Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe New Year!!  

Christmas Pictures

Just a few pictures of our Christmas.  We had a very nice Christmas with all of our families.  As always it goes by to fast.   Now that we are back to reality- christmas tree put away, gifts put in their right places, and boxes stored for next year.  We are looking forward to a New Year.

Tree Picture

We always do a Christmas tree picture, well this year was really challenging for some reason with the kids.  Maybe they are getting to that age that they don't like their pictures taken.  Didn't help either that every time Tyler turned his head or had a funny face on.  But here it is- the best we could do.  Merry Christmas!

Birthday Photos

Here is to a great Birthday! Didn't Ben do a great job decorating the cake!  The kids enjoyed blowing out all my candles.  Thanks Ben for a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Michelle !!!

To my wife,

    Wishing you a wonderful and joyous Birthday.

I love you,

Ben

Thanksgiving #2

Here is our Thanksgiving #2- We took our first family picture in front of our tree that we always put up the day after Thanksgiving.  We also went over to Bens mom's house to eat a good dinner and help put up their tree. Now that the first holiday is over it is time to get ready for the big holiday- Christmas!  Happy Shopping!

Thanksgiving #1

Our First Thanksgiving for the week.  Going to Meeme and Papa's.  Unfortunately Ben had to work this holiday but we will be doing more celebrating tomorrow.  

As you can see Ranger wanted to be part of the picture today.  

While at Meeme and Papa's we have a tradition that the kids decorate the Christmas tree on Thanksgiving day.  And we also tried to take a picture of all the kids, which was some what a challenge.  We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Lets us be thankful for the little things as well as the big.  Hugs and kisses all around.

Ben's BIG project

Ben's big project is finally done!  He finished his cousin's basement.  And did a wonderful beautiful job on it.  It may have taken him a little longer then expected but it turned out great.  

Halloween night

Don't the kids look so excited for Halloween!  It seemed just to early in the day to get ready.  But by the time we got out to go trick or treating their mood changed.  We went to South St. Paul's main street and saw dad at work.  Then we went around the neighborhood.  We got way to much candy, which means I am sure I'll be throwing half of it out.  Allison had to take a picture of mom some what dressed up.

Carving pumpkins

Ok so it is that time of year, we carved out our pumpkins.  The kids actually did it themselves.  I have to say they did a pretty good job at it.  They love making the mess and of course mom had to clean it all up.  I hope all of you have a great Halloween! 

Officer Tyler

So Tyler got to sit in a REAL police car at the Zoo Boo.  I am just glad it was the front of the car not the back of it!  

Zoo Boo

We had some fun at the Zoo Boo at Como Zoo.  

Ranger

It wasn't fair that I had Bear's picture on this Blog and not Ranger.  Ranger is our 1 1/2 year old Black Lab.  He has a lot of energy and loves to play with the kids.  He is very lonely when the kids are away from school, that is when he gets into a little trouble in the house.  He'll take anything of Tyler's and ruin it.  But we still love him and he is the baby of the family.

Fall

I thought I would put the kids to work but it turned out to be more fun then work.  Plus why rake the yard when dad can suck them up in his lawn mower, right?  We had fun raking a pile and then jumping in them.  As soon as they were done they ran in the house and took showers.  Our kids don't like to be dirty for too long!

Husband hard at work

Rainbow

Just a little beauty that our mother nature gives us.  Just wish there was a pot of gold at the end of it, but don't we all.

Apple Orchard

We went to the Afton Apple Orchard where we got a hayride to go pick our own apples, the kids had a blast  doing that.  After that we went to go pick some raspberries which was a little walk where Ben wanted to pick.  We filled up seven containers and I think Tyler filled his own by eating one then putting two in his month!  We got to taste our first White raspberry, very good.  After picking forever we decided we had to go see the farm animals.  The kids got to feed the goats, they thought that was really fun.  Then the old Donkey came over and Tyler got to feed him. He just giggled the whole time and as he left, the Donkey had a few words to say to Tyler.  Tyler didn't know what to think of that but the whole way home he had to make the Donkey noise.  A day full of memories!  Now we have a ton of apples and raspberries.  Ben said he is going to be busy baking this weekend.  I can't wait!!

