Jen and I met in the fall of 1997, when I was a first year teacher at Tracy Area Public Schools, teaching Physical Education and Health. Her mother was the secretary for the Athletic Director, and being that I wasn’t quite full-time, I had a couple of hours during the day to visit with what would someday become my future mother-in-law (little did I know at that time what role she was going to play in my life, if I had, I probably would have behaved a little better). To make a long story short, Jen and I got married on the hottest day of the year, July 23rd - 1999.

After Jen and I got married, our lives changed quite a bit. Jen went back to college for Elementary Education and Special Education, and I also went back to college to add a Health degree along with Special Education licensure. We are both currently employed as Special Education teachers at local school districts.

We expanded our family when Cooper came into our lives – Cooper is our Black Lab puppy; who is still our puppy even though he is over 8 years old. Cooper is a very good pheasant hunting dog, but he is an even better baby for Jen and Grandma Linda to spoil rotten.

My parents still live in the house that my mother grew up in near the town of Thief River Falls, MN. My dad, Dennis, drives school bus for TRF public schools, and my mother works at the local clinic as a nurse. Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Cathy are excited and can’t wait to meet Addison! I have an older sister, Kay, and brother, Jared. They both have families of their own.

Jen’s parents live a half-mile away from us! Jen’s dad is a farmer and a visionary for the local economy. Jen’s mom is no longer working at the school where I met her. She now owns a gift shop in Tracy, which keeps her really busy. Jen has an older brother who also lives within a half-mile of us with his family as well.

Jen is very lucky to still have 3 grandparents, for which Addison will at least have 3 wonderful great grandparents. Grandpa Bernie and Grandma Eleanor live near Tracy, and keep very busy! Grandpa still goes to the farm everyday – and Grandma keeps the break room stocked with homemade goodies! I’m sure Addison will find the stash soon enough! During the school year they make their home on the bleachers watching their grandchildren play sports. Grandma Doris lives in Minneapolis with her cat Minsey. She enjoys needlework and watching Dr. Phil. Grandma Doris is excited to have someone else to eat Chinese food with!

Lacey and Paul have been a part of Jen’s life for thirteen years, and mine for 9 years already! They met while Jen was attending college in Sioux Falls, and have been like sisters every since Jen started as her nanny. Lacey has kept Jen young at heart and reminds her to not take life so seriously! Lacey married Paul this past summer, he is a great guy and we welcome him into the family!