Summer Vacation

We had a great time at graduation parties for Austin Klimek (Barron, WI) and Taylor & Katie Bothun (Eden Prairie, MN) the past couple weekends. We are so proud of all of our nieces & nephews.

June 3rd was the official start of Morgan's summer vacation. She has been busy keeping our house in tip top condition so we will be able to show it to prospective buyers with just a short notice. (Our house has been on the market for a week & we have only had 3 showings so far.)

Our litte buddy, Ty, comes and sees us from time to time when his mommy has errands to run or there are conflicts with her work schedule. He has a great time with Greatee (me) and Morgan. He still looks for Jordan, Farmer (Paul), and Pepper (Peppy our dog) everytime he comes over. He is disappointed when he hears that they are at the farm.

Here is Ty sleeping on Morgan's bed on a hot afternoon. (So glad we have a/c!)

The marching band season is upon us. Morgan & Emily have had marching practice almost every night this past week. They marched in the Summerfest Parade on Saturday and will march in parades on Tuesday & Thursday this week as well.

Morgan is the 2nd trumpet in this row. (Next the the tall boy who appears to be out of rank.)
Emily is the tall clarinet at the end of the row.

What have we been doing the past 3 months?!?

I imagine those of you who follow our family blogs have been frustrated that we have not updated for three months. Well, you know how it goes....you get so far behind that it is just overwhelming thinking about catching up. Here are a few things that have been happening....

Morgan got her driver's license shortly after her 16t birthday. She was then able to drive herself to school each day and I no longer had to take her to the many activities she was involved in. (Speech, Drama, music lessons & weightlifting filled her days after school.)

We spent time in March cleaning out extra clutter & furniture from our house with the intent of putting it on the market. We had been watching the homes for sale in the area just waiting for "the right one" to appear.

In early April I found out that I would be having some surgery and that I would be taking 6 weeks off of work. I basically spent the entire month preparing things at work so that 5 employees could each take on a few of my responsibilities while I was gone. (I am back to work now and happy to report that there wasn't as much chaos in my absence as everyone had anticipated.)

During the last part of my 6 weeks of medical leave we found a house just a few miles from town that we really liked. By this time Paul & Jordan were busy trying to get the crops planted between heavy rainfalls. They made a trip to see the house because both Morgan & I told them that it was "the one". They both agreed that we were right...it was "the one"!

Here we are by the front door the day the inspector was at the property.

Morgan is sitting on a huge rock in the backyard. She is excited for the big bedroom in the basement and the firepit in the backyard!

Sweet 16!

Morgan turned 16 on Wednesday. Her schedule was too full that day to do much celebrating so we had a party for her on Saturday night.

It was fun to have Jeremy, Kara & Allie here for the weekend. Allie helped plan the party and selected fun decorations and balloons. (Notice the lei around Morgan's neck? Allie couldn't remember the word lei & called it a hu-lei-lee...so cute! Emily helped invite some of Morgan's friends to come over later Saturday evening to celebrate. Allie enjoyed hanging out with the girls and was quite taken with her "cousin". (Kathleen)
Thanks for spreading the word, Em!

Happy Birthday, Morgan!!

Article from the Fergus Falls Daily Journal

The Fergus Falls Senior High theatre group took first place in the Winter One Act Sub-Sections Competition.

The students were judged on: Educational Value, Overall Effectiveness, Characterization, Voice, and Technical Elements, and are scored accordingly.

Fergus Falls students performed the one act play, “The Winner,” by B. Dwayne Craft and directed by Michelle Karst.

In this play: The Competitor sits listless while every imaginable influence in his life
cajoles, begs, pressures, and coaxes him to prepare for the upcoming competition. Everyone insists that he win The Prize, from his family to his Beloved, to his Optometrist. This expressionistic one-act vivisects and reassembles the many pressures of achievement placed on the individual, all leading to the inescapable conclusion that winning just might be everything…or nothing at all.

The cast and crew include the following Otters: Aaron Johnson, Ryan Sorkness, Lexi Wedll, Morgan Fylling, Lucille Krivanek, Steven Godel, Ben Haugmo, Charli Wolentez, Cassandra Eerdmans, Robbie Darling, Justin Gullickson, Jessica Segura, Erik Vergiels, Olivia Scott, Sarah Bowman, Katelyn Kelley, Austin Sandmeyer, Reid Cole, Taylor Gray; with a lot time and effort from community members. A special thanks goes out to Jerry Ringwelski for set construction, Rebecca Thanel for make up ideas and hair designs, Jordan Fylling’s assistance as stage manager, and Sew Perfect Bridal for the generous donation of a dress and costume alterations.

