The Bahnson Bunch

Andraya's 7th Birthday

2011-06-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Shortcake, painting at Color Me Mine, getting nails done, and bowling... all make for a very sweet 7th Birthday!

Christmas Memories - 2010

2010-12-31T15:22:00.001-08:00

Ryan's 3rd Birthday!

2010-12-31T14:22:00.000-08:00

Happy 3rd Birthday to my baby, Ryan Randal! Hard to believe he's getting so old and big! I'm sure you can tell by all the pictures what his birthday "theme" was.... Ryan absolutely LOVES Toy Story and has acquired (though the last couple birthdays and Christmases) many of the Toy Story characters!

State Football

2010-12-31T13:45:00.000-08:00

We had a blast driving down to Cedar Falls two weekends in a row for the Class 1A State Football Championships. West Lyon ended up beating Dike - New Hartford 42-0 for the Championship! The kids had a great time dressing up and cheering on the Wildcats (and Uncle Jeremy & Uncle Koury) with all their cousins!

Go Wildcats!!!

2010-10-23T10:38:00.001-07:00

October Fun!

2010-10-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

Octoberfest (at Lake Pahoja), Carving Pumpkins and Fishing! What more could you ask for?

End of the Soccer Season

2010-10-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, Fall Soccer is officially over (yeah!) Benjamin played for the first time on the "Eagles" team. It was a flashback to Draya's first soccer season... his shyness definitely shone through. However, by the end of the season he was running and even kicking the ball (sometimes!) Andraya definitely won the "Most Improved" award. It helped that she had Uncle Jeremy as her "Go-Getters" coach encouraging her and giving her some good pointers. I couldn't believe this was the same little girl who I could barely get to run at her first few games (aka - Hope for Benjamin!) She ended the season by having 2 break-away goals at her last game! She (and I) were so proud!!!

Conquering the Corn Maze

2010-09-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

We see it just about everytime we go up to Sioux Falls but have never stopped. So... we finally visited the Heartland Corn Maze thinking it would be fun for them to see (especially since corn fields play such a huge part of our lives). They had a great time trying to find their way through. Andraya is a lot like her mother - taking the lead and just trying to find the way out (why waste time???), so she was frustrated everytime we had to stop to wait for the boys who were checking out every bug, every ear of corn, and picking up every old cob of corn on the ground (can you say Seth much????) Anyway, we finally found out way out (not much help to the map - you can't follow it much when the kids just want to go their own way all the time!) As much fun as it was, we decided we might wait a few year until the kids are a little older before we go back!!!

First Days of School

2010-09-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that another school year has begun (and even harder to believe that my babies are getting so big and old!) Miss Andraya is in 1st grade this year. She loves both of her new teachers (there's a student teacher in her class). Benjamin is in preschool and is so excited that he gets to ride with Mom to school in the mornings.

Seth's Birthday

2010-08-05T07:17:00.001-07:00

What else would Seth want to do on his birthday other than go fishing?!?! We let him go fishing for awhile by himself before we came out (to Pahoja). The fishing wasn't great, but I think each of the kids got to reel in a fish! And Seth got to hang out with his kids..... it was a great day!

Andraya's Day at the Salon

2010-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well, 4 months after her birthday, we finally had Andraya's friend party. I took Andraya and 3 of her friends (all cousins) to Rock Rapids to the Hairpin to get their nails painted and hair done. They all looked beautiful and had a great time!!! We finished off the day with icecream and painting and playing at the house.

Everything will be OK!

2010-07-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

This beautiful rainbow and sunset appeared the night after my Uncle Alan's prayer service - I took it as a sign from both him and my Dad that they were watching over us and everything would be Ok! Both were amazing men, and both are deeply missed. I thank God that I was lucky enough to have both of them in my life and also incredibly thankful that they are together once again. The reunion that must be taking place right now...

Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Naked Babies in the Tub!

