Sunday, September 13, 2009

A Grand Adventure

After hearing all of the fun stories about Wild Bill, Teagan met her Grandpa Crago with much anticipation. Would they go camping or fishing, maybe hiking or hunting? Unfortunately, due to FAA regulations, Grandpa Crago could only bring his camera to shoot. Knowing this, Teagan was all to happy to serve as the target.

No Italian opera for Grandpa Crago (see post: Eating is a Family Affair), they were going to eat at a local tavern with good burgers. It was only the first day of his visit and the adventure proved to be too much for Teagan. As we celebrated her 6 weeks, Teagan drifted off to sleep dreaming of the wild west.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Picture Perfect

Phyl stopped over on the Tuesday, September 2nd, to bring us the pictures she took of Teagan's baptism (see post: Baptized into Christ) and to get some Teagan-time, of course. The pictures turned out great and Teagan was excited to be held by Phyl, who was one of the first people to hold her the day after she was born (see post: A Day Filled with Friends).

This past Sunday, September 27th, Teagan requested that Jason also have some Teagan-time. She told him that he and Phyl will make excellent parents and that Jake-to-be is quite a lucky guy. She also told him that he looked like a younger version of someone else, but who? Then she remembered one of her Dad's favorite authors, C. S. Lewis.

Moby Wrap

Teagan withheld judgment when she first saw this band of fabric that nearly stretched from one end of the house to another. After trying out the Moby Wrap with Mom, she agreed to use it on one condition: we are not to call her Ishmael. Dan, on the other hand, was all for it - considering its length it could be used to tie down loads or serve as an emergency tow rope.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Great Minnesota Get Together


The Minnesota State Fair is the perfect way to end the summer, not that one is ever ready for summer to end. Whether you are into unique food on a stick, must-have gadgetry, or just love to people watch, the fair is a great way to meet nearly 1.8 million of your neighbors. This year Dan went to the fair with his Mom, his Aunt Debbie, and his neighbor Joanne.

Dan and his Mom posed with the Pronto-Pup guy. Just who is this guy? The answer is as elusive as what's in the corn-dog... At least it qualifies as food on a stick. For Dan's Mom, though, it must be one of the 'Original Pronto-Pup' stands - there are impostors, you know.





Whether Debbie was peddling coffee or vying for a fresh cup of java, we're not sure. Either way we enjoyed benefits of her hard work and she had a fun time. Thanks Debbie.





Joanne, seen here amid rows of corn, was at home on Machinery Hill. Of course, she also was at home in the DNR building, the Creative Activities building, the MPR booth, the Sheep and Poultry buildings, the shops in the Grandstand... Joanne is at home at the fair.




The critics declare this classic, and perhaps original food on a stick, a hit. The 'Original Pronto-Pup' receives great reviews and is added to the lengthy list of must-do traditions. Still, we have no idea what we ate.

Dan's favorite stop is the Eco Experience building, with latest in sustainable design and technologies. There's always a couple of take-away ideas from the concept house that can be recycled and reused elsewhere.

While at the State Fair, Dan was able to meet Cathy Wurzer, the host of Morning Edition on Minnesota Public Radio. Dan is a fan of MPR and listens to Cathy every weekday morning on his way to work. It turns out that their moms worked together for many years.

We hired three expert inspectors to determine the mystery contents of the Pronto-Pups. Unfortunately Pronto-Pup man got to them before we did. Next year, Pronto-Pup man, next year...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Celebrating Teagan's Baptism

In addition to her church family, Teagan was excited to see all of the friends and family that came to see her baptism:

The Pentecosts and Bassetts

Teagan's Family: Her Great-grandma Lynn, Great-aunt Debbie, Great-aunt Sarah, Dad, Great-uncle Michael, Grandma Nyman, Aunt Michelle, Mom, Grandma Crago, Grandpa Nyman, and John & Linnea (they're practically family)

The Gundersons and Bassetts

The Rowlands and Bassetts

Teagan was also excited to see the Pilacinski Family, but unfortunately she didn't get a picture with them.

It was a long day filled with many people and activities. Teagan, short on time, resorted to multi-tasking: a mixture of sleep and concentration. "Zzzz... That was a lot of water... Zzzz."

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Made with Love

Teagan's Grandma Nyman (Dan's Mom) made her baptismal gown from Andrea's wedding dress. Her Grandma also crocheted a hat and booties to match. Her Grandpa Nyman, doing what he does best, calmingly lulled her to sleep after the baptism.


These were no small tasks, as they left two days later to see their twin six-month old granddaughters in Oslo, Norway. Teagan tried to convince her Grandparents that she could fit (both size and weight) in their carry-on luggage, but it was already filled with items lovingly made for her twin cousins. Well, at least she could send hugs Alexandra and Cecilie.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Baptized into Christ

Teagan Marie Bassett

received the Sacred Mysteries of

Baptism & Chrismation

on August 30th, 2009

Of all the Orthodox services, the baptismal liturgy is the easiest one on the parents. Mom has a very short role near the end of the liturgy and Dad is free to take lots of pictures (although Phyl generously took many pictures for him). The Priest, Fr. Jonathan, and the Godparents, Scott and Barb, do the hard work. Teagan couldn't have been in better hands.

