The Hagen's...

I promised Taylor and Gage that if they were good for their photo shoot - they would be on the internet. As promised, here they are...

You guys did an AWESOME job at finding good spots for pictures, carrying my camera bag and smiling! Love you both!

The Law Report...

Here's what the paper read two weeks ago...

A fire was reported on Karstens Road North of Deer River on Tuesday at 1:31am. Local fire departments were dispatched - no injuries were reported.

You just can never imagine anything like this happening to your family and when it does - you're in shock. I will never for the morning of July 15th. I wanted nothing more than to instantly be standing there with my mom and comforting her as she went through this horrible event. I wanted nothing more than to see both of my parents and know that they were okay -praying they were both out and alive.

I guess the whole event has put a new perspective on life and just how precious it truly is. Mom wasn't able to fall asleep that night so she was laying in bed reading a book when she smelt the smoke. She got up checked the hallway and didn't see anything - going back to bed thinking it was in her head - she smelt it again. Checking her fan and outlit not seeing anything she went back to the hallway and blue smoke filled the air. We figure that within 33mins. of my mom being up and going to bed is when the fire started in the basement and when she smelt enough smoke to investigate.

Over the past few weeks I cannot help but think of all the emotions that our family has gone through. We have cried and laughed within the same sentence but most importantly - we have been there for each other. This tragic situation has really brought us closer as a family and although much has been lost - much has been gained.

I have a new level of respect for the Fire Department; without them my parents wouldn't have anything. I also have a new level of respect for fire and the damage it can cause - my house will never be without fire alarms or batteries no matter how many times they go off when I cook.

Random Shots

I love being out at the farm and all the great things there are to take pictures of... just wanted to share some of pictures of today with everyone...

Some of these are Grandma's flowers while the others are just the wild flowers on the trails we were on today... Poor Damon "Damon, stop - there's a cool picture... Oh, look at that berry - can you get me closer??"...

Gettin' Stuck & Havin' Fun

Today we went 'Rhino-ing' at the farm. It was only Damon, Ned and myself but we found plenty of mud and adventure to keep us busy. I have to post our first 'we're stuck' moment - we actually got to try out the wench... it worked and we were out within minutes... here are the captured moments.

And of course, there's Nedward - who saw the opportunity to relax in the mud hole while we were wenching ourselves out.

Highlights from the 4th of July....

Most of our pictures revolve around Anthony... imagine that! He is so darn cute I just couldn't resist! This first one Amanda has introduced Anthony to the boat horn - you can see the excitment in this new discovery! Damon and Anthony hanging out...

"Hello?"... There are multiple ways that you can be entertained with a corn on the cobb holder! The Hanson family... Anthony doesn't have time to sit around and take pictures; however, he really likes his little size camping chair - so these are as good as it gets! The other was at the beach... I think he was screaming but it kind of looks as though he's a happy beach goer?The Anderson Boys... I love the action shots on the tube!

Automatic water guns... lazy - but perfect for a 22 month old! Mark was showing Anthony how to spray Auntie...

Anthony having some campfire time with 'dada' and snuggle time in the boat with 'mama'... it was fun watching the fireworks with the family. Tonja, Lane and I sang all the fun songs we could think of in the front of the boat to celebrate the 4th of July celebration - I'm suprised Anthony didn't start to cry with all the off key singing!

Logan and Lane perch jerking... Logan's fish looks far larger than it actually was - all in the angle!:) As for Lane's fish - it really was that small! This is the truck/camper/boat parade... the Anderson/Tuttle circus is coming to town!

And lastly... father like son - this is Ned and Rocky (Ernies brother)... :)Hope everyone had a great fourth! Happy Birthday Melissa! I didn't have reception to call you on Winnie but look for your card in the mail! :)

What are you wearing?

Meet Brad and Amanda... our newest friends but our favorite to hang out with! :) I wanted to post some of more recent adventures. Our Bass fishing trip was successful: Brad and Amanda both caught my rain jacket, I caught a pretty nice looking tree branch and we didn't loose any lures... everyone is a bit camera shy.

I'm pretty sure Brad's ego will be in trouble for posting this next picture but I can't resist. Brad brought Damon for a motorcycle ride - FUNNY! As you can see - Brad wouldn't even look at the camera where as Damon was holding on and grinning big! :)

Amanda and I have many things in common - it's almost crazy scary! First of all - we're extremely good looking and share the same name! :) We both got bit by wiener dogs in the left eye, our pointer fingers on our left hands are both our 'bad finger', our e-mail addresses are only different by 45 numbers (amanda78 & amanda33) and our dads actually look like they could be brothers! (Check it out for yourself in the next picture... it is Amanda's dad, John to the far right) Here we are on Winnie for the 4th of July...

The boys relaxing from finishing the forms for the Altringer's driveway... Okay, not the best picture of Amanda's dad - so I guess you'll just have to take my word for it! :)

Damon Up-Date...

So, Damon was off the antibiotic last Saturday and by Monday was feeling crappy again. Called the doctor, had to go to Duluth and they have prescribed yet another antibiotic that will, keep our fingers crossed, kick this infection in the butt!! Damon came home early from work on Wednesday and won't be able to go back until Monday - lets pray this go round does the trick!

The Rhino...

We recently purchased a Yamaha Rhino... many fun times and memories to come with this new toy! It will go 21 mph from one side of our fenced in yard to the other - Erik and I had a great time 'tearing it up'... Our neighbors have got to think we are off our rockers!