5 Years Later...

Gosh...it's been 5 years since I last wrote something. How is that even possible. Oh yes, life has gotten in the way. A big move, a house build, 2 additional daughters. I could go on, but it doesn't really matter. Everyone has busy lives, they don't want to read about ours.

I have decided in the past week though to embrace social media. Seems the only wasy people communicate anymore is through electronic devices. I'm now part of not only the Facebook world, but also the Twitter world and the Instagram world. It's a learning process. If I had to guess, my 6.5 year old is probably more proficient at any of them, even though she has never actually done them, but I am going to give it a go! I am a stay at home mom, in small town southern Minnesota. I have time to update people on our mundane lives.

Some highlights of the past five years...
**2010: moved from the frozen tundra of Duluth, Mn all the way to Fairmont, MN. Small farm town 10 miles from the IA border. Matt grew up here. I grew up 50 miles north of here. It was time to return to our roots.

**2011: We welcomed daughter +2 into the world. She came in quick and has been on the go ever since! Sophia is our sweet and stubborn one!

**2012: Audrey joined our family, making it complete. She is our spitfire and we already dread all the trouble she is potentially going to get into.

*2013: Ironically nothing stands out. I am positive we must have highlights, but I am drawing a blank.

**2014: Allie entered kindergarten. As I write this, the school year is coming to a close. Sad that she is growing up so fast but love watching her evolve! Matt decided to become volunteer fire fighter too. On top of his 9-5 job and farming, we don't see much of him!

Our lives in a nutshell. We are crazy busy. We have our ups and downs. But we are family, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Stay tuned for updates!

A Move, A Horse, and Summertime

I have no excuse for my failure to write posts...We have officially moved to Fairmont now. We loaded up and made the trek down on May 14th. We are currently living with Matt's mom & dad as our house will not be done until Fall. I absolutely can not wait to have a space to call our own again! Don't get me wrong, both hosts (Kate, and now the Streit's) have been more than gracious and welcoming, but I am ready for my own space! The move did bring us some sunshine, and warmer temps than we have experienced in a LONG time. I love it. Still no job for me, but continue to look. I do love my time home with Allie but I'm sure she is getting sick of hanging out with mom and is longing for some playmates her own age. Ours days stay full with a long morning walk around Lake Sisseton (with a coffee break 1/2 way-Matt's office is just a block off the path), lots of playing and coloring, and tons of time outside! We have also retaken up golf, 3 rounds now in the past 3 weeks and after 17 years of not golfing, I have quite enjoyed it again! Below are some pics of little miss Allie...

Her first experience going in a sprinkler. She loved it! Hope she loves swimming lessons just as much as she starts next week! We're hoping for a little fish who loves the water!

Here she is driving her tractor. She has adapted quite nicely to farm life, and is forever dirty. If we are outside and she "disappears", we can always find her in one of the flower gardens or at the edge of the field playing in the dirt!

And here she is with her favorite toy of the moment: "GoGo". She rides her pony ALL over the house, and often insists on wearing her tutu when doing it. She is definitely a character!

Well, I guess that is our lives in a nutshell. I promise to be better at this as time goes on. I'll update the house progress and post pics also!

March 7th, 2010

To update, we are still living with Kate and Kenzie. These two little girls are loving each other like sisters, couldn't ask for a better helper. Our plans for moving are...moving along with no pun intended. I signed off on the final design plans just the other day. Now begins the fun part-picking out all the little details. For all those who know me, I'm not a big decision maker so this ought to be interesting!

Miss Allie is about to be 18 months old on March 9th. She is all girl, and very strong willed at that. She knows what she wants and she doesn't want to wait for it. She is definitely a ham though, always doing something to make us laugh. Favorite activities include reading...she can't get enough, playing with her babies, riding her "motorcycle", and of course she is talking up a storm...

This is our "little Madonna". Very chic! She's been rockin' around the living room all afternoon!

And last but not least is Jasmine...taken by our very own Allison. Not sure how she figured out how to turn on the camera, point and shoot, but it turned out very well!

And a last little note to Matt...Happy 3rd Anniversary! Thanks for everything. Can't believe we were in Mexico tying the knot 3 years ago...look at all the memories it has brought us since! Love you!

I know...I know...An Overdue Update

I know I have no excuse for the fact that I have not updated this in months. But we have been busy...keeping up with a one year old, traveling through snow storms for the holidays, working full time, making house plans and moving arrangements...Yes, I have finally found a free moment to update our lives and pics of Allie while she is currently intrigued with the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's (I'm so excited about that too since I love that movie!)

Our holiday were good, and it was nice to be able to spend time with both families. I am however looking forward to next Christmas when travel time doesn't make up most of the weekend and we don't have to worry about storms quite as much!

House plans are coming along. Final drafts are nearly complete and I have even started working on choosing colors, appliances, and all the other small stuff! I've been told no last minute decisions so I'm getting an extra big head start!

Other than that, things are good. Matt got to go to the final regular season Vikings game with Nate, he is ice fishing this weekend. I have a girls shopping weekend planned with Kate the beginning February. The rest of our time has been spent hanging out with Allie. She is a riot now...so many new words and always has a smile and a giggle. At her recent 15 month check up (which was a month late so she was 16 months) she weighed in at 21 lbs and is 2'7" tall. Still lean and mean but has an attitude or "allitude" as we like to say. She definitely has a strong willed personality and knows what she wants! Below is a little compilation of the pre holidays and the holidays.

Getting ready to go Christmas shopping with mom. I think we got just about everything done that day!

Hanging out at home on a snowy day...doesn't she look like she should be on the slopes in that outfit?

Her new "Rudolph" nose...yes it lights up and she loves wearing it , not only at home but just about everywhere we go.

The new red (original) Radio Flyer wagon. Sure can't wait to move to the farm and ride in it all summer long! Hopefully Grandma is ready for lots of walks with me!

Opening a Christmas present at Grandpa & Grandma's house.

Now, time to get ready for the big game. GO VIKINGS!! And yes, I promise to update this more frequently!

What the Sophisticated Shopper Wears

We definitely have a girl on our hands. She is in all sense of the word, girl. She loves to dress up, and play with makeup brushes. And her newest accessories include my scarves and of course purses.

And what outfit isn't complete with matching shoes? At the age of 14 months, she already owns more shoes than her dad! Sad, I know, but true!

October 2009

Happy Belated Halloween! I'm sorry this has taken me so long to post but it has been a very busy month. We hope ya'll had a great holiday and are ready to gear up for our fave Turkey Day!

Matt and Allie carving pumpkins. Allie wasn't much help as you very well can imagine!

Our little lady bug.

We Sold the House!

Well, we did it! We finally sold the house. In just 3 short weeks, we will be moving out of 5714 Main Street. I have very mixed emotions about this of course...it's our first house...it Allie's first house...we've put a lot of hard work into the house...and of course Matt keeps asking if we can move the garage with us. I don't think its so much about the garage as it is the fact it was built with the wood from his grandpa's old corn crib. A lot of memories! Of course, I am also excited to move. To start with we are moving to the Welch compound. It is so nice of them to let us stay there in transition while we begin the process of finding the perfect house...I'm excited to hang out with Kate on a more regular basis too. I'm also excited to actually begin looking for the perfect house. Is there such thing? Guess we'll find out! I appologize now if this gets to be put on the back burner. Packing takes a lot out of a person! I will do my best to show Allie and the process...

But until next time...

PS: Allie had her 1 year check up on Friday. She weighed in at 19 lbs 3 oz & was 2'5" tall. That put her in the 25th percentile for weight and 75th for height. Lean and mean!