May, 2008, we joined Taylor Berg and his family at Augustana Lutheran Church, the China Restaurant, and his home to celebrate his Confirmation. He has grown up to be such a wonderful young man. It was a fun day and we were able to visit with many of Jeff's relatives we hadn't seen in quite a long time.

Baby Isabella LuRose was born to Tonya and James Stensrud-Eubanks on April 8, 2008. She is joining big brothers Kaden, 8, and Jase, 4, at home in Minneapolis. We were able to visit her and her family when she was just three days old. She is a precious addition to their family. Tonya brought her clan to our house on Memorial Day weekend and we were able to spoil her and the boys some more. They have been blessed with three terrific children.

At the beginning of March I was able to go see my niece, Makenzie, who lives in Sioux Falls. Of course, I also got to see my brother, David, and his wife, Wendi, but playing with Mak on the floor was the best! But she whopped me in Wii bowling! Yikes!

About mid-March Ben had a little accident with the van. We no longer have a van, but are happy as a two-car family...at least we still have our son! Jeff handled it way better than I did, I am embarrassed to say. I had just attended the funeral for one of my 1st grade students the same day that Ben had the accident. It was not one of my best days!

Dying Easter Eggs used to be a family event, however, the boys only did a few and I wrote lesson plans. So the girls ended up coloring 4 dozen eggs pretty much by themselves!

March brought a change in weather and boy! were my daughters happy! They love being outside with their friends! Maren planned an Easter Egg hunt for the neighbor children and they had so much fun! She scrounged for some candy she had in her room, filled the eggs, hid the eggs, and then encouraged the kids to find them. She had more fun than they did, I think! I had to take the group photo as they are all so cute!

So, that sums up March and I am looking forward to seeing the flowers bloom, the grass turn green, and planting my garden.

Winterama in Glenwood, MN, was a BLAST!!! First of all, we went because my brother, Todd, the Vice Commodore, and his wife, Carrie, the First Mate, were going to jump into a big hole in the lake which they call the Polar Plunge! I was there to protect and watch over my niece, Annika.....just in case. But, all went well as you can see by the pictures. They also had a lot of activities for the children to do. There was turkey bowling (which, yes, they used a real frozen turkey...a small frozen chicken for the wee ones to throw), putting, nickel pick-up off the ice, washers, and a ring toss game. The kids had a blast! Ben won 1st place in the turkey bowling, Cory won second. Cory won first place in the washer game. Morgan won a bottle of pop in the ring toss. Maren and Morgan picked up a lot of nickels and were given a small coin purse to put them in. Cory and Ben both signed up for the minnow eating contest. (Yuk! says mom.) Ben thought he would bite their heads off so they weren't alive....his strategy did not work. Cory just threw one in at a time (rules) and swallowed. He ended up tying for second place. Overall, the boys won $125 in chamber bucks, restaurant coupons, and an ice fishing pole! They didn't expect the prizes so it was a nice surprise for them. Thank you Todd and Carrie for a terrific day and thank you, God, for the beautiful weather! It was totally awesome!!

Ben has received his class ring and it looks really nice! His birthday is in September so the stone is a bright blue. He has his name on one side and a football player on the other side...hope this means he is a true football player and will continue to play throughout high school because his mom loves to watch his games!

Jessica and Cory are ready for the dance! But....wait....Jessica is not happy that she can't see Cory's eyes. A request for a haircut is in place, and voila!, the second picture shows the trim! Now the happy couple is ready to roll! They enjoyed a nice dinner at the Hickory Inn with other couples, drove around in a limousine which was provided by the parents of one of the girls that is good friends with Jessica, and then headed off to the high school to enjoy dancing and laughter!


Alayna and Ben are ready for the dance too! Doesn't Ben look great in his new duds?? The second picture includes friends of the couple, Megan and Collin. Collin's date wasn't ready so she didn't get in on this photo op! Alayna and Ben make a mighty fine looking couple! They also had a great time at the dance!

This is Cory enjoying his cupcake the afternoon of his 15th birthday! Yum! It is from Schmidt's Bakery because he wanted Pumpkin Pie for his birthday dessert. I feel everyone should have a little cake on their birthdays! He is very excited about taking his permit test this next Wednesday.