Shelby's semi-formal 7th Grade Dance



Shelby's date ended up with a concussion at his hockey game earlier in the day, but the girl put on a big smile and made sure to keep him and his family in her thoughts. All the other boys were her "date" and they all looked great!

before, during and part way after

Before we started canning for the season and stocking up for the winter I had Bear and Milo mount some shelving for me.
This is the before canning look of the basement.
This is the look of it once we were finished canning. And then after this weekend, I had them mount even more shelves, since we totally ran out of room!
And now we know we needed the extra shelves because the empty jars on the right are the ones that we have already eaten the contents from. So as the next season approaches we will see just how much we need to can for the year. It'll be interesting to see how much we can really judge how much to eat. I already know I have way too much jam, but it'll keep. And the apple pie filling in the jar will be nice this winter, when there is no way you would make an apple pie from apples in the store.
A freezer full of our own meat, shelves full of veggies...all natural and untouched by chemicals and additives. Love it. I also love my grocery bill as it goes down and down. Not much beats the taste of them either. Mmmmmm.

a Thanksgiving to be Grateful for

the following is what happens when you set up the auto timer and try to get a family shot of 11 people...enjoy! We did have a great Thanksgiving. A special Shout Out to my bro Bart, for helping me drink 3 bottles of wine with the family, hang Christmas lights and for not crying this year! Love ya!


Lefse Making 2011

In the height of the season, we bestowed upon our children the fine art of lefse making. It is a tradition that we have done for years...and I am finally proud to say that my boys each rolled their own lefse and fried it and ate it with butter and sugar...until their little bellies were full!

ask and ye shall receive


It has been a long standing joke...that when you want Milo to do something for you, just "add it to Becky's list". Well, I asked him for a couple of shelves with a routed groove to prop up my favorite black and whites of all of my nieces and nephews and of course I got it. First, it was "wait until after hunting season", then it was "wait until after Christmas", but one day, he showed up, we found the studs in the wall and we mounted my new shelves. I had printed my favorites of my "kids" and blew them up to 8x10's. I love how the whole wall turned out. And, I told Blake and Casey, I only have room for 2 more kids...so make up your mind or I'm gonna need another shelf!

Wishing for (more) Snow

Oh back in December sometime, we headed to the Golf Course sledding. About a week after I actually asked one of the golf course management guys if it truly was okay that we "trespass" on the golf course and sled. He gave me a new route to take to get to some better hills!
Bear, the kids, myself and all of the Froemkes (aside from Jon) headed out. It was a blast. The kids and the adults all enjoyed themselves. I hope I never look back and think..."man, my kids must have thought we were nuts", because about right now in their lives, we are pretty darn cool!
Like, this is dad just before he has to bail out or he's gonna hit the river!
And this is Summer, who is thinking at the age of 32, that it's a good idea to try to snowboard down the hill on a sled!
And then, where we all hit the tree!
Just prior to heading into the river
He looks shocked at our behavior right?
Gracie Lyn and Emmitt Jon hanging out at the top of the hill. They did eventually hit the trail with one of the parents or solo. Pretty amazing when they finally take the plunge and go down the hill all by themselves!


And of course I was there the whole time sledding, doing stupid stuff and taking pictures. See...here I am in one!

Flarp (cuz, farting is funny!)

The Smashing of the Gingerbread House