Day 74. 2012.

I am one proud mama.

This girl of mine has come so far in her gymnastics abilities, it is so much fun to watch!

So, I have to brag just a little bit by posting some photos of her taken at parent night earlier this evening.




The three little Pelican ladies that attend together... I love this shot of them! 
I am thinkin' she inherited her dad's muscular arms! I only wish mine looked like that!
Aren't these three adorable?!

Day 73. 2012.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here and I couldn't be happier about it!

There were a few years in there after my dad died when I really struggled to get into the Christmas spirit and I wondered if I would ever get it back.



But get it back, I have!

I thought this song was appropriate, just wish I could have it streaming on my blog....

We tried a new spot for our tree this year and I am so glad we did! It is no longer in the middle of the living room and I think he it looks pretty good right here!




After all of our hard work putting the tree up, we decided to enjoy some hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Someone got a little carried away with the marshmallows....

And of course, my big guy wasn't interested at all in trying the yummy treat...so sadly, there are no photos of him.

We also ventured out into the freshly fallen snow to play.

And the next morning, we had a visit from our favorite holiday friend, Zack Elf.

I think I am just as excited as the kids are to see him return!

Can't wait to see what antics he can get into this year...stay tuned, I will be sure and post photos on here!

Wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas season!

Day 72 + about a 150 more!. 2012

Since the middle of August of this year, I have been swamped in every sense of the word and have had my life taken over by 18 smart, talkative little 7 and 8 year olds.

As much as I love what I am doing, I realize the need to take a step back and just breathe.

I have been spending time with my family, although this is about all the extra stuff I have been able to handle!

Here is a glimpse at what we did this fall.....


We were at Maplewood one of those weekends when it was 80 degrees and the leaves were still gorgeous! Love this kid!

 
'...do a little dance...'
 

'Seriously Auntie...NO MORE pictures!'

Last month we got some exciting news....

I am going to be an AUNTIE again! So excited for them!! The kids helped make some blankets for project linus in 4H. Watching some hilarious youtube videos.. They LOVE playing trains together...

She does gymnastics all the time these days! And of course her little shadow is right there following in her footsteps! And lastly, we have another full fledged reader in our house! She is so excited to know how to read! Tyson loves when his big brother and sister read to him!

Here's to getting back into taking photos all the time...I miss capturing my life!

Day 71 + a few new gray hairs. 2012.

I have debated on whether or not I would share these photos with you, or at least some of you who may go by the name 'grandma' to my kids.

 I don't want you to be alarmed.

I promise we are very careful, loving parents who would never let anything bad happen to your precious grandchildren....namely a little one who is going to give his mama and dad a run for their money over the next 18+ years!

After picking Ty up from daycare last week, he seemed unusually excited about a 'feeler' (his way of saying 4-wheeler) that was in Jamie's garage (his daycare provider).

Well, the little stinker worked his magic and over the next couple of hours had his dad and I convinced that she was actually looking to sell the kid sized, gas powered, 4 wheeler.

Turns out, the four year old was right...and we ended up buying it.

I still don't know how I feel about all of this, but I do know that there is a trip to Fargo very SOON in our future to go helmet shopping!

I am going to let the photos do (most) of the talking....{sigh}, I am beyond worried about the future with my littlest one....

I'll start you off with our two oldest, much more cautious children....

No funny business from them, just some learning, smiles, and nice, slow driving.

I should have known that this wouldn't be the case with this kid...

For this next series, I am going to let the photos do all of the talking...they were literally snapped over the course of 2 seconds.

This is what happens when you let your lil' daredevil four year old ride his 'feeler'.

Oof....

And this is what happens when dad finally gets ahold of you and gives you a HUGE talking to (ahem...lecture!) about driving TOO FAST!

Needless to say, the rest of the night it was all rides with daddy.

Travis has since turned the speed all the way down (so it doesn't kick up dust no matter how hard you hold the throttle down).

It is a lot safer but I don't think I will rest easy again until we have some head protection at the very least...or maybe just a padded room where my little man could live until he is passed the 'daredevil' phase...we shouldn't need it for more than 15 years!?!