Holiday Season has begun

December is one of my very favorite months...minus the cold. :) The beautifully fallen fluffy snow on all the evergreens making it look like a fantisy snow kingdom. The Christmas lights starting to appear on houses against the bright white of snow. It's also mostly too cold to be outside so this is when we kick off our family fun for Dec. Tonight being Dec. 1 we took the kids to the show BOLT so cute. I love the hamster, hilarious. I wrap up various family games and movies and the kids get to take turns picking which one they unwrap every night and that's what we do as a family each night of Dec. Family get togethers, laughter, and children running & giggling. Just celebrating Christmas itself with those we love, and reading the actual Christmas story to the kids. We play games & watch movies a lot, but it just seems like December brings that out even more. I love this month!!!

Snow flakes a fallin

Monday morning, Karlie was getting ready for school our regular routine and then we usually when it's cold take the vehicle to the end of the driveway, sit in it to keep warm, visit and jam to the radio with giggles. Monday though when we were ready to head outside, it was actually a warm cold with beautiful big snowflakes falling. I put the kids snowpants, boots mittens, and hats and headed out. This was Tanner's first time playing in the snow. So cute. We walked down to the end of the driveway, ran around with the dog, Tanner had his tongue out for snowflakes and looking up to watch snowflakes, chasing & giggling with each other until Karlie got on the bus. It's hard to capture the exact words and feelings I had watching my little ones play, laugh, and looking so happy and wonderous at the snow coming down. The pictures help capture it. Happy Snow everyone!

I like to Move it, Move it

"I Like to Move it, Move it" This song has been the only song in my head for the last 3 days. Karlie has been singing & dancing to it, Tanner's been dancing to it as mommy has been singing it as well. Madagascar 2 is on at the movie theater. Mom, I, & the kids went last night. Tanner was hilarious. He sat in his own chair for more then alf of the show with my mom's 20 + pound purse holding it down so it didn't fold up on him, his blanket and a tub of popcorn as big as him that he just kept munching on. Then he sat with me, then with mom, then back to me, got a little fussy, but then fell asleep on me as I bounced him on my knee. Karlie giggled through the whole thing. I loved the movie. What's not to love about a crazy lion, hypocondriac giraffe, a very hungery hippo, and Chris Rock as a zebra, oh, and don't forget about the penguins with a mission or the monkey like thing that sounds like he's from India. So much fun! I love cartoons! It works so much better to go to these movies when you have kids. Before we had them I forced Adam to go to A Bug's Life with me (tell me how much you think he actually enjoyed it). :) Go see it if your looking for a good movie. Oh, and I bet you have "I like to move it, move it" playing in your head for a couple days now. :) He He

My mother

Ok, today somewhat brought new insight into the world my mother lived in with two children. Charlie & I fought like cats & dogs back in the day and today that is all I heard from my little ones. Mom, Tanner pulled my hair, mom, Tanner bit my toe (first of all Tanner I think is teething a bit, and 2nd why would you let him put your toe in his mouth???), Tanner hit me in the head with a bowl, etc. Then Tanner comes up and says Sissy, bad, crying pointing downstairs to where sissy is lurking to take yet another toy away, coming back upstairs every 10 min. to tell me yet again sissy, bad. They are not like this very often every once in awhile it happens full boar and today was that day. Sure I get a little bit everyday, but for the most part they're pretty good. I don't know how many times I said please don't hit, bite, etc., do NOT touch each other at all, listen to me, do you hear me!!! I know know how my mother felt those days when she looked like she could pull her hair out. I am SOOOOOO SORRY, Mother!!! I love you and thank you so much for not selling us to the gypsy's on those days (believe me this has crossed my mind, as I'm sure it has for others). Just kidding, I love the little rugrats and would never dream of doing this.

Frustration rose tonight as I read their stories, put Karlie in bed (I choose these words) and down with Tanner to his bed to rock with him. As I am rocking him to sleep and singing to him, I hear from the top of the stairs...Mom, I have to go potty, mom, I have to go potty (I chose to ignore & sing a wee bit louder)...quiet for a bit...MOM, I have to go potty (she is screaming it to me as she is still at the top of the stairs)...so I yelled GOOOOOO! So much for rocking Tanner into a relaxed state. Then the phone rings, daddy from the shack (without a watch obviously because he's calling as I'm putting kids down on a day that has been crazy, no deer yet by the way). Then I went in to explain to Karlie quiet when I'm putting Tanner down and we no longer need to ask to go potty we are a big girl, we can just Go. Then about 5 more times out of bed kiss, hug, lets start over fresh tomorrow bits, etc. I've had her hearing checked and apparently it's OK. The Dr. told me it's just selective. Really, what a shocker! What a day!

