On the road again....

just can't wait to get on the road again. Wait, I hope to not have to travel for a LLLOOONNNGG time. We left Friday night for South Dakota, about 6 hours into the trip the muffle came apart from the engine. We stopped for the night and found someone to fix it the next morning. We arrived in South Dakota about 12 hours after we were supposed to arrive. When we showed up our kids were indifferent to us being there. Kyra asked me "What are you doing here". "I'm here to pick you up." I don't want to go home with you I want to go home with grandma". So after the cool reception we watched the kids play in the lake and visited with family. We left for Illinois on Sunday morning. About three hours in to the trip our transmission went out. We were able to get a tow back to town and a room at a hotel. There was too much damage to the suburban to fix it so we rented two cars (because you can't rent a minivan for a one way trip), and got home late last night. Mark's brother is going to pick up the suburban and do whatever he wants with it. We didn't qualify for the cash for clunkers because you have to be able to drive the vehicle onto the lot.

Needless to say it was a very long trip. The kids did wonderful with all the distractions and chaos. They were very patient and kept themselves busy as Mark and I discussed options. The drive home was long because Kyleigh got tired of traveling but it could have been much worse. We haven't decided if we're going to start looking for another vehicle right away or wait awhile, we are in no hurry because we still have two vehicles to use.

Anyway, the kids had fun, I'll try to get some pictures posted when Grandma sends them, she's having a little technical difficulty, the camera got wet when she fell in the lake (I guess this is the kids' favorite part of the trip). Beside camping and fishing, the kids also golfed up in Canada, saw relatives, played at the park, and did some sewing just the name a few activities. We are gearing up for the start of school and birthday season so I'll be posting those events as they happen.

How long would you cook this?

30 years give or take a decade? I've been in the kitchen most of the morning getting things ready for the meal prep night with the neighbors so I gave Kyleigh a frying pan to play with. She wasn't happy with just the frying pan she needed a little Brandy to go with it.

Things are going good here, I've been busy cleaning and sorting. As you can also see, I've been getting more help than I need in that department as well. I had just folded all those clothes. This is the first day Kyleigh hasn't been clingy and wanting to be held most of the time. She's finally learning to entertain herself. Each day she's taking more steps but still finds it quicker to scoot around.

Saturday night we had Brad and Chantel over for Chantel's birthday. Their three older kids were with Grandma so it was just the two little ones. It was so nice to be able to visit without kids interrupting us, etc. They were even able to stay later because Annika fell asleep in the pack n play. We played some games and relaxed.

Valynn, Mason, and Kyra are having fun in North Dakota. As of last night they still aren't ready to come home. They went camping this past weekend and were able to spend time with Dick and Linda, and Jerome, Monica, and kids. Brady and Jodi were home as well.

Last night I made my first attempt at canning pickles. I am happy to say all the jars sealed, next well have to see how they taste. After canning 11 quarts of dill pickles and a gallon of sweet pickles I still haven't made a dent in our cucumber crop and that's after giving away grocery bags full to the neighbors. I have broccoli I need to get frozen sometime this week as well.

Enjoy your week. I'm going to enjoy the quietness of the house.

Vacation!

Mark, Kyleigh, and I got back from vacation yesterday. We had a good time and put on A LOT of miles. The kids got to ride a go cart, mini motorcycle, and gator. The rode their bikes down the air strip, jumped/played on hay bales, and had a wiener roast. One day we went to the Minnesota Science museum. The kids had fun diagnosing illnesses, looking at the dinosaurs, and just taking all the exhibits in. We took the kids to the IMAX Omnitheatre show called Titantica. We met my college roommate Christy for supper after the museum.

Mark helped install a septic system, stain a deck, and lay foundation and a sidewalk on his vacation.

On Sunday we drove to Bismarck to see Brady and Jodi and meet my parents. On the way we stopped in Fargo and had lunch with our friend Donn. Monday Valynn, Mason, and Kyra went to the ND State Fair with Grandma and Grandpa Larson. They will be in ND for two weeks. Mark, Kyleigh, and I headed back to IL, we spent Monday night in Mankato with the Scheel's. We had a great visit with everyone. Kyleigh was glad to be back after three 8 hour days on the road. Mark and I are busy working on our to do lists, when Kyleigh lets us, I think she's missing her siblings.

