a week in pictures

The snow is changing. We've had a wonderful white winter.  If the snow melted a bit and became all brown on top, snow fell soon after and made it all pretty again.  However a day or two near 40 degrees this week is changing the snow.  We welcomed this warmer weather by going for stroller rides, bike rides, and playing outside.  The snow is hard and crunchy in the morning, but by afternoon it's soft and sticky.  Eme likes to dig in and throw it in the air and knock of the icicles.

From Drop Box

Griffin likes to find icicles and throw them on the driveway watching them smash into small pieces.

From march10

We enjoyed the frosty scenes on the deck glass this winter

From march10

From march10

This week brought a full moon by night and a bright sun by day

Bean fun:

From march10 I made this

From march10 the kids enjoy playing with the beans and containers, spoons, measuring cups, etc.

From march10 and I cut out pictures of kids and we stuck them on clear contact paper for some new posters

From march10

We went on a stroll with friends on the Red Jacket Trail

From march10

From march10

Our son likes to "dress" himself and wear a "breather" for when he's underwater

From march10

From march10

and Eme eating spaghetti :-) click the photo to see the video

Have a good weekend!

a new family member

a fish!

Griffin is officially out of diapers.  He has been in undies since last summer, but he still wore diapers at night. Until Dada forgot to put on a diaper one night.  He woke up dry to our surprise and we never did go back to diapers.  So for a little "Way to Go!" reward, he got a fish.

From Drop Box

Any suggestions on names? Dada suggested Mikko Koivu (G's favorite Wild player). While I thought we might go with a potty training name like Puddles. Griffin thought maybe a Valentine's Day theme like Honeybun or Sweetheart (he actually thought of these himself (However we did have Just Dog home from the library where they suggest these names)!

From Drop Box

EEEEEOOOOOOO

is that the noise of a firetruck?    We didn't actually hear a fire engine siren when we visited the fire station this week with Griffin's class.  The kids had fun climbing in and taking hold of that big wheel.  After playing with dress-up clothes at school and riding in those "fire engines" they were all excited to see the real deal.  The teacher also had 2 foot long sections of garden hoses cut.  Perfect for putting out "fires" in the classroom.  Now I know what to do with that next hose that goes kaput instead of just throwing it away!

From Drop Box

a little something to do

What can we help with?  Have you heard this while you're cooking?  My kids can help with taking labels off the cans while I'm getting the chopping done.  Sometimes I end up getting a few extra cans from the cupboard and marking them when their done just so they have something to do.   They end up ripping off the labels, picking up all the paper pieces from the floor and throwing them in the garbage, and sometimes rolling them and stacking them.  I think cooking with kids is great.  Griffin is at the helper age and taster age (3) and Emerson, well she does more tasting.

From Drop Box

Daddy's Girl

Keir keeps saying, "I don't want her to change. I love this."  She is pretty darn sweet right now.  

From Drop Box

She loves playing tea party
talks in a funny little voice when she plays with her little babies
loves to snuggle
has a funny little run
gets excited and squeals
says "hi" to everyone (and now says "Hi Eme" to everyone)
pretends to talk on the phone, says "heyyo" and then giggles like the person on the other end said something funny)
talks about her cousins daily
sets the table and says each person's name "Maya, Gracie, Grandma, Gosh (aka her little friend, Josh)..."
says "yub you"
wants to be held
cooks on her little kitchen and says "Eme cook supper"
follows other little girls around
loves babies (real and pretend)
plays mama; kissing, reading to and rocking her babies
likes to run with her brother
and the list goes on...

From Drop Box

From Halloween

We love you oodles!

Picture perfect winter

It has been a beautiful winter. Nearly daily I feel the urge to get out the camera and snap shots out the window. Some day I'll get geared up and actually get outside to take close-ups of the frost, sparkling snow, magical falling flakes, icicles, and snow tracks. Today we even saw frost that looked like a spider web flapping in the breeze. Isn't nature awesome?!

For now, we'll adore these little eyes peaking out.

From Drop Box

Yesterday-love day

I hope your Valentines was spent with someone special.

We have been gearing up for Valentines for some time.  Here's the two little ones making Valentine's originals.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Eme thinks markers are quite special to use.  Mama not so much as she always ends up coloring her face?!

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Then we went to the post office to mail some special Valentine's.

Griffin had a special day at school on Thursday and often wants to look at his "prizes" from his friends.

Friday we took the kids to the YMCA for swimming. Emerson hasn't stopped talking about swimming.  We'll go back soon Eme.

Saturday we met good friends, Ella, Claire & Jenn at the Sweetheart dance.  All liked to dance to the DJ.  Making valentine's brought pride to both Eme and Griffin.  Coming in third was the special treat- cookies and juice.

From Drop Box

This is how we spent our actual Valentine's day
this is what we woke to:

From Drop Box

After church, lunch and naps, we had a special treat and opened our Valentine's.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

 Happy Valentine's Day!

