Hustle and Bustle

Our shopping trip this morning zapped poor Sammy. I hadn't even finished nursing Julia and he was sound asleep. I suppose being up until 10:30 and then again from 4am-5:30am would make me tired too. Wait, scratch that - I am tired, but thanks to Jennifer's thoughtfulness I have two Cherry Coke's to keep me awake. I want to record a couple of special moments I've shared with the kids in the midst of the worst colds they've endured since Julia's was a newborn. The first night Sam slept in our bed he leaned over to kiss me on the forehead before falling asleep. There isn't much that tops an unsolicited kiss from your child and I'm a sucker for forehead kisses. Then today while I was singing and rubbing Sam's back before his nap, Julia started rubbing my back. She even took a moment to stoop down to her brother and give him a love pat as well. It is humbling to know that no matter how short I get with them, they posses the capacity to forgive and forget.

I'm trying not to be anxious about tonight's impending snow, but it could really throw a wrench in our weekend plans. Finishing my Christmas shopping this morning before the first flakes fly helps a little. It's hard enough going out when it's only 8 degrees outside let alone in six inches of white stuff. We found some treasures at the craft store that Sam has already added his personal touch to. He's really gotten to be a good painter this year and it's a good thing. He and Julia have made all of the Christmas presents they're giving this year.

Every year we help out with the decorating at our church and that's suppose to happen at 9 tomorrow morning. We had plans to "cut" our tree on Sunday, but Brian will be plowing all day. I'm praying that we'll be able to decorate at church for a couple of hours, buzz out to Grandma and Grandpa's for tree cutting and cookies, and still have time to decorate the tree together before Brian has to plow snow. At least Brian is on his way home as I type this. We're do for some quality family time and cookie baking falls most definitely falls in that category.

Hustle and Bustle

Our shopping trip this morning zapped poor Sammy. I hadn't even finished nursing Julia and he was sound asleep. I suppose being up until 10:30 and then again from 4am-5:30am would make me tired too. Wait, scratch that - I am tired, but thanks to Jennifer's thoughtfulness I have two Cherry Coke's to keep me awake. I want to record a couple of special moments I've shared with the kids in the midst of the worst colds they've endured since Julia's was a newborn. The first night Sam slept in our bed he leaned over to kiss me on the forehead before falling asleep. There isn't much that tops an unsolicited kiss from your child and I'm a sucker for forehead kisses. Then today while I was singing and rubbing Sam's back before his nap, Julia started rubbing my back. She even took a moment to stoop down to her brother and give him a love pat as well. It is humbling to know that no matter how short I get with them, they posses the capacity to forgive and forget.

I'm trying not to be anxious about tonight's impending snow, but it could really throw a wrench in our weekend plans. Finishing my Christmas shopping this morning before the first flakes fly helps a little. It's hard enough going out when it's only 8 degrees outside let alone in six inches of white stuff. We found some treasures at the craft store that Sam has already added his personal touch to. He's really gotten to be a good painter this year and it's a good thing. He and Julia have made all of the Christmas presents they're giving this year.

Every year we help out with the decorating at our church and that's suppose to happen at 9 tomorrow morning. We had plans to "cut" our tree on Sunday, but Brian will be plowing all day. I'm praying that we'll be able to decorate at church for a couple of hours, buzz out to Grandma and Grandpa's for tree cutting and cookies, and still have time to decorate the tree together before Brian has to plow snow. At least Brian is on his way home as I type this. We're do for some quality family time and cookie baking falls most definitely falls in that category.

