Old News Revamped...Our Trip to Bemidji

Bemidji is the Home Town to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox
Some of Paul's tools
Rob and Creed in front of Lake Bemidji
We went to the Putt N Go and rode the go carts
The fun bumper boats. We had fun all alone there on the water :)

Home Sweet Home

The kids and I actually came into Fargo on Wednesday, but...I have been waiting for my luggage, that, of course, has all my EVERYTHING! I wanted to post more pictures of my trip before doing the actual "Home" blog, but, oh well *sigh* things never work out the way you have them all in your head. I will have to do a "Vacation Finale" blog that will now be out of order, but I am sure you all wont mind (it will bother me the most).

So, our trip home was great...really! Traveling will 3 kids isn't all that bad, if you have my kids ;) The only hitch was our luggage not coming in with us. I didn't get too worked up about it, only because I was HOME!

The kids were so excited to be home and to finally see Dad. Rob was in heaven with all of us! Alot had changed in 2 weeks, especially with Creed. While we were gone he learned how to get up on all 4's as pictured below, from the crawling position he can now sit and he has popped out another tooth, that would be 2 now. He has figured out that he gets quite the reaction when he smiles, so he is smiling all the time and is so happy. What a little joy he is!

Rob is such a spoiler! Usually when I go away for a bit, I come home and he has some sort of surprise for me. This year he had the apron slab poured, so we now have a huge cement slab in front of the garage that the kids can ride their bikes, skateboards & roller blades on. We have a place for the grill too! Then on Thursday the guys came back and poured the sidewalk to the front door :) Pictures to come! Today they were back and poured the rest of the sidewalk, 200 ft. total, it goes around the whole house. This is going to save me from the mud and dirt that is ever in my entryways. I am excited because I can now start planting the bushes and flowers that I have always felt my home was lacking. It has really transformed the house.

The kids had their 2nd tee ball practice on Thursday. They had a great time and for not having been to all the practices they did very well. However, they are off now til the week after next they were a little disappointed about that.

Well, we had a great time away, but we are so glad to be home. I have lots of pictures that I will be posting so stay tuned.

Friends are Friends Forever...

This goes to show you that even if 18 years pass you bye, Friends are Truly Friends forever! Stace, Mauro and I have known each other for years and years. He has seen the worst of me ( for those of you who remember all those BAD pics that were being posted on my myspace a few months ago, that was Mauro...trying to pull me back into that nightmare!)

He and his partner Sebastian came up to visit while I stayed at Stacie's place this weekend. We had such a fabulous time reminiscing and catching up. We laughed and laughed till we just about had muscle cramps in our cheeks. It was so neat to experience once again that though time keeps moving on you can really pick right up where you left off with those that have been written on our hearts in times passed. I love you guys!

Alice Young

On our flight from Denver to SLC I sat across the aisle from this magnificent women, of course, I didn't know it at the time, but was I in for a treat! We visited a bit on the plane and she commented on how "brave" I was to travel with 3 young children more than once :) She also thought that the two older children were so well behaved. I was a bit preoccupied so I didn't feel like I gave her much of me. But I later found out that I made quite the impression.

When we returned from Arizona I had a message on the answering machine. She wanted to get together with me and the kids while I was here, if that was possible. I called her back and we had such a nice conversation on the phone, I was really looking forward to our face to face meeting.

We made a date for Friday morning. She welcomed us into her home with cookies and coffee, YUM and the kids felt right at home as she had books upon books for them to enjoy. Our visit consisted of multiple conversations that never really were buttoned up for there were just too many things to say. I will forever have this woman in my life. She and I are some what of a kindred spirit. And I am so thankful that the LORD brought us together.

Happy Father's Day

This ones for you Babe...Happy Father's Day! We love you and Miss you!

On Sunday while we were at my cousin Laurie's Creed decided it was time to try to crawl. He turned 6 months old on Tuesday so, I guess it is about that time.

