Wheeling Family Blog: World's Longest Blog!!

Since I've been gone since Aug. 15th, I have a lot of catching up with pics.

Dad shows off his first tomato of the season!

Mom & I began a little fall cleaning a week ago. Mom has a ton of plants in her home!

Two week-ends ago, we headed up to the lake. One of our favorite meals is tortilla cheese soup...

along with Nathan's famous bagel sandwiches.

Nathan was able to get in a little skiing, and...

Jeni was ready with her new camera she got for her birthday.

Good friends JoAnn & Sheldon finally made it up to the lake for the week-end.

Once again, the week-end weather didn't cooperate, so sweatshirts were the attire on the pontoon.

Lynn helped close up camp at Metigoshe, so she spent the week-end with us also.

One of Claire's favorite snacks is microwave popcorn. She puts it in the microwave, pushes the popcorn button, watches it pop, and EATS the yummy snack while watching tv. She loves the movies Hairspray and Hannah Montana-The Movie.

Campfire & Snuggling Time

Poker Time

Taja-Loving Time

Taco Dip Time

Conversation Time

Sharing Time

Turtle Hunting Time

Sherry, Jeni, Cole, & Claire accompanied me to Cavalier Sunday afternoon. They surprised Jayden, who had just returned from Denver. I stayed with Jayden for the week, while the others got up early Monday morning and headed back to Minot. Thank you for coming with me!

Jeni steered us in the right direction to Cavalier.

Jayden was still at his THREE hour football practice when we arrived! Here he's doing the Bear Crawl. (I think that's what they call it.)

Plenty of instruction!

Part of the gear was handed out. He'll have plenty of time to use it with his 27 practices plus games!

Jason had kabobs & cut-up potatoes hot off the grill for us when we arrived!

Jayden shows us his candy cake his grandma Lana made for him.

One of Cole & Jayden's favorite things to do is look over Jason's collection of old baseball & football cards.

I've always wondered how those Topsy-Turvey tomato plants worked. Pretty well, I guess!

Campfire time at the Schmelz home.

Claire always participates!

Just had to take a pic of the pretty flowers.

Jason gives Jayden a little help with his tight helmet!

Good Luck to the Cavalier Tornadoes!

A girl needs to be careful in choosing tomorrow's outfit.

Cole brought Jayden & Cole's Pee-Wee team's first place trophy.

A little PS2 Bigg's

Jayden missed being in Cavalier this summer. He remembers his last year's baseball team getting drinks here.

He played a little tennis,

and a little Wii.

The only day that looked fine for swimming turned out to rain the minute the boys got to the pool! They spent an hour waiting, until the pool manager decided to close the pool!

Jayden had friends Dawson, Chris, & Jason spend the night. First on the agenda-Nerf War,

a little late-night driveway hoops,

and later evening bedroom hoops!

Some pitching practice.

Tiff & Jason's neighbors are going to fix up this house boat for retirement.

Jayden was sure they wouldn't have practice in pouring rain, but of course he was wrong!! Football doesn't stop for rain or snow.

After a fun week in Cavalier, we headed to the lake. Mom puts the finishing touches on her famous oatmeal caramel bars.

Tiff made the most delicious 7-layer bars.

Grandma was happy to see Jayden again!

Mom & Dad found some delicious corn on the cob.

Tramp Time

Sometimes a dog is the only one who'll listen.

Card-Playing Time

Where Claire goes, Taja goes!

Mark was back from Minneapolis, so took Taja on a morning walk. He only had one altercation with a golden retriever, and Taja sent it running!

While at the lake, we received news of baby Owen's birth, a new cousin for Cole, Kaydra, & Claire. Kaydra made up a cheer to celebrate his birth! We were all excited!