Although, today was a bit crazy and mom's button's were pushed...there was some wonderful snuggling time. Karlie snuggled into my right arm and Tanner snuggled up on my lap on the couch as we watched a movie. They also colored some beautiful pictures for me. Plus grandma Cheryl made it home from Florida last night so she came over to see us at lunch with goodies for the kids. First thing Karlie asked was watcha got for me??? Modesty she has doesn't she. Tanner just smacked his lips for a kiss. We missed grandma. Tomorrow as our saying goes in the house, Tomorrow is a fresh start. Mommy is now relaxing and readying myself for that fresh new day. :) I look back on my day today and giggle (now).

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween was a blast! I started out with them at 4:00pm and hit a couple of the neighbors. The first we went to Tanner took the candy bag and put it his carrier and said some of his favorite words "go, go, go" and headed for the door. We laughed. Then we headed for my godmothers house (Janice). Karlie wanted to know who she was, I told her remember the lady who always has a goody bag for you. Yeah, but who is she; she wanted to know. I told her she was my godmother. She was shocked, and said, you have a fairy godmother??? I had to giggle and told her yep, I do. What a cutie!!! Then we met mom at the mall for some games & treats for the kids, then to grandma & grandpa T's for pizza, and a couple more houses. Daddy & Papa met up with us at this time after they got off of work and then we headed out to auntie Marge & Uncle Don's for popcorn cake (a long running tradition that we used to bring to grandma H's) and watched the kids go through their candy. So much fun and so cute. Karlie was Princess Cinderella, and Tanner was a Frog Prince (and believe me he got lots of kisses this night with those cute little cheeks poking out from his costume. Enjoy the pics. Tanner was practicing his frog hop in one.

Updates

Again, busy, busy, busy. Hard to find time to blog, but I do like to keep you all up to date on the family. Fall is definately here, and almost passed because the other day it actually rained thick rain/snow balls...not hail... little balls of snow. Never seen this before. We've enjoyed many weekends at the shack playing in the leaves, playing with the cousins, 4-wheelers, and campfires. Love it!

A couple of weeks ago, Adam, I, & the kids took a school bus trip with some others from the area to Cowhorn Crossing Farm. Bus ride went OK, but next time I think we take our own vehicle. We were kind of at the mercy of everyone else. After a couple hour bus ride trying to entertain (arrived at 11:30am), a couple hours at the farm with two little ones (ready to go around 1:30pm because that's when we were told we were leaving), we were ready to go, but the others weren't so we had to wait an additional 2 hours, plus the lady that organized the event said we were stopping for food along the way so I only packed crackers, a couple other snacks, and some juice boxes so by 3:30pm when we finally left we were hungery and finally stopped at Burger King. The farm itself was a blast. We ran through & climbed on the hay maze, looked at chickens, turkeys, horses, the petting zoo that had bunnies, a little cow named Valentine, sheep goats, & piglets. Tanner loved the bulls (he called all of them that). There were slides for the kids to go down, sand to play in, little kids golf. We also loved the corn maze. We turned the kids loose and they ran through it giggling. Our favorite part was the hay ride. They piled loose hay in the wagon and we all sat down in the loose hay. The tractor pulled us through the field to where the cows were and then it just stopped turned off the engine & all. We were all looking around wondering what's going on when the cows came a runnin' and started eating the hay out from underneath us!!! The kids giggled and fed them hay. I showed Karlie how to scratch their little bumps on their heads. We used to always do this with Grandma & Grandpa's cows & also Uncle Lloyds Curly the bull. The cows ate until their was barely any hay left and then we headed back. It was so much fun!!! Such a great experience for the kids and for us to experience with them. See from the pics how close the cows were!

