Results of Gretchen's birthday cake

We all started out at Como Lake for Gretchen's 1st Birthday. Everyone was there except for Kyle and Tiffany. I played croquet with Andrew and Brandon and we played Jeff's game. All the while we were there, we heard distant thunder. Brett said that it would start raining at 2:45, Jeff said 3:00 and I (the experienced weather forecaster) said 3:30. Well the thunder got louder and louder and at 2:44:30 it started to rain. It didn't just start out with a little sprinkle, it poured. It dumped on us. I grabbed our chairs and ran 100 yards to the car and I was soaked all the way through by the time I got to the car. Matt was just ahead of me and had to put the top up on his sports car. I couldn't get any wetter so I basically walked back to get more stuff. We had three babies to get to safety. Judy grabbed Gretchen and got into the Explorer. Then she made me get out to help with the dudes. They were in their stroller, covered with a blanket. It was good fun for them. It was like camping out in the tent. Well then it started to hail and I got pelted with 1/2 inch hail. Kirstin and Jeff were next to me so I guess they must have got hit with the hail too (even though they didn't say they did). We got the dudes into the car and we decided to go to our house to finish the party with cake - we opened the presents first at the lake. Well, it looked like I just took a dip in the lake and since I sat on cloth seated, the water transferred to the seats, but I could not tell.
Well back to the party. Gretchen basically squished the cupcake and finally tasted it. But she was watching her figure and didn't eat much.
Logan was hesitant at first but eventually he and Liam devoured it in no time. But Gretchen was really tired and almost fell asleep in the cupcake.
After everyone left, Judy and I went out to to get something to eat. Remember the wet driver's seat? Well I sat on it with dry pants. They didn't stay dry for long. I went to Target and Culver's with a wet butt (sorry no pictures).

It's Gretchen's birthday today

It's Gretchen's 1st birthday today. She is more affectionately called GiGi. She is developing into a wonderful child with a personality of her own. She is always smiling; well she does have her crabby times. We start out with a pictures of Gretchen about two months old and then her twin cousins decided that she was an excellent pillow and took a nap on her; well those dudes could sleep anywhere. One of her other cousins, Ellie from Provo, was visiting at that time. GiGi's mom made all family members a gopher hat just for the University of Minnesota homecoming parade. She had a lot of fun opening presents at her first Christmas. In February we decided to plop her down in the snow and take pictures of her with her gopher hat. We had the perfect smile at Easter. Happy Birthday Gretchen.

Important day for Brett

Thirty four years ago today, Brett was born, our first son. As all newborns are, Brett was as cute as all of them. Everyone wanted to hold him. It didn't take long before he started to develop his individuality.
Sometimes we just left him hanging. He still got the nap he needed.

I always got the best food. It was yummy.

Sometimes I just needed to get out of the car. There was no such thing as baby seats for kids let alone seat belt laws.

Please read the sign and obey.

Hey, Sarge. What is the weather like where I am going?

I did a lot of reading and catalog shopping in my younger years.

It was winter time in Grand Forks AFB but I still liked to ride my hot wheels.

This is my first car. I loved it so much I used to sleep in it.

Hi there.

Look, Mom. I am walking on water.

Just another day playing in the dirt.

I am auditioning for the part of Captain Jack Sparrow. I look pretty scary, don't I?

I don't remember where I was going, but I sure look good, especially the white bow tie.

Look!! This is my first fish. Will you take it off for me?

Getting ready for school, backpack, lunch and all my homework. Well actually I never had any homework. I always said I did it at school.

I was on the soccer team in Junior High School. Nice uniform.

The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music.

One day the wicked witch of the west came to visit me, aka, Kathy Anderson.

I got first place in the pinewood derby during my cub scout years.

Something broke and I needed crutches. I threw them away after a few days.

I really wanted to go to the beauty shop, but decided it was too embarrassing.

Principal Lindquist with me and Jess.

And then he met Charity (and the judge).

Here is the lovely couple, happily married on Jul 1, 1994 at the Hennepin Government Center.

College Graduation

Judy and I made a trip to Provo, Utah in late April for several reasons, some of which were to get to know Ellie a bit better, celebrate Kyle's 26th birthday, witness the graduation of Kyle, Tiffany and Ellie from BYU, and to have a lot of fun. Ellie had many fun things she did, like swinging on the swing at the park. Kyle, with the support of Tiffany and Ellie was successful in extinguishing the candles on the homemade ice cream, topped with homemade hot fudge sauce. He didn't have that much trouble since there were actually only three candles.

Ellie enjoyed the walk from home to the BYU Bookstore with Grandma and Grandpa, so that mom could have some alone time.

Ellie did attend classes with mom and dad so this is her university, too. See?

Mom, the board is a bit big for me. Do they come in a smaller size.

Here is the happy family after receiving their empty graduation folders.

Can you find Kyle, Tiffany and Ellie? They are next to Waldo.

They had very colorful hand made leis that Noelani was instrumental in getting.

Great looking family under a pretty flowering tree.

Ellie really enjoyed the refreshments.

The grass in the back yard was almost as tall as Ellie, but she liked it and would run and fall and laugh. Kyle started cutting the grass first with a scissor and then with the bread knife. Eventually the landloard brought over a lawnmower.

I like this grass!

We all went to the petting zoo at Thanksgiving point. Ellie enjoyed all the animals, except the lambs, who happened to let outa very loud Baaaaaaa just as Ellie was reaching out to touch them. That scared her and she would not have anything else to do with them after that.

Here cow. have some food, but you will need to come to me, because I am not getting any closer.

The best time was my pony ride. I was going really fast and my hair was really blowing. but I cried when my dad took me off. I liked my pony. Can I go back to see him?