Rain in January...

Who knew it would/could rain in January...in Minnesota.   For the first time in 4 years it warmed up in January.  It's very suspicious weather really, but I'll take it.  To celebrate, we went to the St Paul Winter Festival.  First stop, the parade.  All was well until it started to rain. That's right, it rained.  So after 46 min of fun, I bribed the kids with ice cream and we left.  The kids still had fun, but it sure got cold when it started to rain. Mr weather man was off by 8 hours on his rain prediction.  Oh well, we had fun.   (Maddie was thrilled she got to bring a friend) 

Loving it up

We took the kids out for a fun adventure and they loved it.  Skiing!  Maddie did great and didn't miss a beat for her first time out this year.  Luke rocked it with no fear and his first time on skis.  It was a blast for all of us.  Amy had her own personal babysitter and napped the entire time, priceless. 

The big kids also explored ice skating.  I was shocked at the fun they had. Granted, it was a great day for our adventure with temps in the low 30s.  It was the first time we had the experience to make fresh tracks in the ice.  What fun!

It was an adventure we hope to do again soon 

Funk

Sometimes you find yourself in a funk for no apparent reason. I would love to blame it on the MN winters, buts it's been mild this far.  One of the top 3 most mild!   But anyway, the reality of life is balance is hard when you throw 3 kids into two working outside the home married parents.  There is no time.  You think there is but things slip.  You try to do the best job maintaining your sanity, but trust me, even that seems to fly out the window 

As a kid, I used to think the fun started when we went to bed. I was sure my parents stayed up late, kicked their feet up, watched tv, etc.   the reality is this, kids go to bed and parents play catch up to all the things that need attending to; laundry, house cleaning, meal prep for lunches, etc.  

Dates?   The only dates we see are of schedule changes, school delayed starts, daycare updates and work calendars.   Someday, there will be 1:1 adult time.  

R&R is a reality.....maybe when you retire.  Until then, we shall work to keep our chin above water.  

That is my January 5 reflection point. 

Christmas

Christmas was different this year. We have a really simple logic to gift giving. The everyone exchanges a gift with each other.  So, each person receives 4 gifts total.   Santa puts a few things in the stocking and then leaves 1 unwrapped item.  Simplicity is the theme.  

This year Jeremy and I put a ton of thought an effort into making something that could last a long time and provide hours of entertainment.  A climbing wall in the basement.  We did it all...from starting with 4x8 sheets of wood to paint to installing grips and hooking it to the wall.  

Let me just say the kids have had more fun than I could have hoped for.  I was like a kid waiting to give it to them.  They love it!!!

The adventure in mom travels.

I've learned a few things after my travel adventures this fall. 

1.  It's not as glamorous traveling for work.  You never really explore the city to the fullest potential.  I traveled for work to NYC, Coeur'd'alene, New Orleabs and Chicago this fall.  Not one trip went as planned and really it's quite funny; between sleeping overnight in an airport, to 5 hour delays, I now consider myself an airport expert.   

2. You miss your family when away and amazingly you don't sleep as well.  One would think uninterrupted sleep would be glorious, but my body is programmed to be woken up on a regular basis so it doesn't correlate to beauty rest 

3. Young kids are convinced you are stuck in the phone during face time and get mad that you can't get out.  Ok, this one is just funny 

That's all.  Just a few reflection points 

Oh yes, the best line after arriving home from a trip...."I know the house looks a little crazy, but it didn't burn down."   True, true.   Honestly, I can't complain when I have a husband that supports my career and holds down the fort when I have to travel 

...and then it was Nov

Where did the fall go? Truly, I was just sending Maddie off to school and now it's November! Wow, the saying, "don't blink" is so true. Updates that are fun and report worthy. It has been a beautiful fall (although I'm writing that as I now has snow in the forecast this week). But it was a great fall. We spent every minute outside soaking up the warmer-than-average weather. We offered to close down Jeremy's family cabin, so everyone could avoid a lengthy trip. I must admit, we did fail on our first attempt. We arrived up north with the best of intentions, but then realized the mosquitos were gone, the fishing was great and the weather was amazing! We played all weekend and agreed we'd return a few weeks later. It is still a questionable decision, because when we returned a few weeks later it was COLD...literally 33 degrees, 30+ mph winds, and we had the close it all down before the pipes froze. If you ask the kids about the highlights from the trip, they would tell you casting off the dock of course was the best. We worked hard, the kids helped and we got it done. It really is beautiful up north at that time of year, so well worth the trips. Amy turned 1! Yes, our little one is a running everywhere. She started moving and grooving around 9 or 10 months and has never looked back. She is such a fun little spirit and keeps us all on our toes. If you expect her to stay in one spot with a toy, you are sorely wrong. She tries to keep up with her brother and sister....who still absolutely adore her and truly are her guardians. Maddie had the opportunity to take a girl's trip with me. We made a quick trip to CO to visit a friend who lost her father after a battle with cancer. We had a great weekend reconnecting and she sure loved hiking the mountains. She reported to Jeremy and I that when she grows up she isn't going to live in MN, we can, but she's going to live in CO. (kid, there is no way Jeremy and I will live in the tropical tundra of MN in retirement - HA) Luke is all boy and we honestly love it. He looks out for his sisters and knows how to "push their buttons" as well. But honestly, he is the gentleman at a young age. He would live outside if we let him and LOVES baseball. I don't want to guess how many pitches he hit this summer. I have no doubt when snow melts the training wheels will be off his bike. Bailey....well, she's our 4-legged friend and travels everywhere with us, so she's spoiled. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?! Jeremy and I....we prep coffee each night to keep us with the crew and are loving life. Yes, a random update and I'm sure there is more, but time to catch a flight home from a conference. Julie

