Animal Haven Zoo

Our favorite thing to do at the cabin - go to the Animal Haven Zoo. It may have been a tad chilly but that didn't stop us from making great memories!

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve!

We were asked to be the Advent Family at the church service this afternoon. The children each said a phrase of the family prayer. They also memorized part of the Christmas Story from Luke, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom is Glory rests." It brought us so much joy to see the kids eagerly memorizing God's word - hiding it in their heart.

3 and 5

We had our 3 and 5 year well-child exams earlier this week. Here's where the kids are at:

Emmett - 5 y/0

Weight: 38 lbs, 29%

Height: 40.25", 7%

Eisley - 3 y/o

Weight: 29 lbs, 30%

Height: 36.25", 24%

I honestly expected Emmett to weigh more and Eisley to weigh less. Of course the only thing that's important is that they are growing at a healthy rate. Now just to keep everyone "well" :).

Sick

Caution - you probably don't care about this. I'm trying to document our bouts of sickness over the past 2+ weeks. I'm a bit concerned why Ender keeps getting sick, so I wanted to write it all down somewhere.

We've been sick at our house - for a long time. I wanted to write it down somewhere to keep track. I know this isn't totally accurate - but I can't quite remember the dates. I know that for the first 2 weeks we didn't go more than 1 night without being awoken by vomit or diarrhea soaked sheets. Then this last week we were totally clear for about a week till early this morning when Ender got sick again.

11/19 - Emmett wakes vomiting, ok during the day, vomited again that night

11/21 - Ender wakes vomiting

11/24 - Eisley has diarrhea all day

11/25 - Eisley wakes vomiting

11/30 - Eric vomiting

Ender has a fever for about 2 days in here somewhere.

11/30 and 12/1 - Eisley has hives

12/1 - Ender wakes vomiting, diarrhea

12/2 - Eisley does a weird vomiting/gagging thing, but that's all

12/3 - Ender has diarrhea

12/8 - Ender wakes vomiting, diarrhea all day

Little Lady is 3

My little lady is 3. In many ways I feel like she's been three forever. Eisley is precocious, intelligent, bright, smart, energetic, mischievous, thoughtful, loving, creative and experimental. She keeps me on my toes and it's so fun!

She's normally a pink and purple girl, but today when we went out for mani/pedis I asked her what color she'd like. As she stood infront of the rainbow wall I could not have been more surprised when she said she'd like, "fween!" I encouraged her that there are pinks, purples, even blue! She thought a little longer and reiterated, "fween!" She held so still as the lady painted her nails. It was very fun. She was thrilled beyond words to be having this adventure with me!

We celebrated at Famous Daves with Grandma and Papa. We ate cake and opened presents. Sorry these are just cell phone pictures, I'll get real ones up here some day!

Eisley's gifts this year included a new bike (we gave her a few weeks ago) to which we added a basket and a bell. We hung a swing in the garage for the kids to play on. She also got a bathtime doll from Grandma and a scooter from Nana. The list doesn't end there! She got some puma shoes, doctor coat and tools, stuff for her doll house and a purple umbrella. Blessed little lady!

I love my little girl more than words can say. She grows me. She delights me. She surprises me. She plays peak-a-boo with Ender. Makes him giggle while riding in the car. She goes from tantrum to singing a sweet song with in seconds. She is unpredictable and so much fun! I could just babble on and on. I just love her to pieces! Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Great Grandpa Haaland

We got to spend a few of Great Grandpa's last hours with him. As we listened to his labored breathing we chatted, laughed, told stories - he wasn't responsive but as his clenched hands relaxed there is no doubt he sensed the joy and warmth around him. What a gift for my children to have known their Great Grandfather. What a gift for me to have known Grandpa Haaland. A quiet confidence with a calm demeanor and thoughtful words.

Emmett told me that tonight at Trunk 'n Treat he has chosen not to hand out candy but instead, to hand out candy in hopes of seeing his new found friend, Natalie!

13 month Ender

No pictures or anything fun, I just have to write this stuff down before I forget.

At 13 months, Ender...

...is walking in a little zombie walk with his hands out in front of him. He walks very quickly, but falls often always standing right back up and continuing walking.

...sticks his tongue out and pants like a dog to be funny.

...sleeps a solid 12 hours at night, sometimes more. He loves his naps, takes 2 when we're home. Goes to sleep with out a peep.

...signs "night night" by putting his tapping his hand to his mouth/cheek/side of his head. Then he waves good night. So sweet!

