The Farm

Tessa & Joan read "The Lorax," a new favorite.

Tessa loved doing the dishes playing in the dishwater.

Spider Tiger (Tessa's superhero name) spied a spider friend on the deck.

Uncle Mike helped Tessa drive the tractor—no joke— at a whopping 3 mph.

Eric & I tagged along behind on the four-wheeler.

There are so many fun "toys" on the farm.

Snack time in the tree house. Tessa always requested to sit by Mike.

Tessa's goal was to touch the tree limb with her feet like Aunt Joan.

But she preferred this superhero way. 

We took the trike into "town." This was in front of the old Catholic church.

Argh! Only 112 years too late!

Only in South Dakota...

Great-grandpa Walter and Great-grandma Loretta's gravestone.

Story time with Uncle Mike.

Joan & Tessa, one last swing. She now loves it. 

Tessa was so sad to leave.

Thanks for the wonderful time, Joan & Mike!

Memorial Day

Happy birthday, Eric!

Mmmmmmcake

Our first Pheasants game

Tessa gave Ringer a high five every chance she got.

A new computer made the birthday boy (all of us) happy. 

The April birthday partay

Tessa's idea of a party

The girls

Lola's idea of a party

Aaron makes room for fun. We're off to the bowling alley! This was the first time we went to the local one. We were pleasantly surprised.

We zeroed out the score for this frame because of Tessa's line violation. KIDDING.

Tessa had her own lane with bumpers so that the pro who came with her own shoes and ball wouldn't get held up. Not naming names, ahemMima. :)
Again, kidding.

Not bad, Tessa, not bad at all. Even with her 54 points, she says she likes Wii bowling better. Kids these days.

This is how she rolls. I can't imagine where she learned this.

There was a nice dog at the bowling alley. He quickly became Tessa's friend.

She was only pretending to sleep. After bowling, a DQ treat perked her up.

Aaron and Tessa playing Angry Birds.

Tessa hearts Greta.

The greatest show in town

Tessa and her friend, Jacob, at the circus. (Is it just me, or do they look like they're on a date?) These two shared a seat for the majority of the show. Since they're only 3, I let it slide. Next time, though, they're going to have to break it up.

Tessa and her teacher, Kristy.

A few weeks ago, I chaperoned Tessa's preschool trip to the circus. All the kids did wonderfully. Tessa's favorite parts were the tigers, elephant, motorcycle stuntmen and the man who shot out of a cannon. Tessa: "He's wearing a helmet for safety because it's so dangerous." I'm pretty sure the helmet wouldn't help much if he missed the net. No worries — he didn't!

Easter fun

Jell-O eggs! It's just not Easter without them.

Natalie put together an awesome Easter egg hunt. Thanks, Nat!

The kiddos with their stashes.

Grandma gave everyone bubbles for a bubble party.

Is the Easter Bunny down there?

Nah, just this guy.

Someone takes bubble parties a little too seriously.

If you can't spot Tessa, it's because she requested that John sit on her lap. :)

Annual Mpls. trip

Every year when Eric attends the coaches clinic, Tessa and I hang out in Minneapolis with Aaron, Jessica, Mima, Lola and Tommy. Oh, the adventures we have!

Ole!

Tessa loved her first season of soccer!

Word.