Saturday, August 18, 2007

Hello From Jacksonville FLA!

Williams Boat


We have two boats going out today. The Kurtz's boat which I am on taking the pictures and the Williams boat wich you see in the picture.

Little Talbot


We have arrived by water at our destination.

Tubing


Michelle, Brook and Amy get to go tubing. We are in Chuck Kurtz's boat and he is driving!

Hanging On The Beach


This is the beach at Ft. George. The Porters sure do appreciate the Williams and Kurtzs inviting us out on the boat to go to Ft. George. Its always a wonderful time.

Childhood Friend


This is my childhood friend Daniel Finn. He was my best friend from 5th grade till my Sr. year of High School. I left for college and we lost touch. We have pretty much been out of contact until now. I am so happy that we reunited! Dan stayed the night on his way back from NJ. I cant wait to meet the rest of his family.

Summer Synchronized Swimming


Summer is getting ready for the Olympics - Dad is getting a water workout!

Brook Synchronized Swimming


Brook synchronized swimming - what year Olympics would she be eligible for?

Dad - The Underwater Taxi


This is just one of the services I provide the children in the pool. Underwater taxi.

Popsicles


Brook and Summer have popsicles in the pool with Grandma and Grandpa

Girls And Grandpa


The Porter sisters love swimming in the pool with Grandpa - it was a great visit!

A Picture Is Worth A Thoursand Words


If a picture is worth a thousand words - I would like to know what words you think of when you seen this picture. Please Post comments and let us know. And no this is not a staged photo! :-)

A Good Sister


Isabella is being very patient with her little sister. Grandma and Grandpa Bicknase wonder if the patience is about to run out.

Brookie Sneaks In


Brookie Sneaks in to see what's going on!

Emma


Emma on Independance Day

Independance Day


The ladies hanging out by the pool on Independance Day

Independance Day Party


Just hanging out celebrating Independance Day!

On Judds Boat


Here we are on Judds boat - the gentleman in the picture is Robert, he is Maria's brother. He helpled me with the rock project below.

Summer On The Beach


Summer walking on the beach in Ft. George

Air Judd


Judd - Style in Motion

ELEVEN CUBIC YARDS OF ROCK!


Yes thats what 11 cubic yards of 1.5" river rock looks like - Robert helped me. It took us 8 hours to put the weed barrier and the rock down.

Front Yard Border and Rock Project


This is how the front looks now. We did this project all around the house. I think it looks great. It was a lot of hard work. It makes mowing and edging a snap. We layed down a weed preventing fabric so I dont have to many weeds popping up. When they do I just hit them with RoundUp. I would love to post all the pictures but

I dont want to bore you! :-)

Diplomas


Basket of the childrens diplomas.

Brooks Graduating Class


Brooks and her graudating class

Brook Graduates Kindergarten


Brook recieves her diploma from her teacher Ms. Allison

Tuesday, August 14, 2007


Summer bouncing on the trampoline out at Fort George.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Heres the Team


From Left to right starting with the back row; McKenzie, Brielle, Brook, Coach Mike, Dyland and Josh! GO TEAM!

Picture Day - Minutes Before the Game


Brook and her soccer ball.

Running for the Ball


Theres a lot of determination on those faces, I wonder if Brook is thinking about scoring her first goal...

Brooks Scores Her First Goal!


Brook scores her first goal, what a wonderful moment. There was much rejoicing!

Goal Number 2


Brook scores her second goal - proof this is not beginners luck. And there was much rejoicing again (see coach in background)!

Parent Tunnel


Everyone is a winner and and everyone gets to go through the 'Parent Tunnel'. Congratulations Brook! We are all very proud of you!

Monday, February 19, 2007

How Many Kids Fit In a John Deere Tractor


Of course all the children wanted to go on the tractor ride at the same time! I think the total number of people in he cab was 9. I am not sure if that number included Grandpa Roger or not. :-)

After the tractor ride we had a short ride to Mike and Sara's home. Its almost 9 PM here and we just got done having a make your own pizza party. Yes, I know I am not very original and I am going to plagerize this cooking idea too! Jax crew we will be having one of these partys at our home when we get back. Mike and Sara's new home is beautiful and I am ready to test out the mattress in our bedroom for 'sleep-ability' because all that fresh air and fun has worn me out... unless the internet connection allows me to pay WoW for a bit - or two bits maybe.

We miss and love you all family and friends!

Grandpa Roger Gets the Tractor


Its the end of he day now and Grandpa Roger gets out one of the tractors.

Who Needs Pilates


Who needs Pilates (or any gym for that matter) when you can jump hay bales. Its hard to see from the picture but the bales are seperated by a couple of feet. Jumping between them is great fun. Watching children jump from bale to bale was fun. Watching them jump, not make it, bounce of the bale, fall into the snow was a bit nerve racking but the snow and the bales are pretty soft and nobody got hurt! :-)

Grandpa Roger: A Lesson on Cows and Farm Life


Schools closed on Presidents day but Grandpa Roger teaches Brook and Summer about cows and farm life.

Sara Kicks It Up a Notch


Speed demon Sara kicked it up a notch when she drove!

No Hills for Sledding


There were no hill for sledding buy you dont have to worry about that with Grandpa Roger around. He knows how to improvise! (Jacksonville guys, this is right up our alley, remember Jet-Skis in the ocean during a hurricane)

Holdig a Chicken


...held a chicken...

Feeding the Colt


...fed the colt...

Snowball Fight on the Farm


...had another snowball fight...

Rabbits


Then we played with rabbits...

Summer Says 'Yippe Kiyaaaa'


Summer loved the horse.

Roger Saddles Up the Horse


Roger saddled up the horse for the kids to ride on. I dont know much about horses but this one was kind, gentle and new the 'horse riding experience' of the human riding on it. Slow for the kids and peppy for the adults.

Brook and Puppy


Brook found a beautiful puppy quickly!

Day 2: At the Olsen Farm


Its now day 2 and we just arrived at the Olsen Farm. Roger and Bonnie Olsen (Mike Bicknase' mother and father in law) opened up their beautiful home and farm to the whole family. Sara's sisters and nieces and nephews were also there and they brought a big surprie with them for the chidren. We all had the time of our lives. The hospitality was fantastic, the air was crisp and clean and all of the farm animals were ready to participate. It was a great day! In this picture Sara's sister arrives with a basket full of beautiful puppies (thats the surprise)! One puppy per child please. :-)

Snowball Fight and Snow Angels at the Gandparents Home


All kinds of mayhem going on here! From snow angels to snowball fights!

Grandma Goes Sledding


Grandma likes sledding too!

Lining up for the big race (Daytona 500 of Marshall MN). In order from left to right; JP, Mike Bicknase, Sawyer Bicknase, Sara Bicknase, Summer Porter, Brook Porter, Papa Bicknase, Tim Bicknase, Jake Tisher.

Brook and Dad sledding!

Helping a Friend Up the Hill


Brook helping Kate up the hill.