Yes, I've been ignoring this thing ...

I feel horrible. I've been knowingly ignoring this blog. I feel bad posting when I can't include pictures ... and I've just had no time to work on any pictures of the kids. So I've been putting off posting ... but today I figured I'd just do an update post. And who knows, maybe it'll kick my butt into gear and MAKE me work on pictures tonight. :)

Recent Travels

We've been trying to make sure the kids don't get stuck in the house too much lately so we've been trying different activities. A couple of weekends ago we traveled to the Mall of America to meet up with Steve, Charina, Grace and "the fetus still to be named" (a quote from Steve's Christmas letter ... Charina is due at the end of March with their second ). We went to Underwater Adventures first. Riley got a kick out of it ... and Paige enjoyed it but was more concerned with making sure she had some crackers to snack on. After the aquarium, we got something to eat and snuck in a few rides. Riley insisted that he wanted to go on the water ride where you go around in a hollowed out log and then drop down at the end ... I wasn't so sure how he'd do ... but he LOVED it. The first time he went on with Ryan and the second time with me. Both times he was laughing his head off. He also wanted to go on the roller coaster but he wasn't quite tall enough. I think we have a dare devil on our hands.

Last weekend we headed up to Two Harbors to celebrate Ryan's parents 40th wedding anniversary with them and Ryan's sisters family. We stayed at the Larsmont Cottages and had our very own little cabin with a view of Lake Superior from the front windows. We spent the weekend snowshoeing, cross country skiing, swimming and just hanging out. Oh, and Clint, Riley and Grandpa all went and dunked their feet in Lake Superior so that Riley would have something to tell all of his friends.

Riley

Riley is doing well. I've been pretty impressed with his behavior lately. I think he's finally grown out of the terrible three's (terrible two's were nothing!) and he's actually enjoyable to be around now. That makes it sound like he was horrible ... he wasn't ... but it's just amazing how he's growing and maturing.

He's been very interested in time lately. He likes to ask what time it is, wants you to point out on the clock where the hands will be when it's his bedtime and picks up on times that are announced on the news/radio. It's kind of funny because he'll just randomly ask what time it is when we're out shopping and after you tell him he just says, "oh" like he understands exactly what 1:30 means. Ha ha.

Paige

Paige is showing signs of a little bit of an attitude. I'm scared for what is ahead of us. :) She's also been doing something that's kind of embarassing to her mom and dad. If we tell her no or she doesn't get her way on something, she'll drop to the ground and bang her forhead on the floor. It's the strangest thing and we have no idea where she picked it up from. She's done it for a while now. It's just embarassing when other people see it and look at us like "where the heck did she learn that?" If any of you have children who have done the same and have any tips for us, comments would be appreciated! :)

She's really shown an interest in books lately. I love reading (when I have time) and grew up reading new books all the time ... I love that she's showing an interest in books all on her own. As of right now we don't necessarly read from front to back, but I let her open the book to whatever page she wants and read what's there. I'm sure it also helps that we have a bookcase overflowing with books from her brother. Though, I should maybe work on getting some girlie books in there ... not that there's anything wrong with John Deere, Spiderman or truck books. :)

And on a total girlie note ... Paige got her first haircut last Thursday. I didn't have them take too much off but they evened it up all around and cut her bangs just a touch so they were swept off to the side and didn't hang in her eyes so much. I've managed to get pigtails (or devil horns as Ryan says) in her hair a few times now. It's so cute I can't help but laugh when I look at her.

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That's basically the update from our house. Paige got sick yesterday at daycare and has the beginnings of a cold I believe. We had such horrible winds yesterday though I didn't mind being home. There were blizzard conditions yesterday ... and now today we're left with freezing cold temps. Schools let out early yesterday and canceled for today. The house was creeking and popping quite a bit last night between the wind and cold. I love living in MN so that we can experience all four seasons ... but this is a bit extreme!

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to sit at my desk tonight and work on a few pictures to back up the above stories. Stay warm everyone!

Welcome to the world, Baby Layla!

Isn't a new baby just so much fun?

Good friends and neighbors of ours, Jason and Leah, had a girl on Monday morning. Layla Marie was born around breakfast time and came into the world healthy as could be.

