Colten Joel Kleinjans

There is a new addition to the Kleinjans family. Colten Joel Kleinjans arrived a little early to make sure he could see the new year in with mom and dad. He was very sleepy tonight but didn't yell to much with all the new people around today. Colten we are glad you came to welcome in the new year with all your family. Happy New Year everyone!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Have a Merry Crhistmas and a Happy New Year. The snow keeps falling but it is supposed to rain this weekend. The tree is finally up and there are many presents underneath. Shaun and I hope everyone has a great holiday season!

Where did our summer go?

I can't believe it is almost December. We got a nice batch of snow yesterday and it all melted today. Mud is fun. Here are a couple pics from the warm summer weather.

Memorial Day Parade and Golf in Traverse City

Memorial Day we were in Zeeland for the parade. Shaun marched and I followed the parade and took some photos.
Today we went to Traverse City to play golf Saturday and Sunday. We got lost and did not get to the resort until 9:30pm. We did see a great sunset on bay before we got to the hotel. Will post more soon. Only a couple days left before Lisa and the boys get here. Not much time to get the house in order and we are gone for the weekend.

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

It has been a while since I posted and with the snow finally gone I thought I would post a couple pics and update our friends around the world. Shaun and I went to Traverse City for spring break. Our plan was to hang out at the Grand Traverse Resort and golf a little. Long story short there was still snow in the woods and very cool and windy conditions so no golf happened. Shaun liked the pool and water slide and it was nice to get away for a couple days. Because they screwed up and let me make tee times for golf when the course was not open yet they extended our gift certificates and we have two more free nights coming up. We are planning to go June 13-15 and hope to have some better golf weather. Shaun will be marching in Tulip time this week and the school year is quickly coming to an end. My flowers are blooming but as always my tulip tree was frozen and the blossoms are dead. We got a heavy frost last week Tuesday. We will be busy with work school and getting the yards in shape. Will post again soon. John & Shaun

Spring coming ?

The snow is is melting. According to the weather channel we can expect a little blast Friday 1 to 3 inches. South will get around 7 or 8. The temps are warming and spring is coming? We are going to Traverse City for 3 days of spring break. We are staying at the Grand Travese Resort and Spa. I don't know if we will be able to golf or not but it will be good to get away.

Snow Snow and More Snow

The snow keeps on falling. Last night and today the winds and snow made it impossible to go anywhere. Roads were closed and many people in the ditch and pile ups on the highways. I could not see much going next door to blow snow today. I am sure it is all drifted back for me to blow Monday. If you are some where warm be happy you are not here.

Frosty The Snowman

Christmas Photos

Happy Birthday Lisa

Happy birthday Lisa! Getting close to the top of the hill. It has snowed here because of you. There always seem to be a storm on the night you were born.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

This is the photo that I wanted on my Christmas cards this year. Due to printer problems we were not able to get that done. I will post the rest of our summer west trip and other stuff soon. I have been slacking on the posting lately. Shaun and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Soccer 2007 a fun season

Soccer season 2007 has come to an end. Shaun had a great time playing and making new friends. We won one game against Grand Haven and I enjoyed watching the kids improve their skills and teamwork. A small break in the western trip to post pictures from soccer. I will try to finish our western saga soon. See Soccer 2007 for more pictures of all the fun.

Day Five of the Western Adventure.

Jurasic Park?

1880 train
Train Robbers?

Discussionn on the rails

An abandoned mine New friends

Today we went on the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone SD. It was a 2-hour round trip tour on a line that used to connect mining camps. This train was used in several movies and was used to carry dynamite for the Mt. Rushmore creation. There was a museum with dinosaur bones in Hill City that was quite cool. We returned to the campsite and went with John (our camp neighbor) to an abandoned mine on public land near Custer. We drove on a two track about ¼ mile until we dragged bottom and then walked the rest of the way. There was an old cave and a large rock overhang that were quite cool. They were mining feldspar a pinkish rock that is used for making varnish. We found several rocks that have gold dust in them. Shaun found a nugget of iron that is not common to the area. We also hauled several large quartz rocks down the mountain. Most of it was a cool rose color. We learned much about gold mining and prospecting. We also walked a dry creek bed and John showed us where he would pan for gold when there is water in the creek. Later we went back the Black Hills Forest and took the nature loop. During the drive we saw 101 deer, 5 elk, cattle, and 8 buffalo. Later we took a wrong turn and got lost in the mountains. After a sharp turn at the top of the mountain we came extremely close to hitting a buffalo that was crossing the road. We finally found our way home and hung out with John and his wife at their campfire. It was cold and I Shaun crawled into my sleeping bag with me. Again I ask why did we not bring the space heater?

Day four of the Western Adventure.

The thinker

The whole crew at Mt. Rushmore

Four presidents can you name them?
Crazy hourse monument
The Light show begins
The mountain comes alive

After a cold night we got up to head to Mt. Rushmore. We took the scenic route through the Needles State Park. It was a twisty mountain road with rock outcroppings that were amazing. During the drive Lisa spotted a mountain lion about 100 feet from the road. Shaun was the first to spot the monument when we were about twenty miles away. It looked small across the valley and on top of mountain. On route to Mt. Rushmore we went through several one-lane tunnels blasted in the mountain. The last two gave you views of Mt. Rushmore framed beautifully at the end of the tunnel.
Once we got the monument the magnitude of the sculpture was incredible. Photos do not do this wonder justice. The time and work to create this work is amazing. We took tons of photos and climbed up the mountain on the trail as far as you can. The kids did nicely on the whole day and will have a nice memory of one of our national treasures.
After Mt. Rushmore we went to The Crazyhorse Monument. I was not overly impressed from the parking lot. We went in and watched a movie about the dream of creating Crazyhourse. I was moved by the passion of all involved in the project. I realized that the work in progress is impressive in many ways and not being finished yet is just part of the story. When completed this monument will be truly a great feat. How this project has and will serve the American Indian is a very good thing. After dark we went back for a spectacular laser light show on the mountain. When the monument is lighted it almost comes alive and gives you a taste of things to come. The last images of the laser show have Crazyhorse in motion on the mountain in actual size. I was quite a sight to see.
For dinner we cheated on the camping cuisine. We went to the Chuck wagon buffet and Music show. After a good meal we enjoyed a country cowboy trio. We had a good time and got to enjoy a beautiful sunset before the laser show.
Back at the campsite Shaun and I talked to the folks at the next campsite. They are a Schoolteacher and character actor. They told us stories of South Dakota and what attractions to see. He is also an amateur prospector and Shaun was interested in all he had to say about rocks. See Mt Rushmore Crazyhorse for more photos.