2010-07-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

Andraya - the Bike Rider

2010-07-06T18:15:00.000-07:00

It only took about 30 minutes one night in Luverne (thanks, Shari) for Andraya to learn to ride her bike! Now she's a pro - she's even ridden twice on the bike trail around Lake Pahoja (about 3.2 miles)!

Camping Fun

2010-06-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Remembering...

2010-06-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

We went to both the Larchwood and Inwood cemeteries on Memorial Day to remember Grandpa Randy and baby April as well as Grandpa Virgil, Grandma Margaret, and many others.

Ryan's 1st Haircut

2010-05-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

Well, after 2 1/2 years and a head full of "goldy locks," Ryan finally got his first haircut. I had postponed this for about 3 months (I had an appointment scheduled for February 10th), so I figured with summer right around the corner, it was about time! It helped that Aunt Jamee cuts our hair!!!! He was SO good and sat SO still! And he was SO PROUD when it was all done!

Andraya's Piano Recital

2010-05-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

Andraya did an AWESOME job at her first piano recital. It was held on Sunday, May 23rd, at the Seeds of Faith Church in Lester. She played 2 songs, Tub Time and Octave Blues.

Visiting Grandpa Randy's Gazebo

2010-05-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

After Andraya's piano recital on Sunday (23rd), which was in Lester, we decided to head over to Alvord to show the kids the gazebo which was built in memory of my dad, Randy Childress. Being back in Alvord that day and the night before (for a benefit) brought back many wonderful (and sad) memories from growing up there (on a farm 2 1/2 miles out) with my dad as well as a very good friend, Jami! I was so glad to finally show the kids this wonderful memorial that my uncle Rick built after Dad died.

Cousins & Best Friends

2010-05-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad all the kids have cousins the same age who they can grow up with and be best friends with! Andraya and Randi (Jeremy's) are only 4 months apart, and Benjamin and Bryson (also Jeremy's) are only 6 weeks apart!

Benjamin's DINOmite 4th Birthday!

2010-05-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

Benjamin had a great 4th birthday! He started off the day riding in the tractor with Daddy and looking for worms with Ashlee at their new orchard site. Later that day, we went fishing at Lake Pahoja (Ben was the only one who caught a fish) and played at the "park" at the Lake. It was a great day!

We had a party for Benjamin with the Bahnsons and Childress' on Sunday (May 2nd). We played baseball, ate supper, opened presents, and had dinosaur cake with icecream! It was an awesome day!

Planting has BEGUN!

2010-04-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Well, Seth officially started planting corn (he did plant some barley earlier on). That means late nights for him and single-mom life and supper "runs" for me for awhile (and tractor rides for the kids). The kids LOVE to go out with Dad in the planter - especially the boys! This is the "first" year that Ryan is really experiencing it, so when the van doors opens, he runs right for the steps to the tractor!

Easter

2010-04-21T19:40:00.001-07:00

Andraya's Fancy Nancy Party

2010-04-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

Draya's 6th Birthday

2010-04-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Andraya and I had our annual "birthday" day on Friday, March 12th. Since our birthdays are only 1 day apart, we always do something special just the 2 of us! It's one of the days I look forward to the most during the year!!! We went out to eat at Granite City and then went to Color Me Mine to pick and paint some ceramics. I painted a plate complete with Draya's handprint (to remember the day), and Andraya picked out a "cupcake jar." We ended the day with some shopping, of course!!!! How fun!

Winter & Christmas Fun!

2010-04-10T21:51:00.001-07:00

Checking out the River

2009-10-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

The kids definitely have Seth's curiousity! We stopped at the bridge over the River on the way back from one of Draya's soccer game. The kids loved it! They examined every spider web on the bridge and were fascinated by a carp splashing by the shore below.

Fishing with Hennen

2009-09-10T20:06:00.001-07:00

Seth's best buddy from college & his son (Jeremy & Brexton Hennen) came to spend the day with us on Saturday, September 5th! Seth and Jeremy took the 3 kids (no Ryan - he had to nap) out on the boat on Pahoja to do some fishing.... The kids had a blast (they caught so many fish that the kids actually got tired of reeling them in!!!!!)

