Happy 85th Birthday, Grandpa!

HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY!!!

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying the 85th Birthday party in honor of Grandpa!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I find this family photo absolutely hilarious! I guess Melissa and Tom were the only two that got the memo to look at the camera!

Much better, although this time Alex and Bennett didn't get the "look happy" memo.

Grandpa and Mom at the party.

Yesterday before we left Ortonville, our family stopped by Grandpa and Grandma's house to enjoy the cake Larkin and I made--The kids always have fun going there, but it seems like we never have enough time to stay long enough for their liking!

Tiling....almost finished!

Bennett and I made a trip to Home Depot on Saturday for new blinds. I walked out with tile for the back splash in our kitchen. Here are a few pics--it is ALMOST completed. I have some detail work left to do around the windows and in the corner. I do know that when I watched my Uncle Dave do it a couple of weekends ago he made it look much easier than it is!!

Last night I took a class called "Fun with Fondant" with two of my friends, Sara and Becca. We all teach together-- and now we might just be opening a cake decorating business together! That is a joke, but how much fun would it be??!!! Spending all day baking and decorating cakes--I am sure we would do A LOT of talking, too. I feel like I have a fair amount of practicing to do in order to get to the level they are at, so I will be practicing all weekend! Here is a pic of the three of us with our finished creations. Look at THEIR talent! Amazing!




Here is a close up of my cake after I got home. The kids wanted to dig in right away, but I didn't let them--maybe tonight!

Happy St. Pat's Day!

I had great intentions of posting a cute picture of my kids/family from the St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, but of course I forgot my camera.

So....instead I am posting a picture of the cutest 2 1/2 month old--Gage.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to Everyone from the Vangsness-Rademacher House (and Gage)!!

Bennett

As many of our relatives found out this past weekend, Bennett can be a crazy man. He can also be sweet and loving--as we drove out of Graceville this weekend we went by Holy Rosary, the church where Jerry and I were married Bennett and I had this conversation:

Bennett: There is your church, Mommy.
Me: Yes, that is where Jerry and I got married.
Bennett: I don't want you to be married to Jerry.
Me: Bennett, why? That isn't very nice.
Bennett: Cause I want to marry you and I want Jerry to marry Larkin.
Me: Well, that can't happen honey. Mommy and Jerry love each other.
Bennett: But, I want to marry you.
Me: Let's talk about it another time.
Bennett: O.K. But I love you more.
Me: Well, you can't marry me because I am your Mom. It doesn't work that way.
Bennett: Fine. (In a VERY angry voice)
Me: But I love you very much and think you are the best four year old in the world.
Bennett: Then marry me, Mommy.
Me: I will think about it, Bennett. I will think about it.
Bennett: Sanks, Mom. I love you. (He can't say his /th/).
Me: I love you too, Bennett. I love you too.


How can you not love him?????

Grandpa Herman "Junior" Vangsness

Grandpa Junior died this morning at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. It is a very sad day for the entire Vangsness Family. He suffered a heart attack on Wednesday night and just couldn't recover from it. Yesterday he was doing great, but I truly feel his wish was to be with Grandma Helen in heaven. What a reunion that will be.

Grandpa was stubborn. He knew what he wanted. He knew what he liked. He knew what he didn't like.

I wish I would have spent more time with Grandpa and I wish I would have called more often. I wish I would have brought my kids to see him more. I wish I would have had him tell me more about his life.

I can't stop the tears tonight as I write this. There are plenty of tears of sadness, but more than that there are tears of love--- and tears of joy-----and tears of peace. I am sure he would have liked that.

Rest in Peace, Grandpa. <3

Final Assignment

I am working on my master's degree. Right now I am taking a class called "Improvement through Assessment." We have to look at data and decide what is best for our school, students, etc--then decide how or what we would change.

After six hours of working on my final assignment today these are the things I found out through my data collection and analysis:

1. I don't like numbers. At all.
2. There were a few moments when I felt like I was an AMAZING teacher.
3. There were a few moments when I felt like I was a REALLY SH**** teacher.
4. There is way too much data in the world.
5. That looking at data sucks.

and finally..... Data collection and analysis is probably really important for schools. I just want someone else to do it for me.

I am hoping to have a number free weekend.

Girl Scout Cookie Time!

Girl Scout Cookies are here! Everyone has their favorites....mine happen to be the Tagalongs (now renamed the Peanut Butter Patty). I have to say I enjoyed the cookies a lot more when I ordered them and didn't have to worry about delivering the 209 boxes Larkin sold.

Although, it probably wouldn't have been so bad if someone hadn't 'misplaced' the order form.

I can't wait to get the last box delivered. I am betting the order form will show up...it always works that way, doesn't it?

Oh How I Wish....

A year ago at this time Jerry and I were getting ready to head to Mexico. I get a jealous feeling every time I hear that someone is on their way to sun, warmth, and relaxation on the beach. Here is one of my favorite pictures from Mexico. There is always next year, right?

Such a Goof!

Bennett is our goofball. He is always coming up with something hilarious to say.... usually at the worst time when it isn't appropriate to laugh. Here is a picture of our goofy guy dressed up as a "struction worker" cause he likes to "fix fings."

My Blogging Promise

"On my honor, I will try to serve God an..." Wait! That is the Girl Scout Promise! I meant to recite my Blogging Promise. "On my honor, I will try to keep this blog updated. I will do my best to not embarrass my family members or friends and I will try to use correct grammar and punctuation at all times." Is that enough?? I am not going to try to promise too much--then I won't ever blog!

We (the Vangsness-Rademacher Family) haven't been able to see family or many of our friends lately because of our hectic schedules so this is one way to keep them updated! As I mentioned we are busy--but we wouldn't have it any other way! Here is a little bit about each one of us...we hope you stop back to our blog often and keep updated on our lives!

Mason (13) is having fun as a 7th grader keeping active with school, choir, band, basketball practice, tournaments on the weekends....as well as keeping his grades at all A's! He LOVES to babysit his siblings and help out around the house. Well, he loves it about as much as any other 13 year old! His last tournament is this weekend, but baseball tryouts start next week already!

Alex (10) just finished up his first hockey season--it was a blast watching him play! His team didn't win many games, but they always had fun! I think he is looking forward to spring hockey. When he isn't playing hockey, Alex likes to listen to play outside with Larkin, spy on anyone, try 'science' experiments, and spend time on the computer.

Larkin (8) is in 2nd grade at Sacred Heart and loving it! She keeps busy with Girl Scouts--we have 234 boxes of cookies to deliver in the next week! She loves to read and is trying so hard to get to 100 AR points. April 24th will be the day she celebrates her first communion!

Bennett (4) is in Mrs. Frederich's preschool class--he recites songs ALL the songs he learns ALL of the time. Besides school, he likes to help Jerry at recess for Larkin's school, play outside, and playing on his favorite website pbskids.org! Everyday we have a 'Bennett Story' to share and I hope this blog is a place I can share the cute things that not only he says---but the other kids as well!

Jerry is currently off of work for the season, but keeps plenty busy! He is volunteering at Sacred Heart School, running kids to appointments, and keeping up on laundry ( I am REALLY going to miss him being back to work!!). As always with this time of year, he is MORE THAN READY to get back to it...we are hoping for a busy construction season this year!

And me...I am still teaching ESL in Big Lake and working on getting my Master's Degree from St. Mary's sometime before 2011! I have been helping with Larkin's Girl Scout Troop and keeping busy attending the boys' sporting events. This summer will be filled with lots of activities--but I am READY FOR IT--BRING ON SUMMER!

Thanks again for reading.....