Kenzie's Baptism.

We finally had Kenzie baptized and decided to do it here in Fargo.  Landon and Kadence were both baptized at my church in Cloquet; however, it happened to work out much better to get Kenzie baptized here in town.  We had her baptized at Hope Lutheran Church (south campus) where we plan to become members.  Kenzie did very well during the service and it was great to have our family here to celebrate this wonderful time while she received God's gift of eternal love.

"Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the Cross of Christ forever."
(I didn't have the actual baptism photos on my camera and will try to insert some here later)

Our sweet family of 5.

Our family and Kenzie's sponsors, Holly and Kristy.

Kenzie and her sponsors.

A fun shot of our family who was able to celebrate with us.  We missed Arin and Sue but they were at a family wedding in California.

Kenzie with  Grandpa Ken and Grandma Debbie.

Kenzie with Papa Gary.

"In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life.  By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body of Christ.  As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God."

"In Christian love you have presented your child for Holy Baptism.  You should, therefore, faithfully bring your child to the services of God's house, teach your child the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments.  As your child grows in years, you should place in your child's hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for instruction in the Christian faith, that, living in the covenant of your child's Baptism and in communion with the Church, your child may lead a godly life until the day of Jesus Christ."

(Lutheran Book of Worship)


Congratulations to you sweet baby Kenzie.  We love you so very much.

Fargo Marathon 2011

Ryan and I have been participating in the Fargo Marathon events since 2006.  The events have been the 5k fun run, 1/2 marathon, and now marathon relay.  The events we have participated in have differed from year to year depending on what has been going on in our lives (ie, which baby I was pregnant with or just had).  It has become a Strasburg family tradition the last couple of years.  This year, Holly ran the full marathon, Kristy, Kristin (a friend of Holly's), Ryan and I ran the marathon relay, and Jack, Jessie, and Nathan (Kristin's son) ran the 5k.

This one is sort of blurry, but it is Nathan, Jack, and Jessie just starting out their 5k.  The 5k was on Friday night and you can see how many people there are running.  It was crazy!  I think there were 7000 signed up to participate in this race alone.

Nathan, Jack, and Jessie after the race with their medals.  Good job guys!  3.1 miles is a long ways to run!

This was our marathon relay team this year, "The Staggering Strasburgs."  Kristy, Ryan, me and Kristin.  Arin was supposed to run, but had to bail for a wedding in California.  Kristy started out and ran 6.2 miles, then handed off to Kristin who ran 8.8 miles, then I ran the short 5 mile lag, and Ryan anchored us with the last 6.2 miles.  We all joined him near the end and ran in to the Fargodome to cross the finish line together.  It was very fun and everyone did awesome! Our time was just over 4 hours all together.

The Strasburg's that ran this year: Kristy, me, Ryan, and Holly.  Congrats to Holly for finishing her first full marathon (taking only minutes longer than it took the 4 of us).

Another great Fargo Marathon year!  Can't wait for next year!  A big thanks to my Dad for shuttling me around and to my mom and sister for watching the kiddos at home!  

Kids Run 2011

Landon and Kadence both participated in the 1/2 mile kids race this year.  They were both pretty psyched up for it.  

This picture was when we registered for the race.  It was a day before the race and they were SO excited.  I think Kadence was a little confused as she asked, "Mom, where are all the little tids (kids)?"  She thought she was running that day and wondered why no one else was there.

I ran with Kadence and Ryan with Landon, but we really all ran together.  

Elijah and Dusty running the race, too.

There are so many kids running the race, it is amazing.  The race is known as one of the largest youth runs in the country and usually has more than 2500 participants between the 1/2 mile and 1 mile race.  It is so fun to see the 4 and under kids running with their parents.  Some are crying, whining, walking, or being carried, but most are running with the biggest, proudest smiles on their faces.  The older kids are also very fun to watch and it is especially fun to see the determination in all of their faces; including the ones coming across the finish line first and those staggering in later.  I love promoting health and exercise at such a young age.  What a great way to kick off the marathon weekend! 

The kids and their medals.  I am proud to say that they both ran the entire way.  I will admit, 1/2 mile is quite a long way for these little legs!  Kadence was accidentally tripped by another little boy and fell and skinned her knee, but she still ran the rest of the race!  What a trooper.  She was definitely loving the crowd and was giving everyone high fives, just like her Aunt Kristy!

Our little family.  A big thanks to Holly and Jack for watching Kenzie and taking some pictures for us!  Kenzie didn't enjoy the race much...little stinker!  

