December 2022

 Dorian was very excited to find out that Sandy Hollow was iced over enough to walk on!

He bought a new ice shack and couldn't wait to try it out!

Levi caught the first fish!

Dinner out with Amy, Janey and Yulia.

Mason is playing basketball this winter.

Watching Funniest Home Videos and enjoying the lit Christmas tree!

Nathan flew out to MI to work with Todd and Jill on one of their research projects.  He also worked with Aaron and Brent for a couple of days.

It's warm and sunny inside the cabin!

Big Spirit Lake is ready for ice fishing season.  Dorian walked out onto Anglers Bay right from our cabin!

Dorian took this picture while walking out to his fishing spot.  There is beauty everywhere if we take the time to notice it!

Dorian walked right to where he thought would be a good fishing spot and turns out that it was!  He and Mason caught bluegill, perch and crappie.

Mason, Eli and Bo getting ready for their Christmas concert.

Merry Christmas!

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:11-12

We went to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.  We spent time both days at Dad and Mom's house.  We enjoyed opening presents on Christmas morning and Nathan made a delicious lunch for us!  Love time with family!

I absolutely love seeing the gifts that these boys pick out for each other.  They are so thoughtful.  

Dorian made a cutting board for Nathan and this JOY sign for me.  He picked out a clock/light/speaker for Levi and a kit to build a dog for Mason.

Mason made a calendar at school for Nathan and I!  He created a pillow for Nathan and a mug for myself that each had Clover's picture on it.  He picked out a hat with a light in it for Dorian and a silly  Christmas t-shirt and candy for Levi.

Levi was having fun building the Lego technic car that we bought him.  He picked out a back massager for me and an egg sandwich maker for Nathan.  He picked out a Lego car for Dorian and a water ball and frisbee for Mason.

Grandpa's birthday was celebrated at our house.  It was the night that Brian and Katherine arrived and it was great to see them again!  Nathan tried out his new Traeger Smoker for the first time so we had a delicious supper and Cherry Nut (well...the closest I could find) ice cream with our dessert because it's Grandpa's favorite. 

We found a desk that is more functional for Nathan to use at the cabin.

Congratulations Mitchell and Emma!  We had so much fun all being together for the wedding.

Levi and Eden helped take coats at the reception.

We also had our Christmas party at the hotel that we stayed at in Sioux Falls for the weekend.  Bingo is always so much fun!

Dad and Mom were busy designing, creating and making a storage/jewelry box for each of the grandkids!  They are so talented and generous with their time.

Happy New Year!  

November 2022

The Unity girls volleyball team made it to the State Championships.  Dorian was able to go along with his friends to watch the games.

Hunting gives lots of opportunities to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  

Mason had fun making some melty bead art.  He continues playing piano and cello and was excited when Fur Elise came up as one of his songs to practice.  Levi knows that song and plays it a lot.

It was a challenge to find an opening to get Clover groomed, so we took her to Sioux Falls to Precious Pets and they did a great job!

Nathan enjoyed a trip to Chicago to work in person with his colleagues at the University of Illinois-Chicago.  Such a different view than his office at home!

8th grade Cadets making detergent for the Hope Food Pantry.

First ice of the season.

Love seeing the detail in those snowflakes!

Dorian tried out hunting for the first time.

Thanksgiving weekend was spent with the Tintle family in New York!  We enjoyed some great views of the Statue of Liberty and New York City while we flew in to LaGuardia airport.

The boys are great travelers!

Grandpa made a bonfire and helped us put together bags of food to give to the needy.

Grandma made a scavenger hunt for the grandkids which they all really enjoyed doing together!

THANKFUL for the time we could spend with Cara and Jillian and their families!  And thankful for a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal to eat together.

We took along some venison to share as an appetizer.

Playing football was a highlight for the boys.

After we got home from NY, we spent a day taking out our Christmas decorations.  The boys found a great way to repurpose the pumpkins for a new season!   

Mason had a lot of fun making a tunnel in the snow and playing outside with Clover.