I had the joy of being the one who went to stay with older brother, Micah, when they went to the hospital. Ryan got a call from Jason about 9:30 on Sunday night giving us a warning that Leah was having contractions and by 10:40 I was getting last minute instructions from Leah right before they headed in.

It was so fun to see the pre-labor stages from the other side. I haven't ever had the chance to be with a friend as they start the labor process. It was fun to be part of that excitement, all the while still knowing that I don't have sleepless nights ahead of me. And while there is nothing that could ever take the place of welcoming another son or daughter in the world ... I think I'll stick with being a supportive friend for now. :)

So Riley and I headed into town last night for some gifts for Layla and Micah (can't forget big brother!!) and while we were in the car Riley was very intent on understanding this whole baby thing.

"Mom, I'm older than Micah."
"Yes Riley. You're about a year older than Micah."
"And mom?"
"Yes?"
"Paige is older than Layla."
"Yes."
"And I'm older than Layla."
"Yes."
"And Micah is older than Layla."
"Yes."
"And Micah is older than Paige."
"Yes Riley."
"But Layla isn't older than me."

.... and we repeated ALL over. He's been quite the chatterbox lately ... very much into asking question upon question until he's sure he understands. It's good for later in life ... but currently is driving mommy and daddy bonkers. :)

The last Riley-ism of 2007

We were all out shopping the other day.

The stores were busy, mom was hungry (watch out!) and the kids had had enough ... everyone was at the end of their rope.

Ryan and I were gently disagreeing about something in the front seat of the car as we were driving through the parking lot.

Riley from the back peeps up, "Are you guys having issues up there?"

Nope ...no attitude in this family at all ...

Miss Paige ... this morning as I was setting up for a shoot today ...

Looking at the second picture I can see what my aunts have been saying ... that she looks a lot like me.

Just a bit cold this morning ...

We had a really cool frost come in overnight with some fog. I snuck outside this morning for just a few minutes (until I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers) and snapped a few pictures of the branches and bushes. The first three are my favorite.

Merry Christmas!!!

Ho ho ho .... MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope Santa found everyone this year. He found us in a big way!

Backing up a few days ... we had a blast with the Zahradnik clan on Sunday. The presents that Aunts and Uncles had taken days to pick out were opened within 20 minutes or so. It was a frenzy of wrapping paper with a few shouts of excitement thrown in. Instead of spending the whole day in the kitchen for a big meal, we all brought appetizers. Let’s just say there was no shortage of food. Thankfully, great auntie Gayle and cousin Jesse came over to help us out. :)

Monday I had to work a half day so I left dad and the kids in bed. Riley and dad made Santa chocolate chip cookies and daddy was extra thoughtful and picked up the house. Mom got home and after lunch we ALL took a nap. I think we all needed it. Here's Mr. Riley as he was sleeping ... we'll just call him Al Bundy with his hand down his pants ...

We joined some family at Kristin’s aunt and uncle’s house for dinner and good conversation. Riley, Paige and Jack provided the comedy for the night. :)

After we got home, we got our Christmas jammies on and dad read The Night Before Christmas. As you can see, Riley was good at listening ... Paige on the other hand ... um, not so much. :)

After stories Riley worked on setting out chocolate chip cookies and milk for Santa ... as well as carrots and celery sticks for the reindeer.
Then it was off to bed ... where Paige took off her pants twice and screamed (happily) for close to 30 minutes.

Mom and dad weren't sure that Santa would come ... but sometime throughout the night ... HE DID!

Riley and Paige woke up around 7 this morning. Riley ran out to see if Santa had enjoyed the cookies and milk. He had ... but he'd certainly left a mess of cookie crumbs. Not only that, but he must have fed his reindeer on the front walk ... because there were carrot and celery pieces ALL OVER! I told him that if Santa was going to leave messes at our house he wouldn't be welcomed back. :)

Riley tore into the presents while Paige ... well, Paige was more interested in the milk and cereal we'd brought downstairs for her ....

Riley was SUPER excited that Santa had listened to his requests ...

... and Paige .... was still enjoying breakfast.

Riley jumped for joy when he opened the camera Santa had brought him ....

... and Paige wondered what could be more interesting than her Kix.

