The Kids

Olivia is 4 1/2

Joseph is 11 months old

Enjoying Fall

The kids spend a lot of time on our swing set.

Oktoberfest Part II - The Beer Tasting Contest

Those of you that know me very well will be very surprised to learn that I was one of seven finalists in the Oktoberfest Beer Tasting Contest last weekend! Before I brag too much I should tell you that the first round is a written quiz that everyone takes. The quiz consists of beer and Oktoberfest trivia in the form of true/false, multiple choice, and fill in the blank questions. It's really amazing that I was not only a finalist this year but two years ago too! And, this comes from someone who knows absolutely NOTHING about beer! Honestly, I just guessed correctly on a lot of the questions (and had a little bit of help from my sister and brother-in-law!) I was so proud (and astonished) when my name was called and I got to stand amongst the seasoned beer drinkers on the porch before phase II of the contest began. The tasting phase of the contest. There were six different beers that we had to taste and appropriately try to match up.

Me and the other finalists - do Pat and I look deep in thought or what?

I might as well just have guessed without tasting for all I know about beer but I wanted to give it all I had in hopes of winning the coveted t-shirt with my name on the back of it. Also, the winner receives a beer stein (what would I do with that?) and a beer belt! Rich is amazed that I would want to win anything for drinking beer but he shouldn't be surprised because he knows how competetive I can be and how I love to win anything! Needless to say, I didn't make it to the next phase of the contest - I guessed only one beer correctly. And that it what it was, a GUESS! Oh well, there is always next year. I may just do some studying for next year's contest!

Oktoberfest 2008

Every September my sister's in-laws host an Oktoberfest on their farm near my home-town. They bless us with an invitation and it is a blast! They make the best German food and usually have live entertainment too. It is loads of fun and I look forward to it every year. My brother Tom was such a great help to me over the weekend with the kids. It is always nice to have an extra set of hands and Olivia and Joseph just love him. Thanks so much, Tom!

Enjoying my favorite part of Oktoberfest...the meal!

My sister, Beth, and her husband Ryan. Aren't they cute? Ryan's getting ready to run his first marathon.....Good luck Ryan!

Demolition Expert

"Demolition Expert" is what my Dad appropriately calls Joseph. Rich often says we should have named him Dennis and call him, "Dennis the Menace". Why? He is one busy boy! I don't think Olivia was ever quite this busy - or maybe a person just forgets. Anyway, he is into everything - opening drawers and cupboards, pulling things apart, trying to climb up the stairs, putting everything and anything in his mouth....and the list goes on and on. He is just so cute though and we love him anyway!

A Great Hand-Me-Down!

Our friends' kids out-grew this battery operated car (thank you Wade's) and gave it to Olivia and Joseph! What a nice hand-me-down! Rich and I have been wanting to buy one of these for the kids but couldn't justify spending the money. Olivia is having so much fun driving it all around the yard. Actually it is the second car given to us this month. Our friends Monica and Alexis (Thanks you two) gave us Alexis' old Barbie Jeep except Olivia can't drive it yet as it needs a new battery and the Gator battery is not compatible with it. We will have to buy one that works for the Barbie Jeep. Talk about a lucky girl! Two cars! I would have loved to have had something like this as a child....

David Update

Many of my blogging friends have asked for an update on my nephew, David. I am happy to report that he is making huge gains every day! He has to relearn most everything from walking to talking to even swallowing again but he is determined to regain his full self back and is working very hard to get there. On Monday he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital, Emanual, that specializes in working with children with problems like his. We are happy he is there and getting the physical, occupational, and speech therapy he needs. It is difficult for all of us mid-westerners in the family to be so far away. I wish he was closer so that we could visit. As for now, we are tentatively hoping for a trip out there next summer and have to be thankful for the daily updates we get from my brother and his wife. Thanks again for all that have been praying. God is faithful!

Olivia's First Day of Pre-School

Olivia had her first day of preschool today. She is going up to Blackduck with me two days a week to an all day preschool a few blocks from my school. After some tears last night about going and a few more this morning when she first woke up, she got dressed and put her new Barbie backpack on and was then eager to be off. When dropping Joey off at day-care she sounded just like me as she told Joey that he 'd be OK and that we'd pick him up at the end of the day. At the end of her day, Olivia's teacher said, "Olivia was a tiny bit reserved - just taking in all the new kids and activities - but seemed to enjoy everything we did. She worked hard, followed directions, and played with many of the kids." That was so good to hear and it was nice to see her at the end of the day with a big smile on her face and ready to go back in two more days. Uff dah, but all these "firsts" are such big milestones in her life..... and in our lives!