Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!


Elizabeth is enjoying her first Christmas!

On Friday, her dad finished a long week of teaching and wrestling to spend some time with Elizabeth after not seeing her since Wednesday. Why? Because on Thursday Goodhue had a meet in Cannon Falls, and then head coach Bill Sutter had a pizza party for the wrestlers at his house. After the party, I camped out at the O'Reilly's with Jeremiah and Jenna. Then it was off to finish out the last day of teaching before the holiday break.

Saturday brought the newly formed Grant family down to GUSville for Christmas. After a nice dinner, we all sat down to presents and conversation. A snowstorm that moved in made return travel difficult and shutdown Sunday travel plans to Hibbing.

So Christmas Eve (and Grandma Senich' s birthday) we drove to Hibbing in time for the Christmas Eve service. Elizabeth made it through her first church service successfully - no quick scrambles out of the sanctuary were necessary!

After church, we had Christmas Eve supper and presents with Grandma Senich (Sam's paternal grandmother). Then it was off to the Kotonias's for more holiday treats and gift exchanges. Everyone was excited to see Elizabeth for the first time, especially some aunts (names withheld).
On Christmas morning, Elizabeth woke up to presents galore with the Senich family - Matt, Kathy, Will, and Katie; John, Courtney, and Benjamin. I can't speak for others, but I can attest that Sam, Elizabeth and I had a nice "haul" (my term) from Santa and company...

Christmas lunch was at the Kotonias's before family left for home.

Back at Matt and Kathy's, Sam and I handed off Elizabeth to the grandparents to do some backwoods snowshoeing in 18 inches of perfect powder.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sam's Birthday!

We celebrated Samantha's 26th birthday today!

My grandparents stopped by to see their great-granddaughter after I shoveled the snow we received on Saturday--Elizabeth's first significant snowfall!

At lunch, we had a meal brought in. Then it was off to the Christmas tree farm in Wanamingo with Ash, Angie, and their 1 year old son Milan to pick out our trees.

This year, we have a nice White Pine. Last year, we had a Douglas Fir. You know how Sam is with her trees - gotta try 'em all...

While the tree melted its ice in the basement, Sam opened her wonderful birthday gifts.

After supper, Elizabeth helped her parents bake cookies and put the tree up! She's getting bigger every day and wants to tell everyone "Happy December!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

For Thanksgiving 2007, we are very thankful for the health and safety of our newborn Elizabeth. We're also thankful for all of our friends and family who have supported our family this week.

We have had many visitors, cards, gifts, letters and many other signs of support for Elizabeth and us newbie parents. Sam and I feel very blessed this Thanksgiving knowing that there are so many people looking out for our child. That's what family, friendship, and community is all about and we are grateful that is so bountiful in our circle. We do not take it for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and thanks to everyone for their support!

Joshua, Samantha, and Elizabeth Grant

Saturday

Elizabeth is doing very well. "Ellie" continues to eat big and sleep well. Here's a picture from today.

My Two Favorite Girls in the World!

I am so proud of my wife and daughter. I must be the luckiest man in the world to have two beautiful girls in my life!

Don't forget to click on the image for a closer look at my two angels!

We're Home!

11:15 a.m. - Elizabeth Katherine, not yet 48 hours old, is officially home and in her bedroom. Bringing our first child home is a proud moment for Sam and me. Elizabeth and mom are still continuing to do well and are looking forward to sleeping in our own beds tonight!

Thank you to all of you who made our child's birth so memorable with your phone calls, gifts, and visits to our hospital room. Now that we're home, we parents are looking forward to a hot shower, a home-cooked meal, and spending time with our beautiful daughter!

Elizabeth Katherine Grant

Sam and I are proud to announce the birth of our first child, Elizabeth Katherine Grant. Elizabeth and Sam are both healthy and doing well.

Elizabeth is a beautiful girl! She was born at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14 2007. With a weight of 7 lbs. 11 oz. and a length of 21 inches, Elizabeth is a perfectly healthy baby with lots of long dark hair!

(Click on the image for a bigger picture of Elizabeth!)

More thoughts on Imagination

This morning, I remembered that I had recently watched a video about imagination. From the website TED Talks, Ken Robinson proffers a keen insight into imagination and its role (or lack thereof) in American education. His message is both reflective and humorous, so check it out and let me know what you think.

Ken Robinson: Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Raising the 21st Century Child

With a child on the way, Sam and I have been contemplating the best way to raise a child in the 21st Century. As the world grows more complex, it appears that the young seem to embrace the changes the most. But at what price? If you're interested in 21st century parenting or education, you might be interested in reading this article we read in The Rake entitled "The Death and Life of the American Imagination." Feel free to comment in person or on this blog post. Some parts we agreed with. A few we did not. What do you think?

http://www.rakemag.com/reporting/features/death-and-life-american-imagination

Sam's visitors

Sam has received a steady stream of visitors in the last two weeks.

