What fun it was to spend time with my MN family this past week. Thanks everyone!
Dad
Mom & her kids!
Sophie
Gramps Tom
Gr'ma Sheryl
Paul
Sam
Karen, Mom & Lori
Alyssa, Ryan & Luke
Derick & Alex
Todd & Lori
Sandy & Vikki Paul & Gordy
My mom turned 70 last week, and Owen & I flew to MN to surprise her! What a sweet time we had. This first picture is her reaction when she first saw me...she cried! 12 of us were there to surprise her for lunch and as my uncle Gordy said, "I think this is the first time I've ever seen JoAnne speechless!" The week flew by quickly, but was filled with lots of laughter, late night chats, FOOD, and the best part...family. How blessed I am to be your daughter, mom. Thanks...I love you!
What a strange photo, you might think. Well, Amanda challenged her blog friends to this....Post your 8th picture from your 8th file of photos on your computer. Here's my flash back! Thomas is 10 months old and playing with the battery organizer. An odd thing to take a photo of, except that Claire was fascinated by the battery organizer when she was little as well. She would arrange the batteries by size and even position them so they were all facing the same direction. This attention to detail has followed her to this day. Thomas? Well, he seems to like things in their place as well. Tonight, he couldn't get into bed until the toys by his crib were put away where they belong. 
Well, Ella & Tom survived their winter camping outing! There wasn't enough snow to build a snowcave, so Tom called the experience the "Gramps Special." Growing up, Tom & his dad went winter camping once a year with a few guys from their church. The lean-to tarp get up was just like his dad used to make. These pictures are from Ella's camera, so most were taken by her. I especially love the one of the bag.....I made "puppy chow" (chex cereal with peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar) as her birthday treat out there. It was -19 when we drove to church this morning, so I'm sure it was at least that cold where they camped. I'm amazed she toughed it out. Another Alaskan adventure and story for the books! 
