Eric's Big Day

Congratulations Eric! I'm thinking of you and Rosie even though I can't make it to Washington! Many life's blessings to both of you and your marriage! Love, LK&T.

Get er done!

Hahaha! this is Denise Randall...on Liz's comp. Why aint we using this blog? Bebo is nice and all but common lets chat on here a bit :)

Goal Setting

I will set my goal to be 20 miles of biking this week.
I have a meeting after work on Wednesday and am not sure how realistic biking is after that. Also, I leave for Seattle on Thursday and am not sure if there is an option to bike there. I will try to add in some walking time.
I won't be able to report on my next goal until next week Tuesday being as I don't work on Monday, but my new goal will still start next Monday.
Heather

Traveling weekend

Wow, I put on a few miles on my car this weekend! Friday night I went to my apartment and was able to relax with paints before bed. Saturday I awoke to go shopping in St. Cloud before heading to Little Falls. A friend of mine had a baby eight months ago, so was finally able to meet the little one. Since it was nearing 6pm I decided I would attend haps! Went to Brainerd and enjoyed visiting with everyone, though I felt bad that I chose a weekend with Mom and Isa gone! I fell asleep that night reading a book in my apartment again. Sunday afternoon I came back down to pick up Cody and the two of us went to the State Fair. We walked and walked and walked and got in part of a horse show and then walked some more. For those who don't know, I am planning on tutoring Cody during the school year. It was neat to be able to see what he is really interested in, talk one-on-one about what he wants to do when he grows up, and just have some fun before he begins to hate me! I did, however; get some good ideas on how to help with him getting interested in learning some things. It'll be a challenge, but I am ready for it! I remember how I dreaded Chemistry until Elizabeth taught me how it could be fun! I remember how all of you got me into reading and history. If you all could get me through school, I should be able to help him to get caught up! BUT. . . that's my weekend. Now I should get going and get some work done. Hope you all were able to enjoy the weekend!
~jen~

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Frans and Jenny!!

Heather and Shawn

Happy Anniversary

Becky and Wayne - Charlie and Machelle

Wishing you much love and happiness today as you celebrate the years of your marriage. May you have many more years to share and make more memories together! Happy Anniversary!
~jen~

Afternoon on the Range

We had a fun afternoon while moving Denise to Heather & Shawn's. While Shawn was working on Gary's house and Heather was finnishing up supper, we made a run to Randy's. The kids had a ball picking fresh vedgies. Oh, did they smell good! Enjoyed a supper with fresh carrots and new potatoes tonight. We made a quick stop at Laurie's and went to see Gary's progress. Then had to stop at the tracks for taconite pallets before heading home. What a great day!

Happy Birthday Machelle

Wishing you a very happy birthday. May your day be all you wish it to be!

~jen~

Goal Setting

It's Monday!!!
Time to set a new goal: I will bike 40 miles this week (I'm pushing more like 50, but Shawn was not impressed with the number, so will say 40)

I met the goal last week and did 40 miles.

Heather

first day of school!

Our first day of school was on Monday, and the girls were sooo excited to start! So far they are just loving it! Here are a few pictures...the big first grader!

HE PASSED

Get off the road, Tanner is now the proud owner of a drivers license. We spent his birthday yesterday sitting at the motor vehicle department waiting to get him in. Arrived at 6:30 am and finally got in at 2:21 PM. Murphy's Law was beside us all day but those long anticipated words of "you passed" were music to his ears. But Murphys Law followed us through the evening as well, when we got home and Tanner was able to drive for the first time by himslelf, he was not gone for more than 30 minutes and called to say that he thinks the motor mount on his car had broke. He managed to limp the car home and after Dave's inspection it had been concluded that something is wrong but not quite sure what. Dave will put it up on the hoist this weekend and try and figure it out. So Tanner's first night of driving was cut very short. He was not to happy but I was ok with having him home (smiles). I can tell you one thing, I am not so sure that I am ready for this. Although I do have a new shopper and milk runner (haha) it is hard getting used to the idea of him being alone in a car.
Dave finally got a weekend off, we enjoyed sitting around and doing nothing but at least we did nothing together. We got over 2 inches of rain on Saturday and another inch on Monday and it is raining again today. Dave's first weekend off since June.
Another school year about to start, this summer flew by, and Ivan and Missi's wedding is just around the corner!
Hope you all have a good week!

