New Toys!

Emmy, of course, wanted to get a new barbie (Rapunzel Barbie).

It's pretty cool; the hair extensions have beads on them and you snap it onto the beads that are already in the barbies hair. Then you can pretend to cut it off with the scissors... not really cutting the hair.

Spencer picked out this Handy Manny Tool Box.

Usually he's indecisive about what he wants, but not this time. I picked out other toys that I thought he would like and asked if he liked them better or if he still wanted the tools; he chose the tools every time.

The kids really miss Daddy. They say things like "Daddy can have this when he comes home", "We'll save this for Daddy", "I think I hear Daddy coming", "Maybe Daddy can come with us". Spencer asked me the other night as I was tucking him in bed who was going to tuck me in. So sweet! I just told him that Daddy will do it when he gets home and I would just tuck myself in until then.

Spencer had his first soccer lesson today. He did great! He's just like Emmy at her dance class. They go to learn and are very serious; it's not a time to mess around. I wouldn't mind at all if they did goof off a bit, but I am glad that they are really into their activities.

TDY

Erik left a couple days ago and will be TDY for the next 4 months. No fun. I've done my best to get us as busy as possible while he's gone, so we don't just sit around the house all summer long and dwell on how much we miss him. I got a membership to the YMCA so I can go work out while the kids play in the kids gym. This is the first time that I've ever left the kids with anyone other than my Mom but they were both ok with it. I only leave them for an hour at a time so they don't miss me too much. Spencer will start a Mommy and Me soccer class there tomorrow... Erik is so bummed about missing that. Emmy will start swimming lessons there this summer. I will swim with Spencer while she's doing her class. They also offer preschool classes so Emmy will start going to that on the 18th of April. She is very excited to say the least. I think I will start Spencer in preschool when he's 3 yrs. but I haven't decided for sure yet. I'll just have to see how I feel about it when the time comes.

So the day Erik left was pretty difficult, for me especially. I had a migraine all day... 12 Motrin later it finally started to dull. We basically sat around the house all day (besides going to Emmy's dance class) and played and read books. Yesterday the kids emptied out their piggy banks and used their own money to buy a new toy. After we traded in the coins for bills, Emmy carried her own money in her purse. They both picked out the toy of their choice without any help from me. Emmy handed the money to the cashier when we checked out, and the cashier handed Emmy the change and receipt to put in her purse. It was so cute and I could tell Emmy was very proud of herself. I'll post pictures of the toys they picked out soon!

Sad Day

We miss Daddy.

Our St. Patties Day Pictures

Cute As Can Be

Cutest Little Pose

Always Time For Hugs

This is the street over from our house that hasn't been built on yet. We take the kids there to ride their scooter bikes. It's fun for them because they don't have to worry about any traffic.

Vikings Fans and Springs Preserves

Hugs for Spencer

The Cutest Vikings Fans

We took the kids to the Springs Preserves last weekend to do a little hiking.

Big Binoculars

Spencer always walks behind Emmy.

We have dozens of pictures just like these. It's rare to see Spencer in front.

The rest of our MT pictures

The whole point in going to MT was to surprise my Dad for his birthday. We only told my Mom and she wasn't allowed to tell anyone else. Papa was very surprised!

Papa always hides when the camera comes out, so the only part of him you'll see at his b-day celebration is his hand in the lower left corner.

Spencer and Christian

Nana and the kids making a snowman

Emmy and Spencer in the snow

Fun Times

This little play area at the airport kept the kids entertained until we had to go. I wish every airport had one.

Montana Pictures!

The kids got plenty of outside time while we were in Montana and LOVED all the snow!

Spencer Hiking

Emmy Posing

Snow Angel

The kids were thrilled when Papa showed up in his police car.

Of course they had to get into everything.

This is a big train in the basement of a craft store we went to.

All Emmy wanted to do the entire time we were in Montana is snuggie her favorite Nana... who can blame her!

Papa got Spencer some new cars to race.

Everybody Coloring

Nana bought string and beads for Emmy to make a pretty necklace.

I'll post more Montana pictures soon!

Train Pictures

The kids had a great time looking out the window on the train while we were eating breakfast.

After sleeping all night on the train, we had just a few hours in the morning until we arrived at our destination.

Both kids watched a DVD in the meantime.

Daddy helping Spencer and Emmy with their Little Einstein's game.

Our room was tiny, but it did have two adult size beds and two kid size beds. All the seats folded down and converted into a bed. I didn't sleep a wink all night. It was nice to finally arrive at Nana and Papa's house and sleep in a very cozy bed!

More Snow Pictures From MN

Emmy pulling Spencer...

...and Grandpa pulling Emmy.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

We went on vacation and spent one week in MN and one week in MT. This picture was taken at the airport while we were waiting for our flight to MN.

Spencer really enjoyed playing with all of Erik's old toys.

We went to the MN Zoo and rode on the monorail rather than walking in the bitter cold to see all the animals.

We also went to the Mall of America and let the kids go on a bunch of the rides.

Spencer and Daddy riding on Blue

Emmy was having so much fun on all the rides... little did we know that in a couple hours we would be at the Doctor's office getting a prescription for her ear infection. She told me that her ear hurt but she still wanted to stay and play. We ended up cutting this outing short against her will.

Spencer went to the Dr. the very next day and we discovered that he also had an ear infection. I wasn't sure what was going on with them at first because they were playing as usual only a little grumpier. Very tough kids and hardly complained at all. We never once had to get up with them at night and they seemed to sleep quite soundly.

Valentine's Day we got up and gave the kids some goodies. Emmy was happy that we let her eat chocolate in the morning.

Here is Emmy telling everyone all about our family. I was at the Doctor's office with Spencer at the time, but I was told that she had the floor for about 45 minutes. We have no secrets now!

Seth, Annika, Spencer, and Emmy

Some much needed outside time in the snow

Oh, baby it's cold outside!

Here's Spencer taking a little break.

After a week in MN we took the 11:00 p.m. train to ND. We got a sleeper so we could all sleep until we got there. After we arrived in Williston the next morning, we had about an hour drive to Sidney, MT. I'll post those pictures soon, as well as a few more from MN that blogger won't let me post now for some reason!