Easter was a pretty fun day hanging out with family while kids conducted a hunt for brightly colored plastic filled with candy, money, and rocks. 
Even J4 had fun, despite being pretty sick and not able to sleep until the end of the day! 
There was once a December day where many three generations gathered to celebrate two special boys, J2 and J4. They were both born Thanksgiving weekend, but with everyone traveling this year the party was a weekend later. 
There were balloons to punch and books to read and snow in the yard begging to be rolled up into snowmen. 
J4 had fun watching the snowman building from the comfort of the living room while he strummed a guitar. 
Then our two boys armed with their sweet tooth blew out flames and dug in to their gooey confections of brownies and muffins and cupcakes with frosting. 
Right before the party ended, gifts were opened and played with and packed up to go home. 
It was a splendid day celebrating these two little boys so greatly loved.
Ever since I’ve had a job, Michael W. Smith’s Christmas concert has been a Christmas tradition for me. I missed a couple years due to working on Saturdays, but last year I was able to make it, and convinced my friend Joyce to go with me! Usually I get front row tickets, but this year we were waaaaaaaaaay back in the back. But it was still so much fun and the night did not disappoint!
The orchestra and singers were amazing! I always love when one of the ladies sing All Is Well. I’d never seen Amy Grant in concert, so that was neat!
It was a fabulous night!
What do you get when you mix family and food with a side of silly kids and extra blessings?
THANKSGIVING!
This year we got an extra special blessing with the early arrival of J4. 
Tyler was very entertaining making thankful banners, playing with the trains, and going after Boppa’s ipad to see choo-choo’s.
Sam was a joy with her art and twirling and Elsa’s hair flying out behind her.
Dessert gave us chocolate faces and sillier kids right before bedtime.
Then there were late night tricks while Kristin was holding Joey, which made Rob laugh.
To end the night, Kris was sent back to Chicago with a sibling huddle and The Ryan Express revved up for J2 to take a spin.
Happy Thanksgiving…and Marry Christmas!
This trip could also be titled Tour of Kandiyohi Parks…
It was early on that fateful Friday afternoon in July. April and I loaded up her car and set out on an adventure. Our only plan: to have fun. Our destination: Kandiyohi, MN, home of the Miron clan.
We arrived at Miron’s doorstep two hours later to spend July 4th weekend with Heather, Cole, and Ada. Mark was in the Cities working.
We filled our time with visiting parks (6), good food, eating fresh picked strawberries (over cake), chasing down firework shows (we saw 10), late night girl talks, and much laughter. 
Also on the agenda was hoping the sky would clear so we could see Nature’s Light Show, the aurora borealis.
We may not have seen those elusive lights, but as we chased the sun home early Sunday morning, April and I agreed:
The trip was a success.