Memorial Day

Memorial Day always finds me heading back to my roots.  For as long as I can remember I have been attending Memorial Day programs in Sanborn, MN - population 300 something.  I have such fond memories of all the time I spent as a child with my grandparents in the Zion Lutheran Church and American Legion Colburn Post 286 in this little town.  It is where both of my parents are from - and several family members still live in or nearby Sanborn.  However, as time marches on, it is a place I return to with increasingly less frequency. 

I was raised to show respect to God and to those who have served our country.  So our Memorial Day always begins with the Memorial Day Service in Sanborn - it is not about family get togethers, grill outs, or a day to sleep in - it is all about those who serve our country and protect our freedom.  If you have never attended a Memorial Day program, then I strongly suggest you put it on the top of your list next year - take an hour out of your life to pay respect to those who protected yours.  I have been a member of the Sanborn Legion Auxiliary since I was 18.  Scott is a member of the Sons of the American Legion, and our children have all been members of the SAL or Junior Auxiliary since birth.  Keeley is currently serving as the Chaplain for the 2nd District Junior Auxiliary.  Here is our Memorial Day run-down.

Sanborn Legion

Since they were old enough to walk the kids have been in charge of handing out poppies.  Poppies are never "for sale" but donations are welcome.  100% of the poppy donations go directly back to veteran services.

The service was held in the Legion this year due to the rain.

A flag is placed in memory of each soldier who is no longer with us - sadly the list gets longer each year - and a wreath tribute to the unknown soldier.

Keeley enjoying the pancake and sausage breakfast served afterward - compliments of the SAL.

My Mom & Dad - Mom is the Sanborn Auxiliary President and Dad is a member of the Legion -  retired from 27 years service as a cook in the National Guard.

Sanborn Cemetery

The reason I was raised the way I was and why we keep coming back - Grandpa and Grandma were very active in the Legion and served in many different offices over their years.  I have never made it through a 21 gun salute without crying - it has only become more meaningful and emotional since Grandpa's funeral.

My Grandpa, Evan Brown, died from a farm accident when he was my age - only 34 years old - and he left behind a young wife and SIX kids.

Uncle Ricky

BEAUTIFUL - God's Country - even cattle in the background.

The Sanborn Corners - Hellickson Soft Water - previously owned by Grandpa and Grandma - now owned by my brother, Josh, and his wife, Franny.  The Dairy Queen - owned a LONG time ago by Grandpa and Grandma as well.

Sundown Lutheran Church where some of my paternal Great-grandparents rest - Katelyn Christine was named after my 101 year old Great Grandma, Ardella Christine Anderson.  Jacob and I even found some gravestones written in German - the oldest one was 1836.

A few lawn games while mom made supper!

Still working on the best way to grill pizza...

Bacon Cheeseburger - half with a homemade BBQ drizzle...

...and margherita and meat.

Typical weekend night - all the kids aren't even in the pic!

Then a trip to the cemetery in St. James to visit Scott's family.

I was lollygagging and ended up capturing this beautiful picture of Jacob caught in the moment.  I LOVE this boy!

Listening to Dad tell stories...

Before we left Jacob took off walking and said he had one more person to visit with...

Marvin.  I pray you all had a day full of reflection on those who have gone before us and, in particular, those who have served.

Work hard...play hard...together!

I took the kids to the greenhouse before Mother's Day to pick out plants for the Grandma's as well as their favorites for around the house.

We worked hard weeding...

...and planting - Keeley's tradition is planting snap dragons around the mailbox <3

We also care for the land by cleaning road ditches.

Scott is taking in the view at the gravel pit.

Keeley is caring for Dustin Anderson's pigs by picking up trash!

Keeley also had her first driving lesson with the BushHog - she did EXCELLENT - and mom was never far away!

 PLEASE JUST DON'T LITTER!!!

2 miles for Farm Bureau and 2 miles for 4-H complete - that's 8 miles of road ditches cleaned by the Rural Runges in one afternoon - for the second year in a row!

 Saturday afternoon we biked 5 miles around the lake.  We were all a little nervous as we haven't biked far from home much since Uncle Clint was hit on his bike and it was our first time for the year.  We said a prayer and all was fine - Aunt Franny even caught up to us when we were half way around and finished the ride with us.  Wearing a helmet was a first for me - not cute or cool like the kids' - but we've learned the hard way you only get one head.

This will help remove the mental image of me in a helmet!  Jake is such a great big brother! <3

Saturday night Scott and I decided to take the kids to Dino's Pizzeria in North Mankato.  A rare occurrence for us - when we usually go to Mankato it is fast food and everything is rushed.  We made a point to allow time to sit down and eat in an actual restaurant this time and it was well worth it!

The kids were all given dough balls to play with while we waited for our cheese bread and pizzas - they had a blast throwing it in the air!

