Extra! Extra!

Riley has some big new to share with everyone.

Fall Fun

Here's some images of what Riley has been doing this fall:

She went to her first Mounds View football game.

Played football with Daddy.

Played in the leaf piles.


Helped rake.

Out with Daddy.

At the St. Paul tree lighting.

Happy Birthday!

Riley turned 1 on the 3rd. It seems impossible that a year ago she wasn't here and it was just Wilder and I. It's hard to remember a life without her. It's so amazing all the things she's done and learn and the ways she's grown this year. To think back about how she's could to nothing for herself and now she can (mostly) feed herself, she helps us to get her dressed, she's walking (and sometimes running), now if she was only potty trained.

Apple Orchard

On Sunday we went to the apple orchard with Mimi and Papa (Wilder's parents). We had fun looking at and petting the animals at the petting zoo and also picking apples.

Making Banana Bread

The Big 6-0!

This last Friday was my mom's (April) 60th birthday. Dad contacted all of us "kids" a while ago with an idea to surprise her for it. He took Mom to Okoboji on Friday night and surprised her by staying there the night. The rest of the family met in Okoboji at a marina where Dad had rented a big pontoon for all of us to ride around the lake on. We went and picked up Mom and Dad where they were staying. Mom looked so surprised. It was a lot of fun to see her reaction. She loves being around water so she loved the surprise. We rode around and then at lunch back at the resort Mom and Dad had stayed at and then went swimming for the afternoon. Then that night we had a Wenell family (with extended family) birthday party to celebrate four birthdays. It was a really fun weekend a great to surprise Mom in that way.

He's in the Pool!

No, Wilder didn't go swimming but we recently found out that he is in the USA National team pool for team handball. This means that when the national team plays games he has the opportunity to be selected to play with them. We're so excited for him (and proud). He's put a lot of time and energy into improving and it has finally paid off. The team was thinking about going to Poland at the end of October but that trip has been cancelled. We're hoping he'll get an opportunity sometime soon to travel with the team somewhere overseas.

Team Handball For A Day

Minnesota Team Handball hosted a scrimmage this weekend with a team from Air Force (here with their football team) and two teams from Winnipeg here to play each other. It was fun to get to watch the games and to watch Wilder playing/coaching. They played pretty well in the last game of the day. The guys are really starting to figure out the sport.

A future photographer?

The Minnesota Team