House - September 09

2009-09-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

More and more is being done to make this house feel like our home that we've been planning for so long! Shingles on, arches started in the dining room, window seats put into the kids' bedrooms, upstairs steps built.... It's so fun to see all the progress (especially now that so much is happening on the inside!)

Andraya's First Day of Kindergarten

2009-09-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

Andraya had her first day of Kindergarten on August 26th. She was so excited!!! Of course she loved every minute of it (and continues to love it every day she goes!) It's fun for Mom having her right down the hallway where I can sneak peeks and give smiles during the day! She also started piano lessons that same day and seems to really enjoy them as well! AND... 3rd Soccer season is a charmer! Draya scored her first soccer goal last Saturday (August 29th) and was SO HAPPY!!!!

Also, I suppose we should get used to being first for everything with this "Ba" last name.... Andraya got to be the first one in her class to bring treats and to have the "Sharing Bag." She decided to bring Mia (her American Girl Doll), and of course they had to dress alike!!! And next week we're the first ones to have the "Word of the Week." (She has to learn the word AUTHOR and explain it to her class!!!!) Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!!

Omaha Zoo

2009-08-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

We decided to take one last summer trip to the Omaha Zoo. The kids had a blast! They loved seeing all of the animals and staying in the hotel (swimming and watching Monsters Versus Aliens).

House - Middle August

2009-08-25T19:23:00.001-07:00

Well, it's starting to look like OUR house (the one in the plans!) We've really only had one set-back... the rain "ruined" some of our roof sheeting (it started to warp or buckle), so it was decided to tear off the entire roof and start over! Better now than later, right!!!! Estimated move-in day....???????

House - End of July / Early August

2009-08-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

Cute Kids!!!!

2009-08-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Cousins

2009-07-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

Lewis Cousins - Great Grandpa Bob and Grandma Rita with all the great-grandkids. Too many names to mention. All of my siblings' kids except for my cousin Jeff's two - Isabelle and Aleks. We had a Lewis get-together at my Uncle Alan's and Aunt Kathy's house north of Spring Creek Golf Course.

Bahnson Cousins - Andraya holding River (Laura's), Ryan, Dylan holding baby Damon (both Chelsea's), and Benjamin. We all went to Minerva's to celebrate Ashlee's last night home. We miss her so much!

It's Coming Along...

2009-07-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well, we're getting further! Finally some wood! I think the framing for the main floor will start this week, which means you might actually get to see something if you drive by later this week! We got the windows finalized and also picked out plumbing fixtures. We've had our floors and cabinets decided for awhile now, so I think we're doing pretty well! I even think we may have our color picked out for the outside - Timberbark!

A few new pictures...

2009-07-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

The kids at the Larchwood Family Days parade and the new basement walls at the house!!! The house is coming along kindof slowly due to all the July rain we've been having (of course, as a farmer's wife, I can't complain about rain in July!!!) Oh well.... gives me more time to make all my decisions!!!

WOW!

2009-06-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

We walked out of Grandpa's Restaurant (aka - Marketplace Grille) on Saturday night (27th) and saw this beautiful sight! It's not very often that you see a FULL & DOUBLE rainbow (although I don't know if you can tell it's a double in the picture)! The kids were so excited!

House Progress

2009-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well, after about 8 years of thinking about it, it's finally happening!!!! We have started to build our dream house! I remember 8 years ago on the night Seth proposed, having a picnic in the field where we would someday build a house.... and now the basement walls are up! Very exciting and scary... but so worth it! We can't wait to be back in the country! Estimated move-in day.... probably November (no doubt during the heart of harvest!!!) If you're ever in the area, stop by to check out the progress! It's about 3/4 mile North of Inwood on the back blacktop road (or from Damon & Susan's... 1/2 mile West and about 1/4 mile South)!

