Vacation Fun

We squeezed in one last getaway before school started. Our family joined Ryan's sister's family for Labor Day Weekend at Gull Lake. We stayed at the Bay Colony, part of Grandview Resorts. The kids got to enjoy both the lake and beach as well as the waterslide and pool! I had my own personal vacation photographer - Ria takes amazing photos. You can check out her professional website by clicking the link to the right and her blog by clicking here. She's promised to share all the vacation photos with me, and then I'll share a few with all of you! For now, here are some pics of our trip. . .

The cousins enjoying Pirate's Cove minigolf!

Czichotzki's and Elton's at Ernies on the Lake
(notice my two posers!)

My cuties

We stopped in Garison by the fish caught by Paul Bunyan on our way to pick Bailey up from G&G on Mil Lacs Lake.

and so it begins. . .

another year of school! The outfits were selected days in advance, complete with jewelry and their first ever 'dangly' earrings. We prepared for the big event with baths last night followed by manicures in patterns to match their clothes! I'm not sure I even put this much thought and effort into getting ready for the prom!!! The excitement was so great that Jillian spilled her entire bowl of Lucky Charms all over herself and the floor, and Delaney's tummy was so nervous that she could barely eat her breakfast. That's a lot of expectation, I pray the first day is all they want it to be!

Elliott is going to miss his big sisters so much!

Delaney, 2nd grade (7 1/2)

Jillian, 1st grade (6)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

The kids had so much fun frosting cupcakes in colors of their choice for Ryan's birthday yesterday. And if you can figure it out - that is a '3' candle and 5 single candles. We didn't want to burn down the house!

check it out

We spent Tuesday at the MN Zoo and had an absolute blast! So many pictures to share, but I don't have time to edit and post many now -- so check out the expression on Jillian's face as she fed a cracker to a very eager giraffe! And yes - that is a really long, blue tongue!

Denver 2009!

farm fun

We recently traveled to Denver to spend a week with my sister Vicki and her husband Aaron. Grandma graciously joined me for the 15 hour drive each way, helping with the kids and the driving as well. I couldn't have survived it without her. But more about the Denver vacation later. . .

The kids always look forward to time spent on the farm. They like the bonfires and roasting hotdogs for dinner and marshmallows for dessert. But most of all, they love riding the four wheeler and the tractor. I wasn't quick enough in getting to camera to capture the girls on the four wheeler, but managed to get them all on the tractor with Grandpa the day we picked up Grandma on the way to Denver. Elliott managed to get rides on both all to himself the day we brought Grandma home. These are memories I know my kids will cherish forever! Thanks Dad!

s.o.c.c.e.r.

Just a couple of snapshots of yesterday's soccer games before we head out to the CHAMPIONSHIP game tonight! GO DELANEY! GO FIREHAWKS!

morning game - Firehawks won 5-0!!!

The evening team was ranked #1 - we were ranked #3. It was a tight game with no team scoring in the first half. Firehawks scored first, quickly answered by the opposing team. The winning goal was made on a penalty shot because a player block a goal with her hands. Firehawks won 2-1!