Monkey See, Monkey Do

Not sure if it was the inspiration from the apes at the zoo, or the adrenaline rush of the first 70 degree day in six months, or just a case of keeping up with big sis'... but our little peanut (just 3.5 y/o) has been crushing the monkey bars this spring.  Here's proof!

Zoo Crew

The "inmates" were up and at 'em during a b-e-a-utiful early morning spring trip to the MN Zoo with Grandma & Grandpa Bob. 

Easter Sunday Funday

The girls enjoyed their first mass "golden egg" hunt this year (hosted by the Hamel Community Center).  While they didn't turn up any of the magic eggs, they did get a little face time with the Easter Bunny.

Goldy's Run

Year two of Goldy's Run for the girls, and thankfully this year Sawyer ran the race herself... instead of Dad having to schlep her along the course.  Evs also stepped up her game, turning this year's event into a biathlon... competing in the Field Goal Challenge as well.

Uncle Ozzie, 1944-2014

Darrell "Ozzie" Asleson, 69, of Hanska died Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm. Funeral service will  be 11 a.m. Friday, April 4 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska with  Pastor Sarah Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Hanska with full military honors being conducted by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. 

Darrell is survived by his wife, Donna Asleson of Hanska; son, Derek (D'Anne) Asleson of Horizon City, Texas; daughter, Danelle (Justin) Hesse of Phoenix, Arizona; son-in-law, Curt (Chris) Pizel of Brandon, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Dustin Pizel, Chelsey Pizel, Zachary Asleson, Logan Asleson, Owen Hesse; sister, Nancy Backer and special friend Greg Kuderer of Fairmont, Minnesota; niece and nephews, Ryan (Lindsay) Backer of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Joe (Tisha) Backer of Chicago, Illinois, Laura (Joe) Heiderscheidt of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; great nieces, Evie, Sawyer, Lucy; and mother-in-law, Elaine Stueber of New Ulm, Minnesota.


He was preceded in death by parents; step-father, Orie Bakken; daughter, DeeAnn Asleson-Pizel; and father-in-law, Edwin Stueber.

Darrell Russell Asleson was born on December 5, 1944 in Madelia to Russell and Evelyn (Olson) Asleson. He was raised in Hanska and graduated from Hanska High School with the class of 1962. He then furthered his education, studying at Mankato State University for one year. In 1965, Darrell was drafted into the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War, until his honorable discharge in 1967. On August 24, 1968, Darrell was united in marriage to Donna Stueber at St. Marys Catholic Church in New Ulm. After marriage, they lived in Alexandria, Minnesota where Darrell worked for 9 years for Pan-O-Gold Bread Company. In 1978, Darrell and Donna moved back to Hanska to farm. Darrell spent many years farming, as well as being a Pioneer Seed Dealer for over 30 years and an agent and director for Stark Farmers Insurance in Sleepy Eye for 30 years. Darrell was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hanska, past Post Commander for the American Legion in Hanska, and a retired member of the Hanska Fire Department. He also served on the Hanska-Linden Township Board for 15 years, the Brown County Veterans Council, the Hanska Baseball Association, and the VFW in St. James. He enjoyed participating in the Syttende Mai shows, the parade and pancake breakfast, and the Prairieland Chapter of the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America). Darrell loved any and all sports, but he especially enjoyed golfing, bowling, baseball, and softball, of which he participated in all. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all.

I remember Darrell as a simple, humble, family man... with a dry, quick wit, and a watch that ran 15 minutes fast.  I'll also remember the "don't mind me, look at you two princesses" smile he mustered up the energy to crack at my girls in his final, weakest hours. 

Rest in peace, Ozzie.  Rest in peace.

The Dells

Lucy's 1st

For Lucy's first birthday, Joe & Tisha coordinated a rendezvous at Wisconsin Dells (a convenient mid-point between Chicago and Minneapolis/Fairmont/New Ulm) for a weekend of family, food, Final Four hoops, ping-pong runaround, water slides... and fawning over the birthday girl.  

In particular, it was (and always is) fun see the three cousins click and pick-up the mutual admiration right where they left off when they last saw each other (often months prior).

EJB's 5th

E closed out year five with the traditional breakfast in bed, a showering of Frozen-themed gifts (which S may have actually been more ecstatic about)... and some sliding, bouncing, screaming & dancing with her closest friends at Pump it Up, in Plymouth, MN.