Daddy Time.

The kiddos have learned to really enjoy the weekends and the time they get to spend with Daddy.  They make sure to get a lot of snuggle time in.  Of course having Daddy around means more rough housing and wrestling which is definitely lacking during the week with mom's growing tummy.  With just 2 weeks down in this long 8 week process the kids are still adjusting.  It is obvious, although they may not know how to express it, that they are missing their Daddy.

It was a sad night when we had to say our goodbye's after just 2 wonderful days of Daddy.  Thankfully it was a fun-filled relaxing short couple of days.

After Ryan had gone, Kadence came out of the bathroom and with her big sad tear-filled blue eyes pointed to the chair and said, "I want Daddy to be sitting there."  Then next said, "Mommy, I want Daddy to take me to bed."  I think our little Daddy's girl is missing her Daddy time the most!  After reassuring her that in just 5 short (or long, but I wasn't going to be the one to tell her that) nighttime sleeps, Daddy would be back home, she was smiling and said, "tomorrow I talk for Daddy on the puter and he make funny faces."  We were back to being happy.

Onward until the next weekend, thank goodness Grandma Debbie was still here or Mommy would have been the one crying and pouting.

Happy Halloween 2010.

Happy Halloween!  Hope everyone had a fun and safe weekend!  It was a beautiful day here in Sioux Falls.  We had a relaxing day with the family and the kids had a great time trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.  The best part was Daddy was home and Grandma Debbie stayed!

We started a new tradition this year and let the kids paint one pumpkin and we carved one pumpkin.  They LOVED the painting!  Kadence painted the pumpkin for the longest time and had a riot.

Landon thought the painting was very fun but lost interest a little faster.

Love how hard Landon is concentrating in this photo.

Here is my 2 1/2 year old.  This is a new stage we have been battling recently.  The picture says it all.

The kiddos with their pumpkins.  They were very proud.  Landon wanted a happy pumpkin, so that's what we did.  We had so much fun doing pumpkins this year.  Unfortunately, it is unlikely it will be warm enough to do this activity outside next year in Fargo...

Here's the kids all dressed up and ready to go trick-or-treating.

The kids both had so much fun trick-or-treating.  Landon loved ringing the doorbells and then would just stand there and look cute.  Kadence skipped along and was so happy between homes, but shy when the people opened the door-except for the house where she saw a kitty.

First Halloween Party.

Both of the kids participated in their first Halloween Party's.  Landon had a party at preschool and wore his costume for the day.  He was very happy to wear his dragon costume and it was adorable to see all of his little classmates dressed up in their costumes too.  

He's the cutest little dragon I have ever seen!

This little girl was pretty bummed when she couldn't stay for Landon's Halloween party at his school.  She was so excited when we dropped him off to see all of the little kids dressed in their costumes, but oh so very sad when she had to leave.  There was a little Halloween party at the gym the kids go to for gymnastics so we went home and dressed her up and headed over for the Little All Stars playtime.  

She was the cutest little ladybug I have ever seen and so very excited to wear her costume like big brother.

Kadence loves to jump jump jump.  She spent most of her time on the trampolines.  Such a cutie pie!

She also spent quite a bit of time swinging-her new love.

Then we headed upstairs and Kadence decorated her very own cupcake.  She had such a blast and felt so special.  

I was so glad the kids had so much fun celebrating today!  

34 weeks.

Baby's growing, Mommy's growing!!  I can't believe the difference between my 32 week photo and this one!  My appointment was pretty uneventful.  Everything seems to be going along as it should.  Baby's heart rate was upper 130's as it has been the past few visits.  Dr. Kemper thought he/she was laying transverse and all bundled in my lower left side.  Hard to believe we have only 6 short weeks to go.  I have baby boy and baby girl newborn clothes all washed and ready to go.  I used to kind of think it was a girl...but now I really have no idea!  I guess we will find out soon enough...so exciting!!

A Weekend in Omaha.

The kids and I ventured to Omaha to visit Daddy for the weekend.  It worked out great as Kristy, Tyler, and Jessie came for the weekend as well.  It is always so fun to get together with family and our kids had a blast with big cousins Tyler and Jessie.  We hung out at Aunty Arin's house spending time with the beloved Leonard (Arin's cat) and taking several walks to the ponds.  The kids did great sleeping there for four nights and it was a much needed break for me!  They are always so entertained around their Aunty's and cousins.  

We visited a pumpkin patch on Saturday and had a great time.  It was warm outside which made it very fun.

The kids loved all the animals of course.  Here were some baby chicks that were perhaps getting tortured a little...  Kadence was eager to hold them and touch them and Landon was a little more reluctant.

Love this picture of all the kids.  This tire swing was the hit of the day.  I think we spent more time swinging on the tire swing than anything else.  

Tyler showing Landon how to drive the tractor, scary thought. 

Listening to a little magic show.  I think Landon almost fell asleep.

The three younger kiddos rode on the ponies.  Jessie looks like a natural!

Landon wasn't so sure about the ride.  He stayed on the whole time but just didn't smile a whole lot.  

Kadence loved the pony ride.  She was smiling the entire time!  She wasn't scared but I made Tyler walk by her because I didn't want her to fall off.  

More tire swing fun.  

Kadence's pink spider.  Once she saw the pink paint, she insisted on having something pink.  Maybe she has been reading Pinkalicious too much!

We made it back in time for the end of the Iowa football game (not that it was a good outcome) and had a great supper.  Ryan, Arin, and Tyler got a movie in and Kristy and I stayed back with the kids and watched a chick flick (I wasn't complaining).  

Sunday we ventured to Bellevue to visit the Carlson's which was a fun time even though we were all exhausted from the busy weekend.  

What a fun fun fun weekend getaway.  There couldn't have been a better ending to my long week at home with the kids by myself.  Well...I take that back, the Vikings could have won.  

Thanks Arin for putting up with Ryan and for the great hospitality!  And, also a special thank you to Kristy for getting up with the kids and entertaining them while Ryan and I caught a little extra sleep, they had so much fun!!

Missing Daddy.

We sure are missing Daddy around here.  So... we made him some Halloween sugar cookies and can't wait to go visit him tomorrow!  This is not the most simple task with a 2 1/2 year old and an almost 4 year old but so much fun!  I think they had more sprinkles in their bellies than on the cookies...

Mama Mama

Landon has started calling me Mama...

It started just yesterday and he says it almost exclusively now.  It sounds so different since it used to be mommy or mom.

I am speculating that it came from one of his new books he ordered from his book club through preschool.  There are several "Llama Llama" books, but the one we have is "Llama Llama Misses Mama."  He really likes the book and I think it may have even helped him through his preschool transition.

It is funny how quickly little ones catch on to things.