Michael's Pet Show Project

Michael had a pet show project for 2nd grade. He did his project on Porter, our Rottweiler, who passed away this past May. He did such a good job!

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!

World Celebration Day

I was lucky to have our wonderful family friend, Mary Rstom, come with me to Michael's World Celebration Day at his school. This was during the time Justin was at Children's Hospital for RSV/pneumonia and Auntie Karen was keeping an eye on him.

Michael, Mercedez and Belle all worked together on their Hanukkah poster and were proud to show us their menoras, dreidels and chocolate golden coins.

All the kids then entertained us with songs.....the favorite being "Toodee-Tot, Too-dee Tot, a Toodee-Ta Ta!"

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

Birthday Cake ... A Day Late

Since we got home so late from the MOA on his birthday and I didn't want two little boys hyped up on sugar at 9:30pm...we waited until today for the cake. Yummy yellow cake with chocolate frosting ... and sprinkles to boot! Michael was sure to stay far enough away while blowing out his candles...he didn't want a repeat of last year's performance when he got too close and burned his little lip.

After he blew out his candles, I asked him what he wished for and he said "I wished that everyday was my birthday." Aaaaahhh!

Think Happy ... My Sweet Birthday Boy

Michael James, may you always keep a positive attitude in life. We love you and are blessed to be your parents! XOXO

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.

New Shoes for the Birthday Boy

After picking up the boys from Geri's, we headed to the Mall of America. The birthday celebration started with a present from Nana & Papa Jim - NEW SHOES! All we had to do was pick them up at the store. Michael was so excited and immediately put them on - of course he had to show us how fast he could run with his new shoes! Thanks Nana & Papa Jim!

Michael is 5 Today!

Michael is 5 years old today - WOW! I really do wonder sometimes if life will ever slow down...just a little. My baby is having a milestone birthday and he's loving every minute of it.

He awoke this morning to his bedroom decorated with balloons and that put a HUGE smile on his face. He ran upstairs "Mommy, Mommy...my room has balloons all over!!" Now that put a HUGE smile on Mommy's face. :)

Sweet MJ's Smile

“Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Michael Enjoying the Fun of T-Ball

Michael had a wonderful 1st night of T-ball. He received his coveted #6 t-shirt and hat. He made fast friends first with a pretty little blond (see #1 in last picture!) and he got to run the bases, throw to 1st base and hit off the tee. He likes Coach Eric and said the night was "wonderful"...aaaaahhhh!