Daniel's 15th birthday

A few friends came over and ate a few pizzas.

He opened a few gifts.

They played a few airsoft games.  (we were trying to recreate a Duck Dynasty type photo.)

Best dressed airsoft strategists.

Best yet - homemade chocolate chip cookies from Grandma!!

Baked with love, of course.

After the party guests went home, we shopped in Mankato for the birthday present. Some of his confirmation money was spent on a new guitar that he got to pick out.  :-)  Some of mom's money was also spent on this gift. 

Daniel also got to spend his birthday at a guitar lesson with Doug.  Doug kind of helped Daniel pick out his new guitar so it seemed a perfect day to have his lesson.

The Dead Sea Surfers was the name of Daniel's confirmation group led by Phil.  Love this picture of the boys as such a close knit group. I love how adding Pastor Christian in the back row makes this picture symetrical and perfect. It's simply perfect.

Daniel and his mentor, Kurt.

Pastor Johnson, Daniel and Pastor Bowman

The best looking group ever - kids, Pastors and youth leaders Carolyn and Erin

Daniel and two of his friends, Nick and Sandin.  We celebrated their confirmations together with a dinner and cake reception in the church social hall.

Daniel and his poster that all the confirmads are asked to create.  A celebration of their baptism and confirmation experience.

Daniel and his cake.

Inside this massive hug is Carolyn.  :-)  Love this picture and we didn't even stage it.  It came from the boys' hearts. 

Ahhh there she is!!  Still smiling even after that bear hug!!

Daniel and his baptism sponsors Marlene and Loren.

The Coleman family.

The Ratzlaff family.

Daniel and his Sunday School teacher and Boy Scout scoutmaster, Eric.

Our wonderful kitchen helpers, Darla Kim, Lisa, Jackie and Teri.  Wonderful friends who created a wonderful meal for our special day.

Dad, Daniel and Mom

The year I turn 50

My last child gets confirmed. Last of the Wednesday night confirmation classes, sermon notes and memory work. Time to leave something behind so he can start something new. Can't wait to see what's in the future for him and to be part of the journey God is laying before him. I have a feeling it's going to be great!!

Happy birthday, Eric!!

Scout Master Eric scheduled a pack meeting on his birthday and one of the scout moms decided he needed a DQ cake. Unfortunately she had to work so I picked up the cake and all the extra stuff and we celebrated while conducting the meeting! Love the Scout family!

Macy's Apartment

Macy took me to see her apartment when we got back to Minneapolis.  Loved it!!  Very cute!!

 Living Room

 Kitchen

 Dining room

 Kitchen

 

 

 And Macy's room!!

 

Emily and Justin's apartment

Their living room

 Macy and Gambit.  Gambit belongs to the roommate, Dan and is a very energetic dog. 

 From the kitchen looking toward the living room.  Dan's room is next followed by Emily and Justin's room.  It's called a railroad style apartment as you have to walk through one bedroom to get to the next one.

 Macy soon figured out that Gambit has had some discipline training.  The secret was to say 'Gambit sit' instead of just sit.  He could follow commands if you said his name first and Emily had some bologna she was willing to part with so Macy could give him a treat.

 The kitchen and the door to the small backyard they have.  It's completely enclosed so it makes a great space for Gambit.

 Emily and Justin at their kitchen table.  :-)

 Their front door

 Their apartment door is at the very end of the hallway under the stairs.

The outside of their apartment.

Hard to resist the giant love sign.

 

 

 
 There's always something goin on in Central Park and as we approached the angel fountain and bridge we realized there was a crowd gathered.  We had gotten there just in time for the I DO's of a wedding!!  Applause followed and then a string quartet started playing.  It was very cool.

 Bubble blowers always draw a crowd too.

 After a very long trek we finally found the Alice in Wonderland statue.  Emily and Justin wanted their picture taken with it but it was crawling with kids.  Macy did her best.

 The other destination was the Imagine mosiac in honor of John Lennon.  Luckily, Mayor Gary (mayor of Strawberry Fields) was there just about to give his speech.  We had great timing!!