GOAL SETTING

Here's an inquiry to see if anyone is interested: I'd like to post one time per week on here as to a goal to do for the week, then we follow up on it. The goal can be anything you want it to be, but putting it on here may hold us (I know me for sure) accountable. I put off biking last night due to being lazy. I could have done it, but didn't. If I had to account for it, I would have put my big butt up on a seat and started pedaling. Anyone in? We could report on Mondays or whatever day works for you and do that each week.

My goal for the rest of the week: bike 40 miles (either on an exercise bike or outside enjoying the summer air).

I hope others will join me or at least question me if I did it or not. I find so many other things to do and I put exercise on the back burner. I have to get it on the forefront in order to avoid a heart attack at a young age.

Heather

Life at our house

Here's a review of our weekend:
Friday night: not much, chores, etc. and can't remember what else.
Saturday: I went for a bike ride and did the whole 51 miles. It was hot, I was exhausted, but feel good about it today. Yesterday, I still struggled with trying to sit in a chair, but am seriously considering going for a bike ride tonight. If it's raining, will have to do it on my exercise bike inside. Here's a challenge for those that are up to it: Join me next year for the Great River Energy Ride down the Mesabi Trail.
Sunday: church at Randy's then Mom, Isa, and Ruthie came over. Mom wanted me to post this picture of Shawn's work trailer. He sold his truck to get a trailer. It saves a lot of time and energy as everything is in there and makes it a lot easier to commute to job sites. The first place it went was to Steve's and he put in shelving and everything has a spot. Steve even put in a broom, rags, garbage bags, etc.
Some homes have company and you visit in the living room, dining room, around the kitchen table or even out on a deck. Not at our house. It appears that the visiting takes place in the pasture:

Mom is thinking, "oh these girls are so cute and so friendly"....

That thought quickly changes to: "that's why I moved and don't have goats....."

"Oh but they are so cute when they're so little..."

Personally, I think the little one looks a bit like an ape. Not exactly sure how that happened....

My little ones are doing well. They are growing, moving around a lot better, and momma continues to be awesome in caring for them. I'm so glad she's doing a great job.

Sunday evening, Mom, Isa, and Ruthie came back for dinner. Velma had called to bring me grass clippings for my goats, so she brought over a bag and was able to visit. Walter and Sylvia then came to see the goats as well. It was funny, Shawn gets home and there is a houseful. When he's away, I tend to play.

How did the weekend go for everyone else?

Thursday

After I made a comment that I couldn't get this, it proved me wrong and now I can post. Pa
thinks it needed my i.d. Well, yesterday we used our gift ctf. for a lunch cruise on the
Mississippi Belle. Asked others to join us and there were 18 in all. It was a beautiful day,
delicious food, and fun to have so many joining us. The cruise was 2 1/2 hrs., leaving a
short distance from our apartment. The Mississippi Belle holds 100 so it's no small boat.
Everyone thanked us for inviting them to join; they all thought it was great. Thanks
David and Jody. dk

Life on the hobby farm

When I got home yesterday evening from some meetings, Shawn informed me that I have 12 goats. It took me a little while (never said I was quick) and realized that "Gertie" finally had her kids. She has 2 little ones. She is a pygmy so small to begin with and her kids are just tiny. Shawn thought they were baby skunks at first as she had them in the field. I'm grateful he didn't shoot first and investigate later.

