The excitement of the boom

There is something about living in western North Dakota. It's an optimistic, opportunistic feeling in the air. I think everyone can feel it, and almost see it sometimes.

When driving north from Dickinson through Watford City to Williston, the growth and development is amazing. In the (almost) two years that I've lived here, the landscape has changed so much. I can't help but comment on it every time.

It is exciting to be a part of this new thing. All of us new North Dakotans are experiencing it together, and I'm really enjoying it. I can't imagine living anywhere else right now. Sometimes it is hard to be away from family and an established church, but we've made our own family and church.

Many years from now, we will look back on these times and remember the oil boom. We are lucky to be a part of it.

*pics from S family camping at Lewis and Clark State Park near Williston. Barrett sure enjoyed himself, and Mark and I did too.

Title-less today, I guess

Beach day! We haven't gotten to the lake very often, but it sure is fun when we do!

 Barrett fell in a mud hole. I went to pick him up and saw his face, and I couldn't help but laugh!

 Ah, baby skin. Love it.

 Quick sisters and Mom visit. So much fun!

I got to be back in MN for the town carnival. The little photography studio where I was photographed many times was open, and we tried to get some pictures of Barrett there.

 It really didn't go well. I guess he has a very large fear of bearded men in black coats and hats. I don't blame him...

The temps this week are high, but I'm still trying to get outside a lot before winter arrives. I'm not even anxious about it coming. I'm starting to realize that I like all the seasons, and fall is a favorite!

Seven Gables Gallery

As some of you may know, my parents have opened an art gallery in Dassel. It is located on Highway 12 next to the Latte Da coffee shop. The Seven Gables Gallery features distinctive fine art from artists such as Lynda Peterson, Kayleen Horsma, and Carol Niska. 

Bev and Dale would be delighted if you would stop by when you're in town; for coffee, a chat, and a look at the breathtaking art. The gallery hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-5. 

A Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, May 25. 

(Oh, how I would love to be there!)

10 things I love about my husband

1. His yooper accent. I can't help but smile on trips to his hometown; the closer we get, the more pronounced it is.

2. He appreciates my cooking, always gives new dishes a try, and thanks me for dinner daily.

3. It is so cute how excited he gets to play with Barrett.

4. Those dimples. And that he passed them on to Barrett :)

5. His sense of humor. I told my sister when I was fifteen that Mark was "so funny". He still is!

6. His love for all things hunting and guns. I find myself more interested in those things than I have ever been before.

7. He works very hard and long hours to make our family a good home.

8. Mark is always willing to get up early with B on weekends to give me more time to sleep.

9. I like that he doesn't drink Dew constantly anymore. Only on special occasions, like after the birth of our son. Oh, and that he eats spinach instead of lettuce.

10. I love that he loves me.

What do you love about your husband?

Gramma turned 90!

We had a great mini-vacation to northern MN last weekend for my grandma's 90th birthday party. Many, many people were there- cousins from all over the United States! It was so fun to celebrate with our wonderful grandmother.

And I didn't take any pictures. Shoot.

SLW

Due to the busyness of life, I never got around to posting about our ladies weekend. I didn't take too many pictures. I really just tried to enjoy the time with family; and enjoy it I did!

Our theme this year was the 1940's. We had a blast dressing up, getting into character, and talking about rationing.

Leah setting the table for her group's meal.

Janina and Coralie modeling hats that Jocelyn made for the auction.

 This is our second year of doing an auction. Everyone brings things they don't want/need, or hand-made items, and then they are auctioned off. The money goes to help pay for the mansion, so everyone wins!

Girls with pop in old-fashioned glass bottles

Sweet Fiona-babes on an adorable little rocking chair

Babies! Fiona, Raiina, Barrett, Renn, and Jack

I love that we love babies so much we stand around and admire them!

Barrett loving on his cousin

We held a shower for Claire and Fiona on Saturday

Saturday night's meal was ours. We had a patriotic dinner with the General attending (remember the war was going on). Us kitchen ladies channeled "Rosie the Riveter", since we were working.

More babies! Brooks joined the boy brigade (second from left)

Once again, it was a wonderful weekend. I love seeing my female relatives!

Our southern trip in phone pictures

One thing I like about my smartphone is the camera. I take a lot more pictures of everyday things than I used to, and while the quality isn't always the best, at least I have them to look back at.

Here goes:

Traveling with a baby involves a lot of stuff. The best route for me was to carry B in the Lillebaby (front pack), and push the stroller/carseat with my carry-on in it. Mike and Jocelyn were on the same flights, so they helped out a lot too (it was awesome to have them for moral support as well)!

D.C. airport. Spot the Washington monument?

Huntsville, AL. The neatest airport- so clean, and new, and not boring.

Barrett is ecstatic to be in Alabama

 Chubbers chipmunk

Nana reading to Mya

A panorama of the vrbo house we stayed in. It was nice to be in a house, with room for the whole family to hang out.

Early morning walk

A cool park building

 Flat Kaisa and Papa in front of the same building

I'm pretty sure in this picture he's missing his daddy.

Vanessa!

B decked out in his SCSU apparel.

 Me and Joce at wrestling

My mom and B up in the nosebleeds

B was a bit tuckered by the end of one session of wrestling

the Crossplex. As I sat and soaked it all in, I realized how much I have missed it; sitting all day at a tournament, rooting for my favorite wrestlers... This may sound strange, but when you have 6 wrestler brothers, it's just what you get used to and enjoy!

 That's Kurt way over there. It was fun to cheer him on, and we are so proud that he made it to Nationals!

 I will admit that I shed a few tears after his last match. It was the end of our family wrestling chapter.

We were sweating in the stuffy building. I finally had to let the babe air out.

Morning sun. I just love this picture. Nothing better than some morning sun, and throw a happy chair-leg-chewing baby in with that, and YUM.

Birmingham. It seemed to have quite a few poor areas. We saw lots of decrepit houses and buildings.

 Big Hand B. Mark says, "someday that hand will have a bow in it"

Mom, Joce, Brett, Brad I (he came to visit for the weekend), and Darren watching a Five People, One Guitar video.

This happy traveler needed some real zzz's

I'm not sure why exactly they were holding out their thumbs

Papa reading "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb" to B. I am very sad we lost this book on the trip.

Mike retrieving a lost puppy (stuffed)

Hanging in the yard watching

Baby Banessa is just so adorable

Cool dude.

 Barrett really was so good. I was very anxious about taking him on the trip, but he behaved beautifully. He would just sit and watch people, and talk/squeal at them to get them to look at him. There were only a few times that he got very overtired and stimulated, and this was one of those times.

He slept for one entire flight on the way home. I sat him up at one point and he flopped over, still sleeping.

The Charlotte, NC airport had about fifteen of these white rockers lined up, so we utilized one for a picture of Jocelyn playing Ruzzle (our new fav app) on her Kindle.

It was a great, short trip! How fun it was to have almost all of the siblings (missed you, Claire!) together once again, especially for something special like the last wrestling tournament.