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We left Thursday around 4:30 for our road trip to Arizona. My dad rented 2 full size cars for our trip. My brother Jacob and his wife Angie drove the one vehicle with Kylee, their daughter, and Emma. Dad, mom, Micah, Creed and I were in the other. We settled in for the long drive and were prepared with our talk-abouts that came in very handy. Praise God we didn't have any kind of car crisis, but spent alot of our time at every stop gathering goodies and using the facilities. Finally we rolled into Casa Grande around 5 in the morning and ate a tasty breakfast at the local IHOP.

We stayed with my Tia Liz in her beautiful home. Creed got his own room, E, M and I had another room. We were quite comfy. My poor mom and dad slept on an air mattress in the living room :( Thanks for your sacrifice M and D. Jacob and his family stayed at Corey and Evie's place which was just around the corner.

Our first day in AZ was only 109 degrees. Needless to say we hung out inside till around 8 when we had a nice little BBQ outside. The kids got up the next morning and were excited to play, once it was 9 in the a.m they were back inside for it was already 98 degrees.


We visited my grandma in Picacho she is looking good, but her spirits were down for she found out that day that grandpa was going to have to go into surgery to have his foot amputated. She was frightened for him and his health he is just about 90 years old.

Saturday was the big party that we were all waiting for. But before that night was to come there was alot of preparations, of which I was sadly not apart of for I had my own things going on too keep me busy. My Tia Ester, however, got an appointment for me to have a pedicure and it was her treat! I enjoyed myself very much :) Thank you mom for watching the kids for me. They were having a nice time over at my Tio Abel's house, splashing around in his "cool tub" it is a hot tub they fill with nice cool water in the Summer and enjoy warm water in the winter.

Finally, party time! This was the time to see all the family I hadn't seen yet, my there are alot of us! It was made apparent to us rather quickly that our youngest son doesn't care much for large crowds. He was screaming the moment we got there and was fine once we left, I forgot to grab the formula for his supper meal, he fell asleep in the car on the way to the house to get that. As soon as we entered the large room full of people there he began once again. I was exhausted. He did chill out once we got him fed. Not too long after he fell asleep in the car seat. Micah and Emma had a blast. M was sad that his grandma said he couldn't run around like the other kids, but he obeyed and once he learned he could have fun with out running around he was having the time of his life. Not only is Emma fond of the song Dancing Queen, she is quiet the little Dancing Queen herself. She was on the dance floor the whole time. Finally the both of them surrendered to the night and fell asleep in some chairs and slept soundly till the music ended!



Even after M was out for the night, E was still dancing away!

Finally, she couldn't take it any more. Aren't they sweet!


Sunday brought us the warmest weather yet...112 degrees! But, the kids didn't feel too hot, we headed over to the birthday girl's house were she has a nice big pool and the kids spent the whole time in there just loving it!

Touchdown

We are reporting from Utah! I am so glad that that is over!!! It wasn't as bad as I was prepared for, but I was so stressed out I don't think it would have mattered if it all was a smooth ride. Our flight from Fargo to Denver was terrible. There was thunderstorms all around us in Fargo, I am surprised we got off the ground. Creed slept on lift off and then again when we landed. He fussed a bit but then was chilled. Our landing in Denver was scary; the kids had a blast ( i am so glad that i gave them Bonine before we took off). We were all sick when we got off the plane. The second leg of the trip went a lot better. Dad picked us up and the kids fell asleep in the car ride home.
We are planning on leaving today for our trip to Arizona. I am excited about that. The weather will be a change for us, even here in Utah the temp was 34 degrees this morning.

Our Past, Present and Future...

I am sad to report that you just get words this post, apparently, I am going to need to get a new USB cord for my camera. My computer isn't "recognizing" this device. GRRR!

Micah lost his 4th and 5th tooth-yes tooth- they are literally stuck together, even out they are together, strange. He was eating an apple and all of a sudden blood was everywhere. Again, I turned to go into the kitchen when he shouted "Mom, come look!" Four for four, I have yet to see the tooth come out :( Micah was very careful this time and pulled the drain so he could safety wash his tooth for it to be nice and clean for the tooth fairy. She did come that night and brought M $2.00 for his very unique tooth.