The bus ride back was OK for awhile, but it was blazing hot. Tanner fell asleep on me and then woke up crying because he was so over heated. It took me over 20 min. to calm him down after I stripped off all his clothes and opened a window. Adam wouldn't open one for me because he was afraid the bus driver would get mad (he yelled at someone on the way down to close their window), I was like what's he going to do kick me off the bus, so what I'll never ride one of these things again. He He I was a bit in panic mode trying to calm him down. This is what I mean by taking our own vehicle. We could have pulled over and moved around a bit, but not on the bus they don't pull over. Oh well, definately an experience we learned from. Adam said we definately take our own next time and we're in agreement. Enjoy the pics and have a very happy Halloween! Karlie is Cinderella and Tanner is a frog prince. I'll post pictures after tomorrow so you can see their cute outfits.

Kids

Well, remember how I said in my last post that time is going by too quickly & the kids are growing up too fast... well, for sure that is true. I know Tanner isn't a baby any more, but I knew this for certain when I got their school pics back. I looked at it and wanted to cry (a good cry) oh, my goodness, it hit me like a ton of bricks that my baby is a little boy now. Karlie's showed that she no longer has a baby face and is a little girl.

Today mommy has had a bit of panic/anxiety problems because I just put Karlie on the bus for the 1st time. Karlie was ready, but mommy was not sure. I kept asking her if she was sure (as we're standing there waiting for the bus) I'm, kneeling down to her level and asking her again, she says "mommy, yes I'm sure, I'll be OK, and I'll miss you though mommy (kisses my forhead) and then says I'm a big girl now. I wanted to cry. I walked her across the road when the bus stopped kept our dog maggie from boarding. Karlie just walked right on in and sat down. I had drove the truck down to the end of our driveway so we could sit in it since it was raining so Tanner waited in there with our cat Whiskers (mommy turned the vehicle off & took the keys out so he wouldn't drive off in it). It was like a three ring circus, the cat followed the dog followed, and they would have all boarded the bus had I let them. When did my little girl get to be such a big girl??? I called a little while later to the school to make sure she made it to the class. The teachers go out to get them in the morning and Teacher Cathy said Karlie loved it and came in smiling away. So I was happy she liked it.

We're going to have to get Tanner a helmit with a face shield on, I think. Besides wounding his mouth a couple time this month...this weekend at the shack he fell off the deck into the step and got a big fat lip and then we arrived home yesterday; he tripped over sissy and into the coffee table and smacked his head receiving a goose egg and black & blue. He has to climb on or off everything. When he's not doing it he's thinking about doing it. My little stinkers!

Time

Where in the world does time go? I need about 12 + more hours in a day to complete everything I need to do. Who knew it would take so much time to play with my children, feed, clothe, bath them, do dishes, laundry, sweep mop, vacuum, grocery shop, run Karlie to school & dance class, exercise myself, do the books for the business, feed animals, separate the kids when they're fighting, church and teaching children's church once a month (other mommy's & I switch off), yard work, gardening, read to the kids their bedtime stories (Bedtime Devotions & Little house on the Prairie, right now), and tuck them in, then actually get to have a real conversation with Adam. :) Some days it really feels like a whirlwind day. I really wish I had a slow motion button some days for my own life. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining; the kids just seem like they are growing too fast. I can't believe October is here already.

I've mentioned in the past Karlie's little independent streak. Well, the last dance class she did so well almost danced the whole entire time. See she likes to do her own dance and doesn't really pay attention to the teacher not because she doesn't want to...she just likes to be independent & needs to keep busy. This independent little girl will definately go big places when she grows up, but somedays it down right frustrates mommy. I'm going to count one of these days how many times mommy has to say Karlie are you listening to mommy because it is a lot. This is also one of her most hilarious traits. My little chatter box asks lots of difficult questions. The latest was she was wondering how we were going to get to heaven (we were out at the farm & asked about grandma hansen again) I told her one day God would take us home there...next question how does God do that; where is God. I tried to explain God is in each one of our hearts and she told me well then he definately can't take us to heaven because he doesn't have a car in our hearts. I had to smile, but tell her I would find out more info. for her. I'm really not sure how to better explain this whole thing to her other then the way I have, but if anyone knows a way to explain it better to a 4 year old PLEASE let me know. She also may be riding that school bus shortly, I talked to the driver who is my brothers best friends dad (who is wonderful & it makes me feel better about letting her ride when we're finally ready to let her). I forgot to warn him she's exactly like my brother when he was little (sorry little bro but you were a stinker in every sense of the word) :). he he he If there is a book on how to answer these questions, I would like it very much.

