Megan's Cowboys

Friday night was the (hopefully) first annual football game between Megan's Cowboys and the Cook Little Gophers. Megan's Cowboys is a team composed of Megan Anderson's family, friends, coworkers, and others from around the area who care for her and her family. This flag football game was organized to raise money for the Megan Anderson scholarship which will be given to a Cook graduate majoring in graphic arts- as Megan did. For those of you who don't know- Megan's life was tragically ended August 29. She was a vibrant, fun-loving, country-singing young woman with so much to give. It is hard for me to write about this as I feel there are many others who knew her deeper and in ways Icould never come close to. They could more eloquently (or at least more personal and genuine) write about her and all she meant to so many than I can. However I have watched her friends and family and my sister Amy and have realized that each of us care deeply for Megan and the whole Anderson family. We will all remember Megan in ways that are uniquely our own and completely alright.What a great night it turned out to be. My dad- yes 52 yr old Mark "the bear" (have you seen all that hair) Shermer- played for Megan's Cowboys. He not only played but had a few good tackles (flag football might be in name only) and even a fumble recovery that led to a touchdown. Everyone was in great spirits and the night was a wonderful tribute to someone who enjoyed having a good time with family and friends in a big way. Megan's brother Jessie caught a touchdown pass while her brother Brett caught the two point conversion. I do have to say though that her cousin Ben was the MVP of the game. I cannot believe how many flags he pulled out (while almost everyone else had to grab and hold the person while another teammate tried- not always successfully hence the reason tackling started- to pull out the flag). Though it was a cold night you wouldn't have been able to tell with all the smiles and laughter coming for both on the field and in the stands. There's nothing like a game under the lights on a cold winter night- and the cause... Nothing better.
Megan's Cowboys did beat the Little Gophers 30-6. Though I am sure that was not the main point of the evening. I think a big thank you and (for lack of a better expression) round of applause should be given to these young high school guys for getting out there and playing when they knew the crowd would be behind the pink team. They truly are good sports and helped make the night the success it was. A raffle and 50/50 drawing were held a half-time. Amy and I had to hold our breath when the number was read for the Viking's screen tent- I was sure of all the items out there that would be when our number was called out. We are lucky though and none of our numbers were drawn.

We truly enjoyed ourselves and were honored to be part of such a night. Great job to each and every person who had a hand in planning and carrying out this event. Not only will Megan never be forgotten but when we think of her we will always think of the kind of person that she was. Her heart, her spirit, that smile and her light.

You are Loved.

Food, Family, and Football

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!!!

I have to say that I love Thanksgiving. It truly is my favorite holiday. In our family it is a big deal and at least a two day event. This year was a little different but still a lot of fun. We usually head to Elk River, MN and get together with my grandpa Wally's sister's family as well as the whole Olson crew. Thursday is dinner and the big football game- yes we even have 11-14 man teams- Friday is round two. This year we decided to do the Olson crew up here and the Anderson crew in Elk River. We did miss them but I am sure we had enough food to feed each person as well as their dog, horse and cat- so we each ate a little more while thinking of them.

Our football game this year was watched on TV with the rumbling in our tummies instead of on the field. Of course the Packers won with a little help from Amy and I.

For those of you who know us, you know we are a game family. The rest of the evening (some into the wee hours of morning) was filled with many different games for all ages. I can say that I am thankful for each moment. It was very special to have this day together, especially with Gramps.

Today- a little more of the same. Eating, games, and napping.

I hope each of you had a day that left you content and happy as well.

Time with Friends

The last few days I have enjoyed spending time with some friends. It started Thursday with meeting my friend April for an early dinner. She has been a bright spot for me these last few months. We try to get together once a week or at least once every two weeks and it has been great to be able to meet and talk with a friend my own age.

Friday I was able to head to Duluth with Bruce after work. We went to our Duluth house for game night. I have to say I do miss being there and even miss both my roommates- yes even the crabby one. (Alright, alright- I know your not crabby :) Bren and Chris came over along with a crew of Cook kids. We had a good time- even though I lost both games.

Saturday morning I met Bren for breakfast. Being able to talk face to face with each other was something I really needed. I am so thankful for her friendship and there is nothing like just being with each other and seeing where the conversation flows.

After picking Amy up at LSC we headed to Virginia to watch Bruce's basketball game. (I'll save my comments on that one Bruce- though it was nice to catch one of your games). All in all it was a good weekend ending with another great Packer's victory.

I am now off to my cousin Jessie's birthday- Happy Birthday!!! I ALWAYS love hanging with that family- never a dull moment and memories to laugh at for a long time to come.

Winners?!?!?!

So yes we did win the game (you knew we would). However I do not like to win that way, at least when we are playing the Vikings and watching it with mixed fans. It was a blow-out, or I guess I should say shut-out. 34-0. We who had little to no running game coming in yesterday and the Vikes who have ADRIAN PETERSON (can you hear the announcer saying his name with a little echo behind it?), were flip-flopped. We found this great running game and Adrian lost his in a brick wall of green and gold.

