Updating from the past two weeks

Nothing special is going on... but thought I would update anyway.. I visited a thrift store and got a haul on clothes.. quite a few gender neutral things for the baby, couple things for Jenna and Jackson and a few for me for Maternity stuff. The next picture is of my gluten free (half of it) lasagna.. yummy!!!! Then there was Jacksons singing at the church for preschool. He did a great job and they all sounded wonderful.

Here is Mrs. Jenna... showing off her new pretty nightgown!!!

I was feeling ill one day and decided that subway was the only thing that sounded decent.. so we treated ourselfs.. The kids had a picnic and loved the stuff..

Jenna would not take off her pretty skirt all day... so she just left it on even when she spilled water all over herself.

Dressing up.. it is the new theme around here!!!

Stealing my food... another theme around here. Jenna loves to steal my food. I had leftovers from last night and was nibbling on it and she came over and stole it!! STINKER!

Mexico 2009

Here are some pictures from our Mexico vacation. Everything went very well and we had a great time. Weather was 85 and sunny most of the time.. it was relaxing and soo much fun!! We really agree that we need this time to reconnect every year.. next year it may be a the super 8 in Fargo if that is all we can afford.. but we have these memories!! Every night we found towel art in our room..and some nights flower petals sprinkled on the bed. This picture was from valentines day. The next picture is the North Dakota WILD HOGS!!! We rented scooters in Cozumel and drove around the island. It was beautiful driving around the island looking at the oceean. We also saw a lot of huts that people live in.. most of us in the USA would not allow our dogs to live in that... we were very thankful and humbled for what we have.

Our group!! THE BEST !!

The fish that would swim by our feet right in the shallow part of the ocean on our beach.

OUr beach

Scooter time! I was not big on the idea and we almost didn't go.. but after I got over the sickness from the ferry it was a GREAT time.. soo happy we went!

The jacuzzi tub on our balcony.. and for those of you that want to try to tell me that pregnant women can't go in them... the temp was controlled by US... so no lectures please... got enough of those on tanning.. everything was doctor approved... :)

The MEN!

The Ladies

The happy couple plus one... we joked.. this will be the only time we ever take a child to Mexico!!

Dressing up for evening supper!

Floaties and the swim up bar at the hotel... one of many pools.

The bridge that lead to everything.. soo many walk ways, bridges and paths. There were real croc's in that fence area.

The group arriving in Mexico.








It was a great time. We had some fun, sun and drinks (yes... non alcoholic for me) and lots of food!! We laughed.. even cried.. we made many memories. It was by far the best trip that we have been on. Great people, great fun and hopefully not our last time doing this!! We missed the kids but I feel that we are better parents and partners for taking this time for us... the kids had a blast and now we are all together again as a family... waiting and saving our our Disney Vacation in January 2010!

Farm weekend.

We got done butchering VERY QUICKLY... so we have the whole rest of the weekend to hang out. The cousins are getting at each others throats so they went outside to waste some energy. It is cold so I am in here blogging since I have NOTHING warm to wear.. after all... my bag is full of SUMMER clothes for Mexico!!! It was nice to be done butchering soo soon... but hard cuz we have all this time to just WAIT!

The cousins were calming down before nap time so they all cuddled up on the couch... Ryan was the adult holding the group down.

My princess and prince.

Snowmobiling... They are getting rides on the snowmobile.. again.. me.. inside... my light fall coat that I brought is not cut out for this weather!

Jacksons on the sled.

The next time I post will be back from Mexico.. hopefully have some warm weather pictures to post. Weather channel says 85 and sunny!!! Crossing our fingers!!! Blessings to all... stay warm!

Abc's, painting, distructo and a fish..

Here is a picture of Jenna Ann sleeping in the car on our second trip to Fargo. She has not been feeling all that great but hopefully with the probiotics we got and an adjustment by our favorite chiropractor.. she will be on the mend.

Grandma and Grandpa J surprised Jackson with a fish. He has wanted one for a while and was very excited to see Sparkle...

This is my kitchen when I was in the process of cooking for a TON of people... it turned out great but I really need a maid to do a deep cleaning... Oh MAID!!! Yah.. no one EVER shows up.

