The Veums Seven

I blogged!!

2009-07-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

Jaxton and his buddy Grandpa Steve!

Kader fell asleep on Grandpa Dave's boat while we were pulling kids on the tube!

Maddie and Alexa and Angie

Mareyn loves to go fast and crazy on Big Bertha!

Happy Fourth!

2009-07-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend at the lake for the fourth. We tried out our new tent that we all fit in. Mareyn decorated it for the holiday!

Maddie got up on the wakeboard!!

Vinnie skiing!

We enjoyed going over to the point for a breakfast buffet on Sunday morning...Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Albertson for a great and relaxing weekend!!

Grandma Sheryl Shot the Sheriff?!!

2008-11-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

Grandma Mary had a wonderful idea of having a Mystery Murder Party for my mom's 5oth birthday....it was a western themed one that we borrowed from a friend...(Thanks Diane!!) and turns out Sally Forth.....mail order bride from England.....played by Sheryl (my mom)was the murderer!!

Grandma Mary went to so much work to make it special....everything was nicely decorated and the meal was fantastic!!! Thanks Grandma!!

I was narrating the murder so I didn't really have a costume...thus the baseball shirt.....but check out that peacock feather in Bibi....the saloon girl!

Here is Juan Bandito, Rowdy Azell, Doc Holiday....(check out that mustache) and Juan Bandito the 2nd! We had a lot of fun and would very much recommend doing this as a party idea!!

I updated my blog!!!! It's only been a couple months...

2008-11-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Noah and Kader at the Volleyball game.

Maddie's sixth grade class surprising Mrs. Foss on her birthday with a basket of her favorite things!!

Singing Happy Birthday and blowing out a candle!

Mareyn...the princess....Maddie ....a pink lady....Noah as a frog.....and about the coolest Elvis impersonator I have ever seen! (J of course was already mia....and Vinnie did not dress up this year) For those of you that do not know...... this was a dream come true for Kader he has loved Elvis since he could talk and walk....we do not know why or how....he just always has.

Mareyn with two of her classmates and her teacher, Mrs. Mitchell on pajama day at school.

Kader turns 8!!

2008-11-05T13:17:00.001-08:00

Vikings shirt was on the list!!!! Thanks G&G

Getting his elephant from Africa that he has been "patiently" waiting for!!!

Mom made his favorite bars instead of cupcakes and he blew out an "8" candle on the bars shaped like stars!!

Hunting time again.....

2008-11-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

Kader got this hunting outfit for his birthday!

Looking pretty proud of the pheasant hunt.....

Dessica meets Nicole C. Mullen!!!!!!

2008-11-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

Women of Faith 08 turned out to be a memorable one for me as I got to meet someone who I admire greatly and to be honest was quite a bit starstruck!! As you can see in this picture I was a little nervous to be standing next to her!!! If you do not know who she is, it is worth your time to find out and listen to her music...God has blessed her with some awesome gifts!!

Erika, Missi and I having lunch.....

Here is part of the group in our seats.....

Me and Ang waiting to meet Nicole!

Maddie starts Junior High VB @ Hillcrest!

2008-11-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Maddie getting ready to serve!

The fans!!!

Mom's cheap way of taking a sports shot!!

Maddie plays volleyball very well and she loves it and MOM and DAD are so thrilled because we love the game as well and love to watch her play. Maddie is going to play JO Volleyball this winter and mom is going to coach her team!!!!

July 08

2008-08-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Mareyn at Bible Camp
Bubba Gumps....so good
There with Don and Kris and Darcy Veum
Vinnie enjoying his spicy shrimp
Not sure what was so funny here

July '08

2008-08-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

On a very hot day the kids had a pop stand at the end of the driveway....it was so hot that they needed umbrellas to get some shade....and drank all their profits as well!!
Not summer without Zorbaz....we went with Paul and Melinda to celebrate Grandma Bev's Birthday....

Kader at Legoland at the Mall of America and the touching baby stingrays and sharks at the Underwater Aquarium.

Summer '08

2008-08-08T12:52:00.000-07:00

Mareyn stood up on the zipsled this year!! I did this when I was young on the same zipsled.....Thanks Grandpa Virgil for all the great rides you give to the kids!!

We finally got around to starting the painting of our house.....we currently have three sides done. Shawn and Kader were up in this lift....nice perk to having a rental store at your disposal.

Mareyn and Nevaeh in the pool....