I would have preferred to have it close right up to the end- and then have the Pack win of course. I want everyone to have hope and be happy for at least 3 hours and then I guess I want to be the one left happy- so maybe that isn't so great either. At any rate, I am competitive and I do like my team to win, so I will take this victory.

We did have fun hanging out though and just so you know gramps did give me a hug last night before I left for Sunday Night Alive, so we are still talking- for now.

GO PACK!!!

So today is the big game. Friends and family are coming to watch, taco dip is being made, jersey's put on, and voices getting ready to cheer. It is a fun day for all of us to start with and by the end only half of us are happy and talking to each other. No it is all in fun, but I will let you know who is celebrating around 3:30 today.

GO PACKERS!!!!!

They're Home

We waited by the glass doors watching people come down the escalators looking for 3 kids in flip-flops. After about 15 minutes down they came with smiles from everyone. I watched Jen and Katie meet up with their family and then Tenneh came running over yelling "Christie" and gave me a big hug with Natoma following shortly behind her. I realize the kids know who I am but it has been well over a year since we have seen each other and though we have written letters back and forth I just wasn't sure they would recognize me, but they did. We then went over to Nancy's brother's house and spent a few hours just hanging out together. It was so good to see each of the Pins family members.


Hearing Tenneh, Natoma, and Kabba talking and laugh was a very sweet sound to my ears. I love their accent and free laughter. Another precious treasure were all the letters Mike and Nancy brought for me from the kids at Jonathan House. It is always like Christmas for me to open and read each one. It is hard to focus on much else knowing they are there waiting for me to read. I wanted to pull over on the way to Mike and Lorie's but I was able to hold off until I got there.

On another note- I stopped at the McHugh's (a family I started nannying for over 7 years ago and who have become dear family friends) to give my buddy Eddie a pair of Packer socks. You see he, his dad Bill and some friends are headed to Lambeau field Sunday for the big game. It is cold during the game and I just wanted to make sure he was well taken care of. Good thing for him though that I forgot the socks- He unfortunately is a Vikings fan ( I love you anyway). I do hope they have a ton of fun. No matter what happens there is no football experience that compares to being surrounded by all that history and being a part of the crowd at Lambeau- even if you are cheering for the opposing team.

I was able to spend some time with Emily and Mason as well and somehow managed to beat both Eddie and Mason 4 times in a row at Mario Kart- I had to leave right after so that my streak wouldn't be lost. It must have been Joanne's great chili that made the difference.

Thanks McHugh's for a great night. I miss spending time with all of you. Cheer hard for the Vikes- we all know they'll need it and that is what you are there for. Know that I will be yelling and jumping around my living room rooting on the Packers.

GO PACK!!!!

Welcome Home Pins Family

Tomorrow morning I will be heading to the cities to pick up Jen Pins at Bethel and then we will head over to the airport together to meet Katie Pins and some more family. Arriving from Freetown, Sierra Leone (via many other places) at 1:30 will be Mike and Nancy Pins along with the three youngest Pins kids- Tenneh, Natoma, and Kabba. I am excited and honored to be asked to be part of this. I love this family and am looking forward to spending some time with them. It will also be great to see some of my friends from Jonathan House again. I know it is a big transition for Tenneh, Natoma, and Kabba. What a great thing to be able come home with your family and see all the opportunities for you here in America and yet to say good-bye to all your friends and the home you have known all your life... A lot must be going on inside these precious kids. I pray for them daily as well as Mike, Nancy, Jen, and Katie. I know God called this family to these three children. He has brought this family together and will be with them each step of the way, but that does not mean there won't be a few tough moments along the way. The blessings will be Huge though, that I do know.

I had better go pack so I can leave early. I love being here with Grams and Gramps, but I also look forward to this time to meet with some good friends and have a little "me time".

It's...

NICK

I am going to be an aunt again. We are all very excited and happy. Okay it is actually not Nick but Jamie who is pregnant. She is the pretty one in the picture below.

I can say if this new baby is anything like my niece Alina we are in for a great time. Congratulations you two. I love you.

(were you right in your guess on who is pregnant?!?!)

Some Hints

I can't tell you who it is yet- maybe tomorrow (I'm waiting for a picture). Soon I promise, but I will tell you a little story though.

This EPT test was given to my Grandpa as a gift on his birthday. He was opening this red box and pulled out the test- "How do you use this?" He asked. Anyone over the age of 40 ( half the table) didn't have any clue what it was. We all laughed and those of us who knew explained to him what it was (and that it was already used). We all screamed and even a few tears were shed. So now you know that it is not me and it is definitely not Gramps. I think it also safe to let you know at this point that it is not my Grandma (or any of those people over 40).

Big help I know- think a little harder and I think you could figure it out.