The Pumpkin Patch

For Grace's birhtday today we decided to take the kids to the pumpkin patch. They have been waiting to pick out their pumpkins for the year, and this was way better than going to the grocery store. The place we went to is pretty fun, with animals, mazes, and a huge slide. Of course, this being the great north, the weather was not great and poor Emma did not have as much fun as her brother and sister. The two big kids had a great time with the animals and big slide.

Ben and Grace with some big white geese:
Some very sunny sunflowers on a cold and gloomy day:
The pumpkin patch also had a 5 acre corn maze. One half was Obama's face, and the other half was McCain. We went on the Obama-Biden side simply because there were other people in the McCain side- it was not political, I assure you. If it were a political message, we would have just gone home. And voted for a pumpkin.
We had a great time, and after picking out 3 pumpkins for carving and one for baking a pie(help me!!!), we left to go out for Grace's birhtday dinner. And where do you think we went (hint: Grace got to choose)? McDonald's, of course. Yum, yum. She had a cheeseburger and chocolate milk. But also got a toy- the most exciting part. Never mind that she has a million new toys at home, we had to eat her birthday dinner at McDonalds's for the toy! Ah, three year olds!

Happy Birthday to Grace

Today is Grace's 3rd birthday. I cannot believe that it has been three years- it seems like yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. I was looking at her baby pictures earlier today, and took a little trip down memory lane.

3 years ago- Grace was just born, and so tiny. She had super dark hair and skin, and my dad told everyone she looked like a little eskimo baby. As a baby, Grace was pretty mellow, and very cuddly. She was happy when she was happy, and she was mad when she was mad. There was nothing that you could do during the mad times- in fact, she would get so upset her face would turn blue before she could actually cry. Gracie grew fast, and did everything right on time. Food was a favorite, as well as playing with toys with her brother. She was a joy and a blessing to our entire family.

2 years ago- Grace was 1 year old, and such a sweet emerging toddler. Just starting to walk, and getting into everything and anything. Grace had no fear as she started to walk and climb on things. We used to have to put the kitchen chairs on the table just to keep her off of the table. Talking was another new thing this year, and it was such fun to watch her learn to talk and express herself. This was a joyful year with Grace, watching all of these things begin to emerge.

One year ago- This is Grace at her 2nd birthday party. This past year has been challenging and amazing, often in the same minute. Grace developed an intense need for independence, but at the same time started to be so loving and nurturing. Grace loved to take care of everyone and everything, including her new baby sister, who she spent the first half of the year waiting for, and the second half loving and caring for. Ben's needs and wants often come before her own, and her concern for him is unwavering. However, Grace is also a tough little girl who loves to wrestle and fight. There are so many sides of Grace- she is all girl and a little tomboy rolled into one. One second she could be lovingly caring for Emma, and in the next she can turn around and body slam her brother. She loves pink and princesses, and dirt and trucks. Dresses and jeans with holes are often worn in the same day, and she loves to have long hair, but doesn't want it fixed or styled. Grace is so full of love and life, but will fight you to the end to get her way.

Today-Our sweet, loving 3-year-old. I look forward to what this year will bring, all of the joy and challenges that come with being three. We love our sweet girl so much, and are so grateful that she has been a part of our family for the past 3 years.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Birthday Girl

Yesterday was Grace's 3rd Birthday Party. Her actual birthday is on Monday, so look for a 3-year post then. This is all about the PARTY!!!
Grace has wanted a Dora birthday for months, and since I make their birthday cakes, I have been thinking about this cake for some time. I decided to do a Dora adventure, like on the show. The cake ended up having three parts, and they had to go through the first two to reach their destination. On the show, they would have used Map to show them, but my Map was unsuccessful, so we did without. However, to get to the final destination they had to go through Lollipop Forest, over Jellybean River, and to Cupcake Mountain, where the party is, of course! This was a fun cake to make, and Grace loved it! And isn't that what counts, that the birthday girl gets her wish?!


The birhtday girl blowing out the candles-
And eating the oh-so-nummy chocolate cake. Lots of frosting, almond bark trees with sprinkles, lollipops and jelly beans. Oh, myI had to add the princess pic- a princess is not a princess without her jewels, right?
Grace had a great party, with lots of family to help her celebrate. There were Grandmas and Grandpas, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, and even a cousin or two. So much fun, celebrating 3!

Family Tree

I am finally finished with my family tree, and I love it! It looks great on the wall, and intend to have it someday surrounded by pictures of the people on the tree( the ones still able to be photographed, of course).
It is hard to see the colors, because neither picture came out great, because of the glass and lighting issues, but you get the idea. The colors are light and dark brown, and a light green. I love colors together, and it is fun to see all of the names, and to be reminded of all of the family that we have.

A Little Trip

A few weeks ago, we went on a little trip to Minneapolis to visit my brother Nathan and his new wife Alli. It was a super fun time and a beautiful weekend. On Friday night, we just hung out, went to dinner, and drove past some amazing homes. Saturday we went to an apple orchard in Stillwater. So much fun! We picked apples, drank glasses full of fresh cider, and found some goodies to take home.

Nate, Alli and the kids in front of an apple tree:

Running through an apple orchard- gotta love fall time!
Nate and Alli have a beautiful apartment with lots of space to play, with real ducks in the courtyard. Ben and Grace now think that apartments are way better than hotels, and would really like to move to Minneapolis and live in an apartment. REAL DUCKS! IN THE YARD!!

A Boy and His Maple Tree

A few weeks ago, on our back-to-school date, Ben started talking about finding a maple tree. Unsure of how one goes about finding a maple tree, I asked for more details. "Mom, you go in the woods and dig out a tree with red leaves, then bring it home and plant it in the yard." Duh.
You may wonder where this all came from, this desire for a maple tree with red leaves. You will continue to wonder, even at the end of this post, as we still have no clue. Sadly, we did not go tree hunting that day, as mom had no clue as to how we would actually dig a tree out of the woods.
Thank heavens for Papa Jim, resident woodsman, and, I guess, tree picker and digger. The last time we were there, Ben, Papa, and Grace went into the vast Northern Minnesota woods and came out with this tree:

The tree is about 2 feet high, and very interestingly shaped, to say the least. Nonetheless, the desired and very beloved tree now resides in our backyard, where it will (hopefully) thrive, someday filling the back yard with red leaves all over the ground.
The planting of the beloved tree was a very fun, if somewhat messy, process. Ben and Grace were involved in all steps from the picking and digging, to the planting and stomping. Which part do you think was the most fun?
Welcome to the family, beloved maple tree!

Fall time in northern MN!!!

Fall time in Northern Minnesota can be a beautiful thing. Or a not-so-beautiful thing. It totally depends on the day (and sometimes hour). Ben and Grace are clearly Minnesota born, as they have no problem making the most of any weather.

This is from yesterday, at Papa Jim and Grandma Kathy's house. The high reached about 50 degrees, and there was a nice light drizzle most of the afternoon. Lovely. Ben and Grace, however, had a blast. They went 4-wheeling, and sat by the fire. Ben even found his dream maple tree to dig up and bring home. They had a great time, and the weather did not stop them a bit!

Today started out nice, even with some sunshine. By afternoon, the clouds had rolled in and the temp had once again dropped. Emma is a bit young for damp weather, so the older kids had to make do with an indoor activity. And make do they did! We got some foam stamps from Target, and they had to try them out! What a mess! Although they may have started with stamps, they ended up only using their hands (clearly the stamps were too neat!). This kept them busy for almost an hour while I made dinner-completely worth the mess and subsequent 30 minutes of scrubbing walls, tables and floors.