2011 Perch Fishing Derby

Although we didn't win anything or catch anything, we still had fun. Our fingers got a little cold though as it was difficult to man the rods with gloves on.

Belly Picture at 22 weeks

This is me, dirty mirror and all, at 22 weeks. This is posted especially for Shannon!

Finally!

Olivia finally lost her first tooth today! Needless to say, she is thrilled and anxiously awaiting the arrival of the tooth fairy tonight. Looks like the tooth fairy will be paying another visist soon as the one next to it is loose too. I'm wondering how much this is going to cost me?

A Beautiful September Afternoon

It's been a rather cool fall in Northern MN this year but yesterday we finally had a beautiful, warm day. We got up early enough to make it to early church and then on a whim, I decided to take the kids to the State Park and walk for awhile before the Vikings game at noon. I was so bummed that I didn't have my camera though so after the game, we went back - this time with Rich. We went on the bog walk and then the kids played on the playground.
This picture turned out blurry.... I'm so bummed as it is my favorite of them!

Best friends for life!

Joseph will be three next month

Olivia is six.

First Day of School - 2010 Edition

The kids were both excited for school this year. Olivia waited anxiously for the bus and was all smiles as she got on. However, a few days before school started her bedtime prayer was, "Dear Jesus, please make the first day of school easy so I don't have to learn too hard on the first day. Amen."

Olivia's teacher is Ms. Hollmann this year.

Olivia got a new backpack. It was pink, of course!

Joseph all ready for his first day of pre-school. He was more excited than he looks in this picture!

Joseph picked out his first backpack - a Spider Man one! He had all his supplies in it before we went to the open house and he loved taking everything out and putting it back in. He had to take everything out to show our neighbor, Shirlee, one day.

Olivia has a great bus driver, Anne.

Joseph sits on the bench at pre-school on his first day. While he cried every day for six weeks last year, he didn't even shed a tear this year! He was a little shy and hid behind my legs for a bit but did really well.

Let's Move 'Em!

During the past two weeks there has been a road crew working on the road in front of our house. (They have been digging deeper ditches for drainage purposes and adding culverts.) There has been tons and noise and lots of beeping as the equipment backed up, etc., but it was all worth it as it kept one little boy in our household very entertained throughout the day. Much to Joseph's delight, as the owner was finishing up the job the other night, he walked up to the house and asked if Joseph would like a ride. (He had noticed Joseph watching with longing eyes from the house for the past few weeks and took pity on him!) Joseph made a new best friend in Joel that day.

After moving dirt with Joseph for 20 minutes or so he came and asked if Olivia wanted a ride too. After their adventure he came and talked to Rich and me for a long time. What a nice guy! And, after our conversation ,he took Joseph on another ride...this time on a mini excavator! Needless to say the first words out of Joseph's mouth the next morning were, "Mommy, get me dressed so I can go move some more dirt!"

Tea for Three

"Grandma" Linda invited Olivia and I for a tea party on Saturday! We had fun sipping tea and eating brownies and lefse. We also made a craft - Valentines! Olivia felt so special to have a "girls only" day - especially since she missed out on going to Grandma's house on a day when just Joey and I went when she had school.

This next picture was taken right before the Vikings played their final game of the seaon - the big one we lost against The Saints that I am still in mourning over. (Note how everyone is still smiling in this picture.....)


The kids love to play dress-up. And Joey is such a good sport about it - in fact, he doesn't mind at all!

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve with good friends. It is tradition for the guys to take the kids sledding down the big hill at their house on New Year's Eve. I was sure the kids would opt out this year since it was so cold (-9 and windy!) but they wanted to go anyway and had a blast.


Who knew Olivia was old enough to get married?! Here she is the "bride", Emily is the "fairy godmother", and Taylor is "mother of the bride."

The girls, all ready to go out, minus Emily.

Joseph all bundled up.

Cool Dudes!

Not only is Joseph "cool" in sunglasses.....

Charlie is too!

Halloween 2009

We dressed the kids up for Halloween and went to a total of six houses last night - all to friends and neighbors. The kids' costumes from last year still fit so they wore the same costumes again this year. I had a hard time getting a picture of both kids. Joey just will not sit still! I had to hold him down so Rich could get a quick picture.
Joey was a cute puppy dog.

Olivia was an adorable lady bug!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Joseph!

It's hard to believe my baby boy is two today. We celebrated with friends . It's a bittersweet celebration for me for as much as I long to see my children grow to be normal, healthy adults, it is hard to say goodbye to the baby years too. However, I suppose he will always be my "baby" though, no matter what age he is, just as I am still my Mom's "baby". I aim to tressure these years even more than I already have because I know how fast they go by. We love you, dear son, and are so thankful that God untrusted us to your care.

October Snow

We had our first snowfall of the fall last night and today. While I think it is a little early for snow, the kids love it and have played outside three different times today. Rich is so good about taking them out so I don't have to. I'd much rather stay in the house where it is warm!

Oktoberfest 2009

This year's Oktoberfest was already three weeks ago. As you can see, the weather was a lot warmer then! Olivia and Joseph had a blast playing with their cousins. I tried to get a nice picture of the kids while at the party to no avail!
Joseph and his Auntie Beth

We enjoyed live accordian music

Even though I "studied" for this year's beer trivia quiz, I was not one of the top 5 scorers and did not make it to the beer tasting round. I was so bummed!

Olivia's First Day of Kindergarten

Olivia started kindergarten today. She had a great day!

She was so excited to ride the bus!
Waiting for the bus

Why is this blurry?