Family time

Last weekend, we drove just a couple hours to get together with my parents and brother, aunt and uncle, and all three of their children and their spouses. It was so wonderful to just spend time visiting, playing games, and of course, eating ourselves silly! My cousin had made some lefse, so both of my kiddos tried it for the first time as it isn't very easy to come by in Nevada. They must have some true Scandinavian blood in them- it was a hit! If you look closely, Nora has her little fists full as she walked around the house.

Dane chows down!

Jen and Nora.
Chad introduced Dane to the fine pasttime of Wii, and it was a hit!
It kept Grammy and Nora entertained, too!

Soon Chad was worn out, so Ed took a turn.

Dane still wasn't done, so Uncle Benny gave Dane some golf tips!

Jen and Ben concocted some delicious guacamole for us.

Grampy and Nora playing together.

All that Wii playing wears a guy out!

We also headed down to Mike's sister's place for a night before returning to our farm, but I forgot to get my camera out. I think we're ready to stay home for a while now!

Snow on the farm

Until yesterday, we have had relatively mild weather here in Minnesota. Yesterday afternoon, the snow settled in, so now our ground is pretty white. That didn't keep us from enjoying the great outdoors! Here is Nora all bundled up in her snowsuit. It reminds me of this picture of Dane taken almost 2 years ago. Our home.

Here she comes!
Snow angels!
Winter wonderland.

I tried to get a picture of the three of us on our sled, but I failed. However, Dane was so cute that I had to post it anyway!

And a random shot of Grandma feeding Nora some blueberries this evening.

Photos by KMH Photography

While Grampy and Grammy were here, we had these family pictures taken by our friend Kristen Hansen. Farewell, beautiful desert!

A sign of change

I'm sure some have heard through the grapevine (or Facebook) that we will soon be moving. We will be leaving this....

...for this.
The beautiful Minnesota farm. And yes, these pictures were taken just yesterday! While the cold weather will be quite a change again, we are so excited to be moving home!

In honor of our move, this was how we dressed for Halloween last night.

Nora loves lollipops!

Go Vikings!

Trinity and Trelise joined us for some Trick-or-Treating.

The whole family. They will soon be moving back to New Zealand. We will miss all of our friends so very much!

Out Trick-or-Treating. I may have mentioned that the street right behind us goes all out each Halloween, which brings large crowds to our neighborhood on Halloween night. We went through all our candy (at least 20 bags worth) in less than an hour!

Nora shows off her moves!

Farewell, dear friends!!

It's hard to remember life without them...

Mike and I moved to Nevada in January of 2005. We met Jeff and Renee while we were still in the process of settling in. Coincidentally, Renee and I happened to be recovering from very recent miscarriages of our first pregnancies, and an instant bond was formed. They so kindly even let Mike stay with them for over a week until we closed on our home.

Our first few months down here were so blissful when we think back. So many evenings spent eating out or just lazing at each other's places. The first hot summer when we would just float for hours out on the lake to keep cool. But mostly, we lamented for the babies we did not have yet.

Soon enough, that changed!

Auntie Renee and Uncle Jeff meeting Dane for the first time. (March 2006)
Dane visited Carter before he was even 12 hours old. (August 2006) Next it was sweet little Camden. (October 2007)

And finally Nora, the little girl Renee had hoped and shopped for! (June 2008)

Of course they have all grown and love each other as much as we love Jeff and Renee.

But now the time has come for change. Jeff and Renee are moving on this week to Tucson to new adventures! Last night, we went to Red Robin and a local pumpkin patch just as we have done for the past years near Halloween. Dane and Carter had such an animated conversation at the dinner table!

Annual Pumpkin Patch family pictures.

All the kiddos lined up with their tickets, just waiting for the train ride.

Unlike years before, at the end of the night we had to say goodbye for what may be a long time. I cried then, and I have been fighting tears and a huge lump in my throat since then. Occasionally, I have even sobbed. Jeff, Renee, Carter, and Camden- we love you so much and can't imagine how this big hole will ever be filled. Thanks for being our family when we were so far from our own. We wish you many new friends and adventures in your new home. Come visit us in Minnesota soon and often!!

Smart, cute, and so very loved!

My little monkey is just growing and learning right before my eyes. His new favorite activity is to write and draw, usually with a blue crayon because it's his favorite color and "blue is for boys." This evening we went out to eat, and he started writing away on his menu. Without any assistance whatsoever, he wrote his name. The interesting part was that he started with the "a" before adding the rest of the letters in their correct places. Yay, Dane!
Yesterday, as I buckled Nora into her car seat, Dane grabbed my sunglasses and modeled them for us.

Earlier this week, Mike had to spend a night out of town for business purposes. It was such a joyful reunion when he returned the next evening.

Girls and cats.

Very rarely does our stubborn old Cali cat make an appearance while the kiddos are awake. She usually spends most of her days hiding beneath our bed until she hears the kids' bedroom doors close at night. So when she braves an appearance, it's a major household event. Nora really loves her, and I shot these pictures the other day.

They brought to mind the following pictures taken of me and my cat when I was just a few weeks older than Nora.

More cute cousin pictures!

We had the windows and patio door open most of yesterday, so Teddy enjoyed wandering in and out of the house to play with the kids. He is such a good dog!

Morgan's turn.
Last night, we met Jeff and Renee at the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Just waiting to be seated and watching the fish in the aquariums.
Cute pigtails!

Isn't she a stylish little girl?

The best picture I got of the three cousins together.

Two of the cutest little girls you will ever see!