Kyleigh turned 11 months on Monday. Last Saturday she pushed herself up to standing and took five steps. She didn't do much the following days which is probably due to being in the car most of the day, but today she is back to pushing herself to standing and taking 3-7 steps before falling down. She is getting braver with letting go and trying to keep her balance. I'm sure one of these days she is really going to take off.

Summer Days

I can't believe how fast the summer has flown by. Thursday the kids and I went to the Lakeview museum. The kids had fun, we even went to a Planetarium show which they LOVED! The exhibit was on memory and we learned some pretty neat facts. After the museum we took Kyleigh to the doctor and she has another ear infection.

On Saturday we loaded up the bikes and we biking on the Rock Island trail, we stopped at a camp ground/ picnic area and had our picnic supper. The kids were excited to make use of my new picnic backpack. During supper a train went by, less than 100 feet through some trees from where we were sitting. Valynn and Mason did a great job biking on their own, Kyra liked the trailer and Kyleigh sat in the infant seat playing peek a boo with Mark's back.

Sunday after church we worked in the garden and then met the Endres' at the pool in Chillicothe. The kids had a great time and played for almost 3 hours. I got to go down the waterslide a few times and Mark lounged by the pool and read. We then took the kids to McDonald's for supper.

Today and tomorrow Valynn has a horseriding camp through Girl Scouts. She was a little nervous to go because she didn't know anyone. I'll let you know in a few days how the liked it, but I have a feeling that as long as she's on a horse she's in heaven. The other three kids were excited because they got a babysitter this morning while I took Valynn. The sitter is coming back tomorrow.

Minot Daily News Article

Look who's quoted in the paper.

Hail to the Chiefs!!

We went to the Peoria Chiefs game last night on the annual outing with St. Timothy Lutheran Church. It was a good game and the Chiefs snapped a three game home losing streak. Of course lots of visiting was done and maybe not as much watching the game as we should have. The best part for the kids of course was the food, hot dogs, cracker jacks, and pop. Kyra made a new friends last night, Wes and Christine, his parents are the ones Kyra always sits with in church, Wes' sister was the wedding the kids were in last summer. While Kyra was on his lap she got hit with a ball. It his the side of the suites, bounced and hit the back of the seat in front of her, and then hit her knee. She cried but wasn't hurt. Mason was given the ball that hit her and the Chiefs then gave Kyra a baseball. Wes then took Kyra to get her ball signed by Homer the Chiefs mascot that she kept watching all night (a dog). Wes also gave Valynn a ball so that all the kids had one. After the game the kids were able to run the bases. Valynn and Mason flew around then, Kyra was in no hurry. Valynn is on the right and Mason is in the blue in front of her. Mark is in the tan and Kyra is next to him (first picture).

The Lazy, Hazy, Days of Summer

It's hard to believe another week of our summer has gone already. I am happy to say we are finally getting some sleep around here. Kyleigh decided not to sleep more than 1-2 hour stretches at night for over a week, needless to say, both Mark and I were dragging because we were taking turns getting up with her.

On Tuesday we met the Padilla's at Safety town and let the kids ride their bikes. They always think it's a cool place to go.

Wednesday we had a wiener roast in our backyard. We had been promising the kids one and what better night than when it's only about 65 outside.

Thursday we were supposed to meet some friends at a local pool but it was too cool to enjoy swimming so they came over here for supper and a visit. The kids went behind the dam to play in the little creek that runs back there and got soaking wet. All in fun.

On Friday we went to the fireworks in Wyoming. We had a great spot where we could see all of the fireworks. It was a nice cool evening and we enjoyed the fireworks, except for Kyra. She loved the fireworks but didn't like the loud noise that comes with them. Kyra doesn't like loud noises but as long as she knows something is going to be loud she is OK with it.

Speaking of Kyra. Her quirk lately has been to call us King and Queen and to refer to herself and siblings as Prince and Princess. It is so cute, Mark will say I love you and she corrects him and says no King loves me. She will ask if the Queen needs any help and inform us that Princess Kyra would like some juice.

Yesterday we got our second crop of spinach and peas planted in the garden. Mark has been busy mole hunting again, so far he's gotten 5 this year. We are having some acquaintances from Florida over for supper tonight. We met them 7 years ago on our honeymoon in Maine and they are up visiting relatives nearby this week.

This is the Queen reporting and we hope you all had a fun and safe holiday weekend!