Summer Ball

2008-06-20T13:54:00.001-07:00

Baseball continued

2008-06-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Maddie is in her first year of fastpitch....she played last night and did so well!! It's hard to believe where my little girl went.

Baseball is a ongoing theme for us in June and July!

2008-06-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Vinnie plays on two teams: the pony park and rec team and the Babe Ruth Traveling team. He is usually either catching or outfield. He hit a triple this night!!

We have seven to 10 games a week so we get a lot of use out of our chairs and sunglasses and for awhile our umbrella's!! So fun to watch the kids play though!!

Summer is Finally here!!!!

2008-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Picnic with the Berges on a nice night in our front yard and Andrea was here to visit and we got a picture with some (yes there were more) of the kids playing in the neighborhood.

Slip in Slide and Trampoline

Mareyn turns 6 May 30!

2008-06-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

Spring musical and more grad pics!

2008-06-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Mareyn and Vinnie's graduation

2008-06-20T08:36:00.001-07:00

We are expecting another Veum......

2008-04-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Veums seven will soon become the Veums eight! We are adopting a baby!!
Here are some photos we have taken to make a porfolio of our family for birthmothers to look at:

Bobbing for Marshmallows in Flour!!!

2008-02-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

Maddie and Vinnie during Club 56 (a group at our church that I led this year) and we always play games before and after our small group discussion time. The bobbing for Marshmallows in big bowls of Flour was a hit with the fifth graders!!! Shawn didn't think they would do it and get flour in there mouths but they couldn't get enough....

Muffins for Moms

2008-02-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

Mareyn had her Muffins for Moms program at school....she did such a good job. You can see in the picture behind us there are pictures of the moms that the kindergartners drew of their moms. You can't see mine as it was up farther but I could pick it out right away because I had purple hair. She got my age right too.....one mom was 85 so I thought she did pretty good!

Shawn helped me get this to work finally!!!

2008-02-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't updated in a long time but it is not for lack of trying. Shawn looked at it tonight and got the pictures from my birthday party to work!! We had so much fun with the whole 5o's theme. We grilled burgers and ate them in red and white checkered baskets with chips and made homemade malts. I love how all the pictures turned out and I think since we had so many good sports we will definitely have to try and do the costume theme again......maybe 70's next time? Anyway I will keep trying to update this and hopefully it will work next time I try!! Dessica

More pics from the party!

2008-02-18T18:12:00.000-08:00

I loved that everyone that came dressed up!! I love the 50's and had such a great time!!!! Thank you to everyone that came and played along!!!

Dessica's 31st Rock and Roll 50's Birthday Party

2008-02-18T18:02:00.001-08:00

Feb 16, 2008

Noah was over to play with Mareyn

2007-10-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

Mareyn and Noah sharing some chicken fries and "playing" with the puppy thru the gate.
Noah doesn't look to sure, as Chewie was trying to get out. But once he realized he was stuck in there he thought that was pretty cool and would periodically go and "check" on him.

Future Mud Wrestling Stars? (We hope not)

2007-10-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

Maddie loves to be silly sometimes it borders on weird....I have to laugh because I am the same way. She had Mikenna stayover night and they asked if they could go for a walk down to the pond(s) that we have by our house. I said sure...they are both responsible young ladies that seemd quite innocent. Little did I know what Maddie had in mind. They came back and this is what they looked like....
Notice Maddie even put in her hair!!! They thought they could just waltz in the house and take a shower.....not before they hosed themselves off with freezing cold water!!!
I think you can tell from Mikenna's face just how cold it was...but a little natural consequence never hurt anyone, right?

It's a boy!

2007-08-15T11:55:00.001-07:00

We welcomed a new puppy into our family about 10 days ago. His full name is Chebacca Cuddles Veum (Cuddles as the middle name was Mareyn's doing) he goes by Chewy. We all thought he looked like Chebacca (not sure if I'm spelling that right Star Wars fans) anyway he's been a lot of fun and a lot of work for mom but that is to be expected and look forward to him being trained. The kids are estatic and are doing a fair amount of the work. Mareyn is a little obsessive about the amount of "love" she shows and my dad thinks if Chewy makes it to adulthood it will be a small miracle......these pictures are not the best representation of him....I realized I need to take some more pics of him. Too busy!! I would like to say I'll be updating soon...but those of you that follow our site regularly would know that isn't likely to happen.

Vinnie turns 12!!

2007-08-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

Pizza Ranch with the family. (and a couple neighbor friends)

Playing grey duck....

