Happy Birthday Abby!

Happy 10th Birthday to our sweet niece, Abby!! Our family loves hanging out with Abby. I especially enjoy being with Abby so that I can braid her hair (Carter doesn't typically like me to braid his hair) :-)
Abby is a very special cousin to Carter as he loves to play with her. She's an awesome cousin and also a great friend to Carter. Abby is one of the most patient and kind-hearted little girls that I know!! And now she is growing up!
Here the kids are sledding on Baecker's hill at Christmas time in 2004....Our annual trip to the Rice Lake Pumpkin Patch with cousins (2005)...

Big cousin Abby loving up baby Bradley at the hospital..

Abby & Auntie Shana came to visit us after we came home from the hospital...

Another great year at the pumpkin patch ~~2006~~

Abby showing us her talent on the keyboard at Christmas time (2006)

Pumpkin patch time.....2007........

Carter had a blast with Abby on our trip to the Cranberry Country Lodge this year!! And Bradley is still asking about his big cousin...."Where's Abby" ?????

We love having you around Abby! You are my sweetie!! We love you!

Vacation Bible School 2008

We kicked off a great year of VBS this year!! "Power Lab - Discovering Jesus' Miraculous Power". The kids performed at the church service this morning. What fun it is to bring our little ones closer to God and learn more about Jesus!!

Autumn, Carter & Paige in the group...

Dylan & Ethan are also in the group....

Bradley helped us pass out the thank you gifts at the end of the program. Here he is giving Dane a Powerade drink. Thanks to many family members who helped with this great event: Grandma & Grandpa Dorwin, Amy, Don & Brett Black, Ann, Lenny & Dane Schneider & Missy Dorwin.
Day 1: Jesus gives us the power to be thankful.

Grandma LaNita was one of our Crew Leaders..

Day 2: Jesus gives us the power to help others....."Aha!!"Day 3: Jesus gives us the power to be brave. The kids went through the story of when Jesus walks on water. Our Station Leader, Doug, built an awesome boat for the kids to get the real feel of it.

Day 4: Jesus gives us the power to live forever. Dylan, Hunter & LaNita are in this picture.

Day 5: Jesus gives us the power to tell others about God.

LaNita's Birthday Party

We had a good time at the fire pit, roasting hot dogs and marshmellows for LaNita's birthday party.
Here Bradley is trying to blow out the fire on the tiki torch... Everyone was ready to roast a marshmellow or make a S'mores.

Tara is helping make up a S'more...

The kids even caught a mouse in the spring. We were very excited that they brought the mouse over to the table to show all of us. Carter would like everyone to know that he got bit by the mouse.

The roasting queen...

Grandma with all the kids...

Dylan, Cruz, Carter & Toby, Paige, Autumn, Evan, Grandma, Bradley & Grandpa....

The roasting king....

Tara & Paul...

It started to sprinkle at the end of the party, so we packed up and headed inside for birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Grandma LaNita!! We love you!!

Happy Anniversary Jamie & Shana!

Happy Anniversary to my handsome brother and beautiful sister-in-law, who has been like a sister to me!! 16 years for the love birds...

Haven't changed a bit......

Congratulations!! We love you!!

Happy Birthday Grandma LaNita!

Happy Birthday Grandma LaNita/Mom!! We hope you have a great day having lunch with the sisters. It wouldn't be a family blog without some fun pictures of the "birthday girl"...
This is LaNita's birthday party last year with all the kids...... Little Abby's birthday party.....

Grandma & Grandpa with Carter at the Durand Wrestling Tournament (2007)....Grandma & Grandpa with Carter at the Durand Wrestling Tournament this year....

Chad's birthday party this year...

Last year on Christmas Eve (Bradley's birthday).....

We are having a small family get-together Friday night for LaNita's birthday down by the firepit. It will be fun roasting some hot dogs, marshmellows and making S'mores!! Happy Birthday Grandma LaNita!!

Happy Anniversary Todd & Missy!

It's been 11 years for Todd & Missy!!! Todd is in Oregon this week with a full load, helping someone move. Missy is busy every night this week helping out in the nursery during VBS.

Congratulations Todd & Missy!!

Kitchen Painting Done (check)

It took some time, but the kitchen painting project is finally done. Once I got the wallpaper and glue off, I had to texturize and prime the walls. I was then able to paint them.

The colors are the same ones that are in our dining & living room. Two walls have the cappachino (lighter brown) color and the other two walls have the chocolate (darker brown) color.

I would like to work on the laundry room next, but I think that project will have to wait until next summer. :-)

Little Abby's Birthday & Father's Day

Little Abby had a nice birthday party at Grandma & Grandpa Dorwin's on Father's Day. The food was good, the company was good, and the kids were good. It was a nice time!
Little Abby turned 4 this month and she is doing very well. Grandma LaNita helped Abby open her presents. Paul & Tara....

Grandma Lila, Grandma Deb, Grandpa Ken, Jack and Sondra...

Grandma Deb & Grandpa Ken were able to join us for the party. It was Grandpa Ken's last day of work today!!! He is now officially retired!

~~~~~~~~~~Congratulations Grandpa Ken.........we hope to see lots of you this summer (I usually have a very long daily "To Do" list)!!~~~~~~~~~~~

Grandpa Bill and Chad peeking out....

Happy Birthday Little Abby...

The Dorwin Kids...Paige, Dylan, Carter (& Toby), Cruz, Evan (& Shadow) and Bradley...

Carter and his puppy, Toby...

Cute little Paige.....

Cruz...

Bradley...

Auntie Pat and Grandma Lila...

Stephanie and Little Abby...

Grandma LaNita and Tara.....

Todd, Missy & Dylan hiding.....

Evan.....

Paul, Ross, Grandpa Bill......