October at the Dusha's

It's been an active last 3 weeks since my last post! We are just soaking up this time of nice weather before the dreaded winter sets in and we are stuck indoors until May! Ryan is just 4 weeks from the bball season beginning and when I reminded him of that two days ago I know it started turning wheels in his brain big time as that's all I have really been hearing about - who will come out, who's been playing all summer, who's not, etc. So is life....

Look at the little monkey who pulled a kitchen chair into the living room and climbed right up!

Goo goo eating fruit snacks for the 1st time!

Just reading books and playing together

Goo goo with piggy tails!

Teague: He loves his bike! We bought him a tandem bike and he really thinks he is big time now! We went on many bike rides down to the river and back. He is getting very excited for Halloween and I think he may "get" Halloween this year (the whole door to door trick or treat thing - Yo Gabba Gabba has taught him this)! He continues to always amaze us with the things he knows and does. Love him...

Teague on his Tandem bike!

Lola: Little goo goo. Man, love her so much too! She "talks" a lot - aka: babbles babbles babbles. She is very serious about what she tells us and then laughs and laughs after her story is done! She loves to say "BOO! ha ha ha ha!" and "WHHHHHOOOOOOOOAAAAA!!! Ha ha ha ha!"

Goo goo and mama at the river

Oct. 10th: we went to the 4R Ranch a few miles south of Avon. That was great! They had a corn maze, hay bale maze, pumpkin path, hay ride, petting farm, etc. The kids loved it and the weather was perfect!

Aww, a picture with mama!

Goo Goo is SO BIG!

Both kids in the hay bale maze - Teague "gave up" and cheated by jumping over the side!

Lola in the hay bale maze

Teague's first pony ride (see the perma grin on his face?!)

My 3 little pumpkins!

Leading us through the corn maze (this was quite the feat...)

October 16-17th: My bday weekend. Woo hoo. I helped my sister paint at her new house, had breakfast out with my family and dinner out with my hubs.

Oct. 20th-24th: MEA break! YAY! Ryan had a bball clinic at NDSCS and the kids and I went to my mom and dad's. The weather was good until Saturday, so we can't complain.

Not much else here - full week of work and Ryan is gone again next weekend to another bball clinic (the season is upon us whether it is "officially" 4 weeks away or not)! My mom, sister and I are going to NYC in 3 weeks for a 4 day getaway - I am so looking forward to some time away with them!

Going to the park in Papa's wagon!

Wagon Ride!

Goo goo and Teague at the Park

Goo goo at the park

Papa and my kids at Lake Crystal

Releasing papa's summer pond goldfish into Lake Crystal

Lola's 1 year, Teague's 3 year and a few Family Pictures

Finally.

Finally. An update. I know you have all been on your toes just waiting for it. Sorry for the delay. Life's been chaotic and throwing a few curveballs my way!

Sept 11th: Teague started kickball for 3-6 year olds. Hmmm, let's just say he is not quite ready yet for organized sports. He is very interested in and plays sports a lot at home (he is QUITE good at hitting the baseball - lefthanded even and not on the 'T") but having to play kickball with about 40 other preschool age kids proved a little more difficult! Maybe next year!!

Sept 18th: My precious "baby's" 1st birthday. I cannot believe that a year has passed. It was the most fun filled and precious year of my life. I have no regrets and can't believe I even questioned taking the year off! Lola thoroughly enjoyed her day and was so spoiled by all who love her! We love you Goo Goo!!!

The two birthday girls! My sister and Lola share a birthday.

The Table of 4

I thought this one was so funny because Aaron was trying to get Lola to smile and he was off to the side and kept saying "HI LOLA! HI LOLA!" - what a great help he was, this is her looking away from the camera waving at him!

Lola showing off the money she got from Nana and Papa!

She sure is excited about her new Dora phone and Elmo the talking doll!

Hmmm, not too sure of this singing Happy Birthday business (I opted to leave the video footage out of this post as Teague had a minor meltdown in which I got a two handed shove on camera...the whole thing horrified me for nearly 24 hours...he never acts like that)!

