Seeing pink
Our nephew is gaining a co-pilot later in the year and we are SO excited!

The news was shared with us at my MIL’s birthday party dinner tonight. First we saw our nephew’s shirt and then later, he gave Grandma Patti a flower with a little balloon that says “Baby Girl” along with an ultrasound photo on pink paper.


By color
Sorting perler beads.
With spring break on the horizon and the weather forecast not looking very pleasant, we went to Hobby Lobby two nights ago and stocked up on craft supplies – including a bin of Perler beads. Added to Shecklet #4’s bin from her bday, it amounts to 11,500 beads 😳. Don’t those colors make you happy?

And the orthopedic doctor says…
Humerus should be fully healed in 6-8 weeks. Shecklet #3 can remove the sling and move the arm as tolerated. Wrapping it with the ace bandage we received is optional, but she’s found it does provide some stability while she sleeps, so we’ll continue to wrap her up each night until she’s feeling more confident without it. Next check is in four weeks when they’ll do another round of x-rays to see how the bone is healing. (Unicorn headband is compliments of friends of ours who came over on Saturday to cheer her up.)

Break #2 in seven months
We had a solid run of 13 years without a broken bone that ended last fall. We now have our second break in 7 months.
This brave girl took a hard fall on Friday night while riding on some pretty tricky snow. Ski patrol brought her down the run and evaluated her before we took her home. Ortho urgent care diagnosed a broken humerus. ☹️ Follow up with the doctor is next week. We are praying she heals quickly and completely and that her pain decreases over the next couple of days.


March 6, 1987
My Grandpa Bill, my dad’s dad, has been gone from us for 34 years. My aunt sent out a few photos of him from his time in the service and afterwards. I’ve edited her captions to say “Grandpa” instead of “Dad.”



Growing up in Iowa, which was a 9 hour drive to where he and my grandma lived in northern MN, we didn’t get the opportunity to make many memories with him. I’m grateful that my aunt has taken the time over the years to scan and document items of our family’s history. Photos like these are treasures. It is fun to be able to share with my kids a little about who their great grandpa was.
Knowing what our family has enjoyed this winter, it’s no surprise that this is our favorite photo from the set sent out today.

Finally, here are my Grandma Fran and Grandpa Bill at my Aunt Ann and Uncle Gene’s wedding in 1979.

I can see my grandpa in two of my cousins and my dad. Family genes are strong.
First scooter ride of 2021 🛴

This trio isn’t ready to give up their winter sports quite yet, but with the temp hitting 50 today, they were ok busting out their scooters to enjoy a ride around the block and do tricks in the driveway.
Friday night skiing
Not even two left mittens can stop this kid from a fun night out skiing with her dad at Trollhaugen.

Decisions, decisions!

Apparently she chose the black diamond, Jumping Judy, and went down several times! I imagine her dad is pretty proud of her!
2nd grade Olympics
Shecklet #4 has been learning about ancient Greek culture – myths, gods, and the Olympics. Today was the culmination of their unit – the closing ceremony.
The kids performed a song (prerecord and showing the using sign language along with the music instead of their singing voices,) shared about what makes them special and what Olympic event they would like to compete in, and finally, Mrs. M. compiled pictures of the competitions they participated on during the week. I’m impressed at how the teachers were able to adapt this annual in-person event to a virtual one so the kids could still participate in the fun.
Too tired
Shecklet #4: “Every morning I wake up too tired to do school.” (sad, whiny toned voice)
Mom: “What do you think we could do to help with that?”
Shecklet #4: “Not do school.” (totally serious toned voice)
Mom: silent giggle while walking down the stairs behind Shecklet #4.