It's no fun to be sick - part 2

It has been a loooooong, horrible day at our house. Sam "slept" in our bed last night so I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of days until I'm sick with the same crud. I don't think I'll be able to get away with whining, "nose ruuuniiiinng" and expect someone to drop what their doing to come wipe the snot. After 3 hours of doing this for Sam I finally said enough is enough. He's old enough to take the Kleenex he's holding in his hand and wipe his nose himself. It doesn't help that 75% of the time there isn't anything to wipe. He's feeling it running inside his nose. I refuse to wipe when I can't see anything. His poor face is chapped enough. I'm sorry he's sick and I'm trying to be compassionate, but it's every 5 minutes that he is whining about something. Not to mention that Julia is still sick and needy herself. I'm not asking for sympathy, I just need an outlet for my frustration - frustration with myself for not bending over backwards to do every little thing my kids are whining for me to do, frustration that we haven't found a job for Brian where he doesn't have to be gone for 12 hours a day, and frustration that I haven't been able to teach Sam how to blow his nose and eliminate at least half of the nose wipes.

It's no fun to be sick - part 2

It has been a loooooong, horrible day at our house. Sam "slept" in our bed last night so I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of days until I'm sick with the same crud. I don't think I'll be able to get away with whining, "nose ruuuniiiinng" and expect someone to drop what their doing to come wipe the snot. After 3 hours of doing this for Sam I finally said enough is enough. He's old enough to take the Kleenex he's holding in his hand and wipe his nose himself. It doesn't help that 75% of the time there isn't anything to wipe. He's feeling it running inside his nose. I refuse to wipe when I can't see anything. His poor face is chapped enough. I'm sorry he's sick and I'm trying to be compassionate, but it's every 5 minutes that he is whining about something. Not to mention that Julia is still sick and needy herself. I'm not asking for sympathy, I just need an outlet for my frustration - frustration with myself for not bending over backwards to do every little thing my kids are whining for me to do, frustration that we haven't found a job for Brian where he doesn't have to be gone for 12 hours a day, and frustration that I haven't been able to teach Sam how to blow his nose and eliminate at least half of the nose wipes.

It's no fun to be sick

It's no fun to be sick

...over the hills we go

laughing all the way. Ha! Ha! Ha!

It has been our tradition since Sam was born to ride a tractor out to the field of Christmas trees to pick out the perfect fir tree. This year we've had to get creative in order to continue that rather pricey tradition. Thanks to Brian's parents we'll be dashing through the snow this weekend (as long as the weather forecast holds true) to "cut" our Christmas tree at Grandma and Grandpa's house. For half the price I picked out a tree today at a local nursery to "plant" in the woods. With a saw in hand and two kids in tow we'll venture out to find our perfect tree again this year. The reindeer who witnessed our little deception have been sworn to secrecy. That goes for you too!

...over the hills we go

laughing all the way. Ha! Ha! Ha!

It has been our tradition since Sam was born to ride a tractor out to the field of Christmas trees to pick out the perfect fir tree. This year we've had to get creative in order to continue that rather pricey tradition. Thanks to Brian's parents we'll be dashing through the snow this weekend (as long as the weather forecast holds true) to "cut" our Christmas tree at Grandma and Grandpa's house. For half the price I picked out a tree today at a local nursery to "plant" in the woods. With a saw in hand and two kids in tow we'll venture out to find our perfect tree again this year. The reindeer who witnessed our little deception have been sworn to secrecy. That goes for you too!

Darn that college football!

The news didn't start until 10:30 because of college football so the number of people who would have just happened to see the kids on tv dropped significantly. Oh well. At least they made it into the segment. If you listen closely you can hear Julia's vehicle noises in the background. Bonus points go to Carrie who spotted me holding a sleeping Julia during part of the clip!

Darn that college football!

The news didn't start until 10:30 because of college football so the number of people who would have just happened to see the kids on tv dropped significantly. Oh well. At least they made it into the segment. If you listen closely you can hear Julia's vehicle noises in the background. Bonus points go to Carrie who spotted me holding a sleeping Julia during part of the clip!

