Feeling refreshed

Last weekend we had some great friends of ours, Brodie and Julie, in town for a long weekend. They were probably, no... definitely, our closest friends when we lived in Columbus and they moved to MI to be Young Life directors at the same time we moved here to MN, so we hadn't seen each other in over a year.
It's hard to sum up our weekend in a few short words, but I'll try. They are some of the most genuine people and spending time with them just makes you feel so refreshed and challenged, all at once. They also care about our kids and spent time playing with them and engaging them in conversation, which is HUGE! Our kids loved it and when we were taking them to the airport on sunday, Sadie said, "I just want Julie to stay!" (I realized over the weekend how similar Sadie and Julie are and am so thankful for the godly example Julie is for Sadie.)

I realized on Saturday night that we hadn't taken any pictures, so here are just a few!

On Saturday night when we got home from going out for dinner, Brodie and Julie asked if they could get up with the kids in the morning and let us sleep in. I don't know if they realized what they were getting in to, but it meant so much to Matt and I. They truly wanted to do this for us because they love us and wanted to serve us--and we definitely felt that!

However, as result I'm quite sure they went home exhausted while we were so rested!

We love you guys and miss you so much already!!!

My girl

I took a few pictures the other day after we got home from dance class and just wanted to post a few.

Worst Mom of the Year

I'll keep this quick. Many of you saw my post on facebook claiming to have won the "Worst Mom of the Year" award. I guess you could call it a bit of an exaggeration, but I was feeling like it at the moment. We woke up that morning to the crazy winds outside after not having slept well due to the noise of the wind. The kids were excited to see 'snow' outside but I wasn't looking forward to having Wyatt stand at the bus stop in this weather. Since Sadie starts dance shortly after Wyatt gets on the bus, I told Wyatt we'd take him to the bus stop (which is 2 houses down the street) and all wait in the car with him. We decided to do this with about 2 minutes to spare, so I put the kids in the car and threw Blake's socks and shoes in the car, planning on putting them on once we got to dance.

Wyatt got on the bus and we headed off to dance, excited to be early for once. When we walked in, I was immediately reminded by all the little girls in costumes that today was 'costume' day. The girls were supposed to wear their Halloween costumes and I had completely forgotten. I looked at Sadie to see her reaction and quite thankful that she didn't seem as bothered by it as I was. As I was putting her tap shoes on I said, "Sadie, I'm sorry we forgot your costume. But you wore it all day at home yesterday, and you are still dressed up like a dancer!" with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. And she said, "Yeah Mom" and ran into her classroom.

She clearly didn't mind as much as I did, however, the rest of the morning at dance class was like salt on a wound. They performed a special 'Halloween Dance' for all the moms, they lined up and took a group picture of all the girls in their costumes, they paraded around the dance studio showing off their costumes to each of the other classrooms, and then, just when I thought it was over, they formed a circle in their class and each took turns getting in the middle and telling everyone what they were for Halloween and doing a little dance. UGH! It was killing me just watching it all, realizing that it was my fault that she didn't wear her costume.

To top if off, in my rush to get in the car I had forgotten a coat for Blake. Yes, it was 35 degrees outside with a windchill much lower than that and all the kid had was a long-sleeve shirt--not even a HAT! What kind of mother does this?

AND...... (you thought I was done, didn't you) Wyatt had asked me that morning when his costume was going to be getting here, since I had ordered it online. So we went to check the computer to track the package when I realized that it was still sitting in the online shopping cart and I hadn't actually purchased it! 2 days before he is supposed to wear it to school and 4 days before Halloween. Well, I paid a pretty penny to get that thing shipped here on time (cost more than the costume itself!)

So that was the morning. Sadie still didn't seem as bothered by it all (thankfully), but I just felt like nothing was going in my favor yesterday morning. Thankfully that day is behind us and someday I will look back and read this and laugh....but not quite yet.

