2010

2009 was a very uneventful year, so we seemed to make 2010 a little more exciting.

Doug started back to school to get his MBA in January. He attends class in Minneapolis every Wednesday night. He has enjoyed the classes, but will be very happy to be done in August 2011.

Doug is still working for SuperValu as a Business Manager and can't believe he as been with the company for over 16 years.

Doug has been bless to have the opportunity to serve in the St. Paul temple on 2 Saturdays a month. It is hard to get up at 4:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning, but once he gets to the temple he loves to be there.

When Doug isn't busy with work and school, he has enjoyed trips to the zoo, going to Twins baseball games and trying to teach the boys a little about golf.

I was serving as second councilor in the Primary and was called as the Primary President in November for our church. I seem to be on the phone a lot more and  have a lot more meetings to attend, but I enjoy being in Primary with Andrew and Jacob.

I'm also expecting our fourth boy in early March.

In August I was able to go out to Utah and surprise my Dad for his 60th birthday. It was so fun to walk into my Dad's bedroom at 1:30 a.m. with my little sister Karen and tell my Dad we were just "checking in for the night." It was a good thing we were there for a couple of days because I think it took him that long to realize he really had all his children home together. I was grateful that Doug was able to take off a couple of days so I could go out and be with my family!

Also, in June my Mom came out to visit. Doug and I were able to go to Stillwater and have lunch on a boat that went on the river between Minnesota and Wisconsin. That night we went to the Twins vs. Braves baseball game. We had a wonderful day together!

Danny is trying his best to keep up with his older brothers, but is my first child that is content to play by himself. He loves to color and be in the toy room by himself playing. When it is warm, he loves to be outside. We always find him with a golf club or baseball bat in his hand.

Right now his favorite words are, me come too! He wants to go and do what everyone else is doing and is happy that he is getting big enough to "come too."

Jacob had a wonderful year. He played soccer for the first time this summer and was on Andrew's team. He was the smallest player, but was surprisingly feisty. They decided that Andrew was best at scoring and Jacob was best at making sure the other team didn't get a goal.

Jacob also enjoyed going to a baseball game with Dad.

Jacob decided that he wanted to learn to ride his bike this summer without training wheels. It only took him a couple of times in the backyard practicing. With Jacob so determined, Andrew decided that he better learn to rid without training wheels too.

Jacob is also doing a great job learning how to read. He is so ready to start school next fall!

Andrew started first grade this year. He loves that he gets to go to school everyday, unlike in Kindergarten. He has enjoyed learning and having more friends at school. He has done very well in ready and with spelling tests.

When Andrew gets home from school Jacob is ready to play with him. They love to play the wii together or go outside and play with their friend Zack. Their favorite thing to do outside is get all the balls we own and put them all on the trampoline. Then they jump and try not to let any of the ball hit them. The play for HOURS on the trampoline!

Andrew also learned how to ride his bike during the summer. Going for family walks is much faster now that Andrew and Jacob can both ride their bikes without training wheels. Doug and I are going to have to get bikes soon to keep up with them.

Andrew had a great soccer season. He is excited for soccer next year because it is a little more competitive.

In April we flew out to Califonia. My parents and our family met at the airport in LA. We drove to Solvang, CA where we also met up with my sister, Jane Ellen, and her family. We stayed at a condo for 4 days. We were able to go for walks and see the town of Solvang. We also drove to the coast and played at the beach and went for a while watching boat ride (it was just a boat ride because we didn't see any whales). I think the highlight was when Grandpa took everyone and bought ice cream.

After our stay in Solvang, my parents flew home and we drove up to Visalia to spend the rest of the week with Jane Ellen's family. On our way we stopped at a beach and played in the ocean and sand one more time. We were also able to go and watch Justus and Jared play baseball. The high light for me was going to a farmers market and getting the BEST strawberries I have ever tasted. One night we went mini golfing. We also spent one day at Sequoia National Park. The best part was getting to see 3 bears while we drove around.

Some of the other high lights of 2010 were getting to go golfing with Dad. All three boys are excited to work on their golf game with Dad!

We also went apple picking in the Fall. This has become a family tradition each year. The boys LOVE to get to pick the apples right off the tree and go home and eat them with caramel!

2010 was a wonderful year. We can't wait to see what adventures 2011 will bring!