Hangin' in Declo

We went to Declo for the latter part of Spring Break- we even talked Shaun into taking a couple days off of work so that we could stay longer.  The kids miss Grandma Jacki and Papa Orllo- and we just don't get to see them very often- so when we have a chance to go and spend some time- we totally jump on it.  

It was gorgeous weather the first couple of days that we were there- so when the kids were playing around outside I followed them around with my camera.  There are just so many things to climb up and over when you are out in the country.  First the kids found Papa's pasture gate...

And check out these clouds- they looked fake to me...

We went for rides on the 4-wheeler... We even got Kate on board with it.  Up until this point she has wigged whenever she gets anywhere near it.  I don't know the reason for the change... I guess it's just another glimpse at a little girl that is growing up.  

Cute dad...

We played on the swings...

Tyler went a little too high and scared himself...  hahaha...

They went down the slide...

I don't know why they couldn't go down one at a time... I guess squishing your siblings and not having your mom yell at you for it DOES sound pretty good...

 The kids must have gone up and down those stairs a thousand times that afternoon.

We made some new friends...

Played some ball...

And had a cookout at the end of the day.  The kids were in heaven.  And absolutely exhausted at the end of the day.  Those ARE the best kind of days aren't they??  We all slept like rocks and woke up to the smell of bacon.  Grandma Jacki rocks.

Saturday dawned kind of drizzly, so we went into town to see the new Mini Golf Course and Roller Rink.  And maybe my definition of Mini Golf is a little different than anyone else's... but I giggled when I saw the course.  It was inside an old school- so it was on carpet and the holes were above ground.  The kids had a really good time.  Initially I was going to keep score- I love trash talking my 7 year old, but after Ryan took 13 strokes to get into the first hole...  I used the scorecard to fan myself instead.

Ty raced through the course and I think he lapped the rest of us 3 times before we were finished.

Next, we strapped on some skates and hit the roller rink.  In a word:  HILARIOUS!  I can't remember a time I laughed so hard!!  Ryan looked like a cartoon character- his little feet were going back and forth so fast- you could hardly see them!

Ty spent the first 15 minutes here.... 

And surprisingly, Kate did really well!  She got tired really fast though and had a good time sitting on the bench laughing at her brothers.

Look how tiny!!!  

Ty finally figured it out.  Though he said he did NOT want skates for his birthday this year!  I told him it was just like anything- you just have to practice!

This was as far as you could get from Ryan before he fell.  Every time.  I kept thinking he was getting the hang of it and I would let go and get a few steps away from him and he'd go down in a blaze of glory.  But he wants to go again- so I guess it couldn't have been that bad!

We had such a good time!  Thanks grandma and papa!!!  I know we are hard as guests because of our celiac issues... but you are such good sports!!!  Thanks for all the work you put into our weekend!!  Love you!

2nd Breakfast

That's right.  2nd breakfast.  Not for me mind you- one is enough for me to be full.  But I have a growing boy at home- who literally LOVES to eat.  When Ryan sits down to eat something, he will close his eyes as he puts the fork or spoon into his mouth... you can just see him savoring it.  It's so cute.  And so him.

So when he asked for waffles at 10:00 the other morning (he'd had cereal at 7), I thought to myself- 'there are a zillion things that I could be doing...' but I decided I didn't care- so I made Ryan waffles.  And whipped cream.  And I cut up some strawberries.  Then when I called him in to eat- his eyes LIT up and he broke into the biggest grin!  He threw his arms open and ran up to my leg and just squeezed as tight as he could- all while yelling "You made me waffles!!  You really made me waffles!  You're the best EVER!"

Sometimes I giggle at how little effort it really takes to be considered The Best Mom Ever.  Of course- all it takes to be the Worst Mom Ever is asking them to clean their room... but whatever- I'm going to soak up my moment of awesomeness.



So I sat down next to Ryan as he ate his second breakfast and we talked about school and his friends and how excited he for summer (he's really excited to go swimming again).  I love my little 4 year old and sometimes I just can't believe how grown up he is getting.  Sometimes I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital... and yet- he is growing into an exceptional little boy.  I sure do love him.  And I'm glad that I forgo the piles of laundry and stacks of dishes to just sit down and talk to him once in a while.

As a mom of three, sometimes I get all caught up in saying "Yes" to everyone else- I forget to say "Yes" to my babies too.  So here's to saying YES and really, really meaning it.

Little Heidi

We snuck out for lunch the other day... and met grandma and grandpa downtown at our favorite little German deli.  It was so much fun!  Ty was home from school with an ear infection- but I figured since he wasn't contagious or anything, he could enjoy lunch too.  It was kind of fun to play hookie with him!

There is nothing like their red cabbage and sauerkraut!  Thanks for lunch grandma and grandpa!

Snow White becomes Sleeping Beauty

Remember I told you about the princess skirts I made for Kate?  She LOVES the stupid things and wears them all the time- good thing they wash so well.  She was wearing one the other day when she totally crashed on dad's chair- I didn't get her to her nap soon enough!

