Moving Uplander

There was no time better than now to Move on Up and upgrade the ol' Mini van. The thermostat was slow to heat, the brakes were worn from age and the sloping hills of Duluth, and the power window was starting to slip off the track. So instead of pumping the money into repairs, we choose to put it toward a down payment of a new van- with 100,000 mile warranty. What we got was a silver Chevrolet Uplander (see picture). Its rated pretty highly and has all the other things that are important... that's Brad's department- I just care about how it drives and what it looks like. The first thing the boys noticed was that they have their own little speakers in the back by their seats. The old van had the speakers in the far back, which was usually blocked by luggage or the stroller. So now they get to hear their tunes loud and clear.
Its funny how you just get used to things... Not only the way a new vehicle rides smoother, or heats faster. But how much more firm the seat cushions are, and how sensitive good brakes are. A little getting used to, but there's no complaining here. I've never been so excited about Mini-Van!!

Our Little Thanksgiving

Like previously noted we celebrated a quiet Thanksgiving at home, just the 5 of us. We were pretty traditional...watched the Macy's parade, hung out in jammies most of the day, and I browsed the flyers throughout the day for a total of 4+ hours- carefully making my 4 am shopping plans. But really overall we just enjoyed the day together without any interruptions. Dylan and Riley provided the lovely center pieces~ that they made at their school. And they were excellent helpers with setting the table.

Brotherly Love

I've been trying to get a cute picture of the 3 boys to put on desk at work, and needless to say its a little difficult. I can't seem to get all 3 looking at the camera, with anything but a goofy face, or at least their whole face showing. There's always a hand or head in front of someone, or they are horsing around and not paying attention to my photo shoot. So although I didn't get that PERFECT picture of my crew, it captured their true brotherly love.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

This year will be our first Thanksgiving as crew of 5... and no more! I am thankful that our family is complete, and that we are all in good health- minus the sniffles and coughs. This Thanksgiving we will find ourselves celebrating in Duluth, with a small yet still pretty traditional meal, as it will only be us. The turkey has been substituted with a turkey breast (we don't like dark meat) and since Brad doesn't like green beans, we'll be without the green bean casserole. I'm the only on who likes sweet potatoes, so that's out the door too. And I don't know how to make pumpkin pie (nor care to) so we'll have apple crisp instead. Of course we could have gone and bought a pie, but then your house wouldn't smell like yummy baking. The important thing is that we'll be together and have a great day, loafing around in our Pj's watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade on TV. I'm hoping that for that one day we can forget about making any decisions (new house, new van, new babysitter) and just enjoy simplicity.
Although I'll miss all the other family that we usual spend Thanksgiving with, I'm secretly excited to celebrate and start new traditions with my kids...like Mac & Cheese as a side dish ;-)
Hope you all have a Thankful Day as well.

Talking to my Angel

Last week I made the trip back home with the 3 kids, to attend my Great Grandma Clara's funeral. Unfortunately Brad was held up with big events at work, and couldn't come along, which made the drive home even harder. Not because of the kids or driving conditions, but the solitude of a 4 hour drive. As the kids slept I cried, reminiscing of childhood memories with my gma, and the special moments I was able to share with her over the last 28 yrs of my life.
When I was born, I became the 5th generation in my gma's family tree. And then 24 yrs later I was able to grant her first rank in the 5th generation as Dylan and Riley became her Great-Great Grandchildren. Then 4 yrs latter she was able to welcome g-g-grandchild #3 with Brady's arrival.
At 95 yrs of age she was still on top of her game...Lived on her own with very little assistance, very sharp mind, and although she'd disagree with you, very able body...I think she thought 95 yr olds should still be able to do cart wheels? All this brings her death even harder to take. What was first thought to be flu symptoms turned alarming and into a GI obstruction that her body became poisoned by and she just couldn't fight it off. As her systems began to shut down surgery was just not an option. Less than 24 hrs latter she was gone.
It was especially hard for me to see my mom and family mourning Gma's death. She wasn't a grandma to my mom... she was a Mom... This struck deeper. As a teenager my mom's mother abandoned her family, leaving my grandpa to parent 5 young kids on his own. Gma was a widow and so really took them in, to help raise her 5 grandkids. Long before gma was a saving grace, but it was during the tough teenage years she was the one my mom looked up to. She was there to lean on when times were tough, and there to cheer her on to victories. The touching thing that I've now been able to see from their relationship, is how she showed my mom what being a gma is all about. My mom always makes her time with the boys so special...she always puts them first, encourages them to explore new things, teaches them to respect others and never forgets to reward them with special treats, just like gma Clara did for us.