Can't wait for next year!

Dr. Landon.

 Landon is a very good brother and frequently entertains Kenzie.  He just really likes babies and has so much patience with her.  His favorite thing to do is make her smile and giggle.  Who would have thought that my very energetic and "spirited" little boy would turn in to such a gentle, kind hearted bigger boy?  For those of you who know Landon's Sioux Fall's daycare story, I would love for his provider to see him now!

I was upstairs getting dressed and when I came downstairs this is what I found.

"Hey Mom, I was just checking Kenzie's heart.  It goes lub-dub like mine and Dora's!"

Perhaps a future Anesthetist? Or Physician?  Love him.

Snug as a bug.

When Kenzie woke up from a nap the other day, this is how she was greeted.  I often let her wake up a little and talk in her crib before I go get her.  Landon and Kadence always want me to get her as soon as she wakes up.  By the time I headed into the room to get her, her big brother and sister had already climbed right in with her.  Kenzie thought this was a pretty fun idea and they played in there for quite some time.  Enough time for me to get my suitcase packed, actually.  I had to grab a picture to capture this silly, sweet moment.

Candelion.

Oh the cute things they say.  This little love bug has been loving "candelions."  When the weather first got nice and we were taking walks and exploring the field next to our house, we found one yes one dandelion.  Is that even possible?  Isn't the dandelion the weed known for its ability to totally take over an area of grass?!  Of course, the kids had a very hard time sharing this one dandelion because they both wanted it.  Perhaps they were just hanging on to the idea that this hopefully meant spring was near (or maybe that was just me).

We now have an abundance of dandelions in our field and everywhere we go.  Landon still thinks these "candelions" are precious flowers and never wants to step on them or ruin them.  It makes me laugh.  I suppose when he gets a little older I will have to excitedly accept his bouquets of dandelions.  Have I mentioned I hate the smell of dandelions!  But, I sure do love this little boy.

Farm.

Farm: an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals.

The Strasburg Farm: a home and its surroundings filled with more love, good food, and entertainment than one could ever wish for.

We made a trip back to the farm last weekend.  The kids could hardly contain themselves with the excitement they had all week.  We were hoping for a little bit nicer weather on Saturday, but the gorgeous day on Sunday made up for it.  The kids had a great time outside playing and "helping" Papa.  They moved cows on Saturday, which I find absolutely fascinating.  I suppose I am a "city slicker" through and through.  I wish I would have had my camera for that event, next time.

Ryan and I took a ride with the older kids out to a pasture on Sunday.  I was able to play with my camera a little and take some shots with my larger lens that I haven't used much yet.  I was fascinated with the beauty of the land.  The lines are absolutely gorgeous and so different from what I grew up with.  I also got some fun shots of the cows.  Now you may think it is silly to take photos of cows especially if you have grown up with them your entire life.  But, I have always been intrigued and amazed by the beauty and simple, instinctive ways of the cows.

And seriously, how cute are these babies?

Loved the curiosity of this one.

Had to put this shot in.  This cow was getting pretty close to us and I was going to take a picture of her and she moved closer and I totally jumped and this is the angle I got.  Ryan was laughing at me as you can imagine.  Sometimes I wonder if cows don't have it right; life is so simple, caring about only their basic needs.

I thought this was hilarious.  While we were in the pasture, Landon decided he should tag his own ears just like the cows.  Too funny.

We stopped to throw some rocks.  I think kids are more satisfied with dirt, sticks, water, and rocks than any fancy toys.

Kadence loved her "oyange" hat.  She thought she was pretty special.  I wont mention the fact that it was mid-May and we should not have had to wear stocking hats.

Kenzie got some outside time with Grandma.  She even enjoyed riding in the Ranger, too!  As long as she's being held (standing up) and moving she's usually pretty happy.  Ha.

Love the chub she's getting on her cheeks!

Ryan did some lawn mowing and the kids both thought this was so fun to ride with him.

I was surprised this little love stayed on for an hour!

Landon rode in the tractor with Papa. I'd like to be a fly in the corner for one of their rides some time.

Kadence had fun playing tractors.  The very same tractors Ryan played with when he was a little boy!

Another weekend of fun at the farm gone by too quickly.  I just love taking the kids to the farm and having them experience some of the things that Ryan did growing up.  They love being outside and there is so much room to explore and play.  Hopefully they didn't wear out Grandma and Grandpa too much!