Better late than never

Its only been half a year since my last posting.  I am going with we have been very busy excuse vs. lazy!!!  New family pictures to post, we had an absolute blast taking them.  The boys were in true form laughing and carrying on like they ran the place.  Nevin actually tried to tell the photographer how to take pictures, not sure what she thought about that but of course we laughed.  They are getting very big as you can see from the pictures.  Noah is almost wearing the same size as his brother and there is 22 months between them.  He is all legs like his dad.  Nevin knows how to read now, well at least memorize his favorite books.  Nevin is loving school and doing very well.  He will be ready for Kindergarten next year and then Noah will slide into his spot in the Preschool class.  Noah is all boy and loving making the most out of the terrible two's phrase.  We went to Nevin's Christmas program at church last night and had so much fun.  He smiled through the whole thing and he thought he was pretty cool standing up in front of everyone else.  I of course had a death grip on Noah so he would not run up on the alter :)  I will post the video of the program as soon as I get the DVD.  Hope all is well with everyone and can't wait to see you over the holidays.

Noah's best shot of Noah being Noah

Best picture of Nevin showing off what a very happy kid he is...love that grin!!!

First week as "Stay At Home Mom"

Well its 5:45pm on Friday and I made it through my first week staying home with the boys.  I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!  Instead of worrying about sales and payroll, the biggest dilemma was what to make for lunch :)

We went to see great grandma then swimming at Bugga's one day...

Went to the county fair once daddy got home...

Nevin's favorite ride

Nevin went airborne about half way down.



Look mom no hands :)

Taken before Noah started screaming

 

Next day we went to story time at the library.  I could not believe it, I had the best behaved kids there but it was also their first time.  Nevin borrowed a Star Wars book with a Batman video (surprise surprise) and Noah a Playhouse Disney book with Dora/Diego/Blue Clues video.

And one day, we just stayed in our pj's all day long and laughed about anything and everything.

Like I said, I loved every minute of it!!!!



Independence Weekend

What an absolutely perfect weekend; beautiful weather, family and friends.  After spending the day in the pool with Bugga on Friday, we had dinner with Great Grandma before driving down to the Gundy's.  Saturday afternoon was filled with lots of laughs courtesy of our homemade water sprinkler slide that Grandpa helped us build.  Ryan was having just as much fun as the boys as you can see from the pictures below...

It is so much fun watching the boys grow up.  Noah will always be my baby but as you can see he is no small toddler anymore.  He can keep up with his brother Nevin just fine now.

Nevin is the perfect big brother always teaching his little brother new things...

Saturday night was spent with friends and Sunday was another sun filled day at the public pool and the Treemendous Playground.  The 4th started with lots of excitement as the boys tried to guess how much candy they were going to catch at the St Peter parade.  Hand and hand, Grandpa showed them the National Guard tanks and all the fire trucks. 

We surprised Nevin and Noah with a trip to Chuck e Cheese (needed a break from the sun for a couple of hours) and then one last visit to Great Grandmas before coming home.  I can't imagine a more perfect weekend!  Happy Birthday USA!!!

35 Days, 851 Hours, 51,061 Minutes

Nevin's last day of school 2010-2011

Nevin enjoyed his first year of school.  We started him at 3 years old because he was ready to learn and be a big boy so he said :)  He went two days a week this year and will go three days a week next year.  We are very proud of him.

This is a picture of Nevin on his first day.

This is a picture of Nevin on the last day.

He looks so grown up :)

Count down to "Stay At Home" Mom

Only 37 days or 897 hours left!!!  Yes, you read right...I am no longer going to work full-time so I can stay at home with the boys.  We are all very excited about this decision, especially the boys since they will no longer have to get up at 6:00am ;)  With the costs of both daycare for two kids and now preschool, my work schedule and the new school schedule that is coming up we decided it was best if I take a break from the career scene for awhile and focus on the boys. 

We hope and pray we are making the right decision but can you ever go wrong when you put your kids first?  I don't think so!!!

Beautiful Perfect Weekend

I wish every weekend could be as wonderful as that one!  The weather was absolutely perfect.  Went and saw Grandma on Saturday for a little while and then it was grilling and catching up with some great friends later that day.  Fun to see all the kids playing together. 
Sunday was a nice relaxing day outside at home with the boys playing in their pool with Ryan and I doing some much needed clean up around the house and garage.
Our friend Kendra snapped some great pictures of the boys on Saturday.  They are loving summer being here.  Nevin's last day of preschool for this year was Thursday.  I think he is going to miss going.

 
 

Busy spring week...