...signs "all done" by waving his hands in the air.

....babbles nonsense but looks at you as if he knows exactly what he's saying.

Great Grandparents Bakke!

These are my grandparents. I love them! My grandma calls me often and gives me words of such encouragement. She is a woman I desire to be more like. Today they stopped by our home on their drive through town. What a blessing for my chidlren to spend time with their Great Grandparents. The warmed to them immediately. Emmett read Grandma a few books. Eisley tried on a variety of princess outfits. When Grandpa asked, "Would you like to give me a hug?" Eisley literally ran over to him and embraced him. It was so sweet!

This picture is so beautiful, I have no words.

Ender's Walking!

It's interesting how every child's progression to walking is different. Ender mixed walking and crawling for months! Today was the first day that I don't think I saw him crawl once. He'd topple but then get right back up and keep walking. This kid is so stinkin' cute!

Minnetonka Orchard

And we continue on our Fall Fun Friday Field Trips! With Emmett in preschool Mondays and Wednesday it limits our availability to do fun things on those days. So we've been making up for it on Fridays. Today we went to Minnetonka Orchard. The brightly colored wooden train was definitely the hit for my kids!

Poor Ender. It was crazy windy. The other kids look cute at least!

Awana

A cubbie in a cubbie.

Emmett is in AWANA and couldn't be loving it any more. Oh wait, I'm wrong, Eric just started volunteering in Emmett's classroom and I'm confident Emmett is loving his new teacher more than ever.

Here are videos of the kids practicing their bible verse. Precious.

Batman Baby

There is no denying this girl has a big brother and I think it's the sweetest thing ever.

She loves changing her clothes numerous times a day. She loves wearing her Batman or Robin costume over her latest wardrobe change.

She loves playing with her dolls and has endearingly named them either "Batman baby" or "Robin baby" depending on the costume that she has chosen for the day.

She is often "Batman Mama" and I am...I'm embarrassed to say...."Batman Grandma". Yep, I'm already a grandma, or at least in training. A good 20+ year training program apparently :).

Loving Lightroom

My friend gave me some presets on Lightroom. I'm in love! Yes, in love with Lightroom (photo editting software), my friend's presets and of course the subject of these photos! Which edit do you like best?

Sever's Corn Maze

Sever's Corn Maze. The kids had a blast!

Overall, here is my review of Severs. Tons of fun stuff to do, you could literally be there all day. The main disappointing thing is that you pay a heft amount to get in and then once inside many of the activities are still extra (face painting, pony rides, pumpkin launcher, camel rides, hayride, gigantic slide...). There are a good number of activities included in the price, but I just wish it were all included in the entry fee!

Gigantic Bouncy Pillow was new this year and was definitely a hit.

Emma Krumbees

Emma Krumbee's with Melissa and Marie. This is becoming a tradition!

Take a look at us last year.

This boy is on the move. He's taking his sweet time mixing walking and crawling. It will be fun to see when he officially stops crawling!

Little Snugglers

When my husband snapped this picture before he left for work, I had no idea how adorable the site was until I glanced down to find out why in the world he was taking a picture of me before 5:00 in the morning. It wasn't at all about me, but rather the little snugglers on the floor. How precious! So glad he got a picture of this!

Yes, we have a toddler mattress on the floor in our room for two reasons, 1) my nanny girls naps there 2) then if a kid needs company at night, they have and place where they are welcome that is close to us, but not in bed with us!

Sponsels Minnesota Harvest

Sponsel's Minnesota Harvest Orchard.
We had an amazing day. I love fall. I love scarves. I love boots. I love apple picking. I love vests. I love tights. I love being outside and not sweating. Fall literally makes me giddy.
We had an amazing day.

That being said, if you're looking for an amazing orchard, Sponsel's would not be my recommendation. That being said, they were closed last year, were reopend by new owners this year and is my understanding they're still trying to figure this whole thing out. We went on a weekday and the only thing we could do was ride the tractor to pick apples. No animals (pony rides by charge on weekends), no corn pit, no corn maze ($5 per person age 2+ on weekends), no hay bales. That didn't stop us! We had a blast!

We ate apples.
Our favorites this year are Chestnut crab apples. They are really tiny so if a kid takes a few bits and is done, you don't feel like it's a huge waste).

We raced amongst the apple trees.

We ate more apples.

We enjoyed time with precious friends.

And we photographed our brood.