New LOUD PJ's

How about these pj's??!! Super bright, super loud, "hard of hearing" pj's! Of course, the boys LOVE them!

Happy 60th Birthday Papa Mike!

We couldn't be with Papa Mike to celebrate his 60th birthday but this song is sent with lots of love across the miles! xoxo

Puzzles, Bakugans & Lego "Obstacles"

Saturday mornings are filled with puzzles, Bakugan playing and Lego obstacle building!

Justin loves to get all his puzzles out, dump the pieces on the floor and put them back together. He's actually getting really good with the more advanced regular puzzles.

Michael still loves to play with his Bakugans (thank goodness since he has TONS of them!) and is now into building what he calls his "Lego obstacles". Maybe we have a future engineer in our family?!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

This video says it all. My sweet sweet boys sang Happy Birthday to me...I love those little buggers.

Michael & Justin Trees

The year that Michael was born (2004), Mom and Dad found a small pine tree pop up out of nowhere right next to the front steps of the Wadena house. This past summer they replanted it out in the backyard. Michael is now taller than his special tree!

As fate would have it, the exact same thing happened the year Justin was born (2007). His tree will not be replanted in the back yard until he's in Kindergarten (like Michael). These pictures show his tree just peaking through the snow.

The boys love seeing their special Wadena trees when we visit up North. What wonderful memories they are creating!

Papa Jim, You Awake? Papa Jim?

After a long flight from Jacksonville to Minneapolis and a three hour drive up to Wadena, Papa Jim was EXHAUSTED. As the boys put on their pj's, Papa Jim laid on the couch and fell fast asleep.

Annual Holiday Gingerbread House

Every year we purchase the gingerbread house kit and the boys and I enjoying frosting and placing each candy piece on the house. This year Justin actively participated and concentrated very hard on putting his candy in just the right spot! The best part? They always enjoy their finished creation and that's what it's all about!

Halloween Night 2009

One more picture of Justin with the leaves, then it's TRICK OR TREAT! We went trick or treating around the "Auntie's Block". We saw Auntie Diane as a crazy Vikings fan - such fun! Justin did very good for his first real experience with Halloween. He caught on quickly, venturing up to doors and yelling out "Trick or Treat" and "Nank You" (his thank you version). A fun night had by our two little pumpkins!

Halloween Day 2009

We spent Halloween Day at Aunt Karen & Uncle Jerry's house. It was a wonderful fall day with homemade mac n cheese & choc chip cookies, playing in the leaves and getting ready for the big night of trick or treating.

Applewood Orchard

Children's Museum Fun

Michael's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Michael's birthday as a family at the Mall of America. First we enjoyed a fun (and delicious!) dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. We sat right in front of a beautiful aquarium and the boys enjoyed watching the "Finding Nemo" fish. They also were entertained by the "lightening & thunder" in the jungle as well as the gorillas who would beat their chests during the storm.

We then went to the Nickelodeon themed park in the mall. I took a picture of Justin's first park ride (without a parent!). He was all excited to get on but once it started bouncing him up and down he was less than thrilled.

Michael enjoyed all the big kid rides that he was tall enough to go on...even something called Splat-O-Sphere that Mommy braved with him. Ok, I'll admit it...I screamed louder than any little girl in that park! Michael even held my hand the whole time...geez. :)

Michael sure was a lucky boy this year too. He received so many wonderful gifts...Bakugans, his first Webkins (Paul the Pug) from Geri, Racecar Lego sets from the Bunkers, and of course Power Ranger figurines. Life IS good.

Memorial Day Weekend @ Lake Boedingheimer

The boys and I headed out to my aunt and uncle's lake home situated on Lake Boedingheimer in Perham, MN. Kevin was busy installing ceramic tile in the basement at the Wadena house so we escaped and enjoyed a beautiful day. We helped pick up the yard, we played on the pontoon, we had a picnic...we just loved it. Thanks to Karen and Jerry for letting us come over and have our first true taste of summer!

Benefits of a Big Brother

There are definite benefits to having a big brother...

I caught these two behind the big chair sharing a bag of fruit snacks that Michael had snagged from the kitchen cupboard. Sneaky little boys. It was right before bedtime as they were in the process of getting pj's on (hence the lack of clothes!)...I couldn't help but laugh and grab my camera. :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

The boys were excited to give their Daddy big hugs and kisses for his birthday! They sang Happy Birthday and gave him their homemade cards. Kevin was happy...he loves his boys.

A Special Bday Song for Grammie Rita

The Minnesota Zoo

For his birthday, Nana and Papa Jim gave Michael tickets to the Minnesota Zoo! We all had a wonderful time checking out the Grizzly Coast exhibit, all the animals and Michael's favorite - The Farm - where he got to milk a real goat! Our "City Boy" got his hands dirty! Ha! :)

Our New Radio Flyer

Mom and Dad bought the boys a new wagon to keep up at the Wadena house. It comes in real handy for walks down to Tapley's Park. It was still a bit chilly on this mid-May morning but the boys were thrilled to try out their "new ride".

The Boys