And she's off...

....gosh, kindergarten arrived sooner than expected. Well, I knew it would start this year for Madeline, but golly, I don't think I ever thought it would really start. She's my little girl. It seems like yesterday I welcomed her into this crazy world. I swear she just learned to walk, talk, giggle.....well, maybe it's been a few days. Anyway, she's off and loving it. Honestly, it wasn't a big deal at all. Having gone to preschool for a few years and being the older kid in the class, she was beyond ready. She asked me to take her on the first day to "kidzone," the before school care. I wasn't sure if she would get nervous as we arrived or what. Truly, we walked in, completed the sign-in process and she basically gave me the "peace out mom" hint and I walked out. No hug...no kiss...no tears....just a BIG SMILE on a very excited girl's face. I couldn't be more proud of her. I have no doubt she will move mountains in life. She would like to be a teacher when she grows up. She has a strong work ethic and compassion for others. She also is coordinated, which makes it fun playing sports together. Thus far, we participate in activities for fun. No crazy competition yet. She's young and we just want her to be well-rounded, and have an appreciation for differences in life. She turned 6 a week after school started and we kept it simple, camping. How could I say no to a request to camp?! We had a great time and made a campfire for the kids. It was a perfect family outing.

She floats!

Highlights from summer.  We took a trip to the cabin we ended up bringing a 1960s boat home. It was Jeremy's grandfathers and hadn't been used in more than 20 years.  Took a bit of work to get the engine up and running and some arm work cleaning it up, but she runs like a champ.  Jeremy and I took her out for a test run and the smile on his face says it all.  I am sure it brings back some fond memories for him.  The kids are excited to give it a whirl now.  

Jellystone!!!!

Annual camping trip to Jellystone.  Maddie loved Yogi and Ciny.  Luke wasn't letting go of dad.  Amy, yea she just stared at them baffled by the creatures.   

I get around

Little Adventures

We took a little adventure to CO a few weeks ago and enjoyed the break from reality of work, alarm clocks and the overall hustle of life. We camped at Chatfield state park for the week and really enjoyed it. The trip was a bit of a surprise. With the real estate bubble happening in Denver, now was the perfect time to sell Jeremy's condo which we had been renting since getting married. For once, we were not going to pay someone to buy it. Truly, the market had beyond recovered. Anyway, we used the condo sale as a good excuse to visit Colorado. The kids had a blast. We went to the zoo and stayed longer than ever. They were in awe of the animals. Yes, MN has a zoo and it's really pathetic in comparison. Seeing elephants, giraffes, hippos, etc... it was better than they imagined. We hiked 3 times while there and the little legs kept up great. Amy loves her hiking pack, so that was a win as well. Really, we used the time to just relax and let the kids dig in the dirt, go for runs, eat at places we've loved before and get ice cream. I know, not an intense schedule at all. We didn't see many people during the time, but plan to return in August for a week around peach season. We are all very excited and have confirmed camping at Chatfield again. Jeremy and I truly enjoyed the views. Nothing beat the sun setting over the mountains. We know the kids will go anywhere and in time will learn to appreciate the scenery more and more. For now, they thought hiking was "awesome" and the mountains were "huge". It was funny, because we only took them to the foothills. I can imagine in August going into the mountains further will really trigger some smiles. Funny story upon returning home one evening between Madeline and I. Madeline: We'll live here forever mom. Me: What? What makes you say that? Madeline: Well, you and dad will live here forever. I might live in Colorado when I grow up, but you guys can stay here. Me: (laughing) Doubtful kiddo. *Jeremy and I have absolutely no plans on living in MN forever. Too cold and snows 9 months out of the year. That would be a serious sales pitch with major incentives to convince us to stay forever.

All boy

I have a feeling this guy is going to keep me on my toes in the future....he certainly does now. All boy!