apple of my eye

Not sure what that saying means, really.

 

But we sure did find some apples this weekend.

 

And raspberries.

 

That's all I can come up with this morning. Enjoy the cute kid pics...

 

 

a warm blanket

Most people know I grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota. We call it Fargo for short. And some people just call it the flyover state. Others make fun of it because everyone says 'oh ya, you betcha.'

To me, it is home.

It doesn't take the place of my current home and family, because that is everything to me. But it certainly has a special place in my heart and every time I go there, it feels like home. You know that feeling? When you drive into town and it just feels like someone gave you a hug...or wrapped a warm blanket around you... comforting, familiar, and full of family.

I love it and cherish the time we get when we go home for simple days, simple pleasures.

Like shucking corn. 

We went 'home' a couple weekends ago for what I anticipate will become an annual venture. Nearly 300 ears of corn were shucked, blanched, bagged and frozen for the winter.

 

The kids had a blast, even though they arrived for the last five minutes...

How can you not have fun when everyone is focused on you. And you have a paper towel holder to use as a bat to practice your t-ball?

And you get to spend quality time with your mommy?

And examine those little green things called vegetables!

And pose in a picture where you pretend to eat those little green things called vegetables?

 

Looking forward to next year's Walker Schuckfest...

 

 

pee wee

I'm not sure what we'll do with our Monday and Wednesday nights anymore. The last few weeks have been so much fun watching Jaxon begin his pee-wee sports adventures. I can't believe he is at the age when they start organized sports! Where did the time go?

From the first night when he got his t-shirt and met his team, this kid was looking forward to Mondays and Wednesdays, counting the days in between...

They started with soccer.

Jaxon learned all his trapping and kicking skills from Scott. They sure had fun, enjoying time together and feeling like a 'big boy'. Jaxon too.

After they 'mastered' soccer, they had two weeks of t-ball. His team wasn't the brightest. Most of them hit the ball and then ran after it instead of toward the base. But then, this is pee-wee sports.

Jaxon saw this baseball hat in the store and just had to have it. He wants to be just like his dad. Too bad this isn't silver and black. Then he would have really been bringing it.

I mean, can we say pee-wee again? Jaxon was swimming in his t-shirt and that batting helmet never did quite get above his eyebrows... but he sure ran as fast as he could in those crocs.

The Blue Buejays, named by none other than the kids themselves.

 The biggest fan. Kiley and I would go and watch Jaxon play. She would sit on the sidelines with her goldfish or fruit snacks and cheer for Jaxon. It wasn't until the last night that she started goofing around and thought she should be able to play too...

 She loved to sit on the bench with all the kids, right next to her big brother Jaxon.

 They even let Scottie play and gave him some pointers.

It's been a fun summer, watching Jaxon change so much. He now rolls his eyes at us, as if we are 'like, so dumb.' And he wants to do everything himself, make his own decisions, and he's decided that Dora is for little babies and that Spider Man and Super Hero shows are where it's at for him. Our little man is growing up. It is scary, yet somewhat exciting. I can't wait to see all the good things he is going to do someday. He's terribly smart, handsome, funny, and has such a big heart. Sounds kinda like his dad. Ahh, both of my boys are growing up! Could I be any luckier?

lazy summer days

Whoever coined the term, 'lazy summer days', did not have a 4 1/2 year old and a 2 year old. Clearly, given my lack of blogging, there hasn't been anything lazy about our days.

I won't go into how quickly time passes and before you know it your kids are all grown.

I won't do that because I've already done it.

I've already cried about it.

I've sort of come to terms with it.

So rather than that, I've really just been trying to enjoy every moment this summer.

Moments like these...

Kiley's 2-year birthday party!

She had her pretty dress on... lots of frosting... and her favorite friends over for water toys, sprinklers, and tons of fun on a super hot day.

Kiley got a new stroller and bathtub for her dolls. I think it was one of her favorite gifts- she is quite the caretaker these days. She pushes her dolls around, makes sure they are fed and changed, and even asks her kitty if she would like to go in the microwave or refrigerator. She always accomodates, even if the kitty doesn't talk back.

And of course Ed and Jen had some fun too!

And moments like these...

Putting together Jaxon's new bike!

 Scott had lots of help. Kiley is quite the mechanic.

 Not sure what Jaxon is doing with that screwdriver...

Jaxon couldn't wait to get on his new bike and ride around like a big boy. Ever since we started going to the purple park, he's been asking for one as all the other kids ride their bikes to the park.

Good thing he got his first fall out of the way in the driveway before any kids at the park could see him. He was very graceful on the way down, in case you were wondering. He wore his helmet after this.

And many, many more moments which I will share in the coming days... I've been told by a little birdie (aka, my mother), that I need to post something soon! So here's me, making an attempt to catch up on these lazy summer days (not!). More moments to come...

strawberry shortcake

When I was little, I had Strawberry Shortcake curtains and bedding in my room. We'd eat strawberries with sugar on them for a snack. My favorite pie was always strawberry.

As a girl I remember going to the strawberry fields with my family... often with my Grandma Char. They had a field right in West Fargo where you could pick buckets of strawberries. Later in the year, we'd pick baby cucumbers for canning pickles. I remember thinking, what is she going to do with all of these!! But she always found a use for everything and it was usually delicious!

So I thought it might be a fitting way to celebrate her life's passing as my baby girl turned two, to spend the morning picking strawberries.

Though we didn't say it enough, I loved my grandma very much and have so many memories of her- mostly surrounded by food- and so as I say goodbye to her, I find myself wanting to create new memories with my kids, start new traditions, pass on some of her warmth, cooking, and sense of humor, so that someday when I tell them about her, they'll recognize a bit of her in me... or in themselves.

So, Saturday morning, we headed out to Pine Tree Apple Orchards for some strawberry picking.

Now that Kiley is two, she's decided that she can pretty much do everything on her own. I'm pretty sure if we gave her the car keys, she'd figure out how to drive herself to the fields. Girl has a mind that is made up. I love it.

And we always knew it would be just a short while before she started sassing back to Jaxon and fighting for what's hers. Well, seems as if overnight, that time has come.

But, through all her tantrums and 'terrible two-ness', she is still my baby girl.

Sweet. Funny. Copycat. Busy-bee. Industrious. Foodie. Determined. Independent. Laughter and gigles. Cuddler. Jokester. Smart.  

And oh, so cute.

It was a special morning and I hope to make it a tradition we can do every year (as long as she'll let us!).

Afterwards we went home and opened a few presents. I got Kiley a Pink Dinosaur pillow pet- she keeps talking about dinosaurs getting her feet, so I thought this was appropriate.

And Scott got her a new blankie to replace the other two that are full of holes.

We love you sweet baby girl. You are pure joy. Our little Strawberry Shortcake.

ringbearer

A trip to the park, bubbles and gifts, bow ties and dresses. Jaxon made his big debut as a ringbearer this weekend in my cousin Tyler's wedding. Despite the sadness of my grandma Char not making it due to being in the hospital, it was a beautiful day and we couldn't be happier for the bride and groom.  Here's a few photos of the night before at the park and the wedding day...