My little Tanner is so much a little boy now. Throwing everything...he has a very good arm on him. Maybe baseball is in his future. The latest is everything goes over the railing from the living room onto the stairs below. I have a wreath hanging part way down and most days it is littered with socks, his t-shirts, & toys. My mom came in one day and commented how beautiful my wreath looked. Also, he loves to turn the TV on & off, on & off. He's gone in the potty chair twice so far. He loves the new kitten and always wants to carry it, the kitty is not too fond of neck or tail holding, but is very patient with him as he learns. He is also very fascinated with his nose and that fingers fit up there. He has been to the Dr. more then I care to mention. Three ear infections since December, Urgent care last Oct. for croup, Urgent care a couple Sundays ago for falling just right on the potty chair and having a whole in his mouth where the inside upper lip meets the gums but he didn't need stitches for that I'm thankful, and the Dr. now thinks he has allergies which is why he sounds so congested half of the time.

Does grey hair come from children? My mom always said she never had any until she had us, I don't have any yet, but I'm tending to agree with her on this. Next weeked we're going to the shack, and from there on Sunday to Cowhorn Crossing farm in Grand Rapids. They have hay rides, 13 acre corn maze, hay maze, crafts, petting zoo, etc. It sounded like so much fun. The kids should have a blast. I know I will. This is one of my favorite times of year. Happy fall all!!!

This Last weeks events

This week has been another busy week. Karlie started school, cousins came to stay with us with their little ones, jelly making with the apples off our crab apple trees, and a new addition to our family a kitten (I believe we've decided to name him whiskers). Saturday we had a family reunion at Woodenfrog. We thought it might rain, but it was an absolutely beautiful fall day. Auntie's & uncles, cousins & even littler cousins meeting each other for the 1st time, visiting, food, fellowship, and family. The little ones fed the ducks, ate cookies, chased after one another, the girls giggled. Tanner just ran around. It was picture perfect.

Monday mom had gallbladder surgery. Everything went fine. They sent her home the same day which is amazing to me. She's off work for a couple weeks and just resting & recovering now. Dad is being a good nurse. :)

Karlie started dance class on Tues. 1st half is ballet & 2nd Tap. So cute in her little leotard (picture coming soon). That teacher has a lot of patience. About 20 little 4 year olds with tap shoes (I'm sure you can form a picture with sound as I say this). She'll even have a recital in April. Mommy can't wait. She'll probably be the one doing her own thing. While some were watching the teacher & some weren't, Karlie was doing frog leaps & ribbits. Then she was upset during the tap parts her shoes hadn't come in yet so she was upset and she kept plugging her ears while the others were tapping. All quite comical in a oh, my gosh, that's my child sort of way.

Charlie was nominated twice and won both for the Sand Dollar awards for his designs! His firm took home 8 all together. Soooo exciting and I am soooo proud of my little bro. We all know he is a wonderful designer, but I think this just topped it off for him to be chosen out of so many other designers just a confirmation for him. Love you little bro!

Tanner is just my little love bug. I'm enjoying our couple of days that we have for one on one time. His new word for today is hug and then he would run over & give me a big hug & growl (bear hug) and smack his lips for a kiss. I love it!!! He's up to about 20 words so far (mama, dada, sissy, doggy (he say arf when he sees one), kitty (he says ow, ow so it sounds like a cat), fall, flower, just to name a few. It's so much fun to listen to him with new words. I giggle every time I hear a new one. I love the pic with his hair all over. He eats spagetti and then runs it through his hair. Such a little love!

Karlie has learned to spell her name and is learning how to write it. She's been working on the letter A this week. It's so much fun getting to check her backpack out after school and have her tell me about her day, what she had for lunch, and the little friends she's making. So much fun!

Check out the pics of these last events. I love all these special little moments with the kids. Love you my little bugs!

1st Day of School at LBF

Today was Karlie's 1st day of school. I brought her in today and she said Bye mom, love you; gave me a hug & kiss and headed off to play with another girl. It made me feel so good to leave her at school, her still be excited & not scared. Got some cute pics. My mom & dad used to do this every year in front of our flower bed and I'd be like, come on mom, we're going to be late for the bus (especially when I was junior/senior and she was still doing this) :). Now I'm glad they did this and I am going to do the same for my kids. :) I made cookies for the kids so that when Karlie came home from school they could have a cookie with milk. My mom also used to do this for me.