So as I drove down Hwy 2 I started to think... If I could have one last conversation with Gma, what would I say...

Grandma Clara,
When I think back to our special times together I'm reminded of many different things. Mush for breakfast, Mac & Cheese with sugar on top for lunch, fresh vegetables from your garden for supper and strawberry malts for bedtime snack. I remember spending many days playing around the farm; playing out in the open well spout, swimming in the ditch water, exploring the vacant buildings, goofing around in the old outhouse, weeding the garden (eating the strawberries), and riding bike around your triangle flower garden...I swear gma we didn't mean to run over your pretty flowers, just took the corner too tight and Opps! The times we were forced indoors, I loved playing restaurant at your basement bar, and using all your 7-up to make it even more real. Oh and you had the fastest carpet steps I've ever seen!! And when that was called off, the laundry shoot was pretty fun too...The catch box at the bottom was a great hiding space;-) I know I share a lot of the same stories as many of my cousins, and aunts and uncles- every kid had adventures at your house. No matter what it was, it was always fun at grandmas house. Even when you tried to install the fear of the Hustamonic! You always made us feel special, grandma. I loved spending time at your house.
As an adult, I looked forward to our weekly Saturday calls, to tell you what the babies were up to. Even though we couldn't visit often when Dylan and Riley were little, you always kept tabs on us, to make sure they were doing well. I enjoyed sharing their milestones, and stories with you. I wanted you to watch them grow like you did with me. When Brady came along you did the same... I'll miss those calls. I'm so glad you got to meet my boys, grandma. I'm so proud of them and honored to share them with you... Your 5th generation. I'm so glad you got to squeeze them, hold them and give them a kiss on the cheek. I hope they can picture your face forever. They will always be reminded of you, and how much you loved them.
Grandma I am so thankful you were there for my mom when she was growing up. You gave her a role model to look up to and values to what being a mother is all about. You gave her and taught her unconditional love. The same love that has trickled down, and will continue to trickle down the generations. You always put family first, and went to great lengths to make sure we were all taken care of, it was never about you, you brought us all together.
There's so much more I want to say, and I don't want to end our conversation here, nor say good bye. So if its alright with you I'd still like to check in every once in awhile...Through my thoughts... I'll think of you often and you help guide me when I go astray. I Love you Grandma...

Nothing in particular...

Not much going on night...Just enjoying the Thursday night TV line up. And in peace and quite, as I put all the kids to bed before 8:00 and sent Brad out with a buddy for beers. The only 2 shows that really matter to me are Grey's Anatomy and ER...he knows this! But every week during those shows, its always something...he's munching on chips, crinkling the bag extra loud, or playing on his phone making it beep, ring and sing or mimicking the shows, or poking at me, all just to annoy me! So tonight I treated myself and got rid of him. It was so nice!!! Maybe I can get his Wednesday night hockey moved to Thursdays... then I'd never have this problem again ;-)

Ah what else is there to ramble about? The weather... Over the years my father-in-law has rubbed off on me a bit, and now I talk more about the weather. I not near as extreme as he though= I don't watch the weather channel all day or follow the "systems" like he does. But the topic tends to come up in my conversations more than it ever did before. (Wait-Is this a sign of aging?...nah) So we've had a few flurries here this week, but nothing thats accumulated and stuck around. Some slow, cold, misty rain and the occasional gust of winds. Haven't seen the big Gales of November on Lake Superior yet either...hope they don't decide to stay away our first year here. Apparently the Gales make waves around 16 feet high, that then smash into the rocky shore like crazy. People actually surf the waves, they are so big. Sounds cool, I just hope I get to see them.
Of course the boys are excited for the snow, and every time they see snowflakes they comment "Oh...its soon gonna be Christmas time." Not yet my dears- we haven't had Thanksgiving yet.
Oh, one more thing... In case my Brother in-law Mike (Huge Packer Fan) is reading this... Go Vikes! Hopefully the beer made your loss a little easier last weekend. (I don't follow football at all, but couldn't miss an opportunity to rub salt in the wounds- GO Minnesota.)

Fine Example...

So this evening my observations were proven factual.


Brady watched from a distance quickly inching his way in for a closer look. Soon after he stretched and scooted his butt a little he was within reach of the race track and took over from there.

After a few laps around the track the temptation gave in... He grabbed a hold of the dump truck and train, giving them a good slob...



