Merry Christmas 2011

In lieu of a Christmas letter this year, Kyle put together a montage of 2011. (mostly because he didn't have a lot to say about being a stay-at-home dad)  We hope you had a wonderful 2011 and we wish you a happy and healthy 2012.

Love,

Kyle, Courtney,
Aidan, and Aubrey

Santa Baby 2.0

Grandpa Finn saves the day.  (again) He was quick with his camera and snapped this picture  before the screaming ensued.  Just goes to show, kids will do almost anything for some candy.

Santa Baby

Santa made an appearance after church this morning.  Aidan was EXCITED, Aubrey wanted nothing.to.do.with.him.  Period.  So, we have a picture of Santa and Aidan, but Aubrey wouldn't even let me hold her near him.  Merry Christmas.

Back At It

It's taking me longer and longer to get blogs posted. You'd think we were busy or something. We enjoyed a bustling Thanksgiving split between our house and Mick's house. It was heaven to cook the food, but have the meal at someone else's house. Thanks for hosting, Mick!

After a few glasses of wine, my sister decided we should go Black Friday shopping at 10pm on Thanksgiving night. Since I'd also had a few glasses of wine, I was easily coerced into going along. Walmart and Target helped Santa's cause and I now only have a few presents left to purchase. I was so pumped on a shopping high that I couldn't go to sleep until after 2am. Thankfully, the Kyles got up with the kids and let Kali and I sleep in.

We capped off the Thanksgiving celebration with a trip to the Gophers vs. Illini football game on Saturday. Cold, but FUN! Kali and I had the most fun since we decided to leave at the beginning of the 3rd quarter and go sit in a warm bar. I wish Kyle M. hadn't been MIA when this picture was taken or it just might have made the Christmas card!

The family minus Kyle M.

City Christmas Tree Lighting on Thanksgiving Eve

Baking Christmas Cookies!

My Grandma

From Baby Pictures

Grandma M. passed away last weekend, so the kids and I headed down to IL this week to say goodbye.  I suppose some might think I'm crazy for being surprised by her death.  She was 95, after all. But, I was surprised.  I'm thankful that Aidan and Aubrey had the chance to meet her.  I've got so many wonderful memories of her.  Most of my favorites involve a summer setting...catching fireflies at dusk, playing  in the wheat (bad idea, it makes you really itchy), eating her delicious beef and noodles or homemade cinnamon rolls, running errands in town and getting to pick out a special Barbie outfit from the general store, or her tucking me in after a long day playing on the farm "Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite" followed by the sign of the cross on my forehead and a kiss goodnight.  My grandma was a really fantastic lady and she is going to be dearly missed.

PROPHETSTOWN – Mary Elizabeth Mosher, 95, of Prophetstown, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.

She was born April 5, 1916, the daughter of Cyril and Leonie Verhulst in Ottumwa, Iowa. Her family moved to Prophetstown when she was a junior in high school. She married J. Raynor Mosher on Jan. 27, 1940, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Prophetstown. Her husband died Dec. 13, 2010.

Mary was the true heart of her home. Over the course of her life, Mary and Raynor farmed in the Prophetstown, Tampico, Lanark and Milledgeville areas. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico. She was a member of the Carroll and Whiteside county home extension units, past president of the Ladies Society of St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Shannon and was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampico. She also promoted the farming community with her membership with the Red Meat Connection in Whiteside County. She volunteered for many years at Good Samaritan nursing home in Prophetstown. Mary loved playing cards, taking bus trips and traveling across America. Her favorite pastime was crocheting and she made many afghans for her family during her life. Mary was greatly loved by her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Martha (Dennis) Sturtevant of Shannon, Rita (David)
Thorngren of Milledgeville, John (Peggy) Mosher of Prophetstown, Bill (Nora) Mosher of Prophetstown, Theresa (Keith) Albers of Pearl City and Gary (Denise) Mosher of Sterling; daughter-in-law, Diane Mosher of Lyndon; sister-in-law, Joey Verhulst of Prophetstown; brother-in-law, Joe Mosher of Geneseo; 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her son, Lyle; sister, Martha Cordrey; brothers, Ernest and Maurice Verhulst; and a brother and sister who died in infancy.

Appy Aween

We all had a "appy aween" as Aubrey would say.  I was a little worried during the day that we would have to bundle the kids up and cover their cute costumes, but it warmed up enough that multiple layers under the costumes worked just fine.  We made it the farthest distance from home yet (8 housed down and 8 houses back).  A big kudos to our neighbor for suggesting we take Aubrey in the wagon.  Never crossed my mind, and the night would have been much shorter if she had walked.