Tanner & I hung out today, snuggled. It gave me that one on one time. This is something I'm constantly working on...to spend equal individual time with each plus togetherness time. A mommy's job of showing each I love them the same. That's how it works with two little ones. Tanner liked trying on sis' cowboy hat & hopping on her bed. Shhhhh, don't tell her. :)

It was so fun when Karlie came home & told me about her day. She learned about the letter A, traced her name and some circles, played with play doh & outside on the slides, sand songs during circle time, quite a full day. A little cranky & tired later on in the day, but nothing that can't be taken care of with an earlier bed time on nights before she goes to school. She went to bed tonight at 7:30 because she was soooo tired. I think she fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. I didn't even get any excuses tonight about why she couldn't go to bed (water, potty, etc.) :) We told Karlie we were so proud of her for being such a good girl at school today. I'm so glad she had such a good time.

Karlie Ann

Dear Karlie,

My dear first born, tomorrow is your first day of school. You head off for preschool early in the morning, a new outfit all picked out. I can't believe my little girl is big enough to go to school already. You are so excited and mommy is so excited for you, but a little sad thinking you're getting to be such a big girl already. You've made it quite vocal to us that you are not a little girl any more (but to mommy you will always be my little girl). :) So tomorrow I send you off to have fun, make friends, and have a blast at school. I love you so much sweetie. Happy 1st day of school!

Last night Karlie colored her special t-shirt from grandma Judy and wore it today. As you can see she signed her name down at the bottom. Today we had a fun day before Karlie goes to school tomorrow. Tanner went to grandma Tveit's this morning and I took Karlie shopping (not much for shopping in little I. Falls, but Kmart did the trick for her). We looked for shoes, and cute outfits, you know girls stuff. She picked out a couple of dresses, one she will wear tomorrow. Then after naps since it rained all day we snuggled up on the floor with blankets & pillows and watched Toy Story & Mulan. Then after supper we pulled out the Easy Bake Oven and made special sugar cookies. I had trouble with one of the cookies, and Karlie politely told me "It's OK, mommy, you must not have made a cookie before, I'll show you how you do it, just take it easy mom". I thought it was very cute and very sincere that she wanted to help mommy & walk her through it. Basically, it was a Karlie Day to make her feel special before she heads to school. It looks to me like she had a fun day, flour & dough everywhere, Tanner grabbing stuff off the counter. I know I had a very fun & special day with the kids.

More Summer Fun

Fall is starting to set in. Those cool mornings, hot days, and cool nights. We've had some more fun days at the beach. Tanner loves to play in the sand more then go in the water in the beach (I'm sure this has nothing to do with the extreme low temps of the water, that if you are in long enough the water seems warm...like your legs are numb), and Karlie is normally a fish, but again chilly water.

Adam had a family reunion on his mom's side a couple weeks ago. It was so much fun to see everyone and watch all of the little cousins play together. I listened to all the little girls playing together, about 5 or 6, and none of them called each other by name it sounded something like this (hey girl, come here little girl, lets go girl, hey bigger girl, etc.), well Karlie got the little girl, and boy she was madder then a wet hen. Arms crossed, stomping up to me almost in tears saying they called me little girl, and I am not a little girl. It took quite awhile to calm her down. IT was quite cute though. Forgot the kids swimsuits so they swam in their clothes at the beach. On the way home they fed the deer at Cold Springs. Fun, fun, fun!

Last weekend they had the Bass Tournament. We took the kids to the boat parade Thurs. On Sat. they had all kinds of children events, the bouncy castle, minnow races, fishing, Mary Casanova had her book reading (local author) and Karlie got to be part of her puppet show as the Bear in "The One Dog Canoe" and even made it into the local paper.

Today Papa took us fishing. We went to the kids trout fishing pond behind Rainy Lake One Stop. Adam & Dad would cast out (dad & his princess rod & Adam & his Spongebob rod) let the bobber sit, and when there was a bite on it holler for Karlie to come & reel it up. She caught her very 1st fish today. I big trout. She also caught two more trout, about 5 bluegill/sunny's, and a perch that weren't more then a few inches long, but still fun for her to catch. Tanner held his rod, but then would run off with it tangling it in weeds or around himself. He wasn't scared to hold sis' fish though, but too young to reel it up. He ate cheetos & climbed & played in the sand. Some really cute pics & lots of fun with Papa, daddy, momma, & grandma Cheryl met us out there on her lunch hour.

Tonight was a very good night because a friend of mine booked a massage therapist to come over to the house so us mommies could take turns relaxing. I certainly did. Thanks Becky!