Carter's 1st trip to Valleyfair!

Carter was asked by his friend Dylan if he wanted to go to Valleyfair today.  Normally, I am NOT one for missing baseball practices, but since he has NEVER been and I am not sure I see us going anytime soon, I figured why not.  Also, with 17 boys on the baseball team, I am sure that they will have enough for a practice.

I ordered the ticket on line for him at the suggestion of Dylan's mom.  They were on sale for $30.99 so you save $14!  Yippee!  Sounds good, right?  Until you go and check out and they charge you $5.99 for a "processing fee."  Seriously, does the computer get the $5.99 for doing the processing?  What a load of junk (would say more but this is my FAMILY blog!).  These are the reasons that people can't afford to do anything anymore.  All these "fees" that go to the company!  Argh!

Carter had fun, but unfortunately, it rained a good portion of the day.  They got to go on lots of rides and it wasn't terribly busy, but he came home just WET and soggy!  Maybe another day we can go and he can see what it is all about!

 

Baby Ducks!

This is all that we have seen for babies in the pond this year.  I think since the spring was so crazy (pretty much non-exsistent) that maybe it was hard on the hatching eggs?  We have had woodducks for probably the last 5 years and Merganser babies also.  the Geese that have been in the area the last 3 years also only had one gosling this year.  Guess the eggs were not warm enough!  :(  Though, I don't mind not having 6 gosling in the yard since they were such a mess!

2 months

It sometimes feels like it has been so much longer, but today is 2 months since my dad died.  It has been such a whirlwind.  I still feel like tomorrow I will talk with him.  Somedays I am too busy to feel the gap that is left in his absence.  Other days, the gap is so huge & I question "will this ever go away?  Will it be better?"  I think that some of my sadness is just made worse because of guilt.  Guilt of not having a good relationship with my dad for quite some time.  Guilt for not doing the things that I wanted to do with him.  Guilt for not seeing him as much as I wanted.  Guilt for not knowing that his favorite color was yellow.  And, the list goes on and on.  I am sure that this will lessen, but for now, I guess it is all part of grieving and healing.

The weather is starting to get nice (maybe?  finally!!!) and at this point he would have been cleaning up some yards for people, doing some mowing - as that is what he did.  He was a "jack-of-all-trades" and the neighborhood helper.  He was ALWAYS helping someone - typically they were little old people but if someone needed help my dad was there.  He might not have been on time, but he was there.  I remember when I was young, the 2 little old ladies, Ann and Ella.  They were sisters.  One lived a few houses down from us and the other lived kitty-corner from our house.  My dad was ALWAYS helping them.  Mowing lawn.  Fixing things around the house for them.  Ann would let my dad park cars during the statefair though, and boy did we have fun doing that.  In that little yard of hers, I bet my dad could fit up to 20 cars!  That of course, was if people left their keys.  Can you imagine leaving your car and your keys with a STRANGER while you were at the fair?  Well, people did.  Lots of people.

Thinking of what my dad would be doing at this point is bitter sweet.  When he first was diagnosed with cancer he would not give up on things that he liked doing.  Yard work, snow removal and helping others were all things he did not want to give up.  It was so hard for him when he started having trouble with that stuff.  Eventually, he had to give them up - doing them just wore him down so much.  Though this past winter he did try and shovel a little, but then he would just be so tired after doing so.  That is what stinks about cancer.  People losing their ability to do what they love & enjoy.  Watching it is also very hard.

I have not see too many emotions from Carter - I am sure that he misses him and maybe has some times where he grieves in private.  Dawson has shed tears occassionally.  He has the funeral card of my dad's hanging in a little photo protector next to his bed.  Reese will say occassionally that she misses Grampa, or that she wishes God would give her him back.  Kendall is the one that cries the most about it.  Maybe it is that little bit of "drama" in her and she knows when that happens I am right there with her.  I know how she feels.  But, I know she genuinely is hurting that he is no longer here.  she keeps a small photo album filled with photos of her right after she was born on her top bunk - they are the ones that Gramps took at the hospital and he is in a few of them (those are the ones that I took!).  Knowing that your kids are hurting HURTS.  

Love you dad!  Miss you terribly!
Jodels (is what he always called me!  I can still hear it on the phone!

DJ Baseball Game

This kid ALWAYS has his tongue out!  I guess that is his serious face.  And, you can tell from the people in the background that it was a cool night for baseball!  Why can't it just be nice and stay nice!?  ARgh!

Dave and I have done A LOT of "divide and conquer" this year.  He takes one kid to a game or practice and then takes an "extra" kid along as well.  I then take the other kid to a game/practice and an "extra" kid as well.  Tonight, I got to bring Dawson to his game and Reese was my "extra" so glad she had fun blowing some bubbles!  

Oh so sad...

I went to take a picture of our baby Robins today and they were gone, all 4 of them... needless to say, something must have snacked on them.  I dreamt that there was a little bit of commotion in the middle of the night but maybe I was hearing something outside?  Oh, I was so sad...I know it is the circle of life, but not OUR birds!  :(

On a bright note, Kendall learned to ride her new bike without the training wheels in about 5 minutes today. Carter wanted nothing to do with riding his bike until he was about 8, I picked him up at daycare one day and he had learned to ride a bike!  Then, when Dave was working with Dawson, he learned within a few minutes, too!  These kids are making it really easy for us!

