Summer 2015

Today is our last day hanging out with the family. Tomorrow we start the long travels back to Indonesia and Malaysia. SLAM ON THE BREAKS!!!! That was written almost two weeks ago!!

I have been trying to get a summer post don for many weeks, but there is always something going on!

So here it is in a nut shell...

We arrived in he US June 7. Twodays before that my brother and his wife welcomed baby Hestin to the world.

The same day baby Hestin was born, I got to pick up my two babies from the airport. I hadn't seen them for two months!  I am shrinking!!

Ahhhh.... Landed in Bismarck and the first thing we do is Dairy Queen!! 

We now have two legal drivers!! Yes, they both can now drive without parents in the car!!  Eeks!!!

Made a trip out to Mt. Rushmore. 

Five years ago...

Today....

Finally made it to Arizona!!  Chris flew in from Indo so we could all be together and go to a professional baseball game. 1st one ever for the kids!  Sooooo much FUN!!

Chris' birthday!  The first time we celebrated together in 5 years!  He has always been in Indo...

Another baby!! This is my other brother's baby whom they adopted in April!  Now read his shirt!!!  The Dr's said it was unlikely for the mom to get pregnant...  But guess what, God is GOOD and God is FAITHFUL!  

The babies will be about 10 months apart!! Ha ha! I laugh!! :)

Our Aussie friends visited... Well, Danella's Engligh...

And what do we do??? Go Shopping!  In Glenham!

Such a long story, but the guy we took a picture with is supposedly an Actor. He was hiding out. I guess it worked, because no one had any idea who he is... And probably still doesn't. I don't. ;)

Gavin and his friend Zedd went fishing. 

Zedd went planting with my brother. 

Kate and my nieces wrestled with my dad. 

Q and R chose us to be baby Hestin's Godparents. :)

Trying to tent with a major storm coming! Crazy boys!

One last reenactment...

5 1/2 years ago

Present... Now Q and R are shrinking! ;)

A picture to reenact in 5 years... We added a few nieces and nephews! Even a Great one. :)

One last wrestling match... And I have to go buy underwear. 

This pretty much sums up Gabby's summer. If there was a baby, she was there. 

So that's it in a very small nutshell!  When you live overseas, you leave so many things to catch up on in the months that you are home. It is just a really busy time!  But we are so thankful that we are allowed the time to get home and reconnect with family and friends!

Now, it's time for a vacation! ;)

Father's Day Fishing

Once again we are away from Chris for Father's Day. That is one of the downfalls of expat living. You just aren't together for some of the special day celebrations. 

So we had to make due and go fishing with my Dad and brothers and sister and all their families. :). Well almost all of them...  I was the lucky one and got to stay behind with baby Hestin. :)

My brother had a small boat and a paddle boat so the all the boys jumped in and went fishing. Q1 had to go "rescue" the paddle boat boys because the wind took them up the river towards Pollock. :). Here he is pulling the boat back. 

My brother snagged the biggest fish!  This one was thrown back!  It's a Notthern Pike. 

It was a very successful day!!  Many many walleye were caught!  The fish fry over the 4th will be great!! :)

We finished up the day with a BBQ before my sis and her boys had to head home. 

Glad I could be with my dad today!

To save the best for last...

The ultimate Daddy to my kids... He is working hard in Indonesia and will be here in a week. So Happy Father's Day Chris, aka the bestest daddy in the whole wide world!! :)

Height

Well, well, well... Look who is taller... After a many moons. 

5th Grade Exhibition

We did science fairs in the 5th grade... Kids now days do exhibitions on how to make the world a "better place"...(Warning: My sarcasm is going to come out.) ...Because the world was such a bad place when we were growing up...

Anyway, Gabs, the last child, did her exhibition this last Friday. Our last one we ever have to go to!! Yippee!!  I must say however, the kids did learn something that just may help them in the future...  Business!  

The kids had to make a business plan/model and run their business for a short time. Gabs chose to have two business: Babysitting and Card Holders. She was very successful in both endeavors. She also made a business that would sustain itself long after the exhibition was over. Since I am one of her employees, I can say "we" still have card holder orders to fulfill. 

Overall,  Gabby did a great job and learned some very important lessons. I could go on and on about those lessons, but I am going to just get in to the pictures. You can ask her about the lesson when you talk to her in person. :)

Gabby Girl's profile

Her product. 

Letting everyone know all about her business. 

Gabby's mentor, Auntie Marge. Also a very good friend of ours. :)

Mom and Dad with the little entrepreneur. 

Great job, Gabby Goo!! Love you!!! xoxo

Gab's New Job

Chris can go down to the salon here and get a hair cut, wash, and small head massage for under $5!  But the other day, we though we would get Gabs started on a new career... Or maybe just a small job. ;)

Yah, you can mess that cut up! :)

Little Monkey Gavin

Buying a pull-up bar for Gavin was probably the best thing we have ever done for him!  He has become very strong in the last year... I can't even take home anymore!

Here are a few of his moves...  He can almost hold his body out parallel with the floor... Almost. When he does, I will post that. Until then, here are a few action shots. :)

Softball - Teddy

Here is a collage of Teddy's softball season. The team was very successful this year and Teddy had a good time playing with the team. 

The Dalat boys walked away with a 1st place win in the MSSPP tournament. Not sure what the acronym means... But the boys did a great job. They out scored their opponents 65-10!

Since the boys will not be able to play in the state tournament, due to finals week, they had one last game against the Dalat staff. 

Marz came out to watch Ted play... Or was it to watch the other guys in uniform...???  I am sure she is not telling! ;)