Sorry that I haven't updated anything for like EVER! I took on the volunteer job of Crow River Service Unit cookie manager so I have had pretty much no time for much else. I am really excited to have the big meeting over with tomorrow night because I have noticed that the more speaking I do in a public setting the worse I get at it. My heart starts beating like a million miles per minute, I forget things and I loose my voice so tomorrow night should be interesting considering the fact that I have to speak for an entire hour. I guess I never thought of all this before I took on the position. Oh well.. N-E-Ways enough about me..

Hannah had her 1st ever competition on Friday for swimming and she ROCKED! She competed 1st in the 25 yard freestyle race and got 4th only because she didn't know that she had to touch the wall. She would have been 1st or 2nd if it weren't for that. Then her 2nd race was the 50 yard backstroke and she placed 4th of 7 against 9-12 year olds. 3rd race was the 25 yard backstroke and she placed 2nd of 5. Then she was in a 100 yard freestyle relay and her team placed 4th of 5. I am one of those dumb emotional moms who tears up over everything. When she jumped in I tear up, when she touches the wall I cry, and especially when there is one kid that can barely finish the race so everyone cheers super loud until they make it I really cry! UGH! I really hope I can get over this and no I am not pregnant- its just how I am lately. Just overjoyed I guess. But, Joe and I are extremely proud of her she did great and had such confidence in herself and really gave it her all.


Little Braeden turned 2 on Friday. I just can't believe he's that old already. He's just a bundle of energy and a little sassy but it's cute because he's not mine. Sam had his birthday party on Saturday and we all had a great time. Sam did a good job preparing food for everyone. Her 1st family gathering didn't go that well and she didn't have enough food to feed everyone so this time she really pulled though. Sorry Sam but 1 cup of gravy for 15+ people does not cut it. ;)
Then when that was over my mom came back to our house and watched the kids while Joe and I went Bowling with Tony, Jamie and her dad. Joe didn't bring his A-game but I did manage to get my 1st ever Turkey (3 strikes in a row). YEA ME!

Well that's all this Zoo has to report. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

It's been an exhausting week and a half. Owen has yet another ear infection and had a fever for 3 days over the weekend. He insists on being held and won't let Joe or I get more then a foot away from him. Well with Owen requiring so much attention, Avril goes into one of her moods and is extremely needy too. I have decided to go get a book I heard about for Avril. It's called 'Parenting the Strong Willed Child'. My hairdresser suggested it and I am to the point that I will try anything. Just yesterday she decided to go into one of her fits for like 15 minutes while I was making lunch so I set her out on the deck for a second and when I let her back in she was back to normal. Well enough about our little problems.
Isaac started wrestling last week and I am a little frightened because Isaac isn't an aggressive child. So we have to see how it goes. Hannah also has her 1st swim meet this Friday!!!

Halloween was super great this year with weather you just couldn't beat in Minnesota. As the kids get older you can see how competitive they get.

Hannah hit every house in our neighborhood in less then 2 hours. Isaac gave up at about 7 and went home with his friends. Avril and her cousin Hazel made it 2 cul-de-sacs. Not too bad for little ones.

We have almost a full paper grocery bag full of candy that will probably last until next Halloween. (Ugh!)

Mom has to brag!

I am not usually one to brag about anything - well maybe I have never had anything important to brag about.

Well this last week I got 2 exciting bits of info.....

Hannah's principle Mrs. Brown called me on Thursday night; not to say anything was wrong but to deliver good news. She said Hannah's teacher passed a note onto her saying Hannah is responsible, caring, treats others well, is always ready when asked and a whole lot more. I always knew Hannah was the best but when you get to hear it from someone else (the principle of a whole school) it feels super great!

Then on Saturday I went out and grabbed the mail and there was a post card saying Isaac got "Caught Being Good." St. Michael schools follows the Six Pillars of Character program which include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, & citizenship. So Isaac's postcard stated that he showed responsibility for always turning his homework into the blue bin right when he gets to school.

Every parents should have moments like these. :)

MEA

Last Thursday morning we hit the road and drove up to my parents in Brainard. Other then our stop at McDonald's half way up it was an uneventful drive. Buddy (our doof of a dog) provided entertainment for the whole restaurant by sitting in the drivers seat waiting for us to come back out. He looked really funny sitting there-it looked like he was really driving. The kids had a nice time following grandpa around the yard all day and that night we went for a walk across the street to see the horses. At 1st I was kind of disappointed because they were 1/2 way across the field but grandpa saved the day by making horse noises at them and all 5 of them came trotting over to us. Dumb Buddy was so excited to see them that he went to run to them and ran right into the barbed wire fence so I had to go get his leash.

Friday we headed for home again and stopped in Garrison to visit great grandma and grandpa. I had a great time chit chatting while the kids ran up and down their new handy cap ramp. Funny what kids will find to play with.

Saturday was our nieces 3rd birthday and we celebrated at Joe's parents house. The kids had a blast playing with Hazel. Avril and her really got along well. (which doesn't happen to often) Joe, Barb, & Beth went to a haunted house in Anoka that night. Joe & Beth said it wasn't that scary but, Barb was so scared that it made it fun for them. Beth got a good beating from Barb though. Barb would get scared and start running with Beth out in front of her. Well that was all fine and dandy until the hallway suddenly turned and Beth was smashed into a wall. (No I didn't go-I am far too scared for that stuff)

Finally, Sunday was truly a day of rest. We did absolutely nothing all day!!

Tag- I think I have played this game before

Sorry Aimee that I am so slow at this stuff so here you go. I hope it's everything you were hoping for. :)

The "rules" of the game are as follows:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tagOkay,

1.) I drive a mini van. Yes I know a mini van!!!
2.) I might not be 25 anymore. SHOCKING but, I will always lie.
3.) I am a registered Girl Scout. Just so everyone knows you are never too old!
4.) I wish it was easier to maintain friendships. Life seems too busy sometimes.
5.) I don't like the state of Arkansas much but, I wish I could help it out somehow.
6.) I am more in love with my husband today then I was 8 years ago.

And I tag these 6 people. Are there even 6 people that read our blog. Huh I guess I will find out.
1.) My fabulous aunt Dorothy
2.) My super aunt Deanna whom I wish I talked to more
3.) My lovely sister Sam
4.) My oldest friend Nicole B.
5.) My friend that lives in ummm whats that state again....Oh yeah Iowa - Alie
6.) Last but not least... Barb yep you- now you have to tell me some good stuff.

Have a super great day everyone. Happy Monday!!!!!

Avril

WE (as in Avril & I) did it! She finally lost her little battle against the potty and is trained. It almost sounds like she is a dog. I have never in my life struggled so much with a child to be potty trained. It took almost a month and this last week she has been perfect. She even wears undies to bed at night.

Here's a fun little story about Avril being potty trained.........About a month ago while we were working on potty training we went up to my parents house for the weekend and Avril had been really good with no accidents for a whole day. However, as so as mommy and grandma went into town to get lunch Avril pooped in her pants. Instead of getting daddy she thought she would clean it up herself in grandma and grandpas bathroom. Well that didn't go so well and she got poop all over their bathroom. Joe was not very happy but cleaned it up. Grandma and mom came home and heard about the little oops and grandma went to wash Avrils cloths and her rugs and noticed that Avrils undies were missing. Grandma thought Joe just threw them out. However, about 2 hours later grandma opened a drawer in the bathroom and Ta-Da there were Avril's yucky undies. She knew she did something wrong and thought she would hide the evidence. What a laugh!

Avril also traded her nuks in for a new Dora toy today. Wish me luck with this one!!