On this day in history . . .

It was on this day in history, September 9, 1999, that our mutual friend Sarah asked me if I would be interested in meeting this nice guy she knew.  I was so excited about how great he sounded, I didn't even remember his name from this first conversation!
Somehow I was reminded in the interim, he called me, and we ended up meeting at another mutual friends' wedding (his co-worker was the groom, the bride was my classmate, and I was soloist) on September 18, 1999.
The rest is history!

(2011 photo)

Craniosynostosis Awareness Month

It's September and that means it's Craniosynostosis Awareness Month!

A fellow Cranio Mom made these badges for the kids in our group and I wanted to share here, too. :)

Have a great day!  

Baptism & Birthday #11

We continued on our journey to Brookings after the State Fair to celebrate the baptism of our new nephew, Reid Everist, on Sunday.  Here he is with Great Grandma Neises.

Rachel says, "He's cute." 

On Monday, it was time to celebrate again!  We started out with a little hotel room present opening. 

And a little car watching. 

We gave Landen some new train cars for his collection.  The gondola and caboose were antique cars I found in Fargo this past summer.   

We spent the afternoon with a picnic and playing in a park. 

Since we were again on the road for his birthday this year, Landen got to choose his cake.  He thought this cheesecake sampler would do the trick. 

Happy 11th Birthday, Landen!

A Day at the Fair

We surprised the kids on Saturday with a trip to the State Fair.  Neither David nor I had been to the State Fair in . . . yes. . . decades, so it was time for the Melius family to check it out.

There were mixed reviews as we looked at the various machinery on display, but attitudes brightened as we discovered the Rainbow Play Systems display and toured a few campers on display.

After that, we found some ice cream and decided to take a seat at the Freedom Stage, as a band was just getting ready to perform.  It turned out it was a classic 80's and 90's rock band, and although some more mature audience members did not appreciate the talent of the Snake Oil Sinners, my kids did.  If you remember, they just sang 90's rock songs for their Spring Concert last year.  When they announced Twisted Sister's "I Wanna Rock," Teresa couldn't sit still.  She was ready to rock!  We all shouted out "Livin' on a Prayer" and they were introduced to "School's Out for the Summer," too, which was ironic since they just returned to school. :)

Then we went to check out the animals.  We found this adorable pig.

And horses.

And lots and lots of goats!

We finished up with bunnies and chickens.

It was a great day at the fair.

Happy 11th Birthday!

Our Landen is 11 today!

Our adventure was just beginning when this photo was taken 10 years ago.

Happy Birthday to our Labor Day baby, who is now almost as tall as his mom!