

Mommy gets a night off!!!

GAvin looking cool...he won't look at the camera when he's being cool. I have no idea where he got that idea from!


Lauren looking WAY TOO Paris Hilton for my taste. Cute none the less!
Leaving in the mini w/ aunt Nita. Gavin made it until 10:30PM then had to come home. He got an "A" for effort!

Easter Dinner

Gavin thought that we dressed up as something for Easter. I think the bunny hiding his basket really got to him! Lauren of course looks beautiful as always! Gavin "went as" a Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtle Cowboy....see the boots?




He finally took the mask off but refused to take the boots off. Oh well....not worth the fight, he won!