Road Trip...

Recently we went to Duluth to visit Danielle and check out her new home.

Checking out her work environment at University of Minnesota Duluth...

She has one enormous and lovely office!!

  

A trip to Duluth would not be complete without spending time in Canal Park!

  

It was a gorgeous weekend; we really lucked out!!

  

A BEAUTIFUL display of color....

 

        

 

SO VERY PROUD OF YOU, daughter!!!!!!!!!!!

Grape Stomp

     Annie, Alison, and I had a fabulous girls weekend in Alexandria at the Grape Stomp. It was the first time for all of us, and we will definitely be going back next year.  We had an absolute blast!! :0)

A beautiful backdrop...the Carlos Creek Winery

We barely arrived in time for the first round of grape stomping on Friday night.

Then it was time to do some wine tasting!!!

Of course, we then had to go buy the wines we liked as a result of our taste testing! :)

 

Having some fun on the grape stomping stage...

 We even had a chance to combine our wine tasting with some shopping!!

Time to check in...

More grape stomping on Saturday...

This is serious business!! :0)

We went to other events at the winery.

Another wonderful weekend with awesome friends!!  

School Days

Open House 2014

Just a few pictures from Homecoming Week...

Family Night Out

     Before the end of the season, we were able to fit a Twins game in with the kids. Michael and Dani bought us awesome tickets for the game (including a nice dinner before the game started) for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and our birthdays.  It was a lot of fun and great to spend some time with the kids and Michael's girlfriend, Clea.

Torii Hunter & Joe Mauer

Family photo op :0)

 The two lovebirds...

Just the ladies...

Aching Hearts...

Before Faith's scheduled surgery last Wednesday...

     After her IVs were started, her heart surgeon was called away for an emergency!! ): The surgery was then postponed until Friday.  It turned out to be a very long wait as Faith's surgery lasted ten hours.  They were hoping that her sternum wouldn't have to be cracked open, but it was.  She ended up having a mitral valve repair.  She was in ICU until last night, so she has moved to the tenth floor.

ICU view

Tenth floor view of Denver

     Yesterday they sat her up for a bit.  ):  She is in lots of pain and has 35 extra pounds of fluid from her surgery. Thanks for the extra prayers for my niece, sister, and brother-in-law during this difficult time.  Keep them coming during her recovery!! They are so much appreciated by us all!!

More sad family news:  Darrell's brother, Dean, was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday (same day as Faith's original surgery was planned).  He has pneumonia, pleurisy, and is severely malnourished.  On Saturday he took a turn for the worse and was moved to ICU.  The pneumonia has moved into both lungs now, and his lungs are severely bruised.  He was put on a ventilator, sedated, and a feeding tube was inserted. He remains in ICU and will be sedated for a few more days in order for his lungs to heal. Thanks to those who have been praying for him and our family the past few days.  

More Prayers...

     Prayers for my niece, Faith, are needed this week as she will be having heart surgery. She has torn cords on her heart causing the blood to flow backwards. reduced heart function (only working at 50%), and a severe leaky valve.  Cathy, Greg, and Faith will fly to Denver on Tuesday morning for a full day of appointments, and Faith's surgery is set for 10:30 on Wednesday.  Any prayers for her (as well as Cathy and Greg) are much appreciated.  My other niece, and Faith's sister, gets married in a month.  We are praying for a successful surgery and a good recovery; we are hoping that she will be strong enough to be Brittany's maid of honor on October 18.  Love to my sissy, Greg, and Faith!!

This was Faith on Tuesday morning prior to her endocardial echocardiogram.

Here's my girl later that afternoon. 

Prayers

     We received some very sad news regarding one of our colleagues, Glenn, who is our head custodian.  A stage four brain tumor was discovered in August and is growing rapidly.  He had brain surgery to remove most of it, but he will need six weeks of radiation for the remaining part of the tumor.  We took a "field trip" one afternoon during workshop week to go and see him.  (He is the second one from the left in the front row.)  He had quite the "zipper" scar (as he put it) on the left side of his head, but he was doing surprisingly well for only being out of surgery less than a week.  Lots of prayers are needed for him and his family.