Back to School

Soren is now in Grade 2!!!
He is excited to be back at New City Charter School with his same grade 1/2 teacher from last year, Ms Kalli.

We are thrilled that Sevi will be attending his last year of Preschool at Dodge Nature Preschool. This is the sculpture in the front of the building and a popular photo spot. In fact, I have the Same picture of Soren from three years ago.

Here is Sevi's classroom, the great outdoors. He is on the boardwalk that connects the school to the farm. It really is as amazing as it looks.

Cottage Music Man

The dock is a great place for a violin practice!

YMCA Camp Streefland

This is the second year that Soren has attended a YMCA week long day camp with his friend Joey. This year we picked Camp Streefland. We loved the setting and intimacy it provided along with all the activities. When we went to the family night Sevi fell in love too and so we ended up signing both Soren and Sevi up for a week in August. 

Joey and Soren at Camp Streefland

Signs that show all the different activities.

Soren in the Gaga Pit, his favorite camp activity. Think of it as a form of contained dodge ball.

Soren with his first week camp counselor.

Sevi and Soren catching the camp bus.

You can see how excited (and fearless) Sevi was to be going to camp.

The pirate ship!

Sevi with his fellow Wee Backpackers.

Sevi with his counselor Megan at the archery range.

Soren at the archery range.

At the lake where they go canoeing.

Cottage Swimming

Pine River Duck Races

This year was a first for us to partake in the Pine River Duck Races. We met up with our friends Joey and Tommy at the Pine River Dam. Soren is on a winning streak for animal races this summer and his duck placed third. Tommy won as well with the "last duck" award.

Sevi, Tommy, Soren and Joey at the Duck Races.

Soren, Joey, Tommy and Sevi at at the Pine River dam awaiting the duck drop.

The plastic ducks as they float down the river to the finish line.

Soren with his third place ribbon and toy duck prize.

Rowing

Its been almost 25 years since we have had the rowing scull in the water. With Gramma Anne, Andrea and Sevi.

Sevi with Gramma Anne rowing.

Summer boating

This summer we inherited the speed boat that Randy grew up with. A classic 1980's run-around that is perfect for our family. The boys love it and the adventures it provides.

Driving in the boat to the public landing.

It takes a bit of effort, but we can even get Gramma Anne and Grampa Bob in the boat.

The boys new favorite saying "turn on the wind Papa" to make the boat go fast.

Sevi is LOVING the boat!

Soren Tubing with Auntie Lisa.

Soren, Auntie Mari and Sevi.

Soren with Randy

Summer Cottage Faces 2014

July 4th Kiddie Parade 2nd place winners!

World Cup Soccer Fans!

Turtles

It has been a summer of turtles. It started with a camping trip to Lebanon Hills Campground where we found a turtle trying to cross the road. All the boys were rather excited, touching its back and likely agitating it when Soren decided to try to feed the turtle some grass. The turtle snapped out its head and bit Soren on his thumb. As scary as the incident was for Soren, we were happy it was a mere flesh wound and not a loss of his thumb. To overcome Soren's anxiety over turtles, he partook in the Nisswa turtle races a couple of weeks later. His winning turtle in his heat helped gain back his confidence with turtles.

The turtle that bit Soren (prior to the bite). You can see in the picture that Soren is a bit leary of the turtle. Pictured are Soren, Sevi, Mason and August.

Soren with his winning turtle at the Nisswa Turtle races.

Soren with his winning ribbon.

Mama The Artist

As much as I love being a mother, it is nice to be recognized for what I was and represented prior to children, a photographer. I have spent the last three years documenting abandoned resorts on a quest to create a body of work and receive a Minnesota Start Art Board Artist Initiative Grant. My dream came to fruition in 2013 with the award of $10,000 and a solo show to display the work, titled The Last Resort. It was a wonderful evening the night of my opening. I was surrounded by work I was proud of and family and friends who supported and loved me. Most of all I want to thank Randy, who encouraged me to stick with the project, traveled with me to find new resorts to shoot and to help im my final editing. Thanks to the love of my family I can continue to be the mother and photographer that I am.

Gallery Entrance

Sevi and Liz are the first entrants to the opening.

Soren and Andrea

Bob, Gramma and Andrea

Jeff, Andrea, Randy and Liz

Andrea and Alex

Sevi and Soren

Randy and Andrea

Advertising sign on the Augsburg Campus