Best Friend - once removed?

Ok - those of you who know me, know that Elizabeth & I talk on the phone, on average, about 25 times a day (I'm exaggerating a little, it's closer to 50, but don't tell Jake)
Her sis, Ginny, is on the other end, and talks to Betsy the rest of the minutes in the day, or maybe it's the other way 'round.
I think that makes Gin my best friend, once removed? My Morman friends can correct me on the correct genealogical term.
Anywho, she is hilarious, and a great writer, so check out her blog at :

http://stealthy-cat.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-is-turd.html

Maybe it's the fact I've been on my own for 3 days (for the THIRD STRAIGHT WEEKEND!) But, I laughed so hard I cried!

I miss my blog!

Hopefully, if you are reading this - you will enjoy the new post! I have been biiiiiii-Z lately, with gardening and more gardening!
Here are a couple of pics of the kids with their cousins - Lindsey babysat last week while Castle had his tests at the Clinic (Note: If your child ever pees blood, call the Dr.)
Everything ended up being fine - thank God! But it was a little scary!
So lucky to have our cousins so close --Hope to have more garden project pics up soon!

Happy Birthday, Castle!

Castle is 3 years old today - officially a big-boy, today he ate a special breakfast of French Toast & fresh-squeezed OJ, and spent the morning at work with Dad.
After we picked him up, I took the kids swimming at the Y for the morning, and Castle swam all by himself! Big first on a big day.
The past 3 years have gone by so fast - I am so lucky to have more time now with Jake than I did when Castle was first born and I was frantically adjusting to having 2 kids while Jake worked 85 hour weeks...but it has made us stronger, and appreciate our time even more, and given us strength for our new endeavors... What a great day.
In honor of the day, here is Castle's birth story... Enjoy!

Crunchy Conservative...

...who said Republicans don't care about our environment?!
This was not merely a contrived political photo op, either -- we had a great time planting trees at the Groth farmstead. Our kids loved it too -- here are some pics of Fiona & Charlotte, being best friends.

He's Endorsed!

As of this past Saturday, Jake is officially the endorsed Republican candidate to challenge the Democrats this November for the MN House of Representatives seat.
After speaking at the endorsing convention, there was a lengthy open question and answer session that had me sweating (but not Jake!) and it ended with a vote to endorse!
Brian D***s, our candidate for US Congress, gave a nice endorsement speech for Jake. Thank you to our other supporters - we literally couldn't have done it without you!
Now the work begins, as we need to make a plan to win this thing! Jake is headed up to St. Paul tomorrow, to spend the day with another representative to sit in on some debates.
Congratulations sweetheart!

"I don't understand women" - every man (& Castle)

Fiona was explaining *something* to her friend, Abby at the 4th Avenue house today... Castle was trying to wrap his head around it. Very funny, very cute, very typical...

MY FRIEND JEN IS AMAZING!

Check out this blog entry by my friend, Jen Schultz
http://genesisphotography.wordpress.com
She is an amazing artist and I can't wait to frame some of these photos for our house. If anyone is looking for a family photographer, I can't recommend her enough.
We love you Jen!