Being silly....

2007-08-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

Bailey and Brynn Rogelstad were sleeping over and had fun dressing up with the kids...
We had Noah and Bodin over and they were "camping".

Neighborhood lemonade stand

Zorbaz with the Komestakes.....

2007-08-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

We all went to Zorbaz to celebrate Grandma Bev's Birthday...unfortunately she ended up in the Hospital because of the effects of chemo and couldn't be with in person but she was with in spirit......we went to Battle Lake for icecream after and called her and all sang happy birthday!!
The Georgia Komestakes
Aunt Melinda from Iowa and Uncle Joe even got in on the party.

1st Annual Veum Family Reunion

2007-08-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful bathing beauty in the pool.
Kader on a giraffe at the park.
The kids had a blast at the waterpark/pool.
Andy Clark (Shawn's cousin) and their precious Anna.
Here's most of the family (missing Mary Anne (taking the picture), Paul (in CA), and Dan was at work. Mareyn made it in ....but the rest of the kids were playing in the yard. What a fun day spent together.

CANADA TRIP June 13-17, 2007

2007-07-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Movie and Popcorn in the hotel after a day of driving and swimming down the waterslide. Kader in the Gondola going up the mountain- Thanks Grandpa Dave for the cool ride!!
On top of the Mountain...
Mommy and Mareyn
The Scenery around Bamf is amazing!!! It is impossible to see something so amazing and not believe that God created it!!
We spent most of the three of five days driving....the older three did exceptionally well the other two goes without saying....

We got to see where "Big Josh" lives and they took him on a little tractor ride. Thank to Jon and Debbie for the wonderful lunch!
Waterslides must be a big thing in Canada...every hotel advertises them. The Kids had fun!

Shawn and his Uncle Jon....hanging out by the pool before the wedding.

Kader's Track and Field Day

2007-06-02T12:06:00.001-07:00

Mareyn even got to do some of the races here she is behind Kader for the Egg race.
Kader was so fast for Fireman suit race...they weigh 40 + lbs....we were all impressed
Taking a break with Ashwin
Thought I would sneak this one in here....It is Shawn's 15th class reunion....17 of the 40+in his class. It was such a cold day 45 degrees but Eric and Catherine hosted it at their house and between the house and the big fire pit everyone kept warm.

More Birthday Fun

2007-06-02T11:50:00.001-07:00

Noah driving his car
Nevaeh got some makeup for her birthday so she was showing Mareyn how to use it.
Kader and his moat.

Mareyn got some cool shades from Kris and Lindsey!
Had a birthday breakfast at Perkins

Mareyn and Nevaeh celebrated their birthdays together at the lake on Memorial Day!

matching chairs and matching dresses....

Mareyn turns five!!!

2007-06-02T11:36:00.001-07:00

Mareyn and our neighbor Baylee share the same birthday...we ended up sitting next to each other at the restaurant....so we had to get a picture of the birthday girls together!!
We took Audra, Brooklyn, and Nevaeh with Mareyn (Kaia was sick) to Applebees for supper and the Dollar Tree where they each got to purchase something.

Mareyn and Nevaeh
Audra and Brooklyn
They were all pretty hungry as we had to wait about 20 minutes to sit down.
Shawn and the girls
Trying on some hats...

Stuck in the MUD!!??

2007-06-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Berge got stuck in the mud in our back yard in her flip flops....she was screaming and Jack and Kader heard her so they went to "rescue" her from the mud and both got stuck themselves....so Shawn had to try and get them out. I was laughing so hard as they would get one foot out it would get stuck again and Jack had Crocs on that were completely covered in mud. Luckily Kader had his mud boots on. You can see Mareyn's pink boots as she tried to lend a hand as well but she just took her feet out of the boots and climbed thru.

You can see Mareyn getting her feet washed off!

May '07

2007-05-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

Kader's Kindergarten graduation!!!
Kader often is found sitting on the throne like this.....he doesn't like to smell his stinkies......quite a good idea actually.
J
The boys picking up rock to get ready for seeding the grass.....

Some Spring Projects.....

2007-05-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

These pics got in the wrong order.....here is the completed basketball court in the back yard.
Shawn and Cory working on the front porch
The frame is place...now the decking and railing and stairs will come next.

Vinnie and Shawn building a deck out the back (off of the kitchen)
Andrea, Hannah, and Megan are the first visitors to our partly completed deck.
It's done...now if the wind would go down we could enjoy it more!
The basketball court is getting ready.....
Pouring the cement in the hot very windy day!

