Spring game

E played nap hooky on Saturday, and snuck out to the Gopher's spring game with me.  Though she seemed to have more fun looking for Goldy, and playing 'Mouse Trap' at Stub & Herb's... it was great handing down M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A traditions to the next generation (though, I have some guilt about setting her, & S someday, up for a likely lifetime of letdowns).

Spring has sprung

You could argue that there's no greater time in Minnesota than that first "real" spring day.   That gorgeous 70+ degree day, usually just 24-48 hours after Old Man Winter's spirit-breaking final dump of white stuff, that has Minnesotans buzzing... breaking out the shorts & flip-flops and flocking to the streets, lakes, BBQs, patios & parks.

Team Backer celebrated with bike rides, park trips, dog walks, park trips, pub crawls (for Uncle Opie's 30th) and more park trips.  The girls couldn't be happier.

Looking forward to a wonderful (and hopefully long) spring/summer/fall!

Goldy's Fun Run

E & S braved the chilly temps and snowy/sleety skies and crushed their first "road race" this morning, Goldy's Fun Run (0.5 miles in and around TCF Bank Stadium).  

Sawyer's favorite part was when the emcee called her name out when crossing the finish line.  E's in love with Goldy, so getting pics with and high-fives from him was hers... but watching herself run on the JumboTron, AP-style, was a close second.  [You can see her looking up on the photo above!]

HBD, LMB

Linds turned 30-something on March 25, and a few (long) weeks later I was able to take the young lady out on the town to celebrate.

Dinner at Kings, drinks at Marvel Bar and music at Mill City Nights (Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, one of our faves!).

Lucy Caroline

And, on April 8, 2013, this little doll arrived... Lucy Caroline Backer (8lb/2oz, 21").

E & S are ecstatic to have an official cousin (as are Linds & I)... and we cannot wait to meet her!

Congrats, Joe & Tisha!

Archie TBD

On April 7, 2013, this adorable little guy decided to he was ready to join Team Furber (a few weeks early).

We're thrilled to welcome Archie to the "family".

E's B-day

For E's big day, she asked for a "fairy party", a snowman cake, some dancing... and presents.    

And, pretty much got her wish.  Thanks to all who joined in the fun!

One move and I'll...

Our home showing, selling and hunting has had us (and more so our dogs) spending a lot of time at Grandpa Bob and Linda's lately.  Poor Harley, Bob's German Shepherd, suffers from  "only child syndrome" (no offense, only children reading this!) ... and has a love/hate relationship with our pesky, Maya, who antagonizes him into play 24/7.

A lot of sleeping with one eye open for those two! 

(Winter) Zoo

Like most things in MN, the Zoo doesn't stop for old man winter... and, especially if you get there early, offers a far-less-busy, much more up-close-and-personal opportunity to connect with the animals. 

Easter Bunny!

Look who crashed the Backer family Holiday Inn Easter tradition pool party...

[That's an awe-struck Sawyer Rose in the purple/pink shirt, next to second cousin (and idol) Maddie Rae in the pink and black suit.  Poor EJB was in bed, sick.]

Four!

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So long, 4709

Almost exactly six years ago, Linds, Griff & I fell in love with this 2BR/1.5 BA charmer on Bryant in SW Minneapolis.  The bars, restaurants, lakes, creeks, trails and shops within blocks, the interstate and airport access just a bit farther, the bus stop (with a 13 minute direct line to school) within feet... and the cozy layout, deck and yard were exactly what we were looking for.  Oh, and it was about a mile from our BFFs.

Well, since then, a lot has changed.  We added a dog, two kids (and girls, at that!), landed jobs in the western 'burbs... and turned that house into a "home", while outgrowing it all at the same time.  

Lots of great memories, 4709... we'll miss you!

Our next stop is still TBD.  Comparing apples and oranges pros and cons of home/neighborhoods from SW Mpls to Medina (a "city" I hadn't heard of 3 weeks ago) is equal parts exciting and stressful... and a process I hope we'll be able to complete (with peace of mind) in the very near future.  Stay tuned.

Foss Fish Factory

E & S, around the turn of the New Year, joined the Foss Swim School "factory".  Foss is famous for it's exceptional staff and methods, but hooks you in for non-stop, non-free sessions until your kid(s) master the art.

Both girls have been great, and seem to really like class.  E's holding her breath longer and longer every session... and S is starting to get the hang of "monkey cheeks", and comes up from under water with more pride than tears every time.

Hoop Dreams

 

Random post here, but I realized that despite the ridiculous amount of basketball I play, I don't think a single second has been documented since 1995.  So, when my Y posted the top pic above on it's fb page, I had to do something with it.

And, taking this further, speaking of that ridiculous amount of basketball I play, it seems that shooting jumpers and that "goose neck" release are on my mind when I sleep too (witty caption credit to my cuz', Liesl)! 

My baby bumblebee

Linds & Evie tend to dominate the "air time" in this household, but little S and her growing vocab (and personality) is starting to give the two a run for their money.  Especially in that post-bath, pre-bedtime "witching hour", that peanut will rattle off story after story, song after song... like this one.