Happiness

This past couple of weeks have shown my family how important we are to each other. And I have realized how important it is to appreciate happiness in the moment.

The weekend of October 3rd, 4th and 5th was exciting, happy and sad all in one. The kids and I stayed with Grandma and PopPop and on Saturday, discovered a fun Pumpkin Patch with a Corn Maze and Haunted Hay Ride! On Sunday, we weathered the cold and rain and watched Gram run in the Twin Cities Marathon, succeeding in her goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon! And, we met sweet Baby John for the first time!

We missed Grandpa very much this weekend, but we all know that he was smiling down on us and that he was really proud of Gram. And we know that he was happy that she was surrounded by many of their kids and their grandbabies to celebrate the day.

It was a good weekend to be with family.

BIG Times for Logan

With Austin and Bella off at school all day, what is a Logan to do? Well, play with Kate of course!! Logan has had some really big events in the last couple of months. He started preschool this year -- and loves Mrs. Gray and Mrs. Johnson and his friends at school. He and Kate have been baking some delicious treats - and inviting Austin and Bella to join them when there's an Early Out Wednesday. And he has been taking some really exciting field trips with Kate every Friday. They've been to the Living History Farms, the Science Center and by far his favorite -- the Fire Station!

Huge times for Logan - he has very exciting stories to share every night. For me, it is just fun watching his face light up when he has something to share about his day. He shows so much emotion in his face when he talks about something that he finds exciting.

Visiting Grandma and PopPop

It has been a couple of months since I last wrote - sorry it's been so long!

Over the weekend of August 23rd, the kids and I visited Grandma and PopPop's new house for the first time. I was in awe of Grandma's gardens -- they are amazing. The kids were in awe of PopPop's toys! And Logan wanted to help PopPop build the new shed for the cabin right then - he did not feel that it was his place to worry about the issue of transporting it 3 hours to McGregor. He just wanted PopPop to get his tools together, and help him build.


Aunt Christy drove up with Braedon and Emma. The kids all loved playing under the weeping willow trees. And Braedon helped Logan with his building plans, while Bella and Emma strolled their dolls through the gardens. Austin was envisioning huge drifts of snow. Everyone had a great time together!

First Day of School

Austin started First Grade and Bella started Kindergarten today. And Logan got to be the leader on the way to the park for the first time all summer. Everyone had a fantastic day.

Austin said that Mrs. King's activities, "Rocked!" Bella said that, "There is no homework in Kindergarten, because it's sooooo fun. That's why!" And Logan said, "I am a fireman Daddy today!"

The children were so excited for school. Austin was the first one on the bus this morning from the bus stop. No looking back, no time for a picture. He was all business -- very ready for school to start.

Bella had a shortened day today, and was the only child at our bus stop who had to return later in the morning for her bus to pick her up. She didn't seem to mind too much, and same with her - no looking back, no time for a picture. And, she's already made a friend on the bus - Gracie.

Looking at this picture gives me a sad, yet proud, yet nostalgic for all of the years before this kind of feeling. But this morning they were just so pumped about starting school, that the feeling of excitement was what was contagious. It was a good day!

Fun at the State Fair -- as always!

August 12, 2008
On Tuesday, I worked at the State Fair during the day at the IMT booth and Brian brought the kids to the fair that afternoon. We stayed long enough to see the sun setting and enjoy a nutritious dinner of corn dogs, walking tacos, chocolate chip cookies and cheese curds. AND a truly healthy snack from the Little Hands Farm, where the kids worked hard for their reward. Year-after-year, the Little Hands Farm is one of the fair favorites for the children. That and the sky ride that takes its riders over the top of the entire fair – that is a must for us! This year, instead of riding the midway rides, the children made sand art and were able to bring home their creations in small bottles. They decided that was a fair trade. :)

Austin's Birthday Party

August 10, 2008
We celebrated Austin’s birthday with his friends at Adventureland, and returned home for cake and presents. When we asked the kids what the best part of their day was, it was a resounding response for the man who was shot out of the cannon. The tea cups and the hot air balloon rides came in second. Even though the birthday cake wasn’t in the top two favorites – it was still a very tasty “Wall-E” birthday cake.

Silly Costume Day

August 8, 2008
The kids decided to dress up for Kate this morning while taking the sheets off of their beds. They got pretty silly while putting on their alter egos!