Taco Tuesday

I've had this thought recently... I've been thinking about Ty.  And things to come.  This kid is going to have to know how to cook.  He can't rely on fast food and quesadillas in college like I did.  And there is a good chance that once he does marry- his wife wont' have a clue what gluten free is.  He has to know about his food and how to put it together.  So we started Kidd's Kitchen, a Gluten Free Cooking School for Kids.  Okay- really it's just me and Ty- but the title made it sound so much more official!  I gave Ty the task of fixing dinner- I gave him plenty of warning and set out some ideas.  He was actually more excited about this than I thought he was going to be.  He found a dinner idea and a recipe all on his own- tacos!

So I helped him read the recipe and gather the ingredients.  Obviously I browned the beef, but he had to measure out the spices and he stirred it all together.  He also put together the rice and helped me cook some beans on the stove.  He was in heaven!  Which made me think... why didn't I do this sooner??



Ty was beaming when he helped set the table and everyone came to eat.  My sister and her husband came over to eat with us- and they were so sweet to "ooo" and "awwww" in all the right places.  Although... when you come right down to it- the tacos were really good!  I didn't fake any of my "yummy" noises!  I wonder what he'll make next week...

Pizza again!!!

I'm going to brag.  I made pizza the other night.  GFree pizza.  And it was awesome.

Big Mac, BLT, Quarter Pounder with some Cheese...

I have two planters just outside my front door.  Right now they are just full of dirt- but I have been looking at pictures online and in magazines for some ideas of things to plant in them once the weather finally turns nice.  I guess Kate noticed... because she took it upon herself to relieve me of my planting duties.  She planted a french fry the other day and told me that a french fry tree would grow soon.

Is it ridiculous of me to admit that I hope it works?

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter friends!!  This year was such a fun year...  There was literally no build up for a bunny, so when the kids got up they totally ran past their Easter buckets.  In fact they didn't find them until after they had sat down to eat breakfast.  The bunny used to hide our baskets when my siblings and I were kids, but I don't think the bunny was firing on all cylinders the night before.  He totally forgot to hide eggs for an Easter egg hunt too...  Oh well.  The kids were so excited- the bunny brought them new headphones, flipflops and bubbles!  There is a blanket ban on all Easter candy in our house this year so we missed out on Peeps, but all in all- no one missed them!   

After the kids dug through their loot, it was off to shower and get ready for church.  I love going to church on Easter sunday- everyone is in new dresses and ties- I just love it.  

I snapped a few pictures out in the yard just as we were headed to church- sorry for the washed out looking pictures- but if it's any consolation to you all- I'm taking a photography class this week to see if there is any help at all for my sad snapshots.  Still though... my subjects are freakin cute!!

I Took Three Monkeys Home From the Zoo

We went to the zoo again today.  Why you may ask?  Because I like it.  I really do.  And my kids don't seem to mind seeing the same scenery each time we make the trek up there- in fact, Ty hasn't been since last summer- usually i just drag the little ones.  So Ty was pretty excited to spend the day.  I like getting there as the gates open, but on a whim, I called my mom and my grandma to see if they wanted to go too... And I got a yes from both!  I was so excited- and my kids were stoked to go and show their great-grandma all the new things at the zoo.  When we got there- each of my kids got a map and acted the part of the tour guide- pointing out things that they thought would be interesting.

Kate still loves the monkeys- and actually her great grandma did too.  Ty and I got to see the River Otters- which are MY absolute favorite- I don't know what it is about them- but I think they are adorable.  And Ryan didn't want to leave the Rhinoceros enclosure.  I'm not sure what Grandma Janet's favorite part was... the baby elephant running around was pretty cute, and the agitated leopard was pretty interesting to watch...  I'll have to ask her.

And at the end of the morning- my kids were exhausted- which is another reason I LOVE the zoo.  We stopped for lunch and a Coke and then headed home.  Thanks for sharing our morning with us Grandmas!!  We had so much fun with you!

These next pictures made me laugh...  There was a display on the fence that showed how big each of the bears were- so I had my kids line up biggest to smallest too.  

Ryan and Kate totally gave their bears the stare-down.  And I don't  know what Ty was looking at... maybe a bird???

Save Me Now

This is another post mainly about Kate.  Sorry about the girly domination, but she cracks me up right now.  As I said in an earlier post- she is all about the tea parties.  And now we add a new dimension to the girliness... princesses.  I always promised myself that I would NOT let my daughter get so wrapped up in the princess mess that she forgets there are other things to life besides sparkles and tiaras.  I'm trying to stay true to my original course- but Kate has a way of making me think it might be okay.  Her aunt Hee Hee doesn't help.  Hee Hee loves her some girly-girl.

