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!

O' Christmas Tree

Mom did a wonderful job of picking out the tree, putting the tree in her truck (all by herself!), hauling it in the house and decorating it. I helped mom with a few other decorations once we arrived (over the archways, banisters,etc...) and it really made the house festive and fun.

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.

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!

It's a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Sorry the video is crooked and too dark to see anything but it's the sweet sound of Michael's cute little voice that makes me smile. :)

Halloween 2008 - Our Street

After the block party, we hit the houses on our street and the boys loved saying "Trick or Treat" and of course "Thank You!" :)

Halloween 2008 - Party on Marie Avenue

Justin was an adorable Bat and for the first time Mommy didn't get to choose Michael's costume. Michael was the blue Power Ranger..."with the Jaguar animal spirit". :)

We went to the South St. Paul Halloween Party that is located a mere 1/2 block from our house! It's wonderful - local businesses including the fire department have a block party and give out candy for the kids. The boys loved looking at all the other kids' costumes. We went to th party with our former neighbors, Chris and Stephanie, and their two boys Collin and Chase. Michael and Collin (aka Iron Man) were "saving the day" the entire night.

Halloween Pics @ Geri's

Oh how the attitudes can change in the blink of an eye! The bottom two pictures were taken at our daycare provider Geri's house and then once we got into the car...meltdown city! Oh-well...it was over in a flash. :)

April Fool's Snow

Seriously, is this an April Fool's joke?! These pictures were actually taken yesterday...the last day of March...while the Twin Cities received about 6+ inches of snowfall!! WHAT?! When will it end?! Hopefully soon...the temps are supposed to warm up and rain will come...hopefully the snow will be gone by the weekend. At least we can hope for a VERY green spring!

Christmas Day @ The Lake

Cousin Amy Dovenmuehle & Justin Matthew

It was late and Michael was tired...he didn't really want to take a family picture. Stinker.

We finally talked him over and tried to take a picture....

Christmas 2007 Family Photo :)

We spent Christmas Day out at Aunt Karen and Uncle Jerry's beautiful lake home. It's on Lake Boedingheimer by Perham, MN. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and lots of laughs while we played Dominoes. Michael had a blast playing and wrestling with his older cousins...they are toughening him up! :)

Snapshots from Christmas Day

Here are some fun pictures from Christmas Day...

• Michael opening one of his many gifts
• Justin telling us "Hey, look at Michael's Hot Wheels car...it's so cool!"
• Justin looking out the window wondering..."What exactly is all that white stuff??"
• Two words...BELLY LAUGH :)
• Hangin' with Papa Jim

Santa ... He came all the way to Wadena!

Santa Claus made it all the way to Wadena! I was up early with Justin...about 2 hours before everyone else! Finally...at 8:30am I went and woke up Michael. I was so anxious for him to see what Santa had brought. He loved his keyboard and basketball hoops game.

Grammie Rita and Papa Mike also sent gifts all the way from Oregon...Michael and Justin sure are lucky and loved.

It's All About the Ribbon

All Justin was really interested in were the bows...with their shiny colors and curly-bops! :)