Our Volleyball Team

I don't think we have ever posted about our volleyball team, which is weird since the same group of 6 to 8 people have being playing together for a few years.  Yes, the team has evolved and changed a bit over time, but we have had a solid group now for some time.  Usually our "regular" team members include Heidi, Josh, Andrea, Chad, Rodd and Kristina.  Over the years we have been through many wins and losses, great conversations, tons of laughs, many meals and drinks at our sponsor Beetle's Bar and Grill, and a few births- up till now all girls have been born :)  We are now playing almost year round, but our favorite season is summer- where we play outside in the sand!  A big thanks to Amma who watches the girls so we can enjoy an adult night out almost every week.  Below are some pics from when our team got together with all the kiddos.

 Alyssa, Shay and Morgan enjoying their spaghetti

 The VB Guy Regulars- Rodd, Brett Chad and Josh

 Kristina and Hope (I think :)

 All our girls- Faith, Hope, Morgan, Alyssa, Shay and Charity

 Rodd and Rachel goofing off

Gus's Baptism and Olive's 5th Birthday

We were able to celebrate 2 fun events this past weekend- our nephew and cousin Gus's baptism along with our niece and cousin Olive's birthday.  We started Sunday off by going to First Presbyterian Church's early service (this is the same church Brett and Rachel were married, and Shay and Alyssa were baptized in).  Gus did great, but did not appreciate the amount of water the pastor decided to put on his head.  He liked hanging out with dad much better.   The girls watched the baptism and then quickly left to hang out and play in the nursery area with Brett.  After church we all headed over to the Erickson house for brunch, birthday cake and breaking the pinata (Good Job Becky on cracking it open :)

Baby Gus

Alyssa (1), Millie (2), Shay (3), Olive (now 5 :)

Party Table

Papa Bill and Alyssa playing around

Birthday Celebrations in Brainerd

We had 2 very important birthdays to celebrate, so our whole nuclear family (Papa Mark and Grandma Stacy, Jesse and Ambre, Megan, Jake, Taylor and Kailey - Jake's daughter) headed up to Brainerd for a long weekend.  Grandma Stacy turned 60 (looking great) and Taylor turned 4.  During our 3+ days we ate very well thanks to a few good cooks in the family, talked a lot, watched movies, went on hikes outside, swam at the water park, played pool, darts, Mexican train and card games.  On Sunday the Winter families joined the celebration for a few hours.  Although the drive was long, it was totally worth the trip!

Happy Birthday Taylor!

Taylor, Shay and Kailey enjoying a night hike

The adults wanted a turn at coloring too!

One of our cool views on the hike

Just chillin

Olivia, Kailey, Taylor and Shay

Sleepover!!

Shay's Visit to Grandma and Grandpa's

Shay's daycare was closed all last week, so she was able to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a while- all by herself- she was so excited!  While at the grandparents, Shay played a lot, went on night walk with the flashlight, hung out with cousin Taylor, went to the library story hour and to an indoor playground.  A fun and busy week!  Thanks Papa Mark and Grandma Stacy for such a fun and memorable week.

Story Hour at the Woodbury Library

 Picnic Lunch with Grandma and Grandpa

 Indoor playground

Sisters

I was reading a blog from a girl who I went to high school with and just loved her latest entry.  I have paraphrased and added my own touches below.   


The strength of your sister bond is growing stronger.  I hope that we are giving you an environment that is needed to grow a relationship that will not crumble.  I hope you go about your days knowing that someone always has your back.  When your first boyfriend breaks your heart, I hope you crawl into bed with your sister and cry until you giggle knowing that you are much better off without that boy.  I hope that when your parents rules drive you both crazy, you can stay up late and talk all about how they are out to ruin both of your lives. If either of you ever choose to marry, I hope the other is standing witness, even if she is the only witness you have.  And when one of you finds out you are about to become a mother, I hope you pick up the phone and know exactly who deserves one of the very first phone calls.  I hope your bond follows you until old age, where you can both sit back, laugh, tell stories over and over again you both know by heart, and truly enjoy each other.

She Made the Move to the Big Bed

Alyssa decided it was time to get out of the pack n play she has been sleeping in for the last 6 months and move to the big bed.  One night when Shay was at her grandparents and I was working late, she "told" Brett she wanted to try out the bed.  He was getting her ready for bed, and she pointed and said "big bed nigh-night".   Brett asked her to show him and she hopped up into the bed and laid down.  Really couldn't of had a clearer signal than that.  She decided this last Wednesday and is now coming up to a full week of sleeping her big girl bed. Good job Alyssa!  Oh, she is so not our baby anymore :(

Christmas X 3

We were able to celebrate Christmas a few times this year.  2011 was exciting because this is the first year Shay was able to start to understand what Christmas was all about.  She was so excited to see everyone and of course, open presents.  Christmas Eve we headed over to Amma's after going to church.  Everyone was there, and the girls had a great time playing with their cousins.  Alyssa had special interest in Baby Gus.  Christmas Day we headed to my aunt Marylou's where the whole Sturm family got together for great conversation and delicious food.  The day after Christmas we headed to Papa Bill's and Grandma Ginger's house to have fun with the Carroll family. Whew!  We got a lot of celebrating done in just a few days!

Millie (2), Olive (4), Shay (3), Alyssa (1)

Alyssa spent as much time as possible around Gus

What a good looking crew!

Alyssa figured practicing her bridge was a great thing to do anywhere

Celebrating at our house before Santa comes

Sam and Sophie 

Papa Mark and Loren- can you tell there brothers?

Me with the Hosts- Kathy and Marylou

Sturm Girl Cousins

View out of Papa Bill's Window