You and me babe

me & my love

From Drop Box

Bowling on our date weekend.  Last weekend my sis picked up the kids and brought them to Grandma & Papas.  They took really good care of them all weekend while Keir and I caught up on some "us" time & worked on projects.  Thanks you three!  How priceless to have a weekend just us two after 3 years of parenting.


This is as much as I cooked that weekend.

From Drop Box

Again, priceless to take a break from cooking and clean up.


What else did we do on our date nights?
First we went to Avatar 3D.  We were both awestruck.


We ventured out to the new restaurant, Number 4.  Check out the beautiful decor.  We left stuffed with all kids of goodness.  We started out with
Number 4 House Red, California: West- 4 stars (out of 5)  wow, who knew a blend would be so good?!
A blend of zinfandel, petite syrah, pinot noir, merlot and syrah. Blackberry and vanilla with a hint of cloves and bay leaf.


Scallops- I rate it 4 stars 
Tortilla crusted sautéed scallops with Cajun and sweet corn grits and a mole verde and jalapeno mango slaw


then


Lobster Bisque- oh, even more yum!  4 stars
A velvety creamy lobster bisque made from real Maine lobster and touch brandy and finished with lemon creme fraiche, collops of lobster claw meat and chives
with
Chilean Sea Bass- I give it a two stars, not the flavors I prefer
Pan seared Chilean sea bass with white cheddar grits, garlic sautéed spinach with a citrus pan sauce
and

Pork Lo-mein- three stars, good flavor, a little soupy
Crispy tempura battered pork loin atop a spicy sweet and sour lo-mien with roasted corn and julienne vegetables
for dessert
New York Cheesecake-  3 stars, not as creamy as I like my cheesecake
a rich cake with Raspberries and pomegranate sauce


Service was wonderful.  She even gave us a gift card to come back or to the other 3 sister restaurants in town.  THANKS!  We will be coming back for sure!

Colorful Valentines

From Drop Box

We made Valentine's for Griffin's friends at school. We searched through all our crayons and picked out the broken ones (good separating practice for Math and fun for a 3 year old). Then we took off the paper and broke them into 1/2 inch or less pieces. We put them in the heart molds (Wilton Silicon mold) and baked them on 250 degrees for about 15 minutes (till they were melted). 

From Drop Box

 We pulled them out and let them cool. Popped them out of the mold and put them on cardstock that we stamped with Valentine's stamps. We added, "Have a colorful Valentine's Day." This is where I found the idea and she has a printable if you don't want to stamp.

The top of our hearts were raised, so I couldn't stick that side down. I guess I could have taken off the edges so it laid flat.

sewing for valentines

It is blustery out there today. This weather makes me happy to sit inside and craft while the kids are sleeping. Valentine's making has been on my mind and I came across some inspiration on Made today, so away I went with the left-over felt, red thread and the old Singer (1960-1970's model). First I made garlald made with all sizes of hearts. I had a few left over, so I sewed them on the cards I picked up in Target's dollar aisle.


Hum, I have another idea for a card, will see if I can pump it out and post before the kids wake!

outdoors finally

From Drop Box

Cabin fever. It's been so cold here we haven't been to the park in almost two months! I have been craving outdoor walks. Finally it warmed up to nearly 35 degrees yesterday. So, off we went to the park with hockey sticks and skates in tow. I wish Eme would keep her gloves on so we could stay out longer. We also went on the pond to see if Nathan and Sophia were catching fish. He caught a couple of 10 inchers! Now, can we get the ice in shape to skate for the rest of the winter?

Good Morning Frost

We have been having the most beautiful frosty mornings here in Minnesota.

"If a solid surface is chilled below the dew point of the surrounding air and the surface itself is colder than freezing, frost will form on the surface. Frost consists of spicules of ice which grow out from the solid surface. The size of the crystalsdepends on time, temperature, and the amount of water vapor available." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost

Happy Birthday G!

Griffin had his 3rd birthday party today.  He decided at least 6 months ago it should be a Cars birthday party.  Thank you Jan for sending the cake pan & decorations down. Everything was a hit for kid and parent alike.  We decided to do a friends party this year. After much entertaining this holiday season, we were a bit tuckered out of the large group craziness (it good craziness every month or so, not 4 times a month).   Anyway, the little neighbor friends came over for some fun, they each made their own pizza, we ate pizza, we had cake, opened presents, and played some more.  Also, two of the top people on his list came to see him for a couple of days, Grandma & Papa.  He loved having them here (as we all did).  It was a special treat for him.  Also, thanks Papa for helping get the basement bathroom finished.  We are quite pleased with how it turned out (like Griffin would say).  Which reminds me of something he said today, "I'm nervous about ..."  It's funny to hear him try out new words.  Of course he had nothing to be nervous about, but had to use it.  He's quite the little guy.  Still loves his hockey (now he sports a helmet, elbow pads & hockey gloves... and that's playing alone inside).  His favorite movie is Cars and favorite TV show is Dinosaur Train, while his favorite book is The Beginner's Bible.  Dinos, trains, reading books and playing cars are on his daily to-do list.  He's quite the active little boy doing almost anything that is posed to him (skating, sledding, riding bike, soccer, baseball, jumping from heights, rolling down hills, hiking, climbing, etc.)  He's a boy's boy... except when he asks to wear tights, sparkly shoes, tutu's and tiaras like his sister or cousins.  We love him like crazy.  Happy Birthday Buba.

living with keir

You may have seen the show Living with Ed where she deals with her hubby who Greens their home with solar pannels, rainbarrels, windmills, etc.  Rain barrels- check, rain garden- check, compost bin- check, smart strips- check, CFLs- check. Now my husband just informed me he's going to make a stand for his bike and put a generator on it to power his computer, batteries, etc.    Solar pannels and windmill will have to wait.

