8 years old

Kobe is 8, that sounds so old.  What does an 8 year old ask for his birthday dinner??  Well a T-bone of course!  We had a wonderful family party on Saturday with a fun army fort cake.  He is growing up so much, it's so neat to see the special, unique person God has created.  Happy birthday bud.

School Girl

Yep, she's my school girl, and all girl she is.  She recently started loving her dollies, feeding them, wrapping them in the blanket - soooo cute, I love it!  We separated for the first time at "school" on thursday and she didn't even cry one bit!  We'll see what happens this week . . .

Last Parade

Whew, and another season of our life is in the past.  We finished up our "parade season" last weekend after over 30 parades.  My children were amazing, and so tolerant, at least we got to be with daddy while he worked.  :)

Nadia and mommy

Looks like the princess will have some special time with mommy, I'm sure she'll love that.  We are also taking a class starting next thursday to learn that it's okay to separate from mommy.  :)

2 boys in school

Dropped off both boys at school yesterday.  wow it felt strange leaving the school with just nadia.  Just a few tears for mommy.  They both had great days - brennan got to "put all the apples (names) back on the tree", and Kobe said it was the best first day ever and that he has the best teacher ever. It's going to be a good year.

last summer fun 2012

This was our last trip to a park last week.  Nothing better than being buried in sand.

ER

My little 16 month old princess gave us a little scare last saturday.  We ended up in the Mayo ER, wondering what this lump was that suddenly appeared right over her left ovary.  After 5 hours, lots of doctors, an hour trying to get in an IV, several specialists looking at an ultrasound, they decided it was not a hernia, but a lymph node that had become infected.  I am just so thankful for the amazing staff at mayo that were so efficient, thorough, understanding, even entertained all 3 children during the process.  A couple days of antibiotic and the lump has disappeared.  God is good.

Boys party

Oh my goodness, did we have fun hosting a friends party for brennan.  So much energy in those little bodies!  We did swimming, sliding, squirting, soccer, running, piniata, pizza, presents and octopus cupcakes!  Thank you to all the parents for entrusting us with your children.

First ice cream cone

Yep, I think she loved it!  Thanks daddy for the picture!

Towels

Nadia's new favorite past time.  She loves clothes (must be a girl thing), and apparently my dish towels resemble them - she loves to try and put everything over her head, and mommy loves to refold the towels 18 times a day!

FIVE

Our baby boy is five.  He loves playing animals, reads level 1 books, shares everything with his brother, so sweet with babies, great soccer goalie, brave enough to jump off the diving board, that's our soon to be kindergartener Brennan!

Finally . . .

After being sick for well over a month, she was finally feeling well enough for us to give her that little nudge she needed.

All dressed up

The kids looked adorable and did a great job at their cousin's wedding this past weekend. The preparation for the wedding was so exhausting for Nadia, she decided to just sleep through the entire ceremony!  Thank you Erica and Erik for letting us be part of your special day.

Camping - boys only!

Troy took our boys along with the dads of our church group and their boys and headed for duluth, gooseberry falls.  Hiking, spearfishing leeches, leaping over rocks, seagull attacks were just a few memories brought back.  Despite the fact that they had no fruit or veggies all weekend, I'm so thankful my hubby is such a great dad to do these kind of male bonding trips with them.

First Swim

Nadia Loves the pool, just like her brothers!!

Kobe's inventions

He definitely has his grandpa's genes.  He sees something, he makes it.

poor baby

Poor Nadia, she's been sick lately.  She had a bacterial infection with which we are on our second antibiotic.  She also had some kind of virus in her mouth with white sores preventing her to eat much of anything.  I think she felt good for one day, and now her bottom molars are super swollen.  Please say a prayer for nadia, and patience for mommy.

Corn Girl

Nadia is ready to help freeze corn this fall.

Brennan's Last Day of Preschool

Out with a bash, brennan had park day on monday and then ice cream with his family on wed.  Moving on from preschool to Kindergarten.  Brennan has already learned to ride a 2 wheel bike and has learned to read, a whole year ahead of his brother!  Go Bren.

First Sand

We had a little picnic tonight with grandma and grandpa, and it's official - Nadia loves sand.  She fits right in to our little family, since the boys still love sand - can't you tell they built an ant trap?

Fun with Rice

Nadia had a blast playing in rice tonight.  The boys both did it, now it's nadia's turn.  :)

Mommy and me 2011

Brennan's Mommy and Me day was last week.  He sang adorable songs telling me how much he loved me, made me a snack (graham crackers w/frosting) and cleaned up, we also did a scrapbook page together.  So fun.  Thank you grandma for watching Nadia so mommy could have special time with brennan.

He drew a lovely picture of me and answered these questions:

My mom -

Looks pretty when:  she goes to a wedding

Favorite food :  salad 

Favorite thing to do:  play puzzles with me

I love her because:  she loves me

Twins Games

The boys have both been able to go to a twins game already this year.  At Brennans game a few weeks ago they were able to stay after and run the bases.  At Kobe's game just this week they went early and got twins umbrella's and Kobe was able to get a practice ball!  So blessed.

Academic Fair

Kobe had his first academic fair at school.  He did his project on symbols of our country.  Daddy has a few resources for that subject!  Kobe learned a lot and did an excellent job on his presentation, he even handed out constitutions!

Dressed up for Easter

Is it impossible to get a picture with 3 kids smiling??  Oh well, so I threw in an extra of Nadia alone smiling. 

Easter Basket time

Does a bunny come eat carrots in your shoes and then leave baskets filled with stuff?