Saturday, December 21, 2013

Christmas Letter 2013

Another year has come and gone. This year, like the last few seems to never have a dull moment! Here is a quick run-down of our year in 2013.
After being a long term Math teacher the fall of 2012, I (Kelly) subbed all spring semester in the Albert Lea School District. Since I was subbing full time I was able to help coach the Albert Lea Girls JV Fastpitch team this past spring. It was an amazing experience even if we didn't get to play outside till almost May. Hopefully this coming year we'll get weather that is more playable!
This past summer I was able to work for the City of Albert Lea again as the Play Park supervisor. This was my sixth year doing this and still enjoy every day I get to work there. To make sure I kept my foot in the door at the school district I did some subbing during summer school.
Along with work and doing summer home improvement projects, I played co-ed softball two nights a week with some really great friends. This was the third year I got to play with this team and really enjoy being able to still play. Since we hope softball never ends we played right into October on a Fall ball team and ended up winning the league this year, even if it was snowing/sleeting the night of the championship.
In-between work, home, softball and such, we snuck in a vacation to Estes Park, Colorado in July. This was the second time I had been there, it had been many, many years, but it was Darik's first time being there. Darik, Charleigh and I really enjoyed our week long stay at the KOA cabins there. We got to go up Trail Ridge Road, visit the Rocky Mountains, while also getting to do a private tour of the Stanley Hotel. I really wish to go back and do their “night tour/ghost adventure”. The only down side to the trip was the day we were to head back I came down with Altitude sickness. This was no fun to have with an 8 hour car ride ahead of you. Darik the trooper he is drove the whole way with no issues. We even tried to do some genealogy searching on the trip for some of Darik's ancestors that were in the Scottsbluff area of Nebraska.
Towards the end of summer we enjoyed the fair and my continuation of searching for a full time teaching job. With no luck in the search, I was still able to sub daily in the Albert Lea district. Don't get me wrong, I actually really enjoy subbing at all the different grade levels. This has also made it much easier for me to help my grandparents and both our families when things arise with my flexible schedule.
Darik is just finishing his second year at Midcontinent Communications. He is a Broadband Technician II, although he refers to himself as a “cable guy”. We have been very blessed with this new company as he is now receiving great benefits, good hours, and they are even paying for his continuation of education. Since being with the company he has already completed two more degrees/certificates. He is planning on taking another degree here in the spring of 2014.
This past May he was one of only 3 selected to take training in Mitchell, SD to be certified to climb poles with “gaffs” or pole gaffing as it’s called (Google it!). Basically he climbs utility poles with only himself, a belt, and some gaffs on his boots. He loves it; I'm still getting used to it. However, he did so well in Mitchell the instructor tried to get him to transfer to the college there so he could be a lineman, working with power lines, in North Dakota. As you can see though he politely said no but stated he would always keep it in mind. Darik works mostly around the Albert Lea area, well within an 80 mile radius at least. Even though he puts many miles on his van everyday he loves the challenge of his work and his co-workers. His company is spreading every day and we are hoping that they will actually be in Albert Lea in the near future. With all the new upgrades happening this fall and next spring he is busier than ever. However we wouldn't change it for anything.
Darik at Training
 Not forgetting about our furry child Charleigh Jo, who will be 6 on Christmas, is doing well. She was diagnosed with Epilepsy in January of 2012 and was put on medication we have to give her every 12 hours. Since then she has been back to her usual snooping, hyper and enjoyable self!
On December 14, as we were enjoying a game of Bananagrams at a friend’s home Darik surprised me by spelling out “will you marry me”. I have to admit I was very surprised! I of course said “Yes!” and we are looking at a possible May/June wedding in 2015. *Keep your calendars open!* We both have been so blessed in the 10 years we have been together. We can't wait to see what the next 10 will bring. We are looking forward to time off, and being with family this holiday season. We wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Holiday Season.
With lots of love and hugs!
 Kelly, Darik and Charleigh Jo. 



Sunday, December 15, 2013

Electric Bikes with Dad and Brother

My brother Dallas designed his first bike in Nebraska in his garage couple years ago. Since then we all built each other our own bikes when he moved back to Albert Lea MN. This would be Dallas's second and Doug and I's first one. They are a lot of fun! They can really go the distance and speed for just a battery! Check them out.










Solar Air Heater - First attempt

Here is a couple pictures of my first solar air heater I attempted. I built it out of a 4x8 plywood and used 2x4's, duct tape, insulation, down spouts, beer cans and computer fans. This air heater put out 200+ degrees F during the summer months when I built it. When winter came I tested at 20 degrees F or so and put out about 176 degrees F. When I came home from work one day I found my air heater all melted down. The insulation was rated at 200 degrees F.  Over all it was a good experiment and I will redesign it to handle lower temps and use less materials. Less is more in this case.



Engagement

With a new chapter starting in our lives we thought we would start a blog to help keep everyone near and far up to date! Check back in frequently to catch updates.

Starting of a blog

Just started a blog and want to see how it all works. When I learn more we will start posting more.