Last weekend, high school friends Alison, Angie, and Erin enjoyed two days here in Rochester.

This weekend, Aunts Kay and Kendra and Cousins Sydney and Toni came to visit and feed Sam and the baby at Victoria's.

Last Vacation B.B. (Before Baby)

Last Wednesday (10/17), Sam picked me up from work at the high school and we drove to Red Wing for our third stay at the Round Barn Bed and Breakfast. After checking in, we had a nice meal at Oar D'Oeuvre--a fairly new, nautical themed (get it?) eatery. After a relaxing night of reading and a soak in the jacuzzi, we enjoyed an excellent breakfast by the owners, Robin & Elena.

To burn off our 3 course breakfast, Sam and I checked out and headed to nearby Frontenac State Park. Even at 8+ months pregnant, my wife is a real trooper. We hiked down some uneven, wet trails along bluffs to the Mississippi river before our return ascent.

What a great vacation to have B.B. For our next one, I'm guessing we'll have to hire a babysitter.

Any takers?

My friends and their babies!

Saturday morning, my friend Elizabeth gave birth to her third child Kara Sophia Barrett. Sam and I visited them at Olmsted hospital that evening. She's a beautiful little girl with chubby cheeks!

Two weeks ago, my friend Brad had a son, Gavin Michael Haugen.

And 3 weeks ago, my friend Jason and his wife Jenny gave birth to their first child, Logan Michael Danielson.

I guess that means we're next!

September 30th - A big day for many

Today was also Grandpa Robert's 80th birthday party! Happy Birthday Robert!

Today was also Abbey and Chris' 1st Wedding Anniversary! Congratulations!

Today was also Nick Schmidt's 26th Birthday! Happy Birthday Nick!

Today was also the 1st Anniversary of Sam and I being in our first house! Wahoo!

Sam's baby shower

Today Sam and I are in Hibbing. Sam's mom Kathy and friend Angie threw her a baby shower at the Algonquin Club. Our baby received many nice presents. 99% of them were practical, which made me happy. Thank you to all who are helping to bring our baby into a warm, comfortable, toy-filled world.

A busy September!

It's been a very busy September for Sam and I.

Sam has been busy with programs and preparations for her upcoming maternity leave. Although it takes considerable time to prepare and plan for three classes, I've enjoyed my first month of teaching. The students and staff at Goodhue are excellent! I'm looking forward to what the next 8 months brings.

Despite our busy schedules, Sam and I have been able to make some time to recreate and relax. I went up to St. Paul to bike with Andrew in the St. Paul Bike Classic. We rode 30 miles around St. Paul while taking in some of the best the city has to offer. Last weekend, I completed a personal goal to finally ride the Douglas trail end-to-end from Rochester to Pine Island (and back). Saturday was a perfect fall day to ride another 30 miles. In sum, September was a great month being outside. Because while I was biking to PI, Sam-8 months pregnant-was walking in a 5k in Lanesboro with Angie, Ash, Milan, Melissa, and Nate.

Teacher Workshops

Today marked my first day as a professional teacher as I attended Goodhue's New Teacher Workshop. I have more training the rest of the week, and then it's GO TIME come September 4.

To celebrate, my beautiful wife took me out for supper. Usually, Sam says she's stuffed when she's finished a meal, but not tonight! The baby must have been hungry!

Oxbow Park

I got up early today to go to the YMCA, played racquetball, and biked back home in time to make the smells of breakfast to stir Sam from her pregnant slumber. After breakfast, we went down to the Farmer's Market to get some food for meal recipes planned for the upcoming week.

Adam R. stopped by to drop off his truck so I start digging the hole for the egress window in the basement. Because it was a very nice afternoon, Sam and I hiked some trails at Oxbow Park near Byron. For supper, I grilled potatoes and vegetables for sandwiches. Looking at the meal, we realized that all of the food had come from our garden, her grandma's garden, or from Rochester (Great Harvest Bread). This must be our first 100% local meal (unless you deduct points for it being done unconsciously).

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

This morning Sam and I left Hibbing for Chanhassen to visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. We spent a couple of hours touring the grounds, taking in all of the flowers, shrubs and trees. Hiking on the paths, we noticed lots of plants and trees that we hope to landscape our own yard with someday.

Afterward, we stopped at Punch Neapolitan Pizza in Eden Prairie to get some of our favorite pizza!

At home, some of our many tomatoes have started to turn red. We picked two more zucchini and we'll be picking some more green beans, broccoli, and even cauliflower in the next two weeks.