The baptismal liturgy begins at the doors of the church, where the ancient rite of exorcism takes place. For many this practice may seem unusual, but this is where the Orthodox Christian journey begins. Here the obstacles of faith are renounced and cast aside. Then, as Teagan begins her journey following Christ, the group steps forward to the baptismal font in the center of the church.

Next, Teagan is anointed with oil, a symbol of life and healing, in the sign of the cross on her forehead, on her chest and shoulders (unto the healing of soul and body), on her ears (unto the hearing of faith), on her hands (Thy hands have made and fashioned me), and on her feet (that she may walk in the way of Thy commandments).

In the likeness of Christ's death and resurrection, Teagan is immersed in the baptismal waters three times: "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". She rises a new creation in Christ.

While the church sings, "Vouchsafe unto me a robe of light, Thou who clothest Thyself with light as with a garment...", Teagan is dressed in a white baptismal gown - a garment made with love by Teagan's Grandma Nyman (Dan's Mom) from Andrea's wedding dress. She also wears a baptismal cross given to her by her Godparents, Scott and Barb.

Returning to the baptismal font, Teagan receives Holy Chrism (holy oil) - the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit - on her forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, ears, chest, hands, and feet. This sacrament, called Chrismation, evolved in western Christendom as Confirmation.

Then, following the cross and supported by the prayers of her Godparents, Teagan begins her Christian journey. Several children follow the procession as they circle the baptismal font three times and the church sings, "As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia."

Teagan receives a much-deserved break and rests on her Mom's shoulder.

Having been united to Christ's life, death, and resurrection through baptism, Teagan returns to the doors where her journey began. Here she is 'churched', or united to the body of Christ – the Church. The priest, holding her up, carries her through the sanctuary where she will worship in the midst of the Church. He continues with her to the altar area, symbolizing the heavenly realm, offering her as a gift when her earthly journey is complete.

Teagan is then returned to the steps in front of the altar where her Mom receives her. The Church returns Teagan to her parents, that they may help her on her journey until she is able to journey on her own – not that we are ever alone.

With her journey underway, Teagan receives her first Communion. The Holy Eucharist will be her sustenance along the way.

The Christian journey is one of sacrifice; we receive and we give. In the final rite of Tonsuring, Teagan gives of herself. Her hair is cut in the sign of the cross, a snippet from front, back, and both sides.

After the baptismal liturgy, we took a quick picture with Teagan’s godparents. Teagan, however, was too busy looking up to be concerned about the picture. Perhaps she was pondering all the things in her heart, or maybe she was just admiring the large icon of Jesus on the ceiling. “How did they do that?”

More Family Arrives

On Sunday morning, more of Teagan's family eagerly arrived for her baptism. Pictured here with Teagan's Dad is her Grandma and Grandpa Nyman, her Great-grandma Lynn, her Great-aunt (as Teagan prefers it) Sarah and Great-uncle Michael, and her Great-aunt Debbie. Well, enough of the picture taking... let's go inside and see Teagan. She was eager to see them too.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Hanging out with Family

Teagan was very excited to see Grandma Crago (Andrea's Mom) again. She had to catch her up on the last three weeks worth of developments and activities, "I mean, 3 weeks is half my life". Unfortunately Teagan was sad to learn that Grandma was only staying for the weekend, so she asked her to hold her as much as possible. Grandma was happy to oblige.

Teagan also met her Aunt Michelle (Andrea's Sister), who told her all about the upcoming wedding in October and all of the people that she would meet. Overwhelmed with excitement and feeing a little embarrassed, Teagan later replied, "I didn't mean to fall asleep, honest." Although Teagan did perk up when she discovered that her Aunt could provide her some embarrassing stories about her Mom's childhood.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

It's Been Far Too Long

Just a few days to go before her baptism and Teagan's extended family could wait no longer. It had been nearly a month since Teagan last saw her Great-grandma Lynn and her Great-uncle Michael (See post: First from Family Greats). This time she was also able to meet her Great-aunt Debbie and Sarah, Michael's girlfriend (although Teagan affectionally refers to her as her Great-aunt). It was tough, but everyone made it through two more days before seeing her again on Sunday morning.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

New and Familiar Faces

Last week the Pilacinski family stopped over to meet Teagan and catch up with Dan and Andrea. They brought fun clothes for Teagan and a sweet desert for her parents.

The Copa family also came over for a visit after spending the day at the science museum. With 5 children, Jodi has been and will be an excellent resource for years and children to come. (See post:
Keeping up with Copas)

Teagan was able to spend some quality time with Natalia. Unfortunately, Natalia didn't know what ice-cream was either.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

I Scream, You Scream...

We all scream for ice-cream.

There is nothing more popular in our house than ice-cream. A bowl of any size will instantly make you best friends with our cats, Chip and Sky - even if you happen to be holding Teagan. Teagan, on the other hand, wasn't sure what ice-cream was, but knowing she was missing out she made sure she had a front row seat.