Another year has come and gone, my wish this year came true, to have family pictures taken with all 3 of our beautiful healthy girls, --thanks to a dear friend Chelsey M. for doing them for us-you captured some very special moments and I am sooo thankful for that.
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Season’s Greetings!
It is already that time of year to look back and reflect on what we have done, accomplished, how much the kids have grown and what the year ahead is going to bring.Once again our family has been blessed with good health. Besides the minor colds and stomach bugs we are doing pretty well. It was a few months ago when our family came down with a bug and it took me out for at least three days. It was then that I thought back to my dad and others who have battled cancer-whether lost or won and thought to myself-this stomach bug is really nothing to complain about compared to what cancer patients young and old endure on a daily basis. It was around the same time my good friend Laura asked me to run a 5K with her and my out of shape un- oiled body was shouting no. I decided if my Dad could fight a battle that he knew he was probably going to lose regardless, I could fight through the sweat and pain and do it. We finished our 5K in just under 33 minutes. It was my first race and I ran that one for my dad. I hope to train over the winter and run the 10K at the Fargo Marathon this spring again with my friend Laura-now to convince my sister that she should run it with us too.
Ainsley started preschool this Fall at Oak Grove Lutheran School. She attends mornings two days a week and it’s just enough for this mama right now. She enjoys the friends she plays with and all the fun art projects she gets to create. I am told by her teacher she is shy and quiet in class—I assured her teacher she is definitely not that way at home. If you know Ainsley at all she tends to take after her Grandpa Junior, Uncle Kevin and Uncle Math-a bit mischievous! She has a smile on at all times from ear to ear and dark brown eyes that will steal anyone’s heart. 
Miss Ahlera Marie-or Ahlera Ma Lou renamed by Mee Mee-is a tiny little girl packed full of acrobatic maneuvers. She will get anything from anywhere. Her favorite perch is the kitchen counter-where she can get to just about anything-truly amazing to catch her in the act of it. She is learning songs, dance moves and summersaults thanks to her big sisters’ help. She is big enough to do anything they do or so she thinks! She adores her daddy and has the best pouty face that even mommy can’t resist! Our baby just hit 18months and it feels so go to know that soon in the near future we will no longer have any in diapers!
This past year Ryan spent the majority of it working for Cass County in the Jail as a Corrections Officer. He enjoyed his time there-the experiences it gave him-and the friends he has made however his first passion has always been for patrol. This past October, Ryan was sworn in as a Peace Officer for the City of Fargo. It was a very special day for our family. We are very proud of all he has accomplished and look forward to his career in law enforcement. He has begun a 17 week training process and is enjoying every minute of it.
I hope 2013 brings you strength and courage to fight through whatever life may bring you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!
Ryan, Miranda, Addisyn, Ainsley & Ahlera
