Joe joins the Brandon GHL (geriatric hockey league). If you haven’t been recruited yet, friend Chris Hood and you’ll be signed up instantly…as long as you can’t skate backwards.

Isaiah continues taking piano lessons from Mrs. Delhanty.

Anders debuts
in the Middle School Play,
“16 Reasons Not to be in a Play”

Youth Superbowl Party

at the Bartons

…which pair do you want?

Brandon Elementary Science Fair

Isaiah: Animal Teeth

Carons & Friends: Can Coke Dissolve Steak in 24 hours (No)

Sedric & Friends: Strongest Tape

Our front yard
covered in a gorgeous
spring frost!

Barton Publishing Skii Trip to Terry Peak. First time skiing for the boys and met up with cousins Grace & Aaron.

Joe and Amanda took a trip to LA for the Natural Health Expo. Joe’s favorite booth –Alo Drink

Sedric’s Y League Basketball team with Coach Shon and Asst. Coach Joe

VSE Good News Club

ended out the year visiting with residents from Bethany Meadows.

An afternoon painting
at Color Me Mine with
Joe’s sister Anne and girls.

Foster friends (luck LJ got a new permanent home this Christmas!)

Amanda finds a
new favorite shirt for Joe.

Anders’ 1^st year of track!
Hurdles and running long jump.

…and soccer

Sedric completes elementary school.

Sedric, Carson & Isaiah finish their first year of Royal Rangers.

Carson rocks at soccer!

Anders celebrating birthday and

the end of school with friends.

Our annual canoe/kayak trip with Grandpa Jerry down the Beaver Creek. We’re over half way to our house from Grandpa’s farm.

“Eye-saiah”

Sedric and friends fishing
at Falls Park

Family Camp at K’Kuai in Branson,MO! Awesome camp and time as a family. Thanks Joe White and crew!

Joe’s 39^th birthday party
and inspiriation for our
2013 family vacation.
Hope you can join us for
his 40^th on June 29, 2013!

Congratulations mom and dad on 40 years of marriage and life together. What an example you set!

My new favorite picture of my dad. Love you mom and dad!

Isaiah and Carson visiting Brainerd, MN with grandpa and grandma.

Planes, trains and automobiles vacation….

Automobile to Chicago (Anders’ favorite was the “bean”)

Overnight Amtrak from Chicago to Buffalo, NY. Quite the experience.

Automobile to Niagara Falls
 and on to Toronto.

Canada’s Wonderland! The Leviathan and Behemoth were by far our favorite rides. Thanks Chiangs!

Celebrating the life of Mike Barton with family at a memorial in St. Paul

Sedric enjoys a week long fishing trip – boys only. Thanks Shon!

Summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Mankato for MN Viking Training Camp.

Special visit from Jen and Jared! We love guests, let us know anytime you’re swinging by.

Sioux Empire Fair…the first year we all went together???

Back to school. Isaiah starts 2^nd Grade with one of our favorite teachers,
Mrs. Logan – Anders first teacher at VSE, 6 years ago.

Football Season!

Carson coached by Coach Jason and Asst. Coach Dad

Sedric coached by Coach Hubers

Anders played for 8^th grade BVMS team

(sorry, Joe must have all those pics)

Carson meeting Phil Joel and Peter Furler at Lifelight. Who knew they were such big football fans!

Joe dreaming….

Sedric selected as one of four student of the month after just two weeks of school.

Anders voted BVMS president.

Amanda teams up with these incredible women to start the first Royal Family Kids Camp in South Dakota – creating life changing opportunities for children of abuse and neglect in the foster care system.

Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bob come to SD for a visit.

This is what happens when Joe says “No matter what.”

After 6 years of debating,
we’re doing it!

He just keeps on growing. Anders has officially passed up not only his grandmas, but mom and dad too. Now to pass up his aunts and uncles. Needless to say, we’ve started him on his own budget now. Coats and shoes sure got a lot more expensive.

November vacation on the Music Boat Cruise from Miami to Grand Turk Island with the Hoods – the boys first time snorkeling!

Anders’ performance in BVMS play “Mystery at Shady Acres”

We look forward to 2013 and all that lies ahead knowing that each moment is a gift from God. We are thankful for His love, our source for life and the piece that hold us together! Blessings to you in the coming year!