Minnesota Trip

Hello Ladies! We just got back from Minnesota. We had a blast!! I have never fished that much in my entire life. Five full days of waking up at 6:30 ish and fishing until about 5:00pm!! I thought I would get really bored but I never did. I caught the biggest fish, a 25 inch Northern Pike. They are not very nice fish and have tons of razor sharp teeth. Notice that I am not touching any of the fish! This was my husbands first fishing trip, he was a trooper. He even took some of his own fish off! His twin brother Dave went as well,this was his second experience at a huge fishing trip. We are all so greatful to Chris and Mom for thier invitation to go with them this year. I never thought I would spend that much time on a boat with 4 other people and not hurt someone! We all had a really great time. The kids had a great time with Grama and Grampa Caley. They both grew up so much in just a week. Nora took her first steps today, one day after her first birthday! Just three little ones but I am sure she will be running in no time! Nathan is full of all sorts of new phrases. He amazes me everyday!

Memories

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark... get set... blog those memories! ( I never do these things but I thought this one was interesting)

My Little Man!

Amanda has been complaining that I only have pictures of Nora lately. So here is Mr. Nathan. Most of these shots are not so great. He doesn't tend to sit still very often! The first two are in our little pool. He insisted on taking all of his clothes off, ahh boys! I can't believe how fast they are growing up! Nathan is such a talker. Chances are that if you call me at home Nathan will answer. He is pretty good at it too! Nora turns one on Saturday the 26th!! I didn't let her have a bottle today during church. She did okay with it. She only has two during the day and one at night. I don't think it should be too hard to break her of it. Her sucking her thumb is another story, she is starting to get a callous on her thumb! I don't think I am going to have much success with her thumb. Okay back to Nathan, he is still running away. Not far, just across the street. He always says he is sorry, just doesn't stop doing it! He has been doing pretty well though. I wish I could fence in our yard, that would cost way too much! He got two new tattoos today, he calls them tats. The kids are spending the 19th-27th at their Grandma Sharon's house. He is super excited! We are too!! Well there he is Amanda. Don't you just love him!!

Cakes! Cakes! Cakes!

These are some cakes that I have made in the past. I am trying to get excited about coming up with some cute Birthday cake ideas. Now some of these cakes are ugly, I know this. But I have made all of them and I am proud of them, even the ugly ones. Some of them are pretty good, I think! The one with the frog on it was Nathan's first B-Day cake. Big mistake, should have ordered one! I think that is the ugliest one of the bunch, the next ugliest is the Ben cake. It is exactly what he wanted, a Western Dubuque(Our High School), basket ball, whipped topping, oreo, icecream cake! I fed about 50 people with that cake! Go me! I should mention that the cupcakes were made at the same time the frog cake was. Amanda had just come home from the hospital with Malia and I wanted her to be celebrated too. The cupcakes were way cuter than Nathan cake, sorry bubber! My favorite is a tie between the yellow with flowers and the large pink and blue flowered Nicole cake. Have a great weekend girls! I'm off to the farmer's market!

Seasons

Hello All! This is our house and our huge trees in the front of it. I love our trees! I thought it would be cool to show them during all of the seasons we have here in beautiful Iowa. Sorry Amanda if this makes you miss Iowa. You will just have to come see them yourself! Just kidding! I think my Favorite is the fall picture, then the summer, winter, and then the spring. What do you think?

The Tunnel

This is a tunnel that was given to Nathan for his first Birthday. As you can see Nora likes it too. It is from IKEA. The best store in the world! I have a question for all of you.... Should I do a combined Birthday party for the kids or do I have to do a separate one? Nora's is July 26th, she will be at her Grandma Sharon's on her B-Day. We will be traveling back from Minnesota. Nathan's is on August 13th. The dates are just so close that I think it will be hard for extended family to come to our house so close together. I worry about kind of setting them up for a lifetime of combined parties though. Will it totally ruin their lives if they always have their parties together? My husband never had a party of his own. ( He is a twin) His mom did always make each boy their own cake. I could do that. You guys let me know your thoughts.. Don't be shy now!

My Baby Girl!

This is my baby Nora. She is getting so big. It makes me very sad. She refuses to stand on her own and has no desire to walk. This is very strange for me, Nathan walked at 10 months!! She is super cute though! She is getting more of an attitude. Not as bad as her brother's was, thank goodness! At the end of the month my husband and I are going on vacation. We are leaving the kids with their Grandma Sharon. They went there this past weekend and had a blast. They were so good for her! One whole week without the kids! What will we do with ourselves? Oh I know ... fish, boat, swim, relax, read...ect!!! It will be great! Maybe Nathan will come back chunky!! We can only hope!