It's fall!

I had to scope out this location the other day so took the kiddos to play. They were so go for me!

Totally their personalities

Love this!

and the best of the bunch... I think I need to blow this up nice and big!


Also we hung out with the pumpkins.



I know Patrick doesn't have as many, but he will not ever look at me!

Just go to sleep

My 3 year old has the most amazing and grand excuses for staying up and not going to sleep. Potty breaks, just a few more minutes, just a little water, puhlleeassseee!
Well, the other night I put him down at the same time I usually do, read stories, sang, gave him a drink. And amazingly he was quiet! no "maammmmaaa" ringing out from his room. Well, I went up close to 10:00 and found that his light was on in his room. I figured he must have turned it on and then fallen asleep. Well, this is what I found when I opened the door.

"Mama- I'm reading books."


oh I love this kid!

Quit growing up!

Annika modeled some headbands for me the other day. I just love her funny wispy hair. She has been practicing talking lately. Typical mama and dada, but at to that "hi" and "bye" also some nigh night. She just beams when she says these things it is so fun to see. She also is very good at comprehension. I'll say grab that cup and put it on the table and she walks over and does just that. It just amazes me every time how much she understands. She is weighing in at a whopping 18.2lbs. This now puts her off the charts for her age... well, less than 3% that is!
And a fun little video.

cute pictures, yucky story

So we are at the cabin visiting my family. I put Annika and Patrick in the loft for naps. Annika in a pack and play. I hear lots of giggling and talking. I yell up and tell the kids to settle down and that it is nap time. It goes quiet for a bit. After a while I hear Annika whimpering. Then crying. At this point I figure I better go see what is wrong.


I walk up and find a baby with only a t-shirt on. No pants, no diaper. Then I look and find the diaper. Full of poop. Then I look and Annika and everything in her bed it also covered in poop. I yell for back up and take my poo covered child down the steps still not sure what to do with her.

I get to the bathroom, but by this time I am also covered in poo. I try to wipe most of it off, but figure a shower is our best option (no tub) So I jump in with her, only to discover that there is no soap in the shower.

We finally get cleaned up and I get her new bedding, clean the pack and play and then get her back to sleep. In the meantime I find out that the one and only toilet in the house is now plugged up. like not able to be fixed plugged. My parents lovingly remind me that the outhouse is quite nice for an outhouse.

I think it's time to go home, I'm a little tired of the sh*t.

Park fun

Enjoyed a later evening trip to the park the other day. Just lots of fun!

Time outside

For the longest time I couldn't get the kids to play in the back. They only wanted to play out front. Bikes plus steep driveway equals stressed mama. They have finally found some fun in the back on the deck lately.
Annika enjoys the kiddy pool. She is always carrying around something. This day it was a dishrag that became a fast friend.

I love that my kids like to play "sleeping" it's probably my favorite game!

We were getting ready for company that evening so the kids helped me shuck some corn. They couldn't wait for it to be cooked though and had to dig in right away.

I am loving Patrick's summer hair. I just can't cut it. I know it is crazy long, but I just don't care. He's my adorable little surfer boy!


Great Grandpa and Gerda payed a visit as well. Although a picture of this Bliss clan was nearly impossible to get everyone looking!

hot hot hot

We've had an unusually hot summer, so unfortunately we haven't been out as much as we would like to. Here are some recent photos from being out though.


Annika then and now.

all done

My little artist

and funny little Annika