NYC 2010

A few weeks ago, Matt and I took a little vacation for New York City for 5 days. Matt had 1 day of meetings, so we decided to extend our time out there and make a trip out of it. My parents were here with the kids over the weekend and then my mom stayed a few more days on her own while my Dad headed back home. We couldn't be more thankful for the time they were willing to give us away. Truly, they are helping to build a stronger marriage for us by watching our kids and letting us take some time away--just the two of us. Of course, the kids also love it and were so excited Nani and Pops were coming. And what a great weekend they had--they all went on a bike ride, played at the park, went out to eat, church, and played lots. We are so thankful for the relationships our kids have with their grandparents and the influence they are on our kids. It is so great for the kids to be able to spend time with them, knowing that Nani and Pops just want to have fun with them and do whatever they enjoy doing the most! And to top it all off, it was my mom's birthday while they were here! So we tried to make it extra special. Thanks again Mom and Dad!

Now on to our trip......what would a trip to NYC be without a picture from Central Park? We rented an apartment on the Upper West Side that was just 3 blocks from the Park, so we went for several runs through here and spent a good amount of time relaxing. No matter how many times we've been there, it never gets old!

The day Matt had meetings, my friend Annie took the train down from Connecticut and met me for the day. While I was waiting at Grand Central Station, I took a few pictures (common theme from this trip!). I didn't even notice until I got home that the ceiling has all the constellations on it!

We walked the "High Line" together--an old railroad track that was built in the early 1900's to elevate dangerous freight trains above the busy Meatpacking district to try and improve safety for this area. The last train ran on these tracks in 1980 and when the tracks were going to be torn down in the late 90's, a group formed to preserve this piece of history and turned it into a public park. It just opened in June 2009 and you can read more about it here.

We saw these steps at a restaurant located just below the HighLine and I loved the artistry in it!

How cool are these chairs?

LOVED seeing all the amazing architecture from a different perspective.

It was a perfect day to spend outside....65 degrees and sunny! After we walked along the High Line, we headed in to Chelsea and then towards the West Village.

I couldn't stop taking pictures! So many beautiful things to see

And what would a trip to NYC be without a celebrity sighting or two?

(For those of you who don't know, this is Bethenny Frankel from The Real Housewives of NYC and also from Bethenny Getting Married.)

I was mildly obsessed with the amazing doors all over the city...

Each time we've gone to NYC, we've done a few 'touristy' things and then mostly relax. It's great because we know we'll be back, so we don't feel like we have to cram everything in. We had never seen the Statue of Liberty, so we took the Staten Is. Ferry to get a closer look. (Someday when the kids are older, we'll take them and actually go to Ellis Island. But this was good for now.)

View of lower Manhattan from Staten Island.....still so weird not to see the Twin Towers despite it being 9 years ago.

I found it ironic and had never before noticed that at the 'end' of Wall Street is a church.

Kind of sad, kind of telling.

More cool architecture

It was a great trip. We slept in, went to a few shows, ate out lots, and read lots! Perfect place for a short getaway or a full week and we'll definitely be back!

My 4th child

Yes, I seem to have a 4th child. Or maybe it would be more accurate to call it my grandchild. I am referring to Sadie's baby, named 'babydoll'. I realize that the name babydoll is a bit odd, but that is her name. Sometimes Sadie simply refers to her by her nickname, "Baby". And despite her name being 'baby' or 'babydoll', she varies in age from a month or two old to 60 years old, depending on the day or the situation. The interesting thing about baby is that her behavior almost always reflects how Sadie is perceiving her own behavior on any given day. If Sadie has gotten disciplined several times throughout a day, Baby seems to be getting punished quite often. But if Sadie is feeling pretty good about her behavior, she is extra gentle with baby and proud of her accomplishments. It would be quite an interesting case study for a psychologist.......I can't even begin to understand all the correlations that I'm quite sure are present. It is as if I can watch a 'mirror' of myself as Sadie mothers Baby--which most often times disturbs me. Is that how Sadie feels I act towards her? Do I actually talk like that to my kids? Do they think I only notice when they do something wrong?

