More pics

Here's our wonderful Floridian hosts: James, Alesia, and my only American cousins: Brianna and Abigail--both with their eyes closed, but beautiful smiles.

It was very fun to see them!





They not only picked us up from the airport, but showed us around Cocoa Beach, stopped at a tourist trap for us to buy some souvenirs, treated us to a Rock Shrimp dinner, and took the hide-a-bed for the night--even though it was Alesia's bday!

The next morning, after Alesia whipped up a yummy breakfast (we were spoiled I tell you!), we toured Deseret Ranches--the largest cattle ranch in the U.S., and as you can see from Abby's face below, it was fun. Watching for gators was the highlight of the morning.

Also, let me tell you, this girl can melt anyone's heart.

We're glad we were able to see them--even for a little bit!
What wonderful hosts!


And here's a few more pics from our time in Nassau, Bahamas:

Loved it!

The Wranglers

Introducing . . . Aunt Livy! Don't these two look like they had fun? (yes, B has a mouthful of green jelly beans)

After successfully completing the Easter Bunny house:
Both girls just wanted to tear off those jelly beans.

Aunt Livy stepped up big time to be B's older sis and Oma's big helper.

And of course Oma, took care of everyone and everything wonderfully! As she always does.

Our trip would not have been possible without these two generous ladies.

Thanks Oma and Liv!

A few pics . . . more to come

Nassau, Bahamas

A BIG Thankyou

One week ago, E and I were able to get away without the kids for a little time together. It was something we have planned and looked forward to for a few years. And with residency and all, it was soooooooooooo nice.

A big thank you to our Florida hosts, James & Alesia, Brianna and Abigail. We are so glad we were finally able to visit!

But, most of all, a BIG THANK YOU to Aunt Livy and Oma who wrestled the little kiddos here to make our trip possible. It was our first trip together since we've had kids. So we didn't know how they'd do. But I know they were loved, cared for, fed, and traveled where they need to be. And I couldn't have asked anyone better to do the job!

Thank you SOO much!

More to come on this fun trip, later.

First Haircut

Our story begins at Great Clips.

Can you sense the anticipation?!

Astonishment as she realizes this is a defining moment.

What will her "Streetsmart" portfolio become?

She was slightly chagrined when she was told she would have to sit on Mom's lap during the do. Because you see, Mom had just been to the gym. Peeeeyu!

But, I guess it's all worth it for a sucker!

Sisters

These girls are delightful.

Of course, we have our fair share of biting, scratching, hitting, crying . . . ;)

But for the most part they are getting along better and better as they get older.

Thank goodness for sisters!

Monkey

Well, S has discovered her love of the outdoors now that it's warmer weather. (yay!)

Before I know it she's run outside scaling our little playset.

Climbing up the ladder with no help from anyone.

Success!

I've got to keep an eye on this girl.

She's a little monkey.

Haircut

What d'y'all think?

Yes, I know my sidekick is cute . . .

She is quite the little poser lately.

Yes, I know I look tired . . .

That's because I am.

But, although I do have more of a "mom" look, I do love my new do!

Dying Easter Eggs

70s!!??!

Well, I have to say, I won't be doing much blogging the next couple days as it will be in the 70s here?!!!

We are just having TOOO much fun playing outside (finally!) in great weather!

Let's hope it lasts!

Thanks for the outfit, Grandma!

Love,
"the Norwegian Princess" as affectionately labeled by her other grandma

Update

Hey all
Well, I will be posting pictures soon. I just plumb forgot about blogging this week.

S had a fever from Friday afternoon til Monday night. So weird. And disturbing. She didn't sleep very well the whole weekend and just wanted to be held all day and just cried if her ibuprofen wore off . . . so we ended up giving in to the pacifier again. Turns out she had an ear infection and now with the help of Amoxicillin is a whole new baby.

Ahh! And she was doing so good too! Just using it for naps. Now she's back to walking around with it in her mouth.

Oh well. E and I are taking a little trip in less than two weeks! So now we don't have enough time to get rid of the dang thing before my mom takes care of the kids.

In other news, I was disappointed when the healthcare bill passed. In addition to further increasing the national debt. Yay!! I called my rep and told him to vote "no." He voted yes. I predict he will not be re-elected. Especially considering he represents a huge hospital centered town that was opposed to the bill. Pelosi sure knew how to get 'er done when she told her peeps--you guys are not getting reelected anyways so go out with a bang!

Ok, this is a blog. So onto more lighthearted stuff:

New favorite show: PSYCH. Watch it.

And we are hosting our first "adult" flashlight Easter egg hunt tomorrow night. I am super excited! Can't wait to see how it turns out!!

Happy Easter!

Pacifier Help!?

Ok, all you moms out there. I'm needing a little advice/help.

You see, B didn't take the pacifier and so I'm not so sure what to do about S's "HABIT." She's almost 16 months now.

When do I WEAN her of it?

Pros and cons?

I've heard to wean them around 2 yrs, but then sometimes they drop a nap with it (and I REALLY need nap time!). She doesn't sleep or nap as well or as long as B does NOW (at age 3 1/2!) so I was thinking maybe if she wasn't always depending on that dang thing, she would.