I know it has been way too long since I updated our blog....even my kids (who also check blogs!) have been nagging me. I just don't always get time to do everything I want to do and so instead of putting in pictures of everything that's already happened since March I just put a few recent ones. Mareyn will be turning five in ten days so I will put some birthday pics on next.

Our neighbor and friend, Brooklyn Berge (and Mareyn)

2007-05-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Mareyn has a built in friend right next door to us, Brooklyn. They play a lot and one day as I was working on the computer they thought it would be fun to take pictures being silly.....there are quite a few more shots but here is three of them!!
They both have dark brown eyes and about the same hair color and same haircut. Such cuties!!

Kader's cooking day!!

2007-03-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

Kader is "announcing" the news of the day!
Kader mixing the cream cheese and butter....
Kader and his good friend Ashwin (Kader likes to tease him and call him Ashley!)
Mareyn and Kader with their finished dirt cups....worms and all!

Erika and I get our hair done

2007-03-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

Looking nice and foiled!
Noah with our very special stylist Sarah!!

Noah was so good....He sat in his stroller for two hours and just talked and looked around....he was full of smiles!!

Muffins for Moms

2007-03-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

Kader eating his muffin at "Muffins for Moms"!

Singing some special songs for the moms!

A close up......Kader drew a picture of me and I had short purple hair. They had to put our age on the picture and there was a range of 15 to 99. I got to be 15!!
We played in the room after the program. Was a fun morning....there is Donuts for Dads in April so stay tuned!

Vinnie's class at Chapel

2007-03-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Vinnie's class "hosted" chapel on Tuesday and they did such a good job...they all picked their characters from the Bible and then they wrote about their characters and memorized their parts....We also found out at conferences last thursday that Vinnie was going to play his guitar for special music. Shawn and I looked at each other with surprise (we rarely know what is going on at school for Vinnie, as he is a boy of few words when it comes to letting us know what is happening) anyway we just smiled and said okay. Vinnie got a guitar for Christmas and has not had one lesson yet he just plays around on it and Shawn has taught him a few chords...so we didn't think he could even read music much less pull off a whole song. Much to our amazement he did wonderful...not missing one chord. My mom thinks he can just play by ear...so maybe we should look into getting him some lessons!!

Spring Showers bring MUDDY MESS!!

2007-03-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

The kids checking out the mud sliding down our front yard and onto the road during the rain last Sunday.
We have a nice mixture of clay and black dirt....
The views from our back yard.....we are really excited to have grass hopefully by Summer.

Maddie get's 3rd place in dance competition!!!

2007-03-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

Maddie and her friend Maggie Kretchman showing off their third place ribbons!

Shawn and the kids having a "movie night"!

Cousin Tiffany comes to visit~

2007-03-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

Our cousin Tiffany Lentz from Ankeny, Iowa came to spend her spring break from college with Grandma Bev! They had a good week together and on her way back she stopped by Erika's so we could see her. Thank you for taking the time to see us Tiffany!!

Grandma Bev Having a Good Day!

2007-03-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Dad went to get Granma to come out to the Lake for the afternoon because she was having a really good day!! We all got to spend some time with her and she got to hold Bodin. Even without her hair she still looks like Grandma Bev! She showed the kids her bald head but they didn't seem to mind at all. Kader said, "Just like Dad" and that was it. Thank you for all of you that are praying for her...she is such a special person to all of us! Love you Grandma!!

Noah and Uncle Shawn~

Crazy Hair Day at School

2007-03-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

More winter fun....

2007-03-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Mom pulling the girls on the sled.
Vinnie enjoying his freedom to drive!!
Karly trying to lick Mareyn but the helmet saved her!
Maddie going down the hill at Hillcrest.
Mareyn being mad she was done sledding and hungry she wanted to go and get a taco.....it was 9:30am but that didn't seem to disuade her a bit.

The Veums go snowmobiling on Wall Lake!

2007-03-14T16:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon we took advantage of the mild temperature and went snowmobiling....Mareyn even got to drive the snowscoot all by herself...she was quite proud. Her first drive went straight towards the middle of the lake and then her promptly hitting the kill switch and tuning around to yell, "How do you turn this thing?!!" After another little lesson she quickly caught on and around she went.

J turns 9!!

2007-03-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

J turned nine on March 5 and off to Chucky Cheese we did go!!