And He's OFF!

Last weekend our little man learned to ride his bike.  I had been practicing a little bit each day with him running up and down the driveway holding the back of his seat.  This was no easy task as he's one of those fearful kids who was constantly turning around to see if I was still holding on (he's on to my tricks), and complaining that he wants to go inside and watch Spongebob, etc. etc. There was yelling involved.  I seriously bribed him with small handfuls of chocolate chips each day promising a full bag when he could do it himself.  What!?

It worked!  It was so funny to watch his expression when he turned around and noticed that HE was riding his bike and I wasn't holding on to his seat anymore!  When Papa came home from work we just HAD to show him a.s.a.p!  I ran to get the camera.  He still needs someone to start him off and he hasn't mastered steering or turning yet, AND he usually ends up in the grass, but all in good time.

Yes, Henry is in his undies.  He's ALWAYS in his undies.  If you come to visit us unannounced there is a 99% chance he will answer the door in his undies.  That's the reason I buy him boxer briefs because they are kinda like shorts and we are learning to compromise.  Pants on in public - that's our rule.

I get a little teary looking at him in this picture.  Sometimes I see him and think, Who is this kid?  Where did my baby go?  Everyone says time goes so fast.  It doesn't really feel that way everyday, but it sure does seem like it when you look at pictures from the past year or two.  It's awesome and scary at the same time.

He was pretty proud of himself - that's a thumbs-up if you didn't notice... :)  Thanks Auntie JoAnn for picking up this bike for Henry (I think almost 4 years ago!).  We knew it would come in handy someday!!

Fall Fest 2010

Just sharing some pictures of our trip to Pinehaven in Wyoming, MN.  We met up with our good friends and even watched a pumpkin get shot out of a cannon!  Pictured here are:  Elsa, Vi, Lila, Maddy, and Henry.  Ashley and Jack were there too, but Ashley wasn't feeling her best so no pictures of her :( or of her baby brother Jack... he was asleep almost the whole time.  We had lots of fun!

We Love Marine on St. Croix

Last weekend my mom invited me and the kids to go explore a recreation camp of MN voyageurs from the 1700's.  So I packed up the kids and we drove to William O'Brien State Park.  We got there only to find out dear Grandma had the wrong weekend.  Oops!  Luckily the little town nearby, Marine on St. Croix, was having their annual Arts Festival so we still had lots of fun!  We looked at a lot of booths.  Grandma bought a rug and a necklace, Violet got a really cool pair of striped legwarmers. Henry was introduced to warm mini-doughnuts.  His life will never be the same.

The local fire department pulled their trucks out and opened up the station to explore.  Henry and Violet thought it was pretty cool.

Fast forward to today... we decided to give the Voyageur Camp another try... we made it!  Henry decided to stay home with Dad to watch football, but the girls learned some really interesting things at the camp.  Here Violet is learning the difference between deer, elk, and moose hide moccasins.

We pet nearly every fur imaginable: skunk, buffalo, otter, mink...  I asked Violet to guess what animal the muskrat fur came from and after careful consideration she answered " a cat".  It got a few laughs from those nearby.  Well, she was kinda close anyway.

A nice voyageur dude taught me how to throw a hatchet into a giant tree cookie!  It was so fun - I totally nailed it!

Here's Grandma Judester in mid throw - Go Grandma!

 Lake Alice

I'd like to go back in a week or two - the colors will be crazy!

Vi was watching tons of tiny fish swimming around/under this dock.

Gramma and Vi - so sweet!

We always stop at this little ice cream shop in town.  I suggest you do the same if you are ever in the area.  I'm not sure the name, just look for the giant pink ice cream cone on the side of the building.

Violet did not drip one drop, I kid you not.  She's an ice cream eating expert like her mama.

Until next time!

Franconia or Bust

So we've lived by this free, open to the public 365 days a year, sculpture park for years and years.  The problem is we had never gone - maybe we take for granted the things that are so close by...  Anyway, a few weekends ago while the husbands were out trailing moose, my sister-in-law and I took the kids to check it out.  It was COOL! 

Eli, Jada, Violet, and Henry - Big Pinecone/Little Pinecone, yeah you get it.

I wish... I wish...

This sweet playhouse gives PeeWee's a run for the money.  It even had swings in the middle!

Henry looks most excellent!  Rock on children!

Cousin Zoie let the little kids push her around - such a good sport being in 7th grade and all.  She's got pretty cute socks too!

My sweetness - I like this one.

Kid trap!  Brandi and I should have made a run for it.

Above: Fun-kay little shack!   Below: Vi standing by her age 3.  Henry standing by his age 5.  Then I looked at these pics and noticed our dear Daddy's age 35!  So, this one's for you Daddy.  We'll bring you next time.  Promise.