News flash

You can't walk down the toy aisle at Target without noticing the ever increasing number of recall notices. We are on tight budget so ordering expensive European toys is not an option for us (and probably not for many people) but there is this cute family owned toy store in St. Paul that I enjoy shopping at because I can usually find small, unique, and affordable things that normally I'd have to pay to have shipped to my home. After finishing our Saturday chores by 9am we piled into the van for a trip into the city. The kids were in heaven with two different train tables to choose from. I, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by the choices. What in the world do you get for your second-born who just turned one? While I was carefully looking over every toy I noticed a woman that looked awfully familiar. It turns out she's a WCCO news reporter. She asked if the kids would play at the American made train table for a few minutes so they could get some footage for a piece that's airing tonight at 10 on channel 4 about toy safety. I am so glad I dressed Julia in her new overalls from my bargain hunting at Gymboree yesterday. They played very nicely together and Sam even said excuse me to the camera man who was blocking his way around the table. Julia puttered around the table making truck noises with a little car. Ah! That's my kiddos. :)



On the way home we passed Mickey's diner. We couldn't resist the famous (does anyone know why it's famous, cuz I sure don't?) little establishment and enjoyed a tasty lunch of pancakes and burgers.
Those are Sam and Julia's pancakes cooking on the griddle in the upper right picture. yummy!

I'll try to find a link to the WCCO segment to share tomorrow.

Peapods is nice enough to gift wrap, otherwise I'd share pictures of the cute wooden airplane and helicopter we picked out for the kids. I even picked up a stocking stuffer for the other kid in the house (otherwise known as Brian). shhh....he doesn't know I did that.

News flash

You can't walk down the toy aisle at Target without noticing the ever increasing number of recall notices. We are on tight budget so ordering expensive European toys is not an option for us (and probably not for many people) but there is this cute family owned toy store in St. Paul that I enjoy shopping at because I can usually find small, unique, and affordable things that normally I'd have to pay to have shipped to my home. After finishing our Saturday chores by 9am we piled into the van for a trip into the city. The kids were in heaven with two different train tables to choose from. I, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by the choices. What in the world do you get for your second-born who just turned one? While I was carefully looking over every toy I noticed a woman that looked awfully familiar. It turns out she's a WCCO news reporter. She asked if the kids would play at the American made train table for a few minutes so they could get some footage for a piece that's airing tonight at 10 on channel 4 about toy safety. I am so glad I dressed Julia in her new overalls from my bargain hunting at Gymboree yesterday. They played very nicely together and Sam even said excuse me to the camera man who was blocking his way around the table. Julia puttered around the table making truck noises with a little car. Ah! That's my kiddos. :)



On the way home we passed Mickey's diner. We couldn't resist the famous (does anyone know why it's famous, cuz I sure don't?) little establishment and enjoyed a tasty lunch of pancakes and burgers.
Those are Sam and Julia's pancakes cooking on the griddle in the upper right picture. yummy!

I'll try to find a link to the WCCO segment to share tomorrow.

Peapods is nice enough to gift wrap, otherwise I'd share pictures of the cute wooden airplane and helicopter we picked out for the kids. I even picked up a stocking stuffer for the other kid in the house (otherwise known as Brian). shhh....he doesn't know I did that.

Welcome to the family

Congratulations Mom and Paul!

I took my first "engagement" photos before Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. I put quotes around engagement because they eloped on my mom's 60th birthday a few weeks ago.

Hope you like them Mom.

Welcome to the family

Congratulations Mom and Paul!

I took my first "engagement" photos before Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. I put quotes around engagement because they eloped on my mom's 60th birthday a few weeks ago.

Hope you like them Mom.

Three little monkeys

jumping on the bed


nobody fell off but,


the biggest one said



let's try sitting on the couch instead.

Three little monkeys

jumping on the bed


nobody fell off but,


the biggest one said



let's try sitting on the couch instead.

Now if only I could get a good one of them TOGETHER!

Wanna see more?

Now if only I could get a good one of them TOGETHER!

Wanna see more?

Playing catch up

I've got a couple posts worth of photos that I've been meaning to share: Halloween and Sam & Julia's birthday party. I better upload them now before the holiday rush and they get completely forgotten.
This batch is from the Halloween party we go to every year. The weather was calm and warm enough to be outside without being bundled up. The host were brilliant. Instead of the usual games geared towards adults (who then couldn't play because the children needed supervising) she incorporated the kids into the fun. We wrapped Brian up as mummy and we scavenged the woods for items on a list, including a pine cone that I climbed way up in a tree to retrieve.
Just for fun, see if you can list off any of the costumes you see. Here's another hint on Brian's costume: politics

Doesn't Julia make a cute Little Red Riding Hood?


















