What's up with Wilsons?

Friday, September 19, 2008

Caught up!

Since we WERE behind in blogging, here is the written update, I feel like it should have some kind of theme music:

Micah turned 13 (THIRTEEN!!!) this summer and is now as tall as me! His shoes are a men's 8.5 and still growing, and I called his cell phone the other day, got his voicemail, and was shocked by how his voice is changing - which I didn't notice as much as we talk on a daily basis. 8th Grade this year, High school next year! He's still playing the french horn this year and is learning to arc weld in school, which he thinks is great fun! No sports right now although lots of time with friends and youth group (the Well at the Duluth Vineyard Church) doing stuff like touch football and bike riding. His long curly hair is an interesting subject as Micah is starting to care what he looks like. He really likes his long hair, but wants to wear a hat all the time... Micheal and I have to designate specific days as 'no hat days.'

Grace will be 4 in less than two weeks. She is still 'the boss' as my Gram likes to say. I say she is a typical high-maintenance woman and no one will ever walk all over her! Sometimes that helps me deal. She goes to Preschool at UMD and spends alternate days at Gramma Bonnie's, which seems to be a good mix for her. She says that when she grows up she wants to be a Princess, a Ballerina & a Mermaid and you would often find her dressed up as one of those. Or else just a dress, or anything that's sparkly or slinky - what Aunt Elaine calls cheap - Grace thinks is beautiful. And, she is FINALLY potty trained! Hallelujah!

Micheal is still looking for the right job - please keep him in mind! Although the break has allowed him to get bunches done at home, which has been nice! And I've had to cook less, which has been nice for me, not so much for him! He's alos been working on a huge photo project for Covenant Park Bible Camp which will celebrate 60 years next summer. And he volunteered for the CPBC Women's Retreat last weekend, his favorite weekend, and he says the Women still eat like locusts (ala Dave Benson)!

I am still in the Information Technology department at UMD, pushing paperwork around my desk... I've been able to play on a worship team at Vineyard one weekend a month (which really takes the whole weekend for 5 services and practice!) and also spent some time leading and playing for worship for a couple small groups. Micheal still helps out with media at Vineyard and has added 'sound guy' to his resume, which he happy to be doing again.

And you are now up to date with the Wilson's! :O)

Como Zoo & the MN State Fair, 2008

The drive to the Cities
Grace is excited.
Micah, not so much.

Jeeves, our family driver, cook, & butler

Since I take the most photos,
it always bugs me there are no photos of me,
or very few, and I think someday my kids may wish
there were a few more photos of their mom.
I have decided, however, that this may not be
the best way to get those pictures taken!

Tired kids, ready to go home

Thrifty Thursday at the MN State Fair
August 21st, 2008

Crepes for breakfast at French Crepes,
Grace had Cinnamon Brown Sugar
Micah had Scrambled eggs, cheese & bacon
I had asparagus and swiss cheese
Yum-my!

Grace was VERY upset that we wouldn't buy her this hat.
I don't know why - I'm sure she'd be wearing this $45 hat everyday!

Micheal's favorite sign

Maple glazed bacon on a stick, another favorite!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Sweet Sweet Raspberries

Grace & I picked raspberries at our friend's 'Raspberry Estate'

LOTS of raspberries...

Grace followed Mark around and picked, and ate, and picked, and ate...

Mark finally made the rule that you can only eat off of the bushes,
not out of the bucket!

I love how intent they are on picking only the reddest, juiciest raspberries.

If you look in the dictionary under 'Insectophobia'
there would probably be a picture of Grace.
Mark had to watch out for the bugs as they picked.
I'm pretty sure she's yelling about a bug in this photo.

Grace insisted that Mark wear the daisies she picked for him,
what a good sport!

Thanks, Mark & Casey!

Independance Day with no aliens bent on destroying our planet!

My dad came to town for a week and a half to see his parents.
He had never met Grace in person and she took to him right away.
She did, however, tell him, "You can't tell me what to do!"

Grace & I at the Superior 4th of July Parade.
Grace's hat is both a bug repellant and sun blocker.
She & I fight over her wearing it, I won this one and
she didn't get burned. Think that'll make it easier next time?
Not if you've ever met Grace...

Grace, watching videos in the back of the van,
waiting for the fireworks

My Dad, Ray

Our view waiting for it to get dark & the fireworks to start

Smiley face!

Bug with large googly eyes

4 Generations:
Ray & Mary Dolan (Grandparents, 85 years old)
Ray Dolan (Dad)
Kathy
Micah & Grace

Random Pictures from Summer 2008

Grace, eating dinner at Larson's
Sitting on a windowsill, 15 feet up - super safe! not...

We dog sat Pokey, Gram & Grampa's dog.
She likes Micah...

not Grace.

If you have a long beard,
and a little girl with lots of hair accessories,
I totally believe you should expect to have your beard
'fixed' once in a while.
What's up with the attitude, dude?

Build-a-Bear Factory at the Mall of America!
Look at all that loot!

Underwater Adventures, Mall of America

Spending time at Aunt Elaine's

The family at a grad party in Menomenie WI
end of May, 2008

This game was fun! We plan to build one at home...

Bubbles

Micheal <3 Hello Kitty.

Awwww!

Sugar High...

Micah & Aunt Elaine

Where's my brother?
Grace was very excited for Micah to come home from camp!

Twirling ~~~~~~~~

Super tired kid, ready to go home and sleep all weekend.

Love this picture.

We picked up Micah, Jordan, Caleb & Erin from camp
and went right to pick strawberries.
Trying to get a bunch of tired, cranky kids to pick strawberries
is like trying to herd cats to the vet for shots...