This World Lost A Great Man Today...

It saddens me to have to report that Grandpa Jerry passed away today.  Grandma Ellen, Mary Jane, Tim and Chris, and Pat and I were all at his bedside as he peacefully took his last breath and left this world to go to a better place where his body will no longer hurt, where he won't need oxygen to supplement his air supply, and where he can be reunited with all his friends and family who left this world before him.  I asked him to say hello to my Dad, as I know he'll be in the long line of people eager to welcome him to his new Home.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from over the years.  There are many many more that I may share in the upcoming days...but I just wanted to post this entry and ask that you say a little prayer for Grandpa Jerry.

Grandpa Jerry...We love you and miss you already.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Daddy and the kids put up and decorated our Christmas Tree over the long weekend.  Hard to believe...but Christmas is now less than a month away.  Better get shopping!

Only In Minnesota...

One Happy Black Friday Shopper

We only had one purchase in mind when Braden and I headed out for some good old fashioned Black Friday shopping this morning...the new Skylanders Giants Wii game and accessories.  It was listed in the Black Friday ad at Wal-mart for $38.96 and normally retails for more than $70.  That's an awesome discount, as these popular games hardly ever go on sale at all, much less discounted by nearly 50%.

It took us stops at 2 different Wal-marts to find it...but mission accompolished!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another Braden McLaughlin original

Gobble Gait 2012

Krista and I ran the Gobble Gait 8K (5 miles) this morning in Hastings for the second consecutive year. What a gorgeous morning! Thank you to my Sister for sticking to my pace as I know she could have left me in the dust. I'd say we did pretty well though finishing at a pace of 10:27 per mile.

A Fieldtrip To The State Capitol

Today I joined Careline and her 3rd grade classmates at our state capitol for a fun and informative fieldtrip.  We learned a lot and got to tour all around this old yet gorgeous building.  We even got to climb up the 63 steps that lead us out to the golden horses.  Very cool!

There are paintings of former Governors located throughout the building.  They get to choose the artist and pose for their portrait.  Here's the strangest looking portrait...quite fittingly it belongs to former Governor Jesse Ventura.

A Thanksgiving Greeting From Adeline

Another Beautiful Weekend

We are getting spoiled by the awesome weather we have been having lately. And here I was worried that last weekend was going to be our last chance to spend much time outside...thankfully I was wrong.

To take full advantage of these mild mid November temps...I took a 5 mile run both Saturday and Sunday. Today's run was more fun than yesterday's because today Careline joined me on her bicycle and was my pace setter (although her pace tends to be way faster than mine!)

At the halfway point we stopped along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi for a quick break.

All done!  Apparently one works up far more of a sweat by running versus bicycling.

A Delectable Dinner

Last night Pat and I went out with 4 other couples to a Japanese Steakhouse.  What a fun night out with friends...made all the better by the absolutely delicious meal!

Happy 9th Birthday Careline

Careline's Family Birthday Bash

On Sunday Careline celebrated her birthday with her family.  As always...she got all sorts of awesome gifts including (but not limited to) the SSP Packers stocking cap from the Kay's which she's wearing in the first photo, a pretty new outfit handmade by Grandma Ginger for her American Doll Julie, a basketball from her Brother, a Barbie from Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Jerry that takes digital photos and displays them on her shirt, a pogo stick from Uncle Tim and Aunt Chris, a Wii game from Aunt Mary Jane, and money and gift cards galore.  This girl wants for nothing (because she already has it all!)

The dessert of choice this year was SpongeBob SquarePants cupcakes.  I don't quite understand the infatuation kids have with this character...but it was her birthday, not mine, so SpongeBob cupcakes it was!

One Party Down...One To Go

Careline will be turning 9 years old on Tuesday...so yesterday, she had a birthday party at our house with 7 of her friends.  She made and posted this sign to our front door so everyone knew that this was Party Central!  The girls had a fun afternoon of playing the Wii, having a singing contest, making crafts, and playing outside under the beautiful sunshine.  Good times were had by all.

She sure got lots of awesome presents from her friends.  Lucky girl!

Here's Careline and her best pals.  Next up...the family party this afternoon.

A Homemade Bird Feeder For The Bubba Tree

At day school this week Adeline made a bird feeder and she was so excited to come home and hang it from the Bubba Tree to help the birdies fill up before Winter.

Perhaps The Final Stroller Ride Of 2012

Adeline and I just had to get out and enjoy this gorgeous day as the 40's and 30's are headed our way...but she couldn't keep those big blue eyes of hers open.

Pat...Is That You???

A Haircut For My Handsome Boy

I Voted...Did You?

NOT Destined To Become A Make-Up Artist

Happy Birthday David (one day late)

Last night we joined David and Krista and some of their friends and neighbors at Drkula's to celebrate David's birthday. Check out how Krista started her game of bowling...three strikes...a turkey!

She went on to have only 2 open frames and an awesome score of 175. I told her that wasn't too shabby for a girl who averages about 76 the one time a year she ventures to the bowling alley.

Hope you had a great birthday David.

Halloween Fun At Work

I went as a Devil this year...

             

These are the Mummy cupcakes I made for Trick or Treaters to my work cube.  

I made them out of Devil's Food Cake (quite fitting, right?!)

And my favorite costume of the day...Laura as Flo, the annoying girl from the Progressive commercials.