Soudan Underground Mine

On Sunday morning, Sam, Katie, Matt, and I drove to Soudan (between Tower and Ely) to the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. We rode in the same cage that miners did down the shaft 1/2 of a mile, then rode in rail cars over 3/4 a mile to the last "stope" that miners drilled and blasted for iron ore.

In a dark cavern a half mile underground surrounded by hard rock, the guide turned the lights off and used a candle and turned on the air drills miners used to illustrate how dim and loud it was to work in the mines. You really develop a respect for the hard work and tough working conditions they labored through, and that's without actually lifting rock or running the tools or working in ever-present dust that was in the air for 12 hours a day. What a relief it must have been to come up to the surface everyday! For those who hate baling hay, that would have been a vacation of fresh air and sunshine to these guys! (I knew there was a reason I always liked baling hay).

After supper with Grandma Senich, Kate, Sam, and I picked raspberries from Matt's garden. I assure you there are few better things to do on a cool summer evening than eating and picking raspberries right out of the garden. Afterward, we picked up Kate's friend Kris and went to the Hull Rust Mineview to walk and play disc golf and watch the sun set. We waited around for the meteor shower, but we didn't see it. Life is still good though.

Saturday: Sam's turn to have a friend get married

On Saturday, Sam and I left the hotel early to drop Nick and Nina's present off at his parents' hotel room, eat breakfast, and hit the road for Hibbing. I got Sam to her home in Hibbing in time to eat lunch and change for the final wedding--her friend Andrea S. from high school. She left for Grand Rapids while I went out to the Kotonias family cabin to canoe on Swan Lake. The weekend wedding extravaganza has sadly come to a close.

The Schmidt Reception

After the good news of Friday morning, Sam and I went to one of my favorite stores (REI) and then to look at cribs. We've got 3 or 4 in mind now, so we'll likely pick one soon.

We then went to the U of Minnesota campus to take a look at the I-35W bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi. Though it looks like the pictures, the size reference that you get from seeing it in person lends a new perspective to the tragedy.

And then it was this hot Friday afternoon that Sam indulged me with a visit to the Minnesota History Center. After looking through all of the exhibits, we went to check in at the hotel in Woodbury and get ready for the reception.

People began arriving for the reception at 6:00 p.m. Many family and friends were there from the Lanesboro area, including Dean and Judi. After a great meal and a toast by Nick's father Patrick and Nina's father Paul, the dance began. I think everyone had a great time dancing and catching up with friends.

Social Studies Teacher?!

On Friday morning, Sam and I went out to one of our favorite breakfast spots from college - Keys. After an excellent omelette, pancakes, and a big cinnamon roll (Sam's favorite), I had a message on my mobile phone once we got back in the car. The Goodhue principal had called about my interview I had with the district Wednesday morning. I returned his call and was offered a full-time job with the Goodhue School District. Sam and I are very excited! I'll find out more on Tuesday...

Until I got the job offer, I had thought that the hard part was getting the job, what with online application forms, resumes and cover letters, scanning postings every day, etc. Now that I have a job, the work really starts!

I now present Nick and Nina Schmidt!

Nick Schmidt is married! Thursday brought Sam and I to the St. Paul Conservatory in Como Park to see Nick and Nina exchange vows. It was a beautiful wedding, held in the "Sunken Garden.Nina looked beautiful in her white dress and Nick very handsome in his red shirt and black suit. " I gave a blessing and was in charge of running the music.

After the ceremony, we went outside for pictures. The warm evening was complete after an excellent meal at Kincaid's in dowtown St. Paul.

Congratulations Nick and Nina Schmidt!

Schmidt to tie the knot!

It's another big summer week. Nick and Nina are getting married tonight in a small ceremony at the St. Paul Conservatory, followed by a wedding dinner at Kincaid's Steakhouse. I'm reading a special prayer from my own wedding, which I just realized I should probably print out and rehearse. Hopefully Joyce won't cry too much, but we all know she'll cry a little... Don't worry - we'll have extra tissue.

On Friday night, it's party time. Everyone is coming to Woodbury to celebrate their nuptials. Then Sam and I leave early Saturday morning for another wedding - Sam's high school friend Andrea is getting married in Grand Rapids.

Yes, lots of weddings AND babies! Emily and Eric have told everyone that they are expecting their first child. Congratulations!

Camping in the Northwoods of Wisconsin!

The third weekend in July, Sam and I were in Hibbing and Duluth for Benjamin Senich's baptism and to celebrate Katie's 15th birthday.

