Lake Winnibigoshish

This past weekend I went ice fishing with Jeremy Roethler, his Dad Randy and one other guy up at Lake WinnibigoshishRandy setting the hook

Jeremy using a Vexilar to check for fish

One of the guys at sunset fishing next to my 10 thousand pound truck on the ice

Buy our house . . . . . . . . please

Anyone want to buy a house? We put our house on the market this week. Lots of fun so far. . . Keeping the house clean at all times, then scrambling to get two kids, two cats, and a dog out the door. We have had some interest so that's positive I guess.

The geese seem to like it here.

Joseph's 3rd Birthday

Joseph blowing out his candle at his 3rd birthday bash
Joseph's new MSU helmet for his birthday

Joseph's 3rd year of swimming lessons

Kylie's first year of swimming lessons

The daily ritual of waiting for Mom to come home from work

First and Perhaps Joseph's Last Ice Fishing Trip

0 degrees, the wind blowing, and we are the only suckers out on the ice without an ice house. I'm not sure Joseph was terribly impressed. By the time I unloaded the truck, carried Joseph and our gear out onto the ice and drilled a few holes, I think we only spent a total of about 10 minutes actually fishing before Joseph had a breakdown and we had to go.

Christmas with the Bjerke's

Kylie's new piano from Aunt Megs and Mo.

Joseph's new race track from Santa.

A very sticky project finally complete.

The fam.

The Polings Christmas day.

0 degrees and a cold little girl.

Grandma being a good sport getting pulled my the snowmobile back behind the house.

The neighborhood thought the Montanans were crazy out playing in the cold.

A day at the Mall of America.

Everyone at the hospital to see where Leslie works.

Joseph's gift to Kylie. They got to open one gift Christmas eve.

First Time on Santa's Lap

Joseph wasn't very cooperative for pictures, but he did ask Santa if his reindeer were on the roof. Here they are looking for his reindeer.

First Trip to the Dentist

He got a sticker, a new toothbrush, a pencil, special kid toothpaste that Mom and Dad are not allowed to use, and a clean bill of health on his teeth. Good thing he has Dad's teeth. Mom's check up didn't go so well. I swear she must eat sugar out of the jar with a spoon.

O Tannenbaum

Yesterday we went and cut down our Christmas tree at a tree farm. You'd think since you cut it down yourself it should be cheaper right? Not quite the $2 tree permit back in MT.

Latest Taxidermy Project

This was my latest project. Grandpa Dan and I found one of these sheds on the ranch. After talking to Pat the hired man, come to find out he had found the match.

After nearly falling to my death trying to hang this in our stair well, we found out it won't fit there. So, it gets to grace our living room wall for a while.

Was that a wolf, Daddy?

Sam either really likes, or really dislikes Joseph's harmonica playing.

Party Time

The fort at the cabin is always a party waiting to happen.

Hunting trip in Montana

We made a trip home to Montana last week. Our friends the Roethler's came along. Jeremy, Amy, and Jackson. Also Jeremy's brother Kenny. Jeremy and Kenny both had deer and elk tags. We saw elk everyday, but to no avail. Although the mule deer hunt turned out pretty well.
Here's Kenny with his Lewis Ranch buck.

Jeremy was done about 10 minutes after sun up. Poor Kenny had to hunt for almost an hour before he got his buck.

Having bagged their bucks there was plenty of time for prairie doggin'.

Here's the boys on top of the mountain where we planned to glass for elk. We got a little too high for our own good. All we could see was clouds and snow. So down the mountain we headed before we froze.

Here's Jeremy, Amy, and Jackson at the top of the trail.

Kenny, David, and Jeremy on top of a ridge just after sniffing out a bull at the base of this climb.

Jed Clampett Rides Again!

It's a good thing we're headed for the hills, because we're sure gonna look like a bunch of hillbillies rolling down the road. Here's Joseph looking proud of our outfit.

No fancy pumpkins this year. Joseph and I quickly carved these pumpkins this morning so they can sit and rot on our steps while we're gone.

Grandma Sue came to visit

Grandma Sue had a conference in Minneapolis this week. After the conference she was able to come down and spend a few days with us. Joseph already misses his Grandma, but only a couple weeks now until our Montana trip.

The Pumpkin Patch

Joseph, Jackson, and Leslie driving the monster truck at the pumpkin patch.

Picking pumpkins can tire a kid out.

Dance like a cow

Don't ask why. But, he's dancing like a cow.

Octoberfest

Sorry, forgot the camera. We went out for some sausage, kraut, spuds, beer, and a live polka band tonight. Joseph and Kylie loved the band. Kylie liked watching all the people dancing. Joseph was really into the band.

He especially liked the accordian. We went and sat right under their music stands and listened to them play.

Gracie Dog

This past weekend we babysat our friend Charlotte's dog Gracie.

Joseph had a blast. Finally a dog that Joseph can hold the leash and not get drug around.

Kylie liked her too. Can't say the feeling is mutual. Here she is with an eyelid in one hand and some lip in the other.

New Teeth

Sorry the picture is a little blurry, but if you look close you can see two teeth poking through. Not a very exciting thing if you ask Kylie.

Little Giggler

Kylie has definately found her voice. (and her giggle)