Silly Kids

2009-06-29T13:37:00.001-07:00

Andraya's New Trick

2009-06-29T13:16:00.001-07:00

Helping Grandpa & Daddy with the Cement

2009-06-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

Daddy and Grandpa were pouring some cement at the North Place for new cattle pens, so of course we had to go check it out and help (and put our "mark" there - aka - our handprints). The kids always like to help out, but of course they love to play more - they had a blast climbing up the "sand" pile and rolling up little balls of cement. Poor Andraya, at one point, forgot about the new WET cement and just went running...she didn't get too far as the wet cement caught her feet and made her fall right into it... guess she left a little more than just a handprint that time!!! Good thing Daddy and Grandpa are so easy-going and loving... they were more concerned with her being sad than the marks she left in the cement (which was pretty easy to cover up!)

Camping & Fishing for Benjamin's Birthday

2009-05-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

On May 10th, we went out to Lake Pahoja with the Bahnsons to celebrate Ben's birthday. It was a BEAUTIFUL day to be out at the lake. We had fun grilling, playing in the sandbox, playing with balls (Ben got a new soccer ball, basketball, football, a pack of tennis balls and a new soccer net from all the Bahnsons), and later going fishing! Daddy is turning Andraya and Benjamin into quite the little fisher"men." I'm anxious for the day when they all want to go out to the lake to fish with dad and leave mom home alone...whatever will I do with my time???

Happy 3rd Birthday Benjamin Damon Bahnson!!!

Benny's 3rd Birthday

2009-05-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

Benjamin had a fun birthday! He got to go bowling with the Childress' on May 3rd. We got the bowling alley to ourselves, and the kids had a blast! We then went back to Grandpa Dan's and Grandma Cindy's for supper, cake & presents! Grandma Cindy made an awesome fish cake for Daddy's little fisherman!

The next day, Benny and Mom went to SF for his special "birthday day." We went to Wacky Bear (Ben made a stuffed pig, Wilbur), Applebee's, and Chuck E Cheese's to play some games. He also got to pick out a new bike (which we'll learn to ride this summer!)

Hard to believe 3 years have already gone by with our little Benny! Time sure flies when you have kids and they're making life busy and FUN!

My kids

2009-05-03T21:27:00.001-07:00

Planting

2009-05-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Planting season has begun! We get to see Seth some - mostly when we bring out his supper! He didn't get started as early as he would have liked this year b/c of the cold and rain, but he sure is going strong now! At least he shouldn't have to "replant" at all this year!

Here he is w/ the kids - checking the seed!

And... thank goodness for GPS!!! With all of Seth's new technology in the tractor/planter, the boys probably could go out and plant the fields for him!!! (Of course the time for that isn't too far off!!!!)

Soccer Season

2009-05-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

Another soccer season is under-way! We weren't sure if Andraya would want to play soccer again this spring, but she said YES! You can tell that she's grown from last season because we've had 4 games and she is running AND kicking the ball!!!! We are so proud of her! It's so much fun to see her having fun with it - of course it helps that cousins Kennedy and Randi are on her team again this season!

Funny Ryan

2009-04-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Can't forget our little Pie. Anyone who meets him falls in love with him - he's so funny and so cuddly. We are so blessed that he is ours!!!

Easter Eggs

2009-04-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

Easter Pinatas

2009-04-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

I had told Andraya that I was making paper-mache with my kids at school (they were making planets for our Science unit), so of course she wanted to try it also. She decided that the shape of balloons was the same shape as Easter eggs, so we decided to make an Easter egg instead of a planet. She helped me make the paper-mache and put it on the balloons, and then she and Ben both got to paint their own eggs. They had a lot of fun! We even decided to fill hers with candy and take it to Grandma's house to use as a pinata!

Planting Season

2009-04-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

Since planting season is upon us (of course we have to wait until the new snow we got this weekend melts), we thought we would change our background to something appropriate for Spring - what better than John Deere tractors!!! We'll be taking some pictures of Daddy and the kids planting sometime soon!

I love my Boys!

2009-03-26T08:44:00.001-07:00

Andraya's Birthday

2009-03-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

Just some pictures from Andraya's 5th birthday! She sure had a great 3-weeks worth of parties, cakes, presents, family and FUN!