Still scared - even at the Dusha party!

Sept 20th: My first day back at work. It was hard. Very hard. I cried on and off for over a week (at appropriate times of course). It was just very tough and continues to be tough. I try to look at the bright side of things (like I have a job in these tough economic times) - but I still can't help to feel like I am missing out on my kids growing up. But, I am fortunate working in education that we do have so many days off (even if they are unpaid)! So I am looking forward to break in a few weeks. The kids adapted PERFECTLY to being back and I have to sometimes coax them back down the hallway to give me a kiss good-bye. So essentially it is tough for mom and nobody else - the best way I suppose!

Sept 22nd: Was going to update the blog only to find that I had NO PICTURES on my camera any longer (which included ALL of Lola's 1st bday party pictures). After much debate over what happened, it was determined that my camera's memory card died (who knew that happened??) and to recover them will cost me near $500. Ouch. And there were only 50 or less pictures on there. So luckily Esther took a couple and my mom took some, so between the two we got a few at least. It's better than nothing. However, with my return to work I was in a very easily-breakdown-type of state emotionally....so I just avoided the blog until I felt "strong enough" to update without wanting to cry over losing the pictures!! =(

Sept 26th: We visited the Collegeville Orchards. We had the perfect weather and the kids loved the animals the best. Next weekend we are planning to go to Hidden Cove near Avon since they also have a corn maze and pony rides. I love doing these kinds of things with my kids now - I just think it's so fun to build these memories that they will have forever!

Sweet! Both of my kids are looking - but who is the creeper kid on the side in the green shirt?? Thanks buddy.

PUMPKIN PATCH!!

Table of 4!

Sept 27-Oct 1st: Second week back at work. I only cried on Monday this week.

Oct 3rd: We celebrated my dad's birthday. It was great to celebrate this birthday and pray that this year will be a much better year for him. For those who follow his Caringbridge site you already know this, but he is an avid bowhunter. He was very excited to get out this year but learned very quickly that he doesn't have the strength required for the sport right now. So he is in PT gaining that strength back and will hopefully be ready next fall.

Teague: he can now write his whole name and is learning a lot in Tina's preschool program. We are so impressed with all she does with the 4 preschool aged kids while still having 4 other that are little. He is always so proud to show us his work and what letter they learned about for the day. Tina is quick to point out how impressed she is at his ability to recognize letters and tell her "A is for armadillo" or "C is for Chameleon"! Of course all the letter coorespond to animals except some family names. We are very proud of him...he is learning and growing so quickly!

We went to a wellness fair that our chiro put on in St Cloud on Saturday. The highlight was Teague getting his face painted. He loved it! I think he makes a very adorable tiger cub!

Teague's 1st "non-family" birthday party experience. He did so well socializing with all the other 5 and 6 year olds! Here he is with Paige (my Goddaughter) at Bounce Depot.

Seriously, how adorable is this picture?! First thing in the morning while we were getting ready for work. The kids always lay in bed and watch cartoons until it's time to go.

Lola: She is definitely NOT a baby any longer. She is all toddler with an attitude to go along with it. Sheesh! She has a lot to say quite frequently! She says mama, dada, WHOA! (when she falls), YEAH! (whenever she is asked a question), Teeet (Teague) and does a few different signs as well. Tina also praises how smart she is saying that when they have circle time to sing songs and the kids do the actions she attempts to do the actions right along with them! I wish I had a picture of that! She definitely loves to dance and play peek a boo with her blanket.

Hangin' out and eatin' popsicles on the porch...a favorite thing to do!

Just playing at Bounce Depot!

They both wanted a ride in the wheelbarrow so bad. Teague was still loving it here (even though it doesn't really look like it) and Lola.....hmmmm, not so much.

Yep, another break for popsicles.

Lola digging around in the back garage. So cute.

Mommy and Lola before the Dusha bday party!

Her cuteness showing off.....awww, such a precious goo goo!