Turkeys, Teeth, Hunting, and Snow Fun!

Well, my 6-year olds finished their first trimester of first grade. We got their first report card so far, so good. 
Brenna kept telling Brody that he did not get as many "perfects" as she did. The "P" actually stands for proficient, but leave it to Brenna to think it means perfect! 

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Steve's parents, his sister, our nieces, Sara and Heather, and nephew, Jesse.  I am so thankful for my two healthy, happy kids. We are also thankful that Nana continues to remain strong and active despite her cancer reoccurence.This is the only Thanksgiving picture that I took.

Brenna and Brody made turkey cookies for all of our guests!

Brody was a happy little boy when Steve agreed to take him out hunting one morning.

Steve said that Brody asked him a million questions and then he took a little nap. :)  Brody was very excited about his hunting vest.

 Brenna lost one of her front teeth, which made her look like a tough girl who had gotten in a fight.  Then...she lost another, which makes her speech sound a little funny, but she looks cute.  The toothfairy failed to deliver the first night her tooth was under her pillow both times. Thankfully, my sister Jessie had a whole list of reasons why that might happen, which she explained to Brenna.  I hope Santa does a better job, because he only has one chance. 

One down....

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

Lastly, one of the first (of many, I'm sure) playing out in the snow pictures.  They went sledding and snowboarding a few times before it got too dark.  Then we made a couple of snowmen before calling it a night! Love these moments with my kiddos....

 All for now!

Buddy Walk 2011

 I found  this picture as I was going through photos and I thought it was too cute not to share.  In September, the kids and I participated in the Down Syndrome Awareness/Buddy Walk. 

All of the cousins, from oldest to youngest
Heather (21), Tyler (15), Abbi (9), Brenna and Brody (6)

The walk is always a great to celebrate the many great kids with Down Syndrome!

Sports Day!

The last week of October was Red Ribbon week at Brenna and Brody's school.   Each day they got to wear something special or bring something to school.  I only managed to get a picture one of the five days. 

Brenna is such a brave girl to wear her Viking apparel to school.  She said she wasn't the only Viking fan at school. :) 

More Fall Fun!

We made our annual visit to the pumpkin patch.  Even though the kids are getting older, they still had fun!

Sometimes they love each other...

Love this face. :)

They both LOVE animals!

Racing down the slide..always a competition!

Looking way too tall!

                                             We carved pumpkins with cousin Abbi. 

                          The kids want to do everything on their own. Thank goodness for the child-safe knives.

                             

The finished project

Brenna's is on the left, Brody's is on the right.



We trick or treated in Osseo with Cousin Heather, Abbi and Aunt Jessie.



My wolverine and Kitty

Relaxing after a fun evening of trick or treating!

Fall Fun

Last Sunday, we headed to Nana and Papa's to help rake leaves.  

Brenna and Brody had fun running and jumping into the huge leaf pile! It didn't feel like fall weather, but with all of the leaves, it looked like fall!

Soccer Saturdays!

For the past five weeks, Brody has been playing soccer on Saturdays in Eleva. Brenna chose not to play this year. Brody plays for an hour with the kids who are the same age as him and then he gets to play another hour and a half with the older kids.  Needless to say, Brody is loving this! 

One morning before soccer, Brody asked me if I was going to make him a sign to hold up at soccer. I told him that I probably wouldn't because I didn't have time. He then tells me,  "Well, I think it will really help me."  Cousin Heather was nice enough to make a sign.  I never did ask him if he thought the sign improved his game.  :)

My First Graders!

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have two first-graders!  They were all smiles on the first day of school. 

The year has gotten off to a pretty good start. Brody misses kindergarten a little bit, but for the most part they are both loving first grade!  I hope it continues.

We had parent teacher conferences this week.  I always love hearing what the teachers have to say. We heard positive comments about both kiddos and we are proud parents.  I'm glad they save their less than perfect behavior for home. :)

Random Summer Pictures

A few random pictures that I never got posted from the summer months!

Express Game



My buddy, Avery, and I at the Express game!



Brenna never slows down at home, but take her to fireworks and she's out cold!

              We finally made it to the Mall of America!  Steve had a training in Cottage Grove and the kids and I decided to tag-along. We spent the day at the mall while Steve was at a training.

Hayward

Finally posting a post or two that have been almost ready to post for quite some time.....

We spent a four-day weekend in Hayward during the final weeks of my vacation.  It was SO nice to get away!  We enjoyed time in the hotel pool, the go-cart track, mini golfing, the lumberjack show and a little fishing.



Brenna loved feeding the fish at Wilderness Walk!



Brody loved the goats

                            Brenna liked the goats as long as they were not jumping up on her.

Father/Daughter moment at Wildnerness Walk

 The hotel had a pontoon to rent so we took it for a short ride. Brody was extremely nervous about it, but he ended up enjoying himself.

 It was fun to fish where the fish actually bite!  I didn't mind putting worms on a hook when I was little, but now it grosses me out. 

Serious fishing look..love her profile.

We went to the lumberjack show.  My pictures from that did not look right when I tried to transfer them from my phone to computer.  Brody was excited that there was a lumberjack named Brodie who he got his picture taken with. 


We enjoyed going out to eat and eating outside!