Just a note

So it has been awhile since I have been on here...  Why you may ask?? Well nothing.  We all got little colds but doing well.  Homework is in full force for us.  Going to one child to the next and trying to keep Tyler busy while doing that.  Allison has now started her skating lessons again and soon it will be Justin, so that means I will be spending every weekend at the ice rink.  Not sure if I am ready for that just yet.  The weather is getting a lot colder which only tells me that winter is coming.  Not sure if I am ready for that either.  I am not a winter person when it comes to bundling everyone up including myself.  I am a shorts and t-shirt kind of person.  That is all that is going on here in our little world.  More to come soon with pictures!!!

Just a saying

Birthday bash

Tyler is now 4 years old- he had a fire fighter birthday party with close friends and family.  Here is his first cousin, Meredith.  She is nine months old, Tyler is reading her a story.  He grew into a little boy over night.

Our Baby

Our baby is turning 4 on Sunday!  I can't believe how fast it has gone.  Just thinking back on how he entered the world blows me away.  If  you don't remember he came out in 40 min(if that) from beginning to end.  Then he was all bruised, which was really scary at first.  He just wanted to come out as fast as he could and he hasn't stopped.  He is one active little boy.  But as I sat and waiting for his pictures to be taken I was watching him play with a little girl and sharing the toys so nice, thinking this isn't "my" Tyler.  But it was.  He sat and shared toys for 20 minutes with this little girl and then asked me if he was a good boy today.  He certainly was.  I am so proud of him.  I would of never thought of him to be so nice.  After all the hours I have spent walking the hallways so he will stop crying just for 5 minutes or him yelling at his sister and brother for hours because they won't play with him.  And now he is sharing so nice with strange little people.  God Bless him. He is certainly growing up which is a little sad for me.  Our baby!  Now a preschooler!

School days

Ok so we have been in school for a little over a week now.  Finally getting into the grove of things.  Getting up on time, eating a good breakfast, coming home and doing homework with out a major problem.  Everything seems to be going almost to well.  When the kids are in school I seem to get a lot of work done in the house, I don't think the house has ever been so clean and yet getting organized.  So how long do you think this will last?  You know when you start school there is always something.  The first signs of being sick though has arrived in Tyler and Justin's class. I am always telling the kids to wash their hands and don't touch their faces.  When they come home they wash hands and put their cloths in the laundry room.  Yes being a little over board but I don't think I can handle another year of being in and out of the doctors office.  An update in a few days in how it really is going...

Hope all is well with everyone and enjoying this fall weather!

Tyler's first day

My baby had his first day of school.  YIPPIE!  He did great, but of course he had to tell me that a little boy punched him in the stomach later to find out he was imaging it.  He told us this little boy was put in the locker and then had to take a shower.  Boy what an imagination he has.  I never know if he is telling me the truth, I 'll have to fix that one.

He loves going to school and telling his brother and sister all about it.  He is a BIG boy now.  How fun.

11 Years

Can you believe it is 11 years on the 13th of this month?!  I have to say it has flown by.  Three kids later we are still having a good time and having a lot of laughs. Yes there are up and downs but who doesn't have those.  Thank you for all those who have supported us in the years, without you we wouldn't of said "I DO".  Now I just need to convince Ben to renew our vows at 15 years.  

T

Our little Police Officer, for now that is.  First Fireman now this.  I wonder what he will really be.  

Crazy mom

Here is a crazy mom at work!  Ben was being funny and taking pictures of me(not very good ones) he needs a lesson on taking photos.  This was the only one I could actually put on here.  Just say my hands were full of suds and he was snapping pictures.  If you know Ben you know what he was doing and what he was taking pictures of.  You got to love him!!!  It will be 11 years next week that we have been married.  Can you believe that, crazy!