Well, we couldn't find a paci with her clip and you know I'm NOT going in there when she can't find it or throws it out. So I just thought, fine, we'll see how she does without one. I "put her down" last night without it and she slept just fine. So I tried again today and she cried a little for naptime today. But settled down so far. At bedtime it was a bit more of a drama. But, I'm trying to stick to my guns. I hear it's easier the younger they are.

E and I are having a "discussion" over it.

Please comment.

First Time Finger Painting

Baby Sitting

Well, about a month back, I volunteered to watch my friend's 3 month old for the day since she works fulltime and couldn't find a sitter.

I had friends help me out in Ohio. Thank YOU! (you know who you are) when I went back to school and worked part time. So I figured I'd pay it forward.

Little did I know I'd have two VERY willing helpers.

B was just ENTHRALLED with baby P. And insisted she could feed and change her "all by myself." She took to it like a fish to water.
Here is B in all her mother hen glory. She was pretty serious about this. She just LOVed every minute I let her help. So I let her give baby P. some of her bottle and then I stepped in to burp and finish it off.

Little miss S was a bit jealous of my holding this new one, but as long as I had a free arm to cuddle her she was ok.

But for the most part, this face says it all "Wow, A REAL LIVE BABY DOLL?!!!"

Needless to say, baby P. spent almost zero time within miss S's reach.

The story ends with my friend finding a sitter. But B still talks about watching baby P. again. Maybe I'll volunteer again sometime.

It was actually kinda fun.

Why?

K, really, WHY did I buy 450 tablets of a multivitamin over a year ago?
Because it was "cheaper at Sams"--I always tell myself.

Although these are bound to expire in June and I'm barely halfway through the bottle--as you obviously guess I am not very religious in my vitamin dosing.

I tell E he has to take one every day now too.



And, then I checked and B's multivitamin (300 tablets) expires THIS month. She's halfway through and it's been at least a year.

Which is weird, because she used to ask for them morning and night.

THEN, I remembered: she can only take 1/2 tablet every day.

So much for saving money.

Just because she's CUTE

Vinyl

So, little did I know when I moved here, but Vinyl is a big deal.

Vinyl, as in vinyl lettering that you can stick to your walls (or anywhere!) to decorate, etc.
My neighbor is AMAZING at this. In fact, she runs a business out of her home although she really does it because she just LOVES to design.
And her prices are very cheap but her products are very quality.
I highly recommend her.

Anyhow, so I decided to try this whole Vinyl thing out.

So, I ordered a quote that I loved from my neighbor that I thought would add a little specialness to our room. I wanted something unique since it seems like the love/family/etc. quotes are pretty well used.

It reads: "I am my Beloved's . . . and my Beloved is mine." Cheesy I know, but I love it.

The story behind the quote is that I remember when I was in Israel, etc. that this quote seemed to be everywhere in Hebrew--in songs, jewelry, etc. I thought it was beautiful and I loved the meaning. At the time I was an awkward 14 year old and did not have a "beloved" to speak of, so I just dreamed my little 14 year old thoughts and tucked this quote into the recesses of my mind to be used later with my "beloved" who would appreciate it was much.

Well, I thought it was kind of romantice but when Eric walked in our room, he LAUGHED. He had never heard it before. Well, it is actually from the Song of Solomon I said, and then he said that it is not the "real" Bible. Needless to say, my feelings were slightly hurt.

But when I explained that I picked it up from Israel and it was special to me, he showed a bit of chagrin and realized that he had kind of rained on my parade. Anyhow, I think we both learned a couple lessons that day.

Lesson one I learned, is that I should probably at least make sure or introduce a quote before assuming that the said sharer of the room knows it. Secondly, I should probably repress some of those still lingering teenage girl ideals I have collecting dust in the recesses of my mind.

Although, to be honest, I didn't really know I had any of that 14 year old girl still left in me until I came up with this quote.

I guess it's one of those little secrets we have about ourselves . . .

Have any you'd like to share? . . .

SUNSHINE!

So, I decided that since it's pretty much been below freezing since Thanksgiving, if I'm wanting a break from the cold I better be proactive. Luckily for me, my inlaws live in a sunny place in southern Utah. Yay!

And, what do you know, but there was a direct flight to Las Vegas that I caught (hallelujiah!). Which made traveling with two little girlies much easier for their tired mom (aka me).

So, thanks for the hospitality Ron and Sonja. I have been SOOOOOOOOO enjoying the SUNSHINE. I've gone out on walks, runs, boats, etc. as much as possible soaking up the 60 + degree weather. In short sleeves?!! That would never fly in MN.

Thus, dear readers, I will blog more later when I'm not so busy enjoying the gorgeous outdoors and watching the Olympics at night! Until then, "stay warm"--a common saying in the parts I come from. ;)

Aunt Wivvy

Here is a cute picture of Livvy, whom I appreciate so much for her kindness, thoughtfulness, and good auntliness. She's my cheerful companion whenever I come visit Utah--I'm glad I have someone to pal around with when everyone else is at school or work. I wrote a bit on her before. So I hope she knows how much I love her!