Just to clarify

I have been teased for years about my competitive nature. Even when I am not being competitive I am accused of it. So . . . since getting the Wii I have realized that I have been unfairly targeted all these years. The true competitor has been revealed and now I can have some peace :-)

The eyes of pure, intense focus - waiting . . . . waiting . . . . for the serve. The crushing return followed by the look of satisfaction as his ball flies with bullet speed past his opponent

Race Day - again

Brock bought his motorcycle this summer and had never raced, but wanted to see what it was like. He was able to race with a couple of his friends.

Brock and Paul shortly before heading to the starting line

The course he raced was the same as the one Madison did in addition to lots of tight woods. Most of the course I couldn't see and a lap took him about 23 minutes. I was never very close to the course so it was hard to take pictures. Had I been more prepared I could have walked to different parts of the course and taken pictures. Oh well - I guess that gives him a good excuse for a "next time"

Brock at the starting line - he is on the red bike

Madison watching Brock - she wanted to be right there cheering him on! It was cute!

Here he is again (in the center - red helmet and bike). They all have to stand in front of the bike with both hands on their handlebars until the signal. He did a good job getting going and was the 4th one out.

My camera battery died just as I was getting a picture of him racing! My friend took one for me so I will try to add it later :-)

After the race. Brock was completely exhausted. He had been riding for a little over 2 hours! Madison was so cute - she raced over there and immediately started taking his boots off.

Hannah was very interested in what daddy was doing it. She ran right up to him when he returned and stayed nearby the whole time. Cute!

The proud kiddos and there daddy's. Jesse Strege and his kids (except Alex) - Andi, Berlin and Izyk and Brock and Isaac, Hannah and Madison

Happy Birthday Brock/Dad

Today, 33 years ago, Brock was born! I am so glad that God brought him into this world and has watched over him so faithfully every moment of his life. I am thankful that 13 years ago He brought us together and that every day since we have grown to love each other more and more. What I love most about him though is that He loves God (first and foremost) and that he loves us like crazy. He is an awesome dad and husband and is never afraid to show us he loves us. I feel lucky to have him in my life and I know the kids do too! Happy Birthday Brock!!

What a cutie - doesn't Isaac look like him?

Still a cute little guy or I mean cowboy!

And of course STILL cute!!

In my unbiased opinion he is the BEST!

The kiddos wanted to share their thoughts also:
"Happy Birthday Daddy - WE LOVE YOU!"

from Madison when asked what she likes most about daddy:
"he is a nice dad"
"I like how he takes my socks off at night"
"I like going riding with him in the woods and riding bike with him"
"fun to play with"

Isaac's response (he seems to have a 1 track mind when it comes to daddy) :-)
"playing guns"
"he laughs when I show him funny things"
"shooting bears"
"dad shooting porcupine and I watching him"
"playing swords"

If Hannah could talk she would say:
"My dad is the best!"
"He likes to play with me"
"I love how he makes me laugh"
"I love how he gives me big hugs"
"I love meeting him when he walks in the door and that he is excited to see me"

Happy Birthday - We love you!!!!

Our 10 Year Anniversary!

It is hard to believe we have been married for 10 years!! I have been in awe of the way trials, disappointments, happinesses, new adventures, excitement and all the other things marriage brings has brought us closer and closer. What we didn't realize when we got married 10 years ago was that we would fall deeper and deeper in love just because we were 1) making God the biggest priority in each of our lives (and therefore our marriage) and 2) going through the best and the worst experiences together. We couldn't imagine being happier than we were on this day 10 years ago but we definitely are. Will we be even more in love in 10 more years? Is that how it works? Wow, that would be something! I'll let you know in 10 more!

Our life - from the beginning:
We first met (I guess you can't call it meeting because we didn't even talk) in August '95 when we were both in the same English class in college in Sheridan Wyoming. Although we both were immediately interested in the other, we didn't really talk for several months (just chit chat here and there). My parents had moved to sheridan my senior year of HS so as you can imagine I was NOT happy about being there!! I must say, seeing Brock suddenly gave me a new outlook on life in Sheridan :-) It turned out that his family and mine went to the same church and we saw each other there also. FINALLY, February 1, 1996 he asked if I would "like to do something sometime like go to the move?" He called me that night and we have never been apart since!! :-) We moved to Mankato, Minnesota August '96 to go to school. Brock asked me to marry him October 18, 1997 and we got married 7 months later. When he asked me to marry him he was his typical romantic and original self :-) He couldn't believe that I had just turned 21 years old and had never carved a pumpkin before - so he decided we would do that. When I pulled the top off the pumpkin ready to dig in instead there was a box and a rose inside (tied to the "handle" of the pumpkin) I was in shock! It took me by complete surprise. What a nice surprise it was and I have never regretted saying yes!!

at my sister Cori's wedding

on the lake at Brock's dads house in Wisconsin

at Brock's sister Erika's wedding

the night we got engaged - don't we look so happy!!

in florida on our honeymoon - we were both in school still when we got married so we waited til the christmas break to go on our honeymoon. His grandpa took this picture (yes we did stay with his grandparents for a few days of our honeymoon - but that is a story of its own :-) anyways, we were college students gotta save money where you can!)

Yeah! Daddy's home!

Time to swarm around daddy now that he is finally home (all day at work can feel like a lifetime to a kid) :-) Hannah went right over to lay by him and was so happy and smiley. Isaac
quickly headed over for some "daddy time" too!

Hannah has learned something new today - how to climb up so she can play with the kids. She sure is proud of herself :-)

Boy do I love my daddy!

It is so cute when Brock gets home from work everyone races over to greet him, Madison usually claiming victory as the first to get a hug. Hannah has already picked up on this and makes her trek from wherever she is to the door! It is so adorable.

As you can see she is a bit slower than the others because we have already gotten our hugs and I even had time to get the camera.

Oh, almost there, almost there!

Who wouldn't go through all that effort to get a hug from the best daddy in the world??