An American Girl Weekend

2009-03-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Andraya and I, along with my college friend Jaime and her daughter Chloee, ventured to Bloomington, MN, to visit the Mall of America and the American Girl Store (It was our birthday weekend!) It was a true "Girls' Weekend!" We had a great time! The girls got to go swimming at the hotel and then had a blast shopping at the American Girl Store and riding the carousel at the Mall of America. Andraya decided not to get another doll (she had just gotten one for Christmas from Santa). Instead, she got Mia's (her doll) hair done and then got matching outfits for Mia and herself! Maybe we'll have to make this an annual event!!!

Andraya's Birthday Teaparty

2009-03-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Andraya got to have some friends over for a birthday teaparty on March 7th. Her cousins, Jordyn, Kennedy, Randi and Morgyn, came over to help her celebrate. They got to play a teaparty game, make bracelets, decorate cupcakes, play with American Girl dolls and scrapbook. They each also got to try REAL tea (but nobody liked it, so they had peach pop instead!) It was a fun day!

Our Little Valentines

2009-02-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

We always have to take pictures in the new Valentines shirts that Grandpa Dan and Grandma Cindy buy the kids - don't they look cute! Draya and Ben were so excited to pick out Valentines this year to give to cousins, daycare kids and Draya's preschool class. Draya picked out Tinkerbell and Barbie valentines (of course) and Benny picked out Mickey Mouse Clubhouse valentines.

Ice-Fishing with Dad

2009-01-18T17:04:00.000-08:00

Andraya and Benjamin had a GREAT time ice-fishing with Seth today (Sunday - 18th) at Lake Pahoja. The weather was finally "warm" enough (about 30 degrees) for him to bring them out. They each caught about 5 fish and then had fun making angels in the snow! If it was up to Seth, they would go fishing EVERY day!

2009-01-18T16:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

Hope your Christmas was as wonderful and as blessed as ours!

Making Christmas Cookies

2008-12-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

Every year, we go over to Grandma Cindy's to make and decorate Christmas cookies with all of the Childress cousins! It is SO much fun (and so much of a mess). Each family gets to bring a plate of cookies home to enjoy when it is all done!

Visiting Santa Claus

2008-12-14T14:12:00.001-08:00

The kids went to visit with Santa Claus on Saturday, December 13th, in Larchwood at Santa Claus Days. Benjamin was very brave, even telling Santa that he wanted a tool box so he could have tools just like Daddy's. Andraya was a little more quiet. She took the picture with no problem, but then she couldn't quite muster up the courage to tell him what she wanted. She had to whisper it in Mom's ear, and then Mommy had to tell Santa that she wants an American Girl Doll. Ryan, who wasn't feeling that good anyway, just wanted to get back into Mommy's arms!!! We'll see on Christmas if they all get what they want - they have been pretty good this year!

Happy 1st Birthday Ryan!

2008-12-08T21:13:00.000-08:00

Ryan turned 1 on November 27th (Thanksgiving). We celebrated with the Bahnson family on Thanksgiving and the Childress family on December 6th. His big sister Andraya helped pick out the "birthday theme" for her lovable little brother - Sesame Street!!! She thought the Sesame Street babies were so cute in their diapers, just like her little brother! We had so much fun celebrating our wonderful little Ryan!

Future American Idol or Dancing with the Stars winners?

2008-11-28T20:30:00.000-08:00

Have fun watching my little stars! You might want to go to the bottom of my blog and pause the music that is already playing, because you'll definitely want to hear this!!!

Andraya - 4 1/2, Benjamin - 2 1/2 and Ryan -1 (just turned on November 27)

Go Wildcats!