All I know is that there are days when Sadie hasn't even been disciplined once and Baby seems to be constantly in trouble; these are the days when I know I need to spend some extra time with Sadie and make sure she knows that I am proud of her, love her, and cherish my time with her. And almost everytime, her behavior and attitude towards Baby changes shortly thereafter.

It is interesting to me that Sadie has chosen to have a 'real' baby as opposed to an imaginary friend. I'm sure there is a wealth of psychoanalysis to be had in that as well. But whatever the reason, it is fun to watch her be a 'mom'. And boy does she get upset if we need to go somewhere and Baby isn't ready and I begin to get frustrated because Baby isn't real. If you ask her about Baby, she will go on and on and on and on.......(you get the picture) about everything baby did, is doing, will do....etc. Sadie could talk for hours without stopping and in fact, she usually does!

That is another thing....she will talk nonstop (I have no idea where she gets this) regardless of whether anyone is listening. In fact one day, I heard her talking and said, "Sadie, what did you say?" and she responded by saying, "Mommy, I wasn't talking to you" (keep in mind we were the only people in the room at the time). She loves to talk and sometimes wants others to listen and other times I just think she enjoys hearing herself talk. She talks herself to sleep and talks as she wakes up in the morning (which also drives her big brother crazy when they are sleeping in the same room and he can't get to sleep because she "Won't Stop Talking!"). The other night she was going on and on about some situation that she was clearly making up as she went along. Our whole family was listening attentively when, right in the middle of the sentence, she stopped and said, "Wait, what was I talking about?" Matt and I died laughing and have since recounted this story several times. It perfectly describes her--her mouth moves faster than her brain! But it was so precious.

10 mos (a little late) or 11 mos. (a little early)

Despite the fact that I am sitting hear writing about Blake at 10 mos. old, he has gone right ahead and proceeded on towards 11 months. I have a feeling I will always be playing catch-up on things with this kid! He seems to be one step ahead of me in more ways than one.
He has now officially entered the 'tough' stage, although it can also be very fun. He is in to EvErYtHiNg!! And as much fun as it can be to see him discovering new things, it can also be frustrating. I can no longer clean, fold laundry, get ready in the morning, etc while he is awake. But for the all the new adjustments we all have to make (the kids having to play on the table or island with things they don't want him to get in to), he also seems to be learning something new everyday. He loves to wave, play patty-cake, clap, point and grunt, climb the stairs, and play in the dishwasher. It is a fun age and I am daily reminding myself that it won't last forever, so I just need to enjoy this stage while it lasts!




And how could you not smile at that precious face!

2nd Annual Lundquist/Sorensen Pumpkin Patch Apple Orchard Day

Last weekend we made our 'now annual' trip to a local pumpkin patch and apple orchard with our good friends the Lundquists. We always have so much fun with them and our kids are all the same ages, so it really works out great (plus we like them too!)
We ended up going to a different place this year since the apple crop at the orchard we had gone to last year was destroyed by hail. This place worked out fine, but I think next year we may try and return to the old place (they were a bit more efficient!)

Couldn't have asked for better weather!

Classic Sadie--taking her sweet time!

But this girl definitely won't have a hard time stopping to smell the roses in life.

On to the wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch....

These girls had so much fun together....to say the wagon ride was packed would be an understatement. But these girls didn't mind a bit and were just giggling non stop!

In search of the best pumpkin.....

Matt was so proud of Sadie's find...as I've written about in the past, my husband loves to find the most unique pumpkin possible (this usually includes different coloring, a cool stem, and various random bumps or something to differentiate it from the others)

And Sadie did a pretty good job of just that!

I love this sequence of pictures of the boys finding theirs....

And then the girls....

The consequences of looking for the perfect pumpkin? Carrying them all

Sadie was pretending this pumpkin was her baby!

One Happy Bunch!

And two tired babies....

What a wonderful day....can't wait to do it again!!