So we have entered into the reign of the princess.  My problem with this is the dress up dresses.  They are expensive and they just don't wear well.  I think they feel kind of itchy and quite frankly- they fall apart.  You are left with a mess of sparkly tulle and unwound thread stuck in the dryer vent.  So I set out to fix this.

Kate and I hauled ourselves over to the fabric store last week and picked out some fabric that could pass for  each of her favorite princesses.  And we went home to make a dumbed down version of each dress.

Now because I am not immensely talented in the sewing department, I opted to make skirts instead of dresses.  More power to those that can make their sewing machines do something different other than sew in a straight line.  And you lucky ducks- get a sneak peak at a couple of the ones we have finished.  Yes.  I said we.  Kate insists on "helping" with each one.  Her nose is literally inches from my sewing machine needle and she is standing ready to try it on as soon as it comes off the line.  It's pretty funny actually.

So far, we have completed a skirt for Snow White, Princess Sophia and Minnie Mouse.  We still have Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty to go.  Wish us luck and wish me some patience with this next stage.  For you moms of older girls... how long does this go on???

TEA Party Animal

Pun intended folks.  Nothing I love more than a good pun.  That said- it's totally true.  My daughter is reaching a very fun age.  She turns three this summer and is 100% girl.  One of her favorite things in the world is to sit and have a tea party.  Her brothers humor her once in a while, but it usually takes the patience of a grandma to sit down with this little girl and really party it up.  

Kate was lucky that we went to Declo this last weekend to visit Shaun's parent's- because she was able to talk Grandma Jacki AND her cousin Carson into a tea party that lasted all morning long.  She was in heaven.  

Wild and Crazy Kidds

President's Day just passed us by... and you know what that means!!  Snowmobile trip with the Henriksens! For those of you that don't know, my dad books this trip for all of us every year- and every year it is a blast!  Thank-you again Dad... it was super fun!

This year I braved taking my good camera so that I could get a few pictures of us out playing in the snow.  I know- my luck I'll probably land on the dumb thing and break a rib or something.  As it turned out though... as I get older- apparently I get wiser too, because I didn't get hurt or stuck this trip.  Woohoo for me.

Here's my brother in law...

The man of the hour... my dad...

Shaun and I (might I say what a handsome couple we make all spiffed out in our snow gear)...

Dave... trying to teach an old dog new tricks...

Miss... showing off for the camera...

In all it was a fun weekend.  A special thanks to my mom for watching the kids and a shout out to my sister in law- Nat- it's just not the same without you.

A Post for Kate

I have a friend who posts letters to her kids on her blog.  It's a cute idea.  But if I just dedicate a whole post to each of my kids... that's kind of the same right?  

Indulge my sad picture taking abilities and take a look at this goofy little blonde thing...  

I'm still not really sure where she came from.  She is a little, tiny, blonde spit-fire that is going to send Shaun to an early grave.  Yeah that's right.  I said it.  I've never met someone who I can be fire-breathing mad at one second and cuddling up next to the next.

But oh how I love this little girl.  Kate will be 3 in June- which is absolutely insane to me.  Where did the time go?  Do I sound old?  Shaun says that's because I am.  I start every morning with a tiny hug from her, before she races off down the stairs to find her brothers.  She eats like a bird and can exist on 2 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, all the while going full-bore on everything.

She loves Minnie Mouse, "Spinnies" (skirts) and Princess Sofia.  Her aunt is determined to get her to know all the other Disney princesses- I sat and listened to them last night in the kitchen and I about died laughing at some her Kate's mis-pronounciations.  For example, can you name this princess?  "Boo-a Boo-ee"  It's Sleeping Beauty for you idiots out there.  She cracks me up.

And it turns out she may be more like her oldest brother than anyone else...  Shaun and I recently decided to take Kate off gluten to see if it would help her stomach-aches and other GI issues.  It took about two weeks- but we are pretty sure that even if she never has full blown Celiac Disease- at the very least, she has an intolerance.  Her GI doctor wanted to run a lot of very expensive tests (x-rays and MRI's) because her blood tests kept coming back inconclusive... but my gut (pun intended) kept telling me to give this a shot.  Why would I let my baby girl continue to be uncomfortable when there was a very obvious and very easy solution to fix it?  I didn't.  She's been off gluten for about a month and a half now and she is doing so well!  It's obviously harder for her than any one else since she can't read an ingredient list to see if a snack is glutenous, but with the help of her extremely protective older brothers- we are making it work.

Because of this gluten-glitch we have found, I have been trying to make an effort to let the kids help more in the kitchen... with the thought that if they know what goes into their food- they have a better idea of what they can eat.  Good idea?  I don't know.  What I do know is that my kitchen is a LOT messier than before.  That said- Kate LOVES being in the kitchen.  She has a "spot" that she perches on whenever she sees me pull baking stuff out of the cupboard and a stool she sits on when I am making dinner.  She is an excellent stirrer.  And we only lose about half of the pancake batter when she is on duty.

Anyway- this post was for Kate... and one day if you read this Kate... I love you lots.