2008-11-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

Well, the kids and I ventured to the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls on November 21st and 22nd to watch the Class 1A State Football Championships. The kids were so excited to go stay in a hotel with Uncle Brady (he drove & stayed with us) and go watch the Wildcats play football! Even though the Wildcats lost 0-3 to Emmetsburg (what a game, though), the kids and I had a blast! Most of the cousins were at the game to hang out with, and Aunt Tracy made Tshirts for everyone to wear - very cool! We were very proud of the Wildcats and of Uncle Jeremy & Uncle Koury, who are both coaches. While it was a very fun weekend, it was also very exhausting, especially the ride home!!!

Fun in the Leaves!

2008-11-19T21:33:00.000-08:00

Fall Fun!

2008-10-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

Football games, soccer games and trick-or-treating at Lake Pahoja for Oktoberfest! Fall brings so much fun! After hearing that both of her brothers were going to be cows, Draya decided that she would be their "COW"girl! Aren't they cute!

Fall Pictures

2008-10-09T07:40:00.000-07:00

Now that we are a few weeks into Fall, Preschool and Harvest are both in full swing! Draya had fun wearing her Dora PJs to school for Pajama Day (during Homecoming week), and Benjamin loved combining beans with Seth (notice his new boots and the combine in his hand)!

Childress Cousins

2008-10-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Dan always buy new Halloween shirts for the Childress cousins. Here are all 10 of them (#11 is coming in February to Tracy & Kris).

Ryan, Benjamin, Bryson, Micah, Jackson

Haley, Randi, Andraya, Kennedy, Jordyn

It's official - Harvest is here!

2008-09-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

Well, as it says in the title, Harvest is officially here! Seth started with the beans on Friday night (26th). With 3 little ones at home, I have a feeling it's going to be the longest harvest yet! Oh well. I brought the kids out Saturday night and we all got to ride around with Dad a little bit. Draya and Ryan both got a little antsy after awhile, but I think Ben was in combine heaven!

* You probably noticed Andraya's new haircut. She decided she wanted it short when she took a chunk out of it herself the other day (third time she's done this)! Thank goodness we have Aunt Jamee to "fix" it!

We love Sesame Street Live!

2008-09-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Ryan

2008-09-26T16:06:00.000-07:00

Ryan - my little blondie! He is just the sweetest little thing ever! He's 10-months old now and has been crawling for a couple of weeks now! He is into EVERYTHING! He loves being outside, especially when he can watch his big sister and brother playing. When he's inside, he LOVES watching Bear in the Big Blue House. He's so funny too - he has the cutest little laugh and smile. He totally melts your heart!

Benjamin

2008-09-26T15:56:00.001-07:00

Benjamin is now 2 1/2 and has totally turned into a Daddy's boy! I think he would live with Daddy out in a tractor if he could. He's in for a real treat now that Harvest is going to start - I'm sure I will not be able to get him out of the combine when we start bringing supper out to Seth. He is learning so much everyday - he copies everything his sister says (which annoys her sometimes, but isn't that what little brothers are supposed to do???) He's definitely a 2-year old...constantly causing mischief. I try to discipline him, but he's so darn cute with those long eyelashes!

Andraya

2008-09-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

Andraya is now 4 1/2 and has just started preschool at West Lyon. She LOVES it! She always has a lot to share when she gets home. She loves circle time and going outside on the playground where she almost always plays on the swings. Her new favorite thing to do is "create" things with paper, scissors and tape. She absolutely loves reading books and is really starting to enjoy coloring (it took awhile, but now you can find her doing it most nights). The other thing she absolutely loves is playing dress-up - Princesses, Abby Cadabby, Minnie Mouse, a cowgirl, etc.

2008-09-26T15:24:00.001-07:00

Snaps Soccer

2008-09-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

Andraya started her first season of soccer, and it has been quite an adventure! She is on an Under-6 girl's team that is coached by her aunt Tracy. Her team, Snaps, consists of her and 9 other little girls. Her cousins Kennedy and Randi are also on her team. We have now played 4 games and Andraya continues to improve with each one. While she is not the most aggressive player on the team, she will now at least "follow the pack" and manage to kick the ball 3-4 times during the game. By the end of the season, she will probably be scoring all of the goals (Ha!)