Nick and Nina, who are getting married August 8, came up Thursday (July 26) from Ames, IA, where they're both in graduate school at Iowa State University. The next morning, Nick and I got up early to pack so we could hit the road to Northern Wisconsin. We arrived in the Chequamegon National Forest, set up at a campground on Lake Namekagon, and then each group hit their respective trail. Sam and Nina hit the hiking trails while Nick and I went on a 3 hour mountain bike trek, slogging through sandy logging roads to get to the fast singletrack.

Back at the campground, Nick and I made supper and sat around the fire while Nina and Sam read the final installment of Harry Potter. The next morning, Nick and I hit the trails again for another 3 hours while Nina kayaked. After lunch, Nick and Nina went for a paddle while Sam and I swam. Then Sam and I hit the Lake for our own spin in the tandem kayak.

On Sunday, we packed and headed South to Chippewa Falls to tour the Leinenkugels Brewery on our way home. We all had a great time together on our last trip before Sam and I become parents and Nick and Nina tie the knot!

Catching Up

Sam had meetings for work on Tuesday and Thursday in the Twin Cities. I drove her up so I could meet up with people. I met with my friend Jason for lunch and brother Jacob (Jake makes a mean sandwich!). We also had supper one night with Sam's longtime roommate Kristin.

On Sunday, July 15, I got the call that the tractor was fixed. So I drove the John Deere B from the farm shop north of Fountain to the house in Canton. It was a good 2.5 hour adventure but nary a hiccup from the tractor thanks to Lyle Schultz's great repair skills. It's great to have it running again after 14 years of not operating. Until I get that farm (I know, yeah right) can you say hayride?!

July 4th

Sam started the first week of July leading a group of 4-H students to Washington, D.C. They all had an excellent time; Sam said it was great being in the capital for the 4th - they had fireworks in the shape of stars!

For my July 4th vacation, I drove down to Nick's house in Ames. We hit the mountain bike trails north of Ames before supper and fireworks with Nick and Nina.

The next day Nick and I drove up to Decorah and hit some awesome mountain bike trails around town! It had recently rained, so the wet terrain made some spots extra interesting (read: fun) and the whole 2.5 hour expedition a mudbath. Nina, and her brother and his girlfriend, met us that night in Decorah at Twin Springs, where we grilled, had a campfire, and camped.

After getting Nick's flat tire fixed on the Explorer the next morning, we hit the Upper Iowa River for 3 hours of sun-filled paddling. We took a quick hike to the spring of Coldwater Creek before heading to Lanesboro to get supper and cleaned up at Mama Schmidt's house. Then it was off to the gun club to shoot clay pigeons before retiring to another campfire and campout.

The heat woke us up on Saturday morning, so we hit the Root River in Lanesboro with the canoes. After some rocks, a stretch of Class I rapids, and a stop at the confluence of the North and South branch, I made my exit to the MSP airport to pick Sam up from D.C.

Family Time

On Monday night, some of the family was able to come over for a BBQ before Emily, Eric, and Erin's softball game. Those of us who were there got to meet Erin's new "friend" Aaron. After supper, Abbey, Jenna, J.J., Judi, Dean, Christian, and I went over to watch the game on a beautiful evening.

I think everyone had a good time. Everyone got some good food, got to meet Aaron , and enjoyed a little recreation after. We hope to have another get-together soon; hopefully Jacob and Andrew can make it then. Benjamin will too once he gets back from his wrestling camp in Nebraska. I expect Jesse and Leah to be able to join us in August when they get back to MN before they move onto their new residence and waiting jobs in Dayton, Ohio. It'll be good to have them a little closer now, especially now that they have a little one on the way too.

Christian stayed over while Judi and Dean celebrated their anniversary at Treasure Island. Sam and I took Christian along with our Y Mentor kids (Jr. and Roni) to Whitewater State Park on Tuesday night. The hot weather was perfect for swimming in the river. Today, Christian and I went hiking at the Quarry Hill Nature Center. We had biked there on Monday, and Christian wanted to hike in the park as well, so I made good on my promise.

Pax,

Josh

John Deere "B"

My father's John Deere "B" has, to my knowledge, not been run since 1993. Since '99, it's been sitting in a shed with an indeterminate fate. Not any more... This morning, I had an area mechanic load up the tractor and take it to his farm near Fountain, MN. I've charged him with getting the 1952 two-cylinder to run again.

Within a month or so, I hope the engine will be restored so I can begin cleaning it up and driving it. In the future, I hope to use it on my own acreage in whatever capacity it may be useful, ranging from plowing snow to pulling wagons to giving rides to my own children.

Enter 21st Century

Welcome to my first blog! I look forward to using it as a means to share events and outings that Sam and I have been on, pictures from these adventures, and so forth. Soon, I'll post the ultrasound pictures of the pictures of our first child. We're very excited!

Pax,

Joshua C. Grant