So, our weekend was AWESOME! We went on a spontaneous weekend getaway. It rained on Friday night, we ceased the moment and drove a couple of hours East to a town called Bemidji, MN, home to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox. We took tons of pictures with the famous couple and soon I will have them posted. From that park we took a tour at the local Train Station/Museum. It was very fascinating to learn my new "homes" heritage. Rob and the kids found a Computer animated Flying Airplane "game", and I had plenty of time to read all the history in the Station. A bit later we found ourselves at the Putt-N-Go where we drove go-carts, rode the bumper boats and played miniature golf. Micah got a hole in one on the 8th hole (I have a picture of that too!) We have some naturals.

Of course, we had to end a perfect day with the perfect treat for our taste buds and stopped at the Stone Cold Creamery, YUM!

Once we got home it was time to plan and prepare for our next adventure...Utah! We are flying out of Fargo tomorrow at 2. Lord willing the storms that are being predicted will not effect our flights. We have a short lay over in Denver and then off to SLC. Dad will be picking us up, we can hardly wait to be on that leg of the journey.

We will have one "sleep" in Utah and then we are off for a 12 hour drive to Arizona. We are traveling at night so that the kids can sleep, hopefully that will be the case.

I will be posting, hopefully, our daily events...mostly for Rob, and you all will benefit.

With all that, I need to finish what I have been putting off...

5 months

This is such an incredible site...it is all down hill from here. However, it isn't as good as momma!

This is Creed's over stimulation play gym. This picture was taken when we first go it, he has really grown into it and "mastered" it. Today we were noticing that he actually looks like he is running when he gets excited. This thing rotates and in each rotation there is another something to keep his attention and he can rotate it to get to where he wants to be. We have already adjusted it to the second level, he is getting so tall.
He has the sitting thing down; as long as he doesn't go right for his toes. He doesn't seem too interested in getting onto all fours. Emma was crawling by this time; I am not eager to see Creed beat her record. He is rolling from belly to tummy and tummy to belly now. I will need to remember not to leave him on beds or his changing table alone anymore. Lately it has been sounding like he is saying "hi". I remember Micah saying "hi" around 6 months old. It is a word that I seem to say alot, I guess. He is a babbler and loves to hear himself talk. He even talks with his mouth full :)

So far he has had for food:

Oatmeal

Apples

Avocado

Pears

Carrots

Green beans

Bananas

Acorn and Butternut Squash

Sweet Potatoes

He loves to eat!

To Be or Not to Be?

That is the question! Should I be a bit "gushy" with this post? Yes, I shall!

I have such a precious, valuable, priceless, jewel when it comes to my friendship with Stacie. We have been BFF for 18 years....18! I have been closer with her for more than 1/2 my life, no one can even come close to that. We have gone through some major drama together (most of it hers :)) but we have pulled through it together. She seriously is more than a sister to me and I adore her. She takes me with all my dullness, she is the color of my life. I know she appreciates my stability and I thoroughly appreciate her flare of life. I love that she is a kindred spirit with my Emma. She helps me understand her highs and lows. The connection between them was beautiful to behold.

Her visit to life up here in the arctic meant so much to Rob and I. She finally can see why it has taken me a while to get used to the slow pace of farm life. But she now has an appreciation of the quiet, mundane life I cherish. I was thrilled beyond words to know that she was completely relaxed here. I am always a bit insecure when "city folk" come for a visit. It is really slow up here. Often we are the only car on the long straight road to anywhere. She said she slept the best on our guest bed, the best she has ever slept before...the whole night thru; I believe it is because there isn't a sound outside, no racing cars, cop sirens, trains, obnoxious thumping music from getto cars; just soft wind blowing, an owl or a barking dog (sometimes). One of the funniest moments for me was jumping on her bed Thursday morning wanting her to wake up and she didn't even stir.

