Noah

 

Noah turned 12! I teased him all morning that he wasn’t 12 until about noon since that was when he was actually born. Like birthed, born. I said he couldn’t open his presents until it was actually his BIRTHday.

 

Saturday we enjoyed celebrating all the family birthdays (2 sisters, niece, and nephew) at my mom and dad’s. Even my sister and niece from WI came! It was nice to see everyone. My other sister had her hip replaced 5 days prior and even she was there. It was a nice way to start the weekend.

 

Sunday rolled around and Noah woke up at 6:30. Geez. Nothing like sleeping in on the weekends. He’s just such a morning person. No matter that he goes to bed 3 hours later on the weekends than he does on the week nights…..he still gets up super early.

 

Connor must have sensed us up because he wasn’t too far behind his brother. So, might as well open presents….

 

Connor bought Noah a Nerf gun he wanted. I would show you a lovely picture of the two of them opening it together, Connor wrapped in a blanket as he was barely awake, but I had to take photos with our point-and-shoot. I just tried to transfer the photos and my computer won’t open them. It doesn’t recognize the file. I have tried every trick I know, and nothing is working. So this post will be without pics of my almost teenager…..

 

Just imagine Connor looking through slit-eyes and yawning while Noah is smiling ear-to-ear.

 

I started with his favorite breakfast, cinnamon rolls (which means I popped open the tube and assembled them in a pan) and then it was on to the present from us.

 

It was a CELL PHONE! I still can’t believe we did it. It was a big decision. Not that we don’t feel he’s responsible, he’s extremely responsible. It the other kids and their lack of responsibility that I worry about. Mostly the chicks.

 

He was super surprised and very excited. He thanked me over-and-over throughout the morning. He programmed it and typed numbers in it. He texted his grandparents and waited anxiously for their reply.

 

I like the idea of getting a hold of him whenever I want. I also thought it was neat that we came home from baseball and someone texted him to tell him someone he’s friends with hit a homerun in the second game. That was cool. I hope these are the kinds of things he’s using his phone for, and not girl drama. He’s not ready for girls, even though they are more than ready for him (as is evident by the phone calls we get on our home phone).

 

I made rice crispy bars for him to share after baseball. Boys are hungry after all.

 

After baseball we headed home and his cousin Zach came over for supper. Noah requested Hamburger Helper so that is what we had! Personally, I don’t think it tastes like it used to. I used to like it, even though it is horrible for you. Now, it’s not good. I choked it down for the birthday boy. 

 

Noah turning another year, means Connor turns a half. They are always 3 1/2 years apart.

 

Noah will go with friends to Grand Slam next Saturday in between football and baseball. They are going to do laser tag, mini golf, batting cages, and the arcade. Then they will come back home for ice cream and cake. It’s always nice to spread your birthday out a few weeks!

 

Noah Michael…..thank you for being such an amazing kid. Really, you make me proud every single day to say I am your mom. I am so excited to see what you will do with your life, what you will be, and the places you will go. You have so many exciting things ahead of you. Thanks for letting your dad and I come along for the ride!

 

Love,

LB

Long Time No Talk

 

Blog, sweet blog. Oh, how I have neglected thee. I feel super guilty about it too. Seeing everyone else post pictures of their kids’ first day of school has REALLY made me feel violent stabs to the heart. You see, I have no picture to post because one does not exist. The bad thing about being the photographer in the family is that if you aren’t around to take it, it won’t get taken. So, because I leave before the kids wake most days…..there is no picture to share.

 

However, there are other pictures.

 

Before summer ended, we finally made it to a Twins game. My sweet friend has season tickets and we always manage to snag a game from her every summer. We even got a night game! It was super hot, even though it was evening, but we still had a good time.

 

Mike and I glowing and sweating before the game.

 

 

 

Don’t you miss Kirby?

 

 

 

Tony Oliva was walking the halls before the game. Poor guy was mobbed.

 

 

 

 

A hot, steamy, fun way to end summer 2011! 

 

 

 

Both boys joined football for the first time this fall. It wasn’t exactly my first choice for a sport for my children, but now that they have been playing, it hasn’t been too bad. However, the ambulance with sirens blaring did have to come to the football fields this morning. Never enjoyable to see that.

 

Observe Connor in his game today……

Watching for the ball carrier, minding his own business…..

 

 

 A nudge from behind. Hey, can you do that in football?

 

 

 

I believe they call this holding?

 

 

 

 

Poor boy thrown to the ground…..

 

 

I would roll over and play dead too, Connor.

 

 

He did get to play quarterback awhile and it’s quite comical listening to him call out the chant hut-hut thing.

 

 

Noah played immediately after Connor. The sun started to peak through the clouds during his game and we were even able to shed a layer or two.

 

Most of the game, Noah’s butt was toward the camera….

 

 

 

 

 

Mike helps coach Noah’s team so there were lots of these moments…… 

 

Noah is still playing baseball on Sundays. He plays double-headers. Between two football games Saturday and two baseball games Sunday, our weekends are pretty full. Somehow I have to fit in a birthday party for a certain 12 year old this month.

 

Hope your fall is starting off smoothly. I think I am ready for football, cooler weather, mums, sweaters, and pumpkins. Even if does mean winter is around the corner.

 

Peace,

LB

Savoring Summer

 

We have been enjoying every last second of August. A little bit of fun here, some frantic organizing there, a bit of a family get-together here, and a sweaty marathon of readying my classroom there.

 

Last weekend we enjoyed a family wedding on Mike’s side. His cousin Brandis got married. She opted to have the ceremony and reception at St. Olaf lake where Mike’s grandparents have a cabin, that Mike’s aunt owns due to their passing. For the life of me, I could not picture how they were going to get masses of people on this little lot for a wedding. I have to say, I was quite impressed with how it all came out.