I was cooking for the party and left Jenna in the living room to play. She does really well but this day she made a HUGE mess. She got into all the games and dumped them out.

Here is Jenna Ann with her cousin Hannah. Hannah and her played dress up and house on Sunday when we had Taco Day!

Here is Jackman painting his beautiful picture. My kids love to paint... anything with messes I think.

Jenna making her contribution to our painting day! She LOVES to paint... esp her hands.

Here is the video that I love. She does the sounds of the alphabet really well.. though she is still not talking as much as I would like. She is coming along. Smart as a whip this one. She gets soo excited part way through the video. She usually does this when she is sitting on the potty.

Fire Station Field Trip

So I am counting down the days until we go to Mexico. Last year I appreciated it... loved it.. had a ton of fun but this year.. Oh this year.. I am going to NOT worry about a thing... going to take in every ray of sun, every breath of ocean air, every bit of sand under my feet and every MINUTE that I don't have to cook, clean, make phone calls, work, worry, wipe noses, change diapers.. etc. I LOVE my kids.. love to death... but I NEED a break this year. Don't know if it is the pregnancy, thought of how busy we will be with another baby coming, just all the changes I have had this year... but I am loving the thought of being here again!! NAPS and Sun..yep.. even doing a bikini with the belly bump!! .. this will be the theme of the week... oh, hopefully some dancing and romance too!! Here we come!!

This bread... this bread is GLUTEN FREE and heavenly. It is by Gluten Free Pantry and we got it from Dad and Lisa... We stood by the oven and could not wait to get it out, slice into it and slather it with butter and eat it.. YUM... We have eaten PBJ, Grilled Cheese, french toast and more PBJ this entire week. At an average cost of $6.50 per box we will not be buying it all the time... the GF bread recipe that I make from scratch is good too.. but not like this!!! THANK YOU Dad and Lisa.. you are always finding the BEST GF items for us!!!

Jackson had a field trip to the Fire Station, and I vowed being a stay at home mom I would tag along as long as he lets me. This was a fun trip. The kids were great and loved listening and going through the fire station. Jenna loved it too.

We don't have much going on right now.. which is a nice change. February will be crazy with butchering two weekends, our trip (ok.. not soo crazy) and lots of purse parties... duh.. to help pay for the trip!!! I will have lots of pictures I am sure from the opportunities we will have for cousins to play together... and sun, fun and beach time!!!

AMERICA...

I don't get to watch Oprah very often but we just got back from playing outside and the kids are warming up and playing and I am cooking supper and have Oprah on. Not sure what they are all talking about, assuming President Elect Obama but there was a song that brought me to tears.. not hard being that my hormones are RACING.. but I got to think about this opportunity before us with a new president, new representatives and the power that WE have to make a change. It seems hard to believe that WE... you and me can make a difference but we can. I have wrote to my congressmen no less than 5 times regarding my son in the past two years and there have been some changes... small changes but changes. Wheather you are for Obama, against, hate politics in general... It is soo important now more than ever to stand up for what you believe... make your voice heard... I don't know what will happen with this new president but I am astounded by the way some Americans have taken this opportunity and embrased it... not because he is colored... well, some because of that... but because it CAN be a new start... a new way of life... I don't argree with everything he stands for and you will never find a person except for the good Lord who is perfect in this life... I know I cannot cast the first stone :) I have taken the stand that I am going to support this new President, make my voice heard... and do the only thing I can do.. PRAY for guidance and support for all of our leaders... church leaders, school leaders, State Leaders and yes... our President Mr. Obama.. Because without Prayer...what do we have!!! Out of anyone in this world... who really needs our prayers the most... the man who WILL lead our country... like it or not!! So, one song... this is what leads me to write this... I HATE talking politics... I have my opinions and views and do not usually share... but I felt compelled. I look at my kids and growing belly and think about WHAT could be... hard times... good times... Only one person knows... And I will be praying that he is guiding our new Commander and Chief. Blessings to all...



10 weeks...3 days pregnant... Our future!!!

Jackson and Jenna playing on the hill in OUR front yard... yes.. our front yard!

FINALLY going outside... if only for a half hour.

Jackson giving Jenna a test ride in the laundry basket.