Tonight, Kendall complained that her tooth hurt.  It is a loose one.  AT about 9:30 she came out and had pulled her tooth out.  This girl just turned 6 and she has already lost 7 teeth, 5 of which are not coming back in yet.  Her BIG brother was a little upset this AM when he learned she has lost yet another tooth since he is almost 2 years older than her and he has only lost EIGHT teeth!  Ha!

We planted this tree in our yard 2 years ago.  I wish we had planted it in the backyard so we could actually see it from the window in bloom.  It is gorgeous right now - better enjoy it while it lasts as I know it won't!

Double Trouble BD Party!

Today was the girls birthday celebration!  All week long they were projecting that it might rain...right about the time the party was to be starting or somewhere around there.  We lucked out - Gramps must of been watching out for us and it did not rain!

I had this idea to play pin the nose on Olaf.  I forgot to grab a BIG piece of cardstock when we were at the store.  I called Heather to see if she had any from an old project of Teagan's or something.  NO they didn't but they were at TArget... and Teagan was willing to help draw Olaf for me!  It turned out so cute.  One of the BD girls did not want to participate or get in the photo...but the others had fun anyway!

FROZEN gifts!  Pure Joy!

It had been pretty warm yesterday when we picked up the cake.  I was not even paying attention to it when I noticed that the frosting in between the cupcakes was melting an dropping down.  Whoops, down to the basement where it is cooler!I was not too happy with the writing on the cake, I usually don't shop at Walmart or buy cakes there but since they had the FROZEN one I decided to buy one there.  Not sure I will as I have never been disappointed in a cake from Target!

New Bikes!  A cute Schwinn for Kendall and a little Doc McStuffins one for Reese!

Kendall had been telling Auntie Jamie that she should buy her the Frozen kit from Target since she works there.  But one day, I saw it in the ad on sale for 1/2 off, only $25 vs. $50.  Auntie Jen happened to be at Target one day and found it.  Since the Frozen stuff is so popular right now (stores CANNOT keep it in stock as the manufacturers can't make it fast enough) she bought it for the girls!  After unning around and being all sweaty and taking showers, I let the girls put their costumes on for a few minutes.  I sent a quick text to Auntie Jen of the girls all decked out (they were in Stillwater for the weekend!).  Love these cuties and they are so excited to dress up - probably the favorite gift this year along with the frozen crowns and wands from the Greenes!

She cannot get enough of this boy!

Auntie Heather had Tanner for the weekend.  She was telling Tanner "I'm gonna get you and he was run away from her with this BIG smile on his face!  So stinking cute!  I have passed on a few clothes of the boys to Jen - these are some PJ's that all my kids have worn and they were a gift from Auntie Jen to CJ when he was little.  They are little Gymboree ones and have held up so nice and are so cute!  Looking good Tanner!

Reese after wearing her bike helmet and running around tonight!  So sweaty and dirty but it was soooo fun!

Checked on the neighbor's birds!  Oh, how fast they grow!

Our babies, look at how much they have changed in just under a week!  Geez, good thing our "babies" don't gorw that fast!  All our kids would be long gone by now!

Landon is 6!

Oh, how I know that if they were still in MN, Kendall and Landon would be 2 peas in a pod.  I know they would.  I remember the day that Cindy told me she was pregnant.  I had just told her that I was pregnant not too long before this day.  She was so excited but was having some testing done and wanted to wait until the results were in before spilling the beans.  One of her friends in MO knew and when Cindy told her I was pregnant she was telling Cindy "you gotta tell her!"  But she waited.

It is a blessing to be pregnant with a friend even if they are miles away.  Sharing stories.  Sharing pains. Sharing all that you can when you are both going through the same thing at the same time.  Landon was born a few days after Kendall and even though they don't see each other much, we talk of him and Ally often.

Happy birthday to you Landon!  We are blessed to have you in our lives!

It will be fun to watch these 2 grow up since they are only 3 days apart!

Oh, how frustrating!

Carter is frustrated with this season.  I am sure that many kids are - those who really want to be there and play.  Another loss today.  ARGH!  I really think that the coaches are trying their best and teaching the kids what they need to know and do - but when kids don't want to do it that way, or don't think they need to slide, or run their hardest, there are not going to be any wins.  So very, very frustrating for parents and I can't believe how hard it is on some of the kids!

Kendall is 6!

Happy 6th birthday Ms. Kendall!  Oh what a year it has been!  You have learned to read and constantly tell me that your teacher tells you to read at least 20 minutes a day.  You like to tell stories.  You love the color PINK.  You love to sing and dance - lots of Frozen singing at this point in your life!  You love to do art projects, hence the sticker artwork for your birthday!  You have a little bit of spunk in you that just keeps us on our toes!  You have a mouth full of vacant spots where someday teeth will be.  We love you!

We meet Jen and lots of other Wynn's and Fosters at the park today.  It is also Jen's 40th birthday!  Happy birthday to Jen also!  Glad that we reconnected a few years ago!

Katie, Anne, Jen and Jodi

We took the kids out for ice cream tonight - sure that photo is on my phone since I forgot my camera!  Might have to add at a later point!

 there is a lot of photo bombing going on lately!

Kids were out playing today and I noticed how pretty the buds were on the tree.  I have never noticed them looking like this before!  These photos are too good but they were pretty anyway!

 This little dude will play hockey for sure!  Cooper is so fast and he loves having a big cousin to play hockey with when he is at our house!

Note to self, Cooper is a MESSY cupcake eater!