Busy week ahead of us.  Getting ready for the mega garage sale and Nevin has been busy practicing for his end of school year program on Friday at the church.  Can't wait to watch him sing in front of everyone.  Always chokes me up.  I will take lots of pictures and post a few of the best this weekend.
Can't believe it is already the third week of May and it still feels like fall/winter outside.  Every time the temps are up it rains, not much fun!!!  Its driving us all insane.  I really do hate Minnesota weather.
Looking forward to my girl friend weekend in Florida.

Noah - The truck and The tree

Well the pictures are self explanatory.  Noah is now tall enough to reach the gas/power pedal on his brothers F-150 truck.  He also does not want any help steering AND well

We are now minus one tree, split it right down the middle.

Oh well, most important thing is he did not get hurt and he now allows me to help him steer.

Never far away from my thoughts

S.E.N. - Think about you everyday!  Hope God is with your children and family during this very tough time.  RIP!

Mother's Day 2011

I remember every detail of that moment, the very first time I saw my children.  Both boys arrived early and were so little.  Heads full of dark dark hair, skinny long legs and cute little fingers.  I started praying for them as soon as I found out that I was pregnant and have not stopped since.

First time Nevin saw his little brother Noah.

 








First of many smiles that his brother would give him...











Noah now hates being without his brother, they are inseparable.  He will do anything as long as his brother is by his side.   

I love every second of being a mother.  Even during the not so great moments of parenthood :)  I look forward to the next day, next week, next month, next year.  My favorite thing in the world is watching my boys grow!

Batman Birthday!

Everyone had a nice time at Nevin's party.  It was well worth all the time and energy that went into it.  Now on to finding room and space for the new toys he received :)  It was great visiting with everyone.  Friends and family we have not seen in a long time.

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter.  Pictures, church, restaurant then Grandmas and the weather could not have been better.  Busy week though getting ready for Nevin's birthday party on Sunday.  I can't believe he is 4 years old.  He speaks, acts and looks like a 7 year old!  I love watching the boys change and turn into little men.  I know all parents think that their kids are the cutest and the sweetest but mine really are :)

What a week

Came home from the hospital looking forward to relaxing to find out I lost a close friend.  RIP Scott, you will be missed by many.

What a week...What a year already!!! 

Christopher-RIP

Happy 32nd Birthday Chris...we all miss you so much!

Signs of spring

The snow is finally gone - YEAH!  The boys and I went outside to play and soaked up some rays.  Loved every minute of it.  Not used to having to run after two boys though.  Think goodness Noah is always running in the same direction as his brother. 

Ready for Ryan to come home tomorrow from his conference in Michigan all week. 

Big week coming up for me...Hope everything goes well at the hospital.  It will be nice having 4-weeks off from work.  Just wish I would be able to enjoy more.

Already the 4th week of March.  Time flies when you are having fun. 

Nevin had his first dentist appt today.  Talked their ears off of course.  Perfect teeth! 

Starting a new diet this week.  Major differences will be absolutely no more sugar, caffeine and a lot less sodium :)  The hard one will be the caffeine but once the headaches from withdrawal are gone I bet I don't miss it.  Not a huge water person and will have to add lemon for flavor.

Summer where are you???  More snow on the way - UGH!!!!

Gunderson Living

Gunderson Living

TGIF! Another weekend is here and is already filled with lots of things to do of course. Never enough hours in the day but even if there were, I am not sure I would have the energy to get anymore done. Off to see Grandma in the morning. The boys love going over there and I know how much she loves seeing the boys. I can only imagine how lonely she gets although she loves her new place. Can't wait till spring!!! The temperature was actually in the 40's today but with high winds it still felt like single digits.

Ryan is at the Timberwolves game tonight with John. John got free tickets which is great because I can't understand paying to watch them play :) Need the baseball season to start. I enjoy watching the games with my honey. I hope Nevin can get into the games a little more this year. He was still a little young to understand last year. Noah of course will be content to do whatever it is we are all doing. He is one happy little boy.

Introduction into our daily lives

Ryan and I hope that as parents we are making the best possible decisions and choices for our boys.  Our main focus for them is to know and see GOD in everything.  We all need to be who GOD intended and wants us to be.  Seeing their little hands clasped and saying prayers is one of the sweetest things in life.  Noah is not sure nor completely understands what he is doing yet but is very proud of himself when he joins his older brother in bed time prayers.

Another big focus for us is to teach the boys the importance of taking care of themselves.  Our boys are indeed just two of God's greatest gifts and I hate to think about some of the ingredients that they are consuming in their foods.  While I am not foolish to think we can eliminate all of these harmful ingredients completely, I know we CAN make better choices for them and will going forward.  Picking clean foods and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise every other day are two of my goals for my family in 2011.