Fun in the yard

I had a little fun the other day just in our back yard. The kids were in good moods and the weather was beautiful.
It's hose season finally. I think Patrick was beginning to think we didn't hear him when he asked daily from the garage if we could play with the hose yet. With a late spring, he had a lot of waiting to do. Well, now that it is finally warmer, he won't put it down. The only problem is that Annika has now caught the hose fever. Sharing doesn't go so well.

So instead of sharing, I just took Annika for more photos! I'm glad she still puts up with me.

Even Patrick was being a ham for me!

oh and meet Patrick's new "boots" A great Saver's find for me, little did I realize how much he would love them!

Luckily I got most of these before dinner!

Her after dinner hair, was just wild!


And we just finished up our last week of Gymnastics. This was the first class that Patrick did all on his own. Friends Shay and Addy joined him as well. Super fun!

poor little girl

Annika is now fighting her 5th ear infection. That would pretty much mean an infection every other month of her life. ugg. It's been a long year for my poor baby. Just when I think we are completely in the clear we get long cranky, screaming nights, running noses, fevers and trips to the dr. and chiropractor. We've done 3 different types of antibiotics, garlic oil, tylenol, ibuprofin, and probiotics. I just am ready for my baby to be well.

Since she was sick and we were home together, what more torture could I put her through? pictures of course. The trees were blooming, a new bloomers/hat set arrived in the mail and I had a gorgeous albeit a little sick, baby to photograph.

Annika's favorite game lately is Peek a boo. She plays it so well and we'll go on and on. "Where's Annika?" "There she is!" Patrick even gets in on the fun.

The bonnet wasn't a huge hit. Darn it though, it was so cute!

Catch up

ok, so I'm a little behind lately. So back to April...

Patrick's birthday! We did a Curious George goes to the fire station theme.

He was pretty excited about his birthday cake. (I was pretty proud of my decorating skills!)


He celebrated with lots of family and friends


The next week we turned it around for Easter. The kiddos woke up to find the Easter bunny had left eggs around the house and baskets for them.

Patrick was good about sharing

Later we had church and got all gussied up.




A couple weeks later we drove out to Sioux falls to go through Great Grandma Hilma's things as she prepares to sell her house. Linda played dress up in her wedding vail

Annika played dress up in Linda's old dress.

The kids spent a beautiful day outside while we worked
Before we headed home we made a stop at the falls park. What a great day!







Patrick was pretty sleepy after all that fun!

go to sleep

ugg. Annika has had trouble going to sleep lately and tonight was no exception. On the plus side she is being super cute. Hard to stay mad at someone who is so darn adorable.

She just amazes me lately. She waves Hi and bye bye now. She also is trying so hard to walk. She even took her first step tonight. Not really steps, but A step. we'll take it. Then she did this as night got later. Figured out how to go both ways with her car. Such a little smarty!

Happy Mothers Day!

I am most lucky though to have my mom.

She held my head through burning fevers, laughed with me, held my hand as I brought my first born into the world, soothed and comforted me when I was down and most importantly loves my children almost as if they were her own.


Thanks for helping me to be a better mom!

After all, you probably taught me most everything I know!

Easter follow-up

So just a few more from our Easter shoot. Real Easter photos may be up here someday!
Patrick and his bunny. I love this shot!

And annika and her Easter basket. I love little girls in dresses!


Then this past week we had a trip to LaCrosse to get our family pictures taken. I snapped a few when the photographer was finished up

Silly family. check out the look on Annika's face. "mom... help!"

Annika always has something in her mouth!

and Patrick was so sweet while they both sat there. Annika was too cold for anymore pictures and she was crying. Patrick grabbed her hands and just started soothing her. So sweet!

Then on the ride home I had to get a picture of my sweet little vampire baby.

Those fangs are all her dad's gene pool! Luckily her top teeth came in that night so she will hopefully balance it all out!