Ok, on to the party.... (October 13th, 2007)

Sam and Julia's Birthday party this year was at McDonald's playland. Cousins, Godparents, Aunts, and friends made for a fun afternoon.

The annual birthday tree picture.


We also take a picture every year in this chair my Grandparents made for me when I was little. The picture on the right is on Sam's 1st birthday


Here's JoJo's first chair picture.


Phew. That feels good to get that task completed. Now if only cleaning out the garage so we can park the van inside before it snows could be so much fun!

Playing catch up

I've got a couple posts worth of photos that I've been meaning to share: Halloween and Sam & Julia's birthday party. I better upload them now before the holiday rush and they get completely forgotten.
This batch is from the Halloween party we go to every year. The weather was calm and warm enough to be outside without being bundled up. The host were brilliant. Instead of the usual games geared towards adults (who then couldn't play because the children needed supervising) she incorporated the kids into the fun. We wrapped Brian up as mummy and we scavenged the woods for items on a list, including a pine cone that I climbed way up in a tree to retrieve.
Just for fun, see if you can list off any of the costumes you see. Here's another hint on Brian's costume: politics

Doesn't Julia make a cute Little Red Riding Hood?


















Ok, on to the party.... (October 13th, 2007)

Sam and Julia's Birthday party this year was at McDonald's playland. Cousins, Godparents, Aunts, and friends made for a fun afternoon.

The annual birthday tree picture.


We also take a picture every year in this chair my Grandparents made for me when I was little. The picture on the right is on Sam's 1st birthday


Here's JoJo's first chair picture.


Phew. That feels good to get that task completed. Now if only cleaning out the garage so we can park the van inside before it snows could be so much fun!

They're all smiles ...

...until it got close to bedtime and we realized the keys were locked in the van and it would be 45 minutes before Brian returned with the spare key to unlock the doors.

Thanks for a fun evening Gene and Rena! The kids sure love coming to Grandma and Grandpa's house! (and so do we)

They're all smiles ...

...until it got close to bedtime and we realized the keys were locked in the van and it would be 45 minutes before Brian returned with the spare key to unlock the doors.

Thanks for a fun evening Gene and Rena! The kids sure love coming to Grandma and Grandpa's house! (and so do we)

Santa: take 1

I have been prepping Sam in hopes that he won't be scared to sit on Santa's lap this year. I don't have pictures from last year, but one look at this one will make this year's apprehension look like excitement. We took the kids to the mall last night to get a glimpse of the jolly fellow and let Sam warm up to the idea at his own pace. Here are the pictures from our first try. I'm sure we'll give it another go soon. Stay tuned...



I was a tad disappointed to not see the usual Santa, but when this kind soul asked one of his elves for a Sharpie (a purple one) "because the elves like purple", my heart softened as he carefully checked off the toy train from Sam's letter and made a note to make one for Julia too.








Notice Julia's expression says about the same thing Sam's does, "Don't you dare leave me here with this dude!"

Santa: take 1

I have been prepping Sam in hopes that he won't be scared to sit on Santa's lap this year. I don't have pictures from last year, but one look at this one will make this year's apprehension look like excitement. We took the kids to the mall last night to get a glimpse of the jolly fellow and let Sam warm up to the idea at his own pace. Here are the pictures from our first try. I'm sure we'll give it another go soon. Stay tuned...



I was a tad disappointed to not see the usual Santa, but when this kind soul asked one of his elves for a Sharpie (a purple one) "because the elves like purple", my heart softened as he carefully checked off the toy train from Sam's letter and made a note to make one for Julia too.








Notice Julia's expression says about the same thing Sam's does, "Don't you dare leave me here with this dude!"