Goodbye, HELC... Hello, New Horizon

The girls, due to our move to northwestern 'burbs, had to say goodbye to their friends at Hopkins Early Learning Center... and brave a fresh start at New Horizon Academy.  

Lots of wonderful memories at HELC, and the girls formed deep bonds with a number of their classmates and teachers... so, the whole fam' is struggling with the transition.  

Little Rose is benefiting from having a (newly) familiar face in her classroom, Avery Dwyer... and has been rolling with the punches surprisingly well.  E, on the other hand, tends to struggle with transitions, but we've been so proud of her lip-biting effort as she knows she needs to be strong for her sister.

[HELC top two pics, NHA bottom two pics]

Playing in a Winter Wonderland

The girls (& G!) made the most of their few holiday break days where temps temps hit "balmy" double digits!  

The four days of Christmas

Our Christmas tradition of late has been driving across snow-covered south-central Minnesota, living out of suitcases, traveling from family-to-family, and packing in as much holiday cheer as we can.

Per usual, the girls threw out all "rules" and went on a five-day, nap-free, curfew-free, sugar and family-love filled bender of fun... and came away exhausted and spoiled!   

'Tis the Season

With E & S at four and three, respectively, the holiday magic is definitely in the air in the Backer household!

ChristMcs Tradition

One of the highlights of this year's McNerney Christmas party was definitely the fresh "powder", for kids and adults alike.

Bangarang!

Haven't been to First Ave in years, and, candidly, had hardly heard of Doomtree before our night out... but, man, what a show!  If you want a taste, here's a vid of their "signature" song, Bangarang, from Rock the Garden last summer.

Thanks for tix, Mcs!

Axed

This year's Gopher Football "guy's day out" was a frigid one, but, per usual... a classic.  Despite the frostbite and tough loss (WI 20, MN 7), it was great to see live the Maroon & Gold battling to final minute in one of their biggest games of our lifetimes.  

And, the town-painting pre- and post-game was quite the experience as well.  Fun times, eh boys!

MOvember

For the third straight year, I donated my time, money... and upper lip to the Men's Health awareness campaign, Movember.  Our GMI team of 500+ growers raised over $60,000... and brought the mustache back into style temporarily, or at least we like to think we did, all across Mills' campus. 

A huge thanks to Linds, Bob & Linda, Dad & Dawn, Mom & Greg, Joe & Tisha, Opie & Laura, Cal & Kathleen, Cathy & Jim and Andy for your donations in my name!

Oh, and a big thanks to E & S for putting up with a month of scratchy kisses and my "not very cute anymore" (their [frequent] words) look.  They couldn't have been more pleased than when helping me "murr" off my Mo' at the close of the month! 

Thanksgiving

So much commotion this Thanksgiving that the "team photographer" hardly captured any of the festivities and family traditions.  Then again, maybe it's better that way... as this year's events included Wii dance-offs and late night ping pong after (too many) wine tastings!

We did, however, capture a couple moments of that thing we are most thankful for... spending time and making memories with family, generation after generation.

The next chapter...

Finally.  Six-plus months after selling our house in SW Minneapolis, we are now officially homeowners again!  

We're still buried in moving boxes, and are probably months from being fully furnished and decorated... but, it feels great to start to make this place our home, and to begin that next chapter; Rockin' the Suburbs.

Instead of giving the virtual tour online via our blog, we're inviting all "fans" to come visit and see for yourselves...

[Message Linds or I for our new addy!]

Point U!

The girls, Nana, La and I saw the #2-ranked Golden Gopher women's volleyball team take on Nebraska at the Pavillion a few weeks ago.  Tons of fun watching an incredibly talented Gopher squad in front of an energized, packed house.

But, the highlight for me was watching the girls get into it... and even learn the Rouser!

Cardinal Football

The FHS Cardinals (my alma mater) returned to the State Tournament this year, but fell one game shy of "the Dome", and the opportunity to play for the state championship.

Round one was played in our backyard, at Burnsville High, so we bundled the girls, stocked up on hot chocolate, and cheeeeered for our good ol' high school... FIGHT for Fairmont, FIGHT for Fairmonnnt High! 

[no, really, they enjoyed it!]

Wo-wa

With recent work travel, our big suburban move, and, well, really just in general... Auntie La's been quite the helper, and the girls love their "Wo-wa" time as much as anything.

Seems like they always come back from La's with a little more big kid swagger (and 'tude), having experienced things like Cappuccino, and learned of essential life skills... like the "selfie".  