The students will compete again this Thursday, Feb. 3 at the section finals in Alexandria for a chance to appear in the state one act festival.

January Happenings

The snowboarding craze has hit the family hard this winter. Jordan and Tim have had the opportunity to go quite often. (Those two have even been building jumps in various locations to practice on.) Jordan gave Morgan a couple lessons during vacation. He & Tim got Emily out on the slopes as well. Heather has purchased a board in anticipation of an upcoming trip to Lutsen Mtn (by Duluth) in mid February. There will be more blogging about this after the trip.Our little Ty was totally facinated with Nutcrackers this Christmas. When I found this snowboarder nutcracker I just had to get it as a keepsake/reminder of the fun everyone had during the holiday season!

Someone received her birthday gift early this year! (She needed time to learn to parallel park it before she takes her driver's license test next month.)
Happy Sweet 16, Morgan!

Pictures of our Family from 2010

Christmas Letter

Christmas 2010

Dear Family & Friends:

Greetings to you from cold & snowy Minnesota! There is no doubt that we will be having a white Christmas this year. Our snowmobiles haven't been out yet, but I am sure Jordan will be taking his sister out on the trails once she is on break from school for the holidays. Jordan has recently acquired a snowboard and is now practicing at a local ski slope in anticipation of a trip to out West this winter. I am glad that my family can enjoy the snowy season.

We have had another busy year. I am still working at a residential treatment facility for teens with behavioral & emotional problems. I can't believe I have worked there for 5 years already. Time sure does fly! I enjoy spending time with our granddaughter, Allie (5 years old) and my great-nephew, Ty (2 1/2 years old). Allie is now in kindergarten so her trips to stay with us will be limited to her school vacations (boo hoo). We have lots of fun when she comes to stay!

Ty lives here in Fergus Falls so we get to see him more often. He is a fun little guy and always finds plenty to do when he visits Great-ee (Sheri) and Farmer Paul (Paul).

(I would have to tie him to the stool with an apron so he wouldn't fall off since I didn't have a highchair to use.)

Paul is busy with his farming and grain hauling. He also finds time for fun things like motorcycle and snowmobile trips with his friends. Last February he and Jordan flew to Daytona, FL for "Bike Week". (A good friend brought down their motorcycles in a trailer.)

The weather was extremely cold, but they had a great time riding their bikes in the Florida sun. Paul's grain hauling has been limited to North Dakota the past couple years. (Thankfully there is usually more work than he can handle.) This allows him to get to Fergus Falls most weekends and for special events.

Jeremy, Kara & Allie are still in Rochester, MN. Kara works for Mayo Clinic and Jeremy for Charter Communications. They keep busy with work & family. Jeremy finds time for things like golfing and riding dirt bike. Kara is busy keeping up with Allie's activities and she enjoys baking yummy treats to share with her co-workers and friends.

(Here is a picture of Kara & Allie in matching aprons....aren't they cute!)

They will be spending Christmas at Disney World in Orlando this year. It will be a great time for them!

Jordan graduated from Valley City State University in May. He is currently in Fergus Falls.

This Fall he helped coach football at the local college (Minnesota State - Fergus Falls) and worked with a special needs student at the local junior high school. He is hoping to find a job teaching Social Studies and coaching football. Jordan caught "running fever" this year and participated in several races. (He still keeps his mom on edge with his love of extreme sports.) Jordan enjoys playing guitar and can often be found comparing playing techniques with his sister.

Morgan is now a sophomore at Kennedy Secondary School. (The local school was remodeled and the name has been changed.) It is exciting to be the first classes in the "new" school. She is busy with her many drama and music productions. This past summer she and her cousin Emily were wives in the musical production of "The King & I".

(Emily wearing red & Morgan wearing teal in the photo.)

After one performance they ran out of spray-on hair color so the girls were not allowed to wash it out of their hair before the matinee the following day.

Here is a photo of them sleeping with shower caps on so the bedding didn't turn black.

(They are going to be so thrilled that I have included this photo!)

In her spare time Morgan takes voice, piano & guitar lessons. She currently has excessive amounts of homework each night. (I think she may be regretting the advanced placement US History class she signed up for!) Morgan also participates in Jazz Band, Pep Band, Young Life and attends Bethel Youth Group each week. She has taken Driver's Ed. and hopes to have her license in a couple months. What will I do with all of my free time when I am not running her to all of these activities?!?

The past year has been filled with may good times, but we also have felt the loss of far too many dear family members and friends. In our grief we often struggle to understand the meaning and purpose of the loss. We hold fast to our belief that God is in control and He has a plan for all of our lives. It is in Him that we find comfort. It is our wish that , as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, you too find your peace and purpose in Him.