Go Knights!!

We took the kids to their first high school football game - EVER! It was also the first one Bill and I have been at in about 15 years. Just hearing the band and smelling the popcorn on a crisp, cool evening brought back great memories. It was STMA's homecoming game...the Knights took on the team from Big Lake. The kids had fun with their friends, although I'm not sure they actually watched the game. I think they're all anxious to be a little bit older so they can run loose like the big kids.

Madison with friends Maddy and Leo Peterson and Nikki Schade.

Maddy, Maddy and Will in their Knights attire.

Will thought that the coolest part of the game was the knight on horseback that lead the football team onto the field.

Cheerleaders or rappers...you decide.

Kids At Play

The neighborhood kids' latest pasttime, "500: Dead or Alive" has provided hours of entertainment. At one point there were 12 kids vying for flying discs. Don't ask me the rules...all I know is that it's serious business!

My Boy Scouts

Here are my boys in their uniforms! Will is in his second year of Cub Scouts...I guess that would make him a Wolf Cub?? ( I can never keep all of the animals straight...) He loves scouts. In fact, I sure he'd pick building a campfire, shooting a bow & arrow, or a treasure hunt in the woods over just about anything else. Bill was "coaxed" into the role of Cub Master/Unit Chairman/Pack Treasurer this year. As much as he likes to complain about it - his organized and detail-oriented personality fits the job quite well! The lady that we paid to sew (yep, that's right...I don't sew) the patches on his uniform was wondering if he was going for his Eagle Scout. We got a few good laughs out of that one...

Project: Home Theater

So, after thoroughly researching speakers, Bill took the plunge and committed to a set of Paradigm's. Now his obsession has moved on to projectors...should we keep the CRT?...floor or ceiling?...should we buy an LCD/DLP instead?...should have we just used all this money to go on a big vacation? Who knew there would be so many decisions:)

I'll have to do a little repair/patch work on the walls. We weren't able to locate the piece of paper that noted the exact location of the buried speaker wire...until after several very large holes had been drilled. The remaining speakers (yep, there are a couple more) and the 77 in. screen will probably be in next week.

We still haven't decided on the first movie. Star Wars?...Lord of the Rings?...Matrix?...The Princess Diaries?... Any suggestions?

First Day of School!

Chicago Vacation

Bill and I returned Monday from our annual Labor Day weekend anniversary trip. This year, since neither of us had been there before, we picked Chicago for our destination. We had such a great time. We saw a Cubs game at Wrigley Field (and witnessed Barry Bonds hit a home run), went to Ford's Oriental Theater to see "Wicked", toured through the Field Museum, saw a movie, took the Ferris Wheel ride at Navy Pier, and enjoyed beautiful walks along Lake Michigan.

It was fantastic...but we were definitely ready to get home to the kids again. (thanks to Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jan for watching them!) It's been a really great 11 years of marriage and we're looking forward to many more! To quote a guy at the baseball game, "hey, you beat the average..."

2nd Graders

Will and Madison start 2nd grade at BigWoods Elementary in St. Michael this year. This is a new building for them and they are so excited! Will's teacher is Mrs. Gavic and Madison's teacher is Mr. Klein. We're looking forward to a great year!!