Fall Fun

Painting pumpkins and helping dad mow one more time!!  (before the snow flies too soon!!  Ugh!)

Concentration!!

Kara's masterpiece!

B is Three!

Briena turned 3 in October!  The girls had so much fun celebrating with her!! 

WOW!  That is a LOT of girls!!  The kids at the party!

Kara, she has my sweet tooth!

B got pickles from the Mages family!

Nelson Farm

In early October I got to help chaperone Allison's preschool class trip to Nelson Farm in Litchfield.  I'll be honest, I was a little nervous about being with a bunch of 3-5 year olds and being responsible for more than just mine!!  But it went well, despite not so wonderful weather.  The kids were good and everyone had fun!!

My group of girls!

Bus ride, one of the kids favorite parts!!

Lunch in the barn!  Another favorite!

Preschool class, morning and afternoon group.

 

Unfortunately because of the weather and such, I especially didn't want to carry my camera around, so I didn't get any pictures really of the kids doing things ON the farm, but they got to tour a silo (ECHO!!), a barn, see a calf (Charlie Brown), pick chicken eggs and weigh them, check their size, and put them in cartons, lunch in the barn, swing on a tire swing, pet a goat, go on a hay ride and pick pumpkins.  They also were lucky and got to hold baby chicks when a new shipment arrived while we were there!

My Baby is 5!!

So...it's been a month...BUT my baby girl turned 5!!!  How did that happen?  She is so sweet, kind, loving, and smart!!  She told my mom just the other day, "Grandma, I am not 4 anymore, I am 5!  And next year I get to go to school!!"  I am very glad she is so excited!  Here's a few pics:

Needless to say, she had a wonderful birthday WEEK!  First they sang to her at Sunday School, then treats and singing at preschool, lunch and more singing at Applebee's, her party, and treats and more singing at Tammy's (daycare).  And we were blessed witha  NICE day for her party!!  Happy 5th birthday sweetie!

1st day of Preschool Pictures

So, I am not sure what was wrong before, but now I got pics to work!  Go figure!!

A1l ready!

Sisterly love!

First things first, wash hands!  Kara ALWAYS has to do it too!

Mrs. Huisinga, Allie wasn't thrilled about a pic

Mrs. Watlund, starting to warm up.

1st day of Preschool...kind of

Allison had her first day of preschool (almost 2 weeks ago) for the 2nd time.  She is going back to Children's Corner preschool at the AG church in Willmar.  She loved it there last year and we think it is a great preschool.  Mrs. Huisinga and Mrs. Watlund are wonderful.  AND they have a new room/building.  It is a children's paradise.  I should take pics sometime!!  Allie was super excited to go back and talked about it all the time!  But on the morning of she seemed shy at first.  Didn't talk to her teachers and clung to my side.  But when it was time to go she gave us a hug and said good-bye.  And this time when I picked her up afterwards there was no tear stained sad face (that was last year).  She was all smiles!  Hard to believe I was a shy child once.  So I know (even though I worry about it sometimes) she will grow out of it eventually.

So, I had seen the idea on Pinterest last year and did it last year, so I asked Allie what she wanted to be when she grew up again this year, as I hope to remember to do every year!  Anyway, this year she said she wanted to be a mom.  Which she followed up with "to six kids".  CRAZY girl!!  But she is so baby crazy she just might!  As long as she doesn't start until she is 30!!  Ha!

(SO I just tried adding pics to this post and it isn't working.  I think I have a computer issue.  So for the time being, no pics.  Sorry.  I did post some on FB of first day of school already, so maybe you already saw them.  But, grrr, this means I need to take my computer in probably!)

My cuties

Kids, like cats, love boxes!!  I walked around the kitchen to see Kara doing this:

And they actually were cooperative with me for a picture!!

I can't believe it is September already!!  Allison starts her 2nd year of preschool on Thursday.  She is super excited and ready to go back.  Also very excited to start dance again.  I wish summer lasted a while longer.  Even if it stays warm, it isn't the same.  But on the other hand I am a LITTLE ready for fall.  Miss Kara is going to be a lost little girl when Allie goes to school.  Even this year when it is only for 2 1/2 hours 2 days a week!  When Allison was at Bible school a few evenings this summer, I bet Kara asked where Allie was no less than 20 times!!  Even though they fight like crazy what seems like the majority of the time, they are close!!  My sweet girls...growing up too fast!

8 Years

This past week Jesse and I celebrated our anniversary.  8 years.  In 8 years we have had 2 kids and 2 homes.  I have worked at Rice the entire time, but changed departments once.  Jesse has changed jobs...a few times.  I feel like 8 years ago was almost an entire lifetime ago.  But on the other hand, 8 years is not very long.  I hope we are married 8x this long (or however long we live ;).  I can't wait to see what the next 8 years holds in store for us!!  We are truly and wonderfuly blessed. 

Still smiling!

For our anniversary we tried a new restaurant in Grove City.  A BBQ joint called Hog in the Road.  I thought it was very good...but the best part was being with the wonderful company we were with.  We went with some amazing people who have helped us get to where we are today.  So, thank you, you guys have no idea how much you all mean to us.  Anyway, here's a few pics...

Wedding day, Aug. 27, 2005

Flowers from my husband!!  He does still love me!  ;)
 

Family Time

Last Sunday we got together in Cosmos with Jesse's Lietzau/Meyer (mom's side) relatives.  It was so fun to see everyone and as always had wonderful food!  Jesse's aunt, MaryJo is visiting from MT so Sunday we had the picnic and then went to Bruce and Nancy's for fireworks, Wednesday Allie and I went to Valleyfair with his aunt, mom, sister and her kids, and last night I got to go to Chanhassen to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with her.  It has been a fun week (and Allie had bible school in there too!).  Now I am off to working nights this weekend.  Here's a few pics from the picnic, I have really no pics from the rest - MaryJo has pics that hopefully I can get copies of!!  :)  Photos taken while everyone was eating...sorry!

Kara says "CHEESE!", Sorry Greg!  ;-)

From left, Jesse's cousin Mitch (MJ's son from MT, but lives all over) Bruce, Jack, and Jesse's cousin Danny

Jesse's Grandpa Delano on the right, Delano's girlfriend, Delores 2nd from left

Allison playing wedding!

Jack...being Jack!

A Mages Wedding

Last Saturday we had a Mages wedding.  Hillary Mages got married in Minneota.  As always, it was a good time!  A little different this time as we had the little ones to chase after and get home.  Allison and Kara had soooo much fun dancing!  They might have been exhausted, but they didn't slow down until we got in the car!  Then I think they were both out before we got out of town.  And Minneota is a small town!  :)  So congratulations to Hilary and Corey! 

Grandma and the girls

Family pic!

The Bride and Groom...Hilary and Corey Buysse

Allie and Laura, cousin BFF's

Aunt Katie and Miss Kara

Kara and Daddy

Crazy uncle Josh dancing with the girls

My baby brother turns 30!

Yup, hard to believe my brother and I are both over 30 now!  Right mom and dad??  Ha!  KerryAnn threw Dan a surprise party at the cabin on Friday, August 2 (his actual birthday was Sunday, Aug. 4).  It was so fun and Dan was definitely surprised.  Success!!  :)

Surprise!!

Dan and KerryAnn

My baby brother and I

Hot Wheels cake!

Mom and Dan