Finally she decided she was sick of us yelling her name ... so she decided to join the party ...
... and discovered that this opening presents thing was a lot of fun.

The rest of the morning was spent in our jammies. Grandma Karen came over around 2:00 to check out everything the kids had gotten and stayed for a yummy (if I do say so myself) dinner.

So it's 6:00 and we have one Miss Paige who's not far from bed, a Peanut who probably won't be far behind her and a mom and dad who are looking forward to a quiet house. :) Merry Christmas to all .... and to all, a good night.

What do you have in YOUR pockets?

Yesterday as we picked Riley up from daycare, we were told that he had some issues with listening most of the day. He'd been doing SO well ... having so many good days in a row. I think part of it is the excitement of Christmas coming up.

So this morning as we were getting our coats, hats and mittens on, Ryan asked Riley if he "had his listening ears on" for Shelley's house. Serious as all get out, Riley takes off his glove, reaches in his pocket, digs in his pockets for a while, comes out with his imaginary set of ears .... and puts them on. LOL One of the funniest things I've seen in a while.

I didn't know such interesting things could be in the pockets of your jeans. :)

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We're mostly prepped for Christmas!! I have a wedding rehearsal to coordinate tonight and the wedding tomorrow. Sunday is Christmas with the Zahradnik's. Monday I volunteered to work since we weren't leaving town and then we have church and dinner at my aunt and uncles house. Christmas Day we're staying home and my mom (and possibly my aunt) is coming over. It's a jam packed weekend but it should be a lot of fun!

If I don't get back before Christmas, I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Murphy's Law ...

It's the holidays ... and what does holiday time mean? Well, a sick kiddo of course!

Miss Paige has been dealing with something for the past week or so. She's just been cranky beyond all get-out since last weekend, which is so NOT our Paigie. Saturday morning she had a temp of 102.5 and now today she's had a rash come and go on her face, neck ... and now belly.

So send healthy baby vibes our way please. Actually, send healthy vibes to everyone ... Shelley (daycare) found out at 3:00 today that the throat culture she took on Friday came back with strep throat. I'm sure there was only minor exposure. :)

Quick vocab update on the little Princess ... she's been saying "puppy" for a while now but this weekend I realized she was also saying "Pumba" ... and she also barks at Pumba too. Still no sounds for "Riley" at all though.

Pictures, pictures ... we want pictures!

Some pictures from the past few weeks ...

Mr. Weston in Warroad ... such a cutie!


Riley and Ryan went skating once while we were at Grandma and Grandpas. Riley can stand on the ice without falling down and once we got him something to hold on to, could move around a little. Ryan is going to try to get him out more this year. Riley loves it.

Family picture after we'd celebrated Christmas in Warroad.

Four generations ...

My daughter after she'd had sloppy joes and cake with chocolate frosting ... see how clean Weston, who had eaten the exact same food, is?We had an ice, then snow, then ice storm a couple of weeks ago. Here's Riley out in the middle of our yard ... walking on top of about 6 inches of snow without breaking through the ice at all ...
And the side of our truck that sat outside during it all ... it was covered with over a quarter inch of ice ...

Our dishwasher helper ...

Somebody partied like a rock star in her crib ... this is how we found Paige one morning. I had a flashback to my junior high days ...

Houston ... we have walking!

She's not walking miles or anything yet, but I think it's close enough to consider true walking. Last night, after weeks of dropping to her knees when more than a foot away from anything she could hold on to, she walked about 10 feet between Ryan and I. I think she shocked herself more than anything ... and then it was the slow realization that "Hey, this is pretty cool!" She spent the rest of the night walking around the living and family rooms ... with a few trips DOWN the stairs mixed in too (going down was new as of last night as well ... she's been going UP them since Grandma Knudson taught her when we were at their house over Labor Day weekend).

We also did a little dancing last night, which both Riley and her enjoy quite a bit. Daddy brought his iPod player up and I danced with the kiddos to some swinging Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas music while daddy did the dishes. Riley was "twisting" his little butt off and Paige was bouncing up and down. It was just the cutest thing to watch the two of them. A few times Paige had her head swaying and arm going wild ... ha ha ... I'm laughing now just thinking about it.