Pretty Fairy Princess

Wild Fairy Princess and a Pirate

Now we start preparing for Thanksgiving.  We are hosting both Kyle's and my side at our house this year.  Granted, that's only 12 people, but we have a tiny little house.  Thank goodness Kyle is home during the day to get the house spic and span.  (hint, hint, honey) ; )

Photo Mash-Up

I don't sing well, so I thought I would use our photos from October to tell the story

Aidan started floor hockey and only made one little boy cry.

The kids have found window wells to be very amusing

Kyle and I had a GREAT time in Vegas

Where we met an unexpected friend

Aidan got glasses and Aubrey pretends she can't see

We tailgated for the 1st time at the IA vs MN game with Kyle's frat bros.

Doctober

Optometrist, dentist, pediatrician, ophthalmologist....I think that covers the array of doctors we've seen since October 1.  Maybe you've heard, but in case you haven't, Aidan got glasses.  Not just any glasses, THICK glasses.  Turns out our little boy couldn't see much of anything.  We're hoping this explains his never-ending movement.  Not too much fun to sit around and look at something if you can't see it.  We picked the glasses out last week with Aunt Kali's help, and they arrived this past Friday.  Aidan looked in the mirror and said "I look COOL!"  Yes, sir.  He does indeed look cool.  Think the little boy from Jerry Maguire.   That's what Aidan looks like.

All the other doctors appointments were just routine stuff.  Aubrey had her 18 month check-up and all is well.  She's finally gaining some weight and has broken the 30th %-ile.  WooHoo!  Aidan and I have clean and healthy teeth, no cavities in this family. 

Kyle and I are jetting out of town on Wednesday for a long weekend in Vegas.  Nana and Poppa are going to keep Aidan and Aubrey entertained while I lay by the pool with a drink in my hand and Kyle plays some poker.  I'll update with pictures of our trip and Aidan's new specs after we get back.  Adios!

Eat. Sleep. Breathe. Repeat.

Whew!  I really wish someone had told me that being a full-time working mom was going to be hectic. One or two people may have mentioned it, but I thought, "How much different could a .8 job be from a 1.0.   Holy Buckets!  The title of my post really isn't too far off the mark.  I see the kids from 4-7pm, during which time I go to the YMCA to work out, come home make dinner, sometimes give the kids a bath (baths every day are over-rated), and share bedtime duty with Kyle.  Bye kids, see you tomorrow to do this routine all over again.  It's a good thing that I enjoy my job, and I'm so busy there that I barely get time to eat a salad for lunch, so that's just a bonus in the weight-loss department. :)  The only thing that has really suffered are my Facebook and Blog posts.  Something had to go, and social connections were it.  Can't wait for next weekend to see Kali and Reese, then Las Vegas at the end of Oct with our friends Krista and Eric!!!

FAIRly Entertaining

We concluded our summer with the MN State Fair and the Burnsville Fire Muster.  Aidan loved all the kiddie rides he could get on now that he is tall enough.  He literally ran from one ride to the next, perhaps not fully enjoying the ride he was on, because he was thinking of what he was going to do next.  Aubrey was not as amused since she was not big enough to get on any rides other than the merry-go-round.  Apparently watching your big brother have fun while you sit in the stroller is not her idea of a good time.

Loving the firetrucks, even if their faces don't show it

Just one of many rides Aidan took on the kiddie roller-coasters

Getting ready for the community parade with our neighbor, Lucas

Making a break for it, trying to run away with the cheerleaders

Pretty proud of herself that she caught some candy. Daddy was happy, too, since he got to eat it

Tractors and Corn Dogs, can't ask for much more from the State Fair!

Wedding Bells

My high school friends...some of them since preschool!!!

Kung-foo dance moves

Aubrey, aka Dancing Queen

Bustin' a move with Weston and Parker

Cheese

Dancing with the flower girl

So happy

The kids all thought it was cool to do "the worm"

Wedding season 2011 is complete.  Kyle, Courtney, and Aubrey: 2 weddings.  Aidan: 0 weddings.  Thank you Grandpa Finn for watching Aidan while the rest of us celebrated with Mark and Alana in August, and Jason and Jessica this past weekend.  Aidan is just a little too much work right now to sit quietly through a wedding, eat dinner, and then stay up past bedtime without major meltdowns.  Aubrey handled the trip down to Cedar Falls, IA this past weekend like a champ and was asleep within 5 minutes on the ride home.

Aidan would have loved the dancing and running around at Jason and Jessica's wedding, but not as much as he enjoyed having his first sleepover at Grandpa's house.  That's right, he's a big boy now and can sleep in Uncle BJ's old bunk bed.  Grandpa said all went well and Aidan slept through the night.

What's that smell?

After enjoying KidStuff at the YMCA last week and reading a story called "What's that smell?", Aidan showed me the picture of a pig that he colored/painted.  He told me it was a "dirty pig".  When I asked why it was dirty...(with a look on his face that said I might just be the stupidest person in the world) "Uh, because I painted all over it."  Yep, that's my literal 3-year-old.  Fifty or more times a day now he is asking me "what's that smell?"  Thank you, YMCA, for tuning Aidan in to his sense of smell.  Let's work on a new skill now.