Pillsbury Bake-Off

One of Linds' responsibilities in her current role at GMI is the Pillsbury Bake-Off, the annual "makers" competition... where the winner's recipe earns pillsbury.com fame, $1 million and "15 minutes" of celebrity (with the likes of Queen Latifa, and the Doughboy, himself!).

Linds spent the week in Vegas' with her team readying the floor, and celebrating with the winner.  She says you just HAVE to try this year's winner... a Loaded Potato Pinwheel (see link above for recipe).

Halloweenies

E & S as Ariel & Panda, moments before the hitting the streets for the Great Candy Rush (and moments before losing their identities when returning home to bundle up in coats, hats and mittens).

It's the Great Pumpkin (Carving)

The annual pre-Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party at the McNerney's was fun had by all, as always... well, except for the "team photos" (never a popular event with the little ones). 

Clockwise from top left: Cohen, Finn, Mable, Henry, Sawyer, Ella, Maddie, Jack, (Can't Remember?!?),  Addy, Evie, Archie

Say Cheese!

E & S enjoyed a day with "cousins" Maddie & Tanner, while Jay & Jenny (M & T's parents) enjoyed the big Gopher Football upset (over Nebraska).  The kids yucked it up at Punch, then burned every last calorie at during a three-hour swim at the hotel pool.

Charlotte's Web

E & S got their first exposure to Minneapolis' famed performing arts scene this weekend, taking in Charlotte's Web at the MIA's Children's Theatre Company.

The life lessons, food chain realities, suspension of disbelief were a bit much for a three and four year old... but both girls loved Fern, Charlotte & Wilbur... and whenever things got a bit heavy, Templeton's antics had them in stitches (and distracted).

Sawyer's 3!

Our little Sawyer entered year three with a bang... partying three straight days.  First, a celebration with the "Kangaroos" at school.  Then, her big Bounce House bash with family and friends.  And, finally, closing it out with the traditional breakfast in bed.

Happy Birthday, Sawyer Rose!  We love you! 

Bity Baby

Nana paid us a visit this weekend, and job #1 was to take Sawyer out to the American Girl Doll store to pick out her first Bity Baby for her upcoming birthday (like she did for E when she turned three).  They say it's a rite of passage / American tradition, of sorts, for little girls... and, while I don't quite get it, S sure did beam when bringing home her new best friend.  

Thanks for the gift and fun weekend, Nana!

Tiny Dancers

Following in their Aunt La's footsteps, E & S tried their hands, er... feet, at ballet at Just for Kicks' NW studio this fall.  

Both girls had fun, and followed along just fine... but, E was clearly bored each week and often complained about it being "too easy", and little S just wished there was more running, jumping and/or climbing.  

We'll give it another whirl in the future, but it looks like this one might not be in the cards...

Dome Sweet Dome

While Linds & the girls were away, I capped off my weekend of "bachin' it" watching the Viking's final home opener at the HHH Metrodome with my buddy, Mo.

Despite the deflating loss, it was great to get in one final game at the Dome... and to do it with the guy I've probably watched more Vikes games with than anyone outside of my family (I watched nearly every one of the Purple's games from 2000-2007 at Mo's place in Indiana during my Eli Lilly/Indy chapter).

Mr. & Mrs. Turansky

The Backer girls and G'ma & G'Pa headed to Fort Wayne, IN for Linds' cousin Kelli's wedding.  E & S had a blast getting to know their second cousins... and, of course, tearing up the dance floor!

Happy Birthday, Dear Av-ni...

Evie, and her party-crashing sister, enjoyed a gorgeous fall weekend at Minnetonka Orchards for Avni's birthday bash.  The crew did the standard tractor ride, hay stack climb, apple pick, et cetera... but also discovered a new activity... turns out empty cider cups are  the perfect bee, grasshopper and butterfly moth trap!

'Kenzie & We

My college buddy, Matt (and his wife, our Indy friend, Tarra), finally brought their firstborn, Mackenzie (14 mos), back "home" to MN for a tour of family and friends early this September.  

As always, it was great to pick up where we left off... and fun to see the next generation start to bond.  

(For the record, "Z" truly did like the girls a little more than this pic would indicate.)

Labor Day Weekend

To send off summer in style, our crew headed south to Nana’s to enjoy the long Labor Day weekend final weekend on and around the water.  To welcome fall in style, we spent one of our afternoons just down the road, enjoying opening day at Center Creek Apple Orchard.