 

They set up the ceremony overlooking the lake and the reception further up by the road, in a huge tent. The decorations were gorgeous and they even had candles hanging in the trees (we did not stay long enough to see these lit, but I am sure they were gorgeous).

  

The weather was perfect….all-in-all a nice night.

 

 

 

I could not get enough of this flower girl! This is Emmy and she’s Mike’s cousin’s daughter (did you follow that?). That pink dress on that green grass, those blonde locks…so adorable.

 

Of course all the pictures of the bride and groom came out blurry. I just can’t post blurry pictures so you will have to trust me, very pretty!

 

 

Moving on………

I made a recipe on a whim tonight. I logged into Pinterest to add something to a board. I came across a recipe for Straw and Hay. If you aren’t familiar with this dish, it’s a ham (or prosciutto), peas, pasta, and cream sauce delight. I have it when we go to Chianti Grill. I decided to tackle it because I had many of the ingredients already on hand. Can I just say……it tasted EXACTLY like the Chianti Grill version. I loved it. It’s TOTALLY sinful and so bad for you, but once in awhile you just have to live a little.

HERE is the recipe. SUPER easy to throw together.

 

I am sort-of obsessed with THIS website. This chick is a hair dresser and teaches you how to do cute little things with your hair (and she posts other things too). I secretly am so jealous of people that can do fun stuff with their hair. I so wish I could. I cut bangs recently (long ones) and hate them. I am going to try a few of these ideas and see if I can master them.

 

The fair gears up this week. We aren’t huge fair people. We never go up during the day (too hot), we mostly go just to eat. The kids kind-of like the rides but the past few years we haven’t felt the kids really got the use out of a $40 wristband. So, this year we will just do rides twice, once on the 96 cent night and the other on the night they sell the $15 wristbands. We will see how that goes. Mom and I will take the kids to the water park this week and take advantage of the smaller crowds.

 

We are prepping for fall and all that it brings. BOTH kids decided they wanted to play football this year. I am not sure how that happened, exactly, but they are all geared up. A fortune was spent for all new equipment for both kids and they love putting on all the stuff and playing catch. Cracks me up! We will miss the big meeting where they find out their coaches and teams because we have Twins tickets. Guess we will have to do some calling. Noah will also play fall baseball. I am beginning to wonder if we will ever make it to Sunday school as the games are all played on Sundays.

 

Fall also means the start of me being back in the classroom. I have been up to school twice for large chunks of time and feel pretty solid with where I am at. I have spent tons of time reading and researching this summer and I am feeling confident in how things will go this year. One more meeting with my team next week to plan a few things and I should be ready for the year.

 

Off to Target. I also saw on Pinterest some cute boots that I must have. Hopefully our Target carries them……

 

Peace out,

LB

Did You Know?

Did you know Pioneer Woman now has an entertainment section to her blog? Seriously, if I wasn’t a fan due to the photography (I use her editing downloads more than I use the ones in Photoshop) and the recipe sections, then I will CERTAINLY be a fan of this new one. I love movies, TV, celebrities.

 

 

Did you know Mike and I just got back from our last trip for the summer? We visited our friends in Indiana, Tammy and Paul. The four days were filled with lots of good food and relaxation. We also made a trip to a winery and visited the Louisville Slugger museum. We got to tour the factory where they make the bats for all the pro players and watch the whole process. It was interesting to hear all the different requests various players have for their own bats and see exactly how it all comes together. Both boys profited from that trip and got engraved bats. Mike and I enjoyed the time together in Indiana and even took the DVD player on the plane! It was such a short flight it took both flights to get through one movie.

 

 

Did you know that we signed Connor up for football? This is the first time either boy has played other than a small camp offered each August. I am totally freaked out about the tackling and am hoping there isn’t some 150 pound third grader out there lurking to pounce on my kid.

 

 

Did you know Noah is having sleep issues? He is taking melatonin and is convinced it’s helping him. I hope so. This morning he was up at 5:30. I told him he’s not going to be allowed to stay up late if he’s going to get up so early. Makes for a LONG day.

 

 

Did you know baseball season is over for Noah? Apparently Park and Rec doesn’t see the need to reschedule the games we had canceled due to rain or excessive heat. Noah is not happy the season is over. Sounds like there will be a fall league though so he is looking forward to that. Connor still has three games this week.

 

 

Did you know my latest obsession is this Dear Photograph site? I can’t get enough of it.

 

 

Did you know my new favorite restaurant when we make a jaunt north is Porter Creek Hardwood Grill in Burnsville? I ate there with my parents and have been back three more times. GREAT food, especially their house soup (a chicken vegetable) and salads.  They have a wonderful patio area to dine in which I suggest if it’s not too hot. I am getting together with a friend for some shopping Monday evening and I might just suggest this place.

 

 

Did you know my new favorite snack is hummus? Tammy introduced this to me when we were visiting her. I love the pine nuts one. I eat it as my lunch with low fat triscuits. Yummy! You can get it at Wal-mart.

 

 

Did you know I cleaned out the storage room this week?  I have never sweated in a work-out like I did cleaning that room. I bagged 11 bags of clothes to give to the Epilepsy foundation when they come around again. I have 8 empty storage bins stacked and ready for filling. That room has never been so organized. I even have a whole shelf for wrapping paper, bows, tags, gift bags, tape, scissors, etc. No more searching when we need to give a gift. Feels good.

 

 

Did you know our computer crashed and for about 4 days I thought I lost all my pictures? Yeah, that was a lot of fun. I had to re-download all my Pioneer Woman actions (which was so hard the first time I did it, but not so hard this last time) and the Photoshop software. Eventually the pictures were found. We seriously need to get an external hard drive.

 

 

Hope you are all having a great end to July!

LB