I had to take this picture this morning too. The geese are still around despite us having more coyotes around our house. We went out looking for coyotes last night as they were in the woods, real close to the house. However, when we shined the light, they either left or just shut up, not sure. I'm hoping they left. It's bad enough when they are in the field across the road, but when they are nearing the chicken coop, goats, cats, dogs, and geese, I get more protective.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. What are some plans? I am going on a 51 mile bike ride, so if you don't hear from me for a while, you may want to call Shawn and inquire if I'm out of intensive care yet. I'm being reassured that I can do it and I know I will, but I'm not sure that exercise helps the longevity of one's life =) Have a great weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Jody

Am still trying. If this shows up on the Blog then I got it. Wonder where it will show up? dk

Happy Birthday Jody!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Jody,
Happy Birthday to you!

May be a little late, but gives more cause to celebrate. Hope it was happy!!

Heather and Shawn

Life on the Range

Hello from our home on the range. For our anniversary, Shawn and I went out to eat on Friday (27th) at the Jamaican restaurant in Gilbert. It was good and the first time we had been there. Saturday, we had the Arola reunion.

Ellen, Hazel, Teresa

Rosie, Walter, and Millie

After the reunion, we went up the north shore and returned home on Sunday night. It was fun to get away for a night and the weather there was much cooler than at home. (Thanks a bunch to Laurie for watering my babies so I didn't have to stress about them!)

Split Rock Lighthouse

Gooseberry Falls

Anita and Jari came on Tuesday and we were able to spend time with them. It was so much fun. Tuesday night, playing with the animals, etc. Wednesday, I had to work and had a meeting that night and they went to see Gary, Laurie, and Tristan. Thursday, I left work early and Anita, myself, and the girls got some shopping in, then we went to the county fair. They left Friday AM. Saturday, I met Mom, Isa, and Jen in Esko and rode with them to Michigan for Alyx's confirmation. Jen brought a cake for Mom's birthday in the motel that night:




Confirmation was Sunday, then we all drove back together, stopping to eat and then at Leona and Terri's.

It's been a busy but very fun past couple of weeks. A girl could get used to this. I have a busy week again this week, but not with so much fun stuff. We have block parties in Eveleth tonight for the National Night Out. Thursday night another meeting, then a bike ride on Saturday. I have 51 miles to do and haven't been biking. Finally got on my exercise bike last night and did 15 miles to prepare for Saturday. Am hoping to get outside biking, or at least the exercise bike if it is too late every night this week. 51 miles is sounding a bit intimidating to me now, being as I haven't been biking.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Happy birthday!!!

Happy belated birthday diane!!! ...I am so bad about sending cards....but just becuase you didn't get one, doesn't mean that we don't love you and think about you often!! I didn't have my calendar flipped to august until tonight, when I noticed that we missed your birthday...(It usually doesn't get flipped until well into the first or second week of the month..don't know why!) Anyways....Happy birthday from all of us! We love you and hope your day was great:)
The AZ Kuoppala's

Jenny

We had our mothers and daughters camp this weekend. It rained pretty much the whole time, but the girls and I still had a very fun relaxing weekend! I brought Lindsey and Kierstyn with me and frans stayed home with Toni and alanys. I was debating about wether or not to bring toni, but good thing I didn't....she was sick all weekend for frans! Here are a few pictures...
JennyLindsey proud of the worm she caught!I bought Lindsey and kierstyn each a disposable camera for camp...They can't wait to develop their pictures!

Lindsey

Lindsey went to the dentist today and had her top four front teeth pulled! She had cavities in all four, and she would have lost the teeth this year anyways, so the dentist thought it best if we had them pulled! She had been dreading this day for the last two weeks, but was real brave about it today! She felt the novacaine shot a little, but that was it. She kept this gauze in for quite a while, and was going nuts that she couldn't open her mouth to talk to me! She kept trying to grunt (say) things to me, so I had her write me notes everytime she wanted to tell me something. It was so cute...she wrote things like: "my lip hurts", "when will the bleeding stop?" and then when I gave the other kids licorice, she wrote "NO FAIR!" I will have to save the notes for her scrapbook!
Jenny
Posted by Forstie at 10:06 PM

bridge collapse

Just read on the internet of the 35w bridge over the mississippi collapsed. Pretty scary! Good thing noone we know was driving on it at the time!
Jenny