2009- we'll remember you

As you can see, I've finished my Christmas crafting... I am back to blogging.  I will show pics and possibly tutorials on what I've made this year (aprons, Matchbox car roll-up, doll roll-ups, tutus, coffee cozies, magnets, and locker clipboards).  For now, let's reflect on 2009.  Only 3 hours left.

What was great about 2009?


We worked on this list today with my family.

Watching our determined daughter accomplish so much and be so proud (standing, walking, talking, feeding herself).

Seeing G skate after loving hockey so long.

Visiting with K's aunt Carol before her battle with cancer ended and seeing the happiness and contentness on her face.

K's mom and dad catching their cancers b4 it caught them.

Having friends and family the kids love so much, they don't mind mom & dad leaving for a couple hours.

Dinner at Dino's

A movie night just the two of us.

Family finishing the mini-triathlon.

Biggest snow for many years on Christmas day.

The simple things: holidays spent with family, a family skate on the ice, playing in the leaves, sledding, sitting around the dinner table with family and friends, birthday parties, vacation, sleeping a whole night through, taking a walk with an adult to talk to, fun at the park, and snowboarding down a hill (even if it's Mt. Kato).


What's on your list... common, I know you're out there!

Christmas Letter 09

Blessings to you this Christmas season!  Keir is in the process of writing our letter to you.  Please check back.  While you're here,  please comment on what's your favorite Christmas tradition.

Some of my favorite traditions are going to see Santa and

taking a car ride through town as a family to see lights.

Our Favorite Things

Here are some of our favorite things in case you need help with ideas for the people on your list this year.  These are tried and true!
The stay-at-home mama: (besides a day at the spa & gift cards to shop for herself)
Books: The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule
I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward
Smartwool Socks- if i could wear these all winter I would!
babysitting so she can be in the house alone for a few hours or go on a date with her hubby.

The coffee drinker:
Travel Mug, Contigo Stainless Insulated Tumbler
and the name is appropriate because it can tumble in your purse as you are trying to get the kids in the car and it doesn't spill (it has a button you push while you drink) and it stays hot for at least an hour (in case you are busy and forget about it).

The baker:
Artisian Bread in Five Minutes

The little boy (4 and under):
trains (magnetic attaching ones are easy to use), matchbox cars, car ramp,
 books about dinosaurs (and others), musical instruments,
sports equipment, footy pajamas, dress-up clothes, kid roller skates

The little girl (under 4):
play kitchen, table & chairs and cooking/eating supplies
dolls & doll care
dress-up clothes, don't forget about accessories!
books- see some of our favs on the left sidebar
Doll house & accessories
The Laurie Berkner Band DVD

The Daddy-
comfy pants for "relaxing" (esp. these Nike Fleece)
tools, clothing with fav sports team logos, Smart Wool Socks
more tools, things to put tools in, batteries for tools, babysitting so he can play with his tools

Movember

Have you heard of it, Movember?  Movember is the month formerly known as November where men start clean shaven and commit to growing a Moustache. That’s right, we are bringing back the Moustache this November to raise funds and awareness for men’s cancers – specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

From Drop Box

Here's Keir's and Griffin's Mos.
 If you'd like to dontate, check out: http://us.movember.com/mospace/383232

Happy Halloween... literally

Click for more Halloween/Fall Pics



Halloween is fun again. We had so much fun getting the kids (and dogs) dressed up. They both enjoyed it too. To bad Eme could say, "Bauk, Bauk," not "Quack." Oh well. We had our neighbors over for a little party and also celebrated the "day of" back at Grandma & Grandpa's. Too bad they both couldn't join us for the City Halloween Party (Mom went to the hospital for the night with Kidney stones & Papa was working). Grandma's feeling better and Papa has celebrated his last night on the job.  

The cousins and Griffin & Emerson had a blast Trick or Treating (although the nursing home was a bit scarier than planned). I suppose it might be for younger kids.. but maybe it was the resident dressed up with a mask on and a plastic leg with a cowboy hat sitting on his knee?  

It also was a great weekend to be outside. Griffin played football with those who were ready for some rough-housing. Lastly we went to see my uncles and got a little farm time in. Picking apples from the tree was also a highlight. Both Griffin & Emerson were big helpers and both couldn't resist snacking... and they will be for some time because we brought two paper bags full home.


The reasons we went down for the weekend was for Keir and Papa. We celebrated their birthdays and the boys went hunting pheasant. So happy birthday & better luck next time on hunting!