Trip to AZ

We went to Arizona to visit Bob's mom and dad. We had a fabulous time. The kids did amazing on the airplane. We had the most beautiful weather. We just so happened to be down there on Jordyn's 8th birthday. Like most mothers would think....a few pics on such a special day...not too much to ask for. It all started off great. She wanted me to curl her hair....check! She picked out her own outfit....check! We took the golf cart and made it to a super cute location. Then she decided she didn't want me to take any pics.....seriously...it took me 45 minutes to curl her hair. And when she gets in that mood....no changing her mind....just like her mama! Love her.

Saturday Fun

We had a great time at the Matthys house yesterday. Here's what we did: brunch, fort digging, toboggan riding, tractor and 4-wheel rides, snowman building, pedicures on the kids(including foot massages with peppermint foot cream followed by polish and glitter), bendaroo building, coloring, dancing, stir fry making, relaxing, visiting....all of these = good night sleep!


We are so lucky to have such great friends. Our kids will have so many memories together.

Happy Birthday Grandma Peggy

For the past several years Grandma Peggy has had her birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. This year she wanted a swimming party. So, swimming party it was. We had a great time.

Oh, how these kids adore her!

Love,

Jackson, Jordy, Emma, Kacie & Brody

Zhu Zhu Pets

Today the girls added some baby zhu zhu pets to their collection...[lucky little things already had their own photo shoot]. Aren't they just the cutest. Happy Valentine's Day to our sweet girls.
Who would've thought these toy hamsters would bring such joy to our children. They absolutely adore them. I wish I could share all of their names with you....but I have lost track.

Meet...

Ella, the newest member of our family. We have several Ella's in our house....stuffed animals, babies, and now a snowman. The girls had a great time outside this afternoon with the neighbor kids. Oh, how I love the creativity....lego face and buttons!

Hard to see, but today it snowed the most beautiful snowflakes!

To Each His Own...

This afternoon, Bob said, "Honey, wanna help me shovel"? In my mind I was thinking, "no, I'd rather pluck my leg hair out...one by one". But of course, all he does for me without complaining, I said, "sure". Little did I know what he had in mind. (Quick overview of the weather the last few days....rain/sleet for a day and a half and then thick heavy snow on top of that). Let me also mention that he is obsessed with a clean driveway. So, I should've known better. First, he used the snow blower to get the big stuff off....understandable. While he did that I started with the scraper on the sidewalk/step area. 2 hours later....I decided that I would rather risk slipping on the ice, hitting my head, lying in subzero temps until I came to.......than do that again. Oh, and did I mention, we are suppose to get 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow!

Oh, how she loves....

to cook. Actually, both girls love to help me. We started something new this year and the girls seem to love it. I let them pick a recipe from one of my many (slightly to never used) cookbooks. They then get to follow the recipe and help make the entire meal. While one is cooking, the other one is paging through the cookbooks....looking for her next meal. This particular night, Jordy picked cheeseburger macaroni hotdish. We all loved it!
What would cheeseburger macaroni hotdish be without.....

brownies to follow.

Merry Christmas....

****Looking forward to an amazing 2010****

Halloween 2009

BFF's

No need to comment...the pictures tell it all! Love that they love each other so much.

The girls were looking down at the river....they found it hard to believe that the bridge they were standing on was under water back in April during the flood.

Jordyn....age 7.5


Kacie....age 5

10 years...

Yes, that's right....10 years. Seems like quite an accomplishment these days. I don't normally gush over how lucky I am to have this man for my husband...I [deservingly] so...am going to do that today. Yep, every 10 years I have given myself the right to talk about how lucky I am. I get nothing but love and support from him. I am so thankful to be his wife. Love you!

"2nd grade....

ROCKS". This is a direct quote from Ms. Jordyn. She started school Aug. 20th. She loves her teacher. She was excited to see all her friends again. This is a proud mommy story: First off...everyday before she leaves for school we talk about respect and kindness. ALWAYS respect your teacher and ALWAYS be kind to everyone. I always tell her "make a new friend today". Now, to the story. She came home from the 1st day of school and said that there were a few new girls in her class.

ME: "Did you introduce yourself"?

JORDYN: "Yep, I had my eye on them all day. I asked them to play with me and my friends. Not one time did they ever look sad".

See what I mean....proud!

Now...to the outfit. Little Ms. is quite independent when it comes to picking out her clothes. This particular outfit came with glooves/sleeves...whatever you call them. Daddy wasn't so sure about them.

The annual 1st day of school pic on the Harner's front porch.

Kacie is looking forward to another year of preschool. She starts next week.

Jordy and Gizmo...the neighbor dog.

Of course...

you're making soup.

and...

Kacie, most definately, was not taking dirt from the corner of the neighbors yard.

Nope. I didn't see it.



Of course...the soup needed some color!

This meal required a hose down when they were done.

In loving memory....

of "Froggy". He lost his life [somewhat expectedly] in his yard surrounded by kids that pet too hard and......

family.

These kids...

make it all worth it! As many of you know...Amy and I are the best of friends and we are so lucky that our kids are so close and have the opportunity to grow up together. They love each other so much....99% of the time. I can't say it enough...these two girls....love them so much!

How did I get so lucky to have such a handsome nephew?

and a beautiful niece!

Make that...2 nephews!

Put them all together and this is what it usually looks like....craziness

Grandpa & Grandma...

came to visit from Arizona. We have such a great time with them when they are home. We will miss them so much when they leave.

Valley Fair

Made our annual trip to the VF with Bob's mom and dad earlier this week. Jordy lead the way....
1st stop...tattoos! Jordyn has a love for peace signs.

Little Miss found a cute baby devil that she liked.

Rats! Not quite tall enough for that ride.

The "mild thing" was one of the favorites this year.

They loved thunder canyon. They thought it was the funniest when daddy came off that ride the most wet!