Puppy Land

Mariah beams as we pick-up the new member of the family, an Australian Terrier. Appropriately named Sydney, this little shaver promises to keep Mariah busy as her siblings are leaving our nest in the coming months. Two dogs in one house - yikes!

Graduation Season

My father and I join Jordon in celebration of his graduation from Maranatha Christian Academy. Congratulations Jordon! Next stop - Go Ministries!

Spring Formal

Even the Spring rains couldn't dampen Jordon and Ashton's spirits. They both looked wonderful for this year's formal, including a night of comedy, food, and riverboating!

The Ring Has Landed

Our son Brandon did the official ring reveal today - it is absolutely beautiful! The rest of the day was spent with family friend Gene who took a beautiful set of engagement photographs in the Centennial Lakes, Edina and Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge areas. See 2008 for more photos!

Brie's New York Proposal

In storybook fashion, Brie’s long-time boyfriend popped the question during a “surprise” meeting in Central Park. Michael flew covertly to New York City while Starr and I (under the guise of a fictitious business trip) insured that Brie would be present at the famously romantic Gapstow Bridge for the prearranged time. Brie was shocked and delighted! Michael also arranged for professional photographer and family friend Gene to be present to record the magical day for all to enjoy. The remainder of the weekend featured high jinx and fun around the Big Apple, including a chance cameo in TLC's What Not to Wear television show and various close encounters with the Pope. We certainly ate well, with outings to New York's finest blue cheese fillet at Smith & Wollensky's, coal-fired pizza at Patsy's, a late night outing to celebrity haven and dessert mecca Serendipity 3 (following a moonlit carriage ride) and Sunday brunch at Brasserie 360. And who can forget those NY street vendors - yum. Check-out a few more photos in my 2008 New York Picasa album. The date is November 8, 2008 and the venues include Living Word Christian Church and the Semple Mansion. Oh, regarding the proposal - she said yes (of course). See Brie and Michael's ceremony web site. Two rings in two days and two weddings within six weeks this Fall - yikes! I'm happy ... but I think I have a headache.

State Tournament Action

Wow - what a run! My hometown Rangers of Section 2A made it all the way to the championship game of the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament this year. Perhaps Crosby-Ironton's best team ever, the Rangers finished with a record of 32-1, their only loss coming in the championship game at the Target Center. As hundreds of Ranger's past and present converged upon the Twin Cities, all three games of the state tournament became an impromptu all-class reunion. It was great to see so many old friends! Kudos to my nephew Sam for being part of this historic squad. Go C-I Go!

Big Sky Indeed

The long President's Day weekend brought another foray to God's country with friends and family. Three big resorts in three big days: Big Sky, Moonlight Basin, and the YC. The best weather and base in several years. Yee Haw! Thank goodness I've been doing those quad exercises. Mariah handled the headwalls like a tropper. Jordon disappeared into the timber. Starr looked groovy in her new outfit. Brie liked the shopping and I'm feeling like I need new all-mountain skis.

Homecoming 2008

Once again a ton of fun, Scorpion Homecoming just keeps on coming. It's so groovy, why stop? This photo features Mariah and Ashton on a Honda modified 1965 Trail-A-Sled Scorpion. This little wonder was the talk of this year's festivities.

We Have a Date

Well ... it's now official. Brandon and Jenna will be getting married September 20, 2008. We are blessed with a wonderful son and now an equally wonderful daughter-in-law. God is good. The ceremonies will be held at Weddings of Wayzata, a really neat venue in Orono. It's going to be a wonderful day and a glorious start to a new life together. Somehow, I feel a bit older today.

University of St Thomas Commencement

For some crazy reason I decided to do the whole mid-career MBA thing. I think my head hurts.

2007 in Review

Now for my annual, obligatory review of that year that was. The family and I went to Montana a couple times and we also spent two weeks in Perdido Key, Florida. As always, we took our traditional camping trip to Wisconsin as well. I celebrated my 20th anniversary with SunGard where I continue to work as director of business development. I'm also looking forward to a lower-stress lifestyle now that I've completed graduate school. My lovely bride works part-time at Boger Dental and seems to always be active in bible studies and volunteerism. She's a logistical tactician par excellence. Brieanna works at Living Word Christian Center and is a central force behind The Fifth Service. She finished her Associates in Theology this past year and will be continuing her coursework in 2008. Brandon is creative director for Go Ministries and plays keyboard and guitar in the ministries traveling music team. Jordon is a senior at Maranatha Christian Academy and he plays keyboard regularly for youth services and outings. He was also elected to Homecoming royalty, which was real treat for him. Mariah is in 7th grade (also at Maranatha) and she's active in volleyball and music. Our dog survived another year without being killed by myself. That’s it - there is nothing else to be found alive in this house.

Holiday Season 2007

Wow! The 2007 holiday season is already upon us. Here is a Thanksgiving day photograph which captures the entire clan, just hanging-out at the folk's place on Agate Lake.

Back to School

It's back to school for Jordon and Mariah but with some serious changes for the 2007-2008 school year. Jordon is transferring from Wayzata High School to Maranatha Christian Academy for his senior year and Mariah is moving from Heritage Christan Academy, also attending Maranatha Christian Academy where she is entering the 7th grade. Starr and I will miss watching Jordon in the Wayzata marching band but we are very happy to have both he and his sister at Maranatha.

Graduation Season

Together with her mother and grandmother, our oldest daughter Brieanna receives her Associates degree in Theology from Maranatha College. Congratulations Brie!

Spring Break

After a three year hiatus (courtesy hurricane Ivan) my shrinking family once again was grateful for a couple weeks of sand-in-the-pants beach side relaxation along the Emerald Shores of Perdido Key, Florida. With my oldest kids on the road (and one ministering in Indonesia) it was a smaller group than usual but a great time was had by all. Biggest surprise? I didn't gain any weight despite eating ten pounds of shrimp.