2010
Another wild year at the Harsell house.... I committed to 2 years of doctoral studies, Dana works his behind off with his job at the University and helping maintain things at home. Ethan continues to love music and sports. He loves 4th grade and his buddies at St. Mike's. Avery has a fantastic year in first grade with a teacher from the East coast - we instantly all bond.Highlights: It was a year of travel with trips to San Francisco, Yellowstone, Seattle, Portland and the ocean. We got a family trip in to San Francisco to see Dana's sister and family. The boys are so completely fascinated by their cousin - it's very fun to watch. We traveled to Yellowstone to visit good friends from our days in Syracuse. The kids had such fun re-connecting and exploring this amazing park (as did the grown ups) Finally, we traveled to Missoula and the Pacific Northwest to see siblings and nieces/nephews. In addition to quality family time, camping and playing in the ocean were so much fun for us! The biggest surprise of 2010 is that my parents moved to Fargo, ND - just 70 miles from us. It is so great to have family close by. The boys are thoroughly enjoy visits to and sleepovers at Grandma-D and Poppa's house.
2011
I continue graduate work at University of Minnesota. This requires 2+ trips to Minneapolis per semester and much sacrifice from the boys. Dana continues to be amazing with holding it all together while I am often holed up studying or writing. Ethan starts his last year at St. Mike's and we are faced with the reality that we swill soon have a middle school student in our house. Avery starts second grade and, as always is just easy going and happy about life.Highlights: Aside from two amazing trips this year - one to New York and the other to Washington, DC, this year will be hard to top for two reasons...
1. You're not going to believe this one - we find out we are expecting.
2. Dana earns tenure
2012
We spent a bulk of the beginning of 2012 preparing for our new son. Adding rooms, moving furniture, trying to remember what it is like to have a newborn in the house. We stick close to home and nest. Ethan and Avery are so excited to welcome a baby. Dana keeps doing depressing math about how old we will be when the baby starts school, goes to college etc...