She has such an unbelievable talent for cooking. I am strictly by the recipe and she can throw something together from stuff that has been in my cupboard for too long, and make it taste like Rachel Ray was in my kitchen. Thank you for my vacation inside your vacation. I didn't lift a finger the whole time she was here. Rob paid her the BEST complement the night we had BBQ ribs, baked potato and steamed vegetables; "I am going to over eat tonight, because this is so good!" Rob has the most control over his appetite, so that was impressive.

I learned so much more of my bff on this trip, and I love her 100 times more than when she first got off that plane. I honestly don't know what my life would be like with out you in it Stace, I never want to know! You have brought me so much spunk and flare and you teach me how I want to be in that way. Without you I would just be this rigid, straight line person that bores people with my view of how things should be. Thanks for letting me get completely hammered and then teaching me CPR and the Hymlek to save my kids. I will never forget that!

You are beautiful!

I have No Idea...

What happened, but right after I closed out I thought I would try again and here she downloaded all my pics for you to see! I don't know what I did differently, but I am glad it worked.

Isn't he just the cutest ever!

Creed's newest trick, he is sure proud!
Emma's dance is to "Kiss the Girl" from the Little Mermaid

This is at the rehearsal where they also took pictures
In these two pics she is going thru the dance one last time before the big night

Micah and best pal Quin doing the wheel barrel race

This is the night of the recital. Her makeup is smeared because she couldn't find us.

(We were to go the her, but were swamped by the people.)

Reise made Emma's night by showing up for support.

USB Problems

I am so bummed; I have some great pictures and I am unable to download them because my USB cord has "malfunctioned"! GRRR! I hate when things like this happen...I so don't have the time for it. So here is a brief overview of our weekend events. (In no particular order; I don't have the time for that :()

• Micah took 1st place in the 50 yard dash
• He had a touch of heatstroke when he came home
• He got a really nice tan :)
• He had a great time
• Rob was able to go watch him all morning

• Emma's dance recital was awesome
• She was phenomenal
• She had the best time and it showed all over her face
• Friends and family made the night so special for her
• She got her first medal and a pink rose

• Rob finished planting on Saturday

Track Meet/Dance Recital

My Kids...I am so proud of them. I just wish I could be two places at once :( Micah will be in his first track meet tomorrow all day. It will be held in Perham which is about 2 hours away. He will get to ride the bus-he is so excited! Rob has been working overtime so that he would be able to attend the meet and support M. I will be wrapping up our garage sale. I thought about doing both, it would be fine for me, not so fine for Creed and Emma. E needs to be perky and rested for her Spring Recital "You Can't Stop the Beat" tomorrow night. Needless to say, we have a very busy day ahead of us. We aren't so used to this. Poor Creed, he just goes with the flow. How I wish he could sleep outside his crib :( I was hoping that the nap mat I made for him would have been the key, but I dare say he is a fighter.

I have some shots of E at her rehearsal, but I am too tired to load them tonight. I will have tons of picture for you tomorrow. I don't think I will have any of M at the meet :( But, I will get the whole day in detail from M and do my best to reiterate.

So, this is it~Life with Kids~run, run, run! I am loving it!!!

May 9th

It had been windy all thru the night and it felt like it could rain, but I never expected SNOW...again! It is May 9th isn't it? Snow is not suppose to fall on May 9th! When the girls got up that morning they asked if they could go outside. I frowned and walked them over to the Library window and Brenna said it best " What!!! Snow!!! How can it be snow!" and then once again, poor Emma, "I hate snow!" as she sobs. It snowed till around Noon and then it melted, but still, it should be illegal for it to snow in May!

Dad,

There have been very few that can compare to you.

Rob is lucky that he is such a handy man, otherwise, I don't know how this marriage would have worked. You have spoiled me from the beginning :) With your abilities to fix EVERYTHING, make what you have work, or make something that will work. You have always been so strong and capable, there just isn't anything you can't do.