Dylan quickly snatched them back. Whata ya know... full of drool, so he had to use his sleeve to wipe it all off.








It wasn't long before Brady took over the track...literally!

Steamroller: Destroys all in its path.

Brady has successfully figured out how to get around, without hopping on a hip... His rolling has become WILD!! He can get from one corner of the room to the other in no time at all. Trust me I know... He's recently discovered the glass door on the TV stand and visits it often. He likes to slap at, and see his reflection~ I can only imagine what he's thinking when he can see himself and things in behind his image, but can't get through to touch them. He spends time starring in at the radio with wonder... "Ah the lights, buttons, knobs and gadgets! If only I could get my hands on it!" ;-)
Last night he got ahold of his big brother's Marshmallow shooter (one of those PVC craft show toys) and rolled around like an army guy, until his leg got hung up on the excersaucer...Then came the cry for help. He's pretty darn close to rocking on his knees and taking off in a full crawl. But for now he's got the back scoot and barrel roll down pat, and will just go with that.

Dylan and Riley are both enjoying and disliking their little brothers mobility. They like to wrestle around with him, and coax him with toys to see if he'll come get it... a fun little game. But there is a downside this... Poor Brady isn't welcome to participate in all their big boy business. Instead of being content to just sit and watch what they were doing, now he wants to get right in there... and DESTROY!! No more reading books, drawing, or playing "Big Boy" toys in the Living Room, cuz Brady will tear your pages, eat your crayons and slob your Ninja Turtle, and thats not cool. I get a little kick out of it when he gets right in there, but do get tired of hearing "Brady SLOBBED on my toy Mommy." They are quickly learning its no longer the little toys you gotta keep out of his reach but ALL toys. He He He He... Its just the beginning my dears!!

Cute Moments

From what I recall, Dylan and Riley never seemed to mind hoods and hats on their heads or getting bundled up for the cold as babies or toddlers, or even now. Brady on the other hand...extends his belly, grunts and moans, and wrestles with his mitts, hoods and hats. That kid whips off his toque as soon as you look away. However this was one moment that he actually didn't mind his cute little hood.



We were getting ready to leave the house the other day, and he was patiently waiting for the rest of us... just sitting there looking so cute with his little tassel hoodie.

Most days there is always a basket of clean laundry around, just waiting to get folded... and since the Laundry Queen hasn't been here for a while and won't be here until next month... I've recruited the boys to help out. 97% of the things are left for Mommy to fold, but they do a great job with socks, washcloths and under ware.

Happy Halloween

This year we spent our Halloween trick-or-treating with the ghosts and goblins out at Winnipeg Beach, MB. My 2 Ninja Turtles and little Devil, were excited to be out with their vampress cousin Sydney, and on the other end I'm pretty certain the Canadian Aunties loved the visit from special trick-or-treaters this year. We got a late start, but the weather was perfect, so after stopping in at all the relatives we hit the street and they made a haul.

The little devil was tuckered out, and went home for an earlier bed time, but my SIL Jodi and I took the big ones to a few more places. This is what I remember the most from trick-or-treating as a child... going door to door in the dark night. The 3 of them would run up to the door, and instead of ringing the door bell, they counted 1-2-3 and then yelled "TRICK-OR-TREAT!" As soon as they saw the person coming to the door, they'd excitedly jump up and down and hold their bags out for the candy. After a polite "Thank you" they'd run off to the next house, and repeat. At one point between houses, Dylan started chanting pumping his fist in the air, "Halloween. Halloween, Halloween." Things were super exciting until we got to the really spooky house... with a graveyard, fog, and scary music playing in the yard. They stopped dead in their tracks but then hesitantly followed behind all of us, realizing that was a better option than standing there alone. But in the end I was the one that got spooked at this stop, when a huge spider dropped from the sky right onto my head. There was a guy on the roof, who dropped a spider tied to the end of a fishing rod on my head, while the kids were getting their candy. I gasped like a chicken and blushed like a fool. We finally had to call it a night, because we had no where else to store the candy.

As you can see these kids got sooooo much candy its unbelievable, and truthfully we didn't stop at that many places. It was the Aunties and grandparents that spoiled them.
I thought Halloween was over and done for the year, but during our visit to Target last weekend, we found the 90% clearance sale on left over Halloween stuff, and Grandma scored Vampire capes for the guys, and I got them a warewolf and Ninja costume for $3 a piece... For that price how can you not add to your costume collection, and make for some scary play.