The Summer of 2011

One of the best parts of being a teacher is the fact that I get to spend the summers with you boys.  Each summer is even better than the last and this summer was no exception.  We were very busy traveling throughout the midwest.  After our trip out to North Dakota, we took a trip up the northshore with Grandma, Uncle Robb and Katie.  We stayed at Lamb's Resort in a cute little cabin and spent most of our time down on the beach.  Maddox made the best rock collection ever and gave it to me - I brought it home and put it on the table.  We even took a little drive and walked up a little stream to a waterfall.  It was beautiful and you both were amazed.  Grandma was busy freaking out because of the No Tresspassing sign, but sometimes you have to break some rules to have great experiences.  It was worth it!  On our way up north we stopped at The Depot in Duluth and tool the train ride - I think it was one of the highlights of your lives so far.  On the way back from the cabin, Maddox and Mom stopped in Duluth and took a tour on the William Irvin ship.  Mavin and Grandma stayed an extra night at the cabin and stopped in Duluth for a tour on the Vista fleet.  During all of this, Maddox, you were in your second year of swimming lessons.  You are learning so fast and doing so well.  This summer you learned how to swim underwater (kind of ;).  You were so proud of your self and so was I.  After our vacation up north in Minnesota, we took another Lake Superior vacation - this time up to the Upper Pensiula in Michigan.  Rhonda and Dave's cabin is a beautiful log cabin on the U.P.  The beach is beautiful and as usual we got to hang out with great friends.  Dawn, Rick, Reina and Shiloh were there along with Rhonda, Dave, Grandma (not really your grandma) and Theo.  Rick took Maddox (and Mom because you said you were a little too nercvous to go without me <3) fishing and we caught a bunch of fish.  After a perfect week at the lake we headed to the farm.  I don't know if you'll love farms when you are older, but you both can't get enough of them now.  The tractors, cows and baby calfs were your favorite things to see.  The baby calves even sucked on your fingers.  Shiloh was baptised and now we are her God family!  We have one last trip planned for this summer and it is right where we began the summer of 2011 - in Watford City, North Dakota.  I am sure it will be great.  I have three classes to finish by the last day in August and I have only 1/2 of 1 done so far, but it'll get done.  We've been having too much fun to work!

These Are Days of Miracle and Wonder

These are the days of miracle and wonder!  You two are discovering miracles and the world is instilling wonder in your minds each and every day.  Our first trip this summer was to North Dakota.  It is a long drive to ND, so this time we spread it out over two days.  On our first day in the car we made a pit-stop in Jamestown where we visited the world's largest buffalo, took a ride on a stage coach and rode ponies.  I wish I could capture your excitement in a bottle and open it every day for the rest of my life.  My greatest happiness is to see you two excited about life, enjoying trying new things and finding happiness in the simple things in this world. 
The rodeo in Watford City was a highlight - you both looked and acted like true cowboys.  The looks on your faces were priceless.  You both acted like you were so cool.  It was funny to watch, but I was such a proud mom. 
At Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the buffalo that you were so excited about when we were in the car suddenly became a little too scary when they were only feet from our car.  Theodore Roosevelt National Park is my favorite places to visit when Watford City and I took you there most of the days we were in town.  The petting zoo at the credit union was more your speed.  Maddox you got right into the ring with all of the animals and seemed at home.  You were gentle and curious about all of the animals, but you weren't sure about the llamas right away.  You soon warmed up to them when I told you that one was Llama Llama from one of your favorite books Llama Llama Misses Mama.  Mavin, you weren't so sure right away because the goats and sheep got a little too close for comfort right away, but you soon leaned how to make your way around  in the pen and quickly became comfortable.  You were most interested in petting the bunnies and found your way over to their section of the pen.  You were super gentle and really enjoyed it. 
Mavin, you are such a sweet boy to your new cousin, Griffin.  You asked to hold him and when you did you rocked him in Little Grandpa's chair and sang to him.  Of course you sang Old MacDonald, I've Been Working on the Railroad and Oh Be Careful Little Eyes.  It was absolutely precious! 
These are the days of miracles and wonder!

Park Construction Is Dusty! - Maddox

As I pulled up to the garage door after work, I saw you pushing your dump truck out of the garage into the driveway.  You put up your hand and gave me "a hand stop sign".  "I'm working in here," you informed me.  It all clicked with me after a couple of seconds.  Grandma had swept the garage and put the dirt into two piles.  You had your John Deere loader tractor and your dump truck; you were loading the dirt into the truck and hauling it into a very tidy pile in the drive way.  You told me that I had to wait outside the garage until you were done working.  "Park Construction is dusty!" you observed as dust from the pile plumed around your head.  You were the perfect picture of a little boy and you are my little boy.  You make me proud every day and today was no exception! I love you, more and more each day.