You took me in and loved me so much that I have never felt abandoned or unwanted (when that could have been the story of my life). You protected me and always made me feel secure. Because of your love for me I knew I was treasured and valued. I never felt like I had to go find love anywhere else. Even now I know without a shadow of doubt that you would be there for me, you would stop your life to rescue mine. Thank you for being my hero. I love you!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Fish Tales

Our weekend guest were Amanda, Brenna and Isaac from Golden Valley down in the Cities. They are such fun and the kids made some wonderful memories. Friday night they were able to take in Micah's first full length play 'Fish Tales' with us.

'Fish Tales' was a musical and M and classes K-3 sang all the songs. Grades 4-7 had special parts whether it be solos, dances or dialogue.
Finally we were able to get all the songs that have been sung, whistles or written bye Micah over the last 3 weeks.

Fruit Pizza

I am the worst mom for letting my kids help out in the kitchen (clean freak); but E is really showing signs that she is ready and can be trusted so she made this fruit pizza for our weekend guests. She did a great job and took it very seriously. We worked on patterns, she recognized the patters and was able to copy and make her own. We had a great time doing this.

It was VERY tasty too!

Wrapping up the Wheat

What a beautiful week we had. Rob was able to finish up the wheat and the beets this week. Creed, Emma and I walked to see dad finish up the wheat. I brought the double stroller just in case E got tierd of riding her bike.

I was glad that I did, she had a front flat tire :(
Rob finishing up the wheat.

Spring Time Planting

After our 6 inches of snow 2 weekends ago, we have finally dried up enough for Rob and Ethan to put planting in to full force. We have one big field and two small fields of wheat left and by the end of today we will have about 50% of the beets in. (Don't you like how I say "we"?!) Of course, there is still soybeans and sunflowers left to put in. They are just trying to catch up because of that really wet snow we got. The weather has been lovely the last few days. Really windy, but that is what we needed to dry up so quickly. It is fun to see all the tractors and implements out and busy. The bugs are out too, Rob said last week that he saw his first mosquito :(

I am getting so excited to share my "farm" life with my BFF Stacie. She will be flying in on May 21st and staying til the 24th. This will be her first time out here. I can hardly wait! I am hoping that bye then Creed will have worked out his night time kink, he has been waking up and not being able to fall back to sleep. Last night he woke up at 2:30 talked and played til 4, fussed til 5 slept off and on til 6:15 when I went in to feed him breakfast. I don't know how he has confused night time with day? Grrr, it is frustrating (for him and for me.) I am so glad that M and E don't wake up with his fussing at 4 in the a.m.

We have purchased out tickets for Utah. The kids and I will fly out of Fargo on June 11th and will be gone til the 25th. We will be driving out to Arizona with my parents, Jacob, Angie and Kylee to celebrate my cousin Laurie's 30th Birthday. It will be a great time. The kids are so excited.

Well, I have to go get stuff done, while Creed is sleeping. Thanks for reading. God Bless.

All Dressed Up

Isn't he so handsome, toothless grin and all?!

It is tradition at our Church that all the kids that go to prom have to come to Church dressed as they were the night before. This is Katie, our neice. She said she felt like Belle. Emma thought she looked like Belle.
Emma wants to be Belle.
Katie and her mom Dawn created her dress. It was lovely, totally Katie.

Strength in the "Legs"

He is so strong. Of course, I am holding him, but he has such strong legs.

Showing off his "knotty legs"
Just chillin'

Emma's Knotty Legs

Friends of mine are posting their "knotty legs" so here are E's "knotty legs!"

4 Month Well Child Check up

Here we are waiting for the Doc.

Creed is almost 5 months now. He weighed in at 14.05 lbs, he is 25 1/2 in. long and in the words of the Doc "He is perfect!"

He had 5 shots :( He didn't handle it well when we got home.

LeT The Words Speak For Themselves...

These are Micah's sermon notes from the last 2 Sundays

Quite the statements of Faith, don't you think?!