Mid March

We received Eli's semester 2 report card from school. He is doing great! He is improving in reading, writing, and math. He is also a kind friend and a joy to have in class according to his teacher Mrs. Christianson. We are proud of him! Here is a sample of some of his writing work.

Last Saturday we had a fun visit at Papa and Nana's house. Asa enjoyed snuggles with Nana.

Greta came up to Papa and snuggled up next to him. It was so sweet! She loves her Papa.

Eli had no school Thursday and Friday this past week so we picked him up after school on Wednesday and stayed at the new Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington for a couple of days! The kids loved all of the fun waterslides! We especially liked the family tube slide that we could all ride down together and the super fun lazy river. 

The kids were ready for more water slides!

Greta playing with neighbor friend Nels

A week ago Auntie Karen babysat the kids so we could go on a dinner date!

Miss Greta

The kids riding their power wheels down our street.

Greta playing trains.

The kids watching the sunrise from our hotel when we stayed at the waterpark this week.

Daddy bought the boys one more special Geode. It is huge!

Greta is Potty Trained!

Greta is smiling big because she is potty trained! Last Saturday we cleaned out our second garage and we found the little potty. We put it out and Greta has been going by herself every since. Hooray!

Love Mr. Asa

Love sweet Greta

Greta loving her teapot. 

The kids watching the birds at the bird feeder.

Asa is awesome at building with Legos!

Everyone loves ice cream!

Beginning of March

It feels like spring is right around the corner with the warmer temperatures we have been having lately. My Dad gave us a bird feeder and we hung it from our tree out our front window. We love looking at all of the wild life it attracts. The kids get so excited each time they see a cardinal, blue jay, chickadee, or finch. 

Greta loves riding her horse!

Coloring time.

Greta enjoys bath time.

Love them!

A week ago we had a huge snow storm and our friend Stacy came to visit that evening. The next morning after church we went for a long snow shoe hike together in the woods. 

Eli made a huge snowman at school after the snowfall.

I love morning snuggles with my sweet girl.

We have started potty training Greta. She seems ready. Her hair  and shirt are wet in this picture you may notice. It is because she loves to turn on the bathtub and play with her ponies in the water. We constantly have to keep the bathroom door shut for this reason. Ahh toddlers.

Family Fun at Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America

This morning we had a blast going on rides at Mall of America. We were given free passes from a photography friend. It was a blessing for our family! There were many rides for all of the kids to go on. The boys were brave and went on the Log Chute ride. It has been years since I had last been on that ride! Eli got really wet because he was in the front and poor Asa was terrified going down the 40 foot drop!

Asa's face says it all!

We had fun!

The other day the boys helped us with grocery shopping at Cub.

Brian took the kids to a park in Ham Lake with winter statues.

Greta loves to try on her brother's hats and shoes.

Happy Greta, we love her smile.

She enjoys bath time.

Breakfast time!

Peaceful nap time.

Handsome Asa.

Mid February

The other day I overheard a funny conversation the boys were having together

 in their bedroom.

Asa: "You know Eli when we get older and get married Dad and Mom will be a Papa and Nana to our kids. Eli what girl do you like?"

Eli: "Umm no one yet..."

Asa: "Eli, well you better start liking girls if you want them to start liking you."

I started laughing and told Brian! Oh Asa!

Sunday afternoon we had Eli's friend Sam from school and his family over to play. We played out in the woods, went sledding down the hill, enjoyed dinner, and had a bonfire. It was a perfect evening for a bonfire as it was 40 degrees out. Sam's Dad was friends with Brian back in high school, they grew up in Amery together. Brian and I worked with Dave at summer camp almost 16 years ago. It is fun that our sons are good friends now!

This morning we all visited Papa at work at the Minnesota Geological Survey. The kids were so excited to check out all of the rocks and Papa even let them pick out some to take home. The received some agates and fossils. They said they organized all of their rocks like Papa had them organized at work. The boys said they wished they could have stayed there forever. It was a fun morning visit. 

Last Saturday Papa and Nana spent the day with our kids so that we could go out for an all day Valentines date. We spent the day in Maple Grove. We went out for lunch and dinner, went for a hike at Elm Creek Park, went out for coffee and read a bit, and finished with some shopping. It was a lovely time!