Another funny example of his super-literal mind...
We visited the zoo this week with our friends Stephanie, Addie, and Kate.  Aidan and Addie sat together to watch the bird show in the outdoor amphitheater.  When the trainer told everyone to "be on their toes, and on the lookout for flying birds" Aidan stood up and SHOUTED (in the silent amphitheater) "Addie, STAND UP, he said we need to be on our toes!" He proceeded to stand on his tiptoes and look around for flying birds.  Thankfully the people around us thought he was amusing; I was slightly embarrassed.

A Wee Bit 'O the Irish

We headed out to Harriett Island (in the Mississippi River, by St Paul) on Sunday to the largest gathering of pasty white people that you're ever likely to see.  Yep, the Irish Festival. We supported our Irish heritage by eating chocolate ice cream, drinking mango smoothies, and playing miniature golf.  Very Irish of us.  :)

1st time playing miniature golf

So excited!

Yep, she drank that whole mango smoothie all by herself

If it doesn't go in the first 7 times, just pick it up and drop it in

Camping Trip 2011

Kyle took a deep breath, packed some bags (with my help, of course) and took the plunge.  Aidan and Kyle went on their first annual camping trip last weekend, and it was so uneventful that Kyle has agreed to do it again.  Whew!  No one was eaten by a bear or fell in the campfire, and there were very few bug bites in need of After Bite.

If it's Noon on a Friday, and you drive a Dukes of Hazzard car, clearly the bar is the only place to be.

Ben, Wendy, and Aidan

Kyle using Aidan as a billboard to remind his friends that the Gophers beat the Hawkeyes last season

This is why Aidan doesn't have a squirt gun at our house

On the boat Saturday a.m. Disregard the feminine Dora the Explorer life vest.  Beggars can't be choosers.

Aidan hangin' with the big boys

Thirty?

Can it be true?  Am I really 30?  My birthday came and went and I don't feel any different than I have the past three years, so I guess being 30 isn't a big deal.  I don't think being a certain age changes you, it's the other things going on in your life (namely, children) that make you act more mature and drive the decisions you make. 
Besides, Aidan can't count to 30 yet, so technically it doesn't exist, right? (he can count to 29) Let's just say I'm 29 + 1.

Photo Recap

Enjoying the nice (hot) weather

Wagon rides with Weston (1.5) and Eli (almost 4)

Driving the antique fire truck in Krape Park

Kid's Castle with Poppa

1st time on a merry-go-round

The fam

Reese is 1!

We spent last week/weekend in IL and Madison visiting Nana and Poppa and celebrating Reese's 1st birthday.  With 160 pictures taken, finding just a few to share was a tough job!  The kids enjoyed swimming, playing with Eli and Weston, riding the merry-go-round, and seeing Kali, Kyle, and Reese!

Next Step

I took a giant leap of faith on Friday morning (as we were stuck inside AGAIN by the rain) and converted Aidan's crib into a toddler bed.  After setting the rule, (don't get out unless mommy or daddy gets you out) Aidan took a test run during nap time and did great.  So far, so good.  Three days in and no problems.  Aidan has stayed in bed, and he knows that if he wakes up before anyone else that he can read or play with toys in bed.  I think Aidan's favorite part is that I can sit next to him and tell him stories before he goes to bed. He's even asked for breakfast and snacks in bed! I nixed those ideas. : )

Mini-Vacation

We took a weekend trip Up North to Lac Courte Oreilles Lake (pronounced Lacooteray) over the 4th of July weekend, then Nana and Poppa came for a visit last week.  A whole week with extra hands to help with the kids was the best part of my summer vacation so far!  Quick recap of the past week and a half...Kyle and I celebrated our 6th anniversary, we boated/golfed/swam/had lots of fun at the lake, Aidan and I watched fireworks, Nana and Poppa completely re-landscaped half of our backyard, we took Nana to Rockin' Lunch Hour, we went to the zoo, and we watched a parade of vintage cars.  Yes, we've been busy!

Tim and Aidan on the first of many rides in the golf cart

 Braving the chilly water

 Queen Bee

 Another botched attempt at a cute brother-sister picture

 Helping Aunt Marsha husk the corn

 Driving the boat!

 This little boy LOVES to go boating

 Swimming in the lake with Grandpa and Uncle BJ

 More toys to play with!

  

A very tired little girl by the end of the trip

 

 The newly landscaped half of our backyard

Thanks Nana and Poppa!!!

 

 Cooling off after a hard day's work.

  I don't recommend trying this at your house.

Slip 'n Slide + 3 year old + almost 30 year old = bruised shins for everyone