For dessert we surprised them and ordered them creme brulee to try...

It was so much fun to watch them get served a fancy dessert...

and even more fun to watch their faces when they tried it!

Dino's was awesome and we may just have found our new family night out restaurant!

Catching Up Part 2

So it's still crazy around here, but I wanted to finish catching up before we get any farther into this week (although it's not even noon on Monday!)  In the busyness of the past few weeks a one pot pasta recipe came across my Facebook news feed again.  I have seen SO many people share similar recipes on Facebook, but I wondered if anyone really tries anything they "share"?  I figured there was nothing to lose so I gave one a shot.  The base of this recipe came from The Slow Roasted Italian - One Pot Cheesy Pasta and Sausage.  While it is really pretty all presented in the pot this way:

I would suggest putting in your water and then breaking your noodles a bit so they are submerged because my noodles didn't end up perfectly, evenly cooked and it all gets mixed up anyway!

This is midway through cooking.

Surprisingly everyone loved it!  Even Kate and Barbara - the two pickiest eaters around here ;)  It's worth a try!

Back to the last few highlights so I can start this week caught up.

Our Northside Elementary 3-5 graders presented the play, "The Lion King".  Jacob was backstage right - proud of all the work he put into it and many hours at practice!

Thank you Turnaround Arts for this wonderful opportunity!  Amazing job done by all!

There was no way I couldn't share this - my Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed!!!!

Complete with menus!

The kiddos with Grandma Blackstad and Grandma Runge...

and with Grandma Brown...

and finally, with me!  The 3 main reasons we do what we do!

Catching Up Part 1

Oh my goodness!  I can't believe the amount of time that has past since my last post!  Aside from life being EXTREMELY busy - which I'm not complaining about - we choose that - there are things beyond our control.  Having just had Mother's Day, I've never appreciated my mother more than I do now.  She is an amazing Mom to the 6 of us, our spouses, and her grandkids, but when Mom/Grandma is down, everyone feels the effects.  2 weeks ago my mom broke 3 ribs in her back.  After taking her to the ER twice and a doctors check-up later she is still foggy about everything she's been through and is still trying to work through the pain.  I pray Mom rebounds quickly but it has been a long and painful 2 weeks already!

Here's my attempt to catch up with what the Runges have been up to the last few weeks because a lot of important things have happened - maybe the recap will help me process where the time went!

Friday, April 24th, the kids helped me color the marshmallow fondant for Kate's cake.

Saturday the 25th was the Southern Minnesota Regional Science Fair - catching moments like this make parenting SO worth it!

For the 2nd year in a row presenting a "crop" related project Jake brought home purple!  This year he was also presented with a medal and cash award from AgStar for an outstanding agricultural-related project - we are SO proud and hope he keeps his passion! 

After we got back home we started Kate's 5th birthday party!  (Her birthday is April 26th but we celebrated with extended family on the 25th.)  How many kids can eat on one swing set?!?!

Katelyn Christine and her rainbow cake - she loves Rainbow Dash from My Little Ponies!!!

On April 26th, we finally had Brown Easter at our house - the flu went through multiple households over a couple of weeks and we won the sick-free lottery!  After enjoying our "Easter breakfast" at our Fire Department's annual french toast breakfast - as we can never repay them for all they have done - we had our egg hunt.  Grandma is giving instructions!

Here they are divvying up the goods!

After we finished with Easter it was back to the birthday girl's favorite activities - swinging...

 ...and t-ball!  Even in a dress!

And a little biking - with the new helmets we bought them for Easter - along with their new bike lights from Uncle Clint and Aunt Marj for Christmas.  We are doing everything we can to keep them safe and make sure they are visible!

 

One of the hardest days lately has been Kate's last day at ECFE on April 30th.  We have been involved with ECFE since Jacob was born and we had our "Welcome Baby" visit.  It has been an immensely rewarding and amazing 11 years and I don't quite know what I will do with myself with it's end.  The final class was bus safety with Fred Lenz of the St. James Bus Company.

We ride the bus across town with them and then they get off and wait while we drive around the circle to be sure they understand how to board a bus at school.  They stood so nice!!!

The last picture at ECFE :'(

We also loosened our reigns and let Jake and Keeley attend a Twins game with friends on May 2nd.  They made it back home in one piece...breathe....(it was bomber hat day).  After setting up for my church's Spring Banquet at the Legion, we visited with family at Clint & Marj's to celebrate Clint's good news!

Back to the Legion bright and early after church Sunday morning - it was a full house!  May 3rd was also Scott's birthday.

The Birthday Boy organized and MC'd the Pine Car Derby for the kids:)

Steak, potatoes, and a Blood Mary for birthday supper!  That's as far as I can process for now! ;)