A Beautiful Fall Weekend.

The kids and I were lucky to have my mom and dad here for the weekend while Ryan went to the football game.  It was a gorgeous fall weekend and we had a great visit.  The kids enjoyed their snuggle time and I enjoyed the company.

This picture cracks me up.  My dad was taking a snooze and Landon put his 3D glasses on him.  He was pretty proud!

Sunday we headed to the Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch on my parents' way out of town. It was sunny and 80 degrees so we had a very enjoyable time.  The kids have asked to go back several times already.

 

My little lady is very busy exploring her world.  She doesn't quite care to look at my camera as you can tell in all of the pictures!

Kenzie was afraid of these adorable baby goats.  She started screaming immediately!

 

Kadence and Landon feeding the baby goats some corn.

Kadence feeding the cute little pigs.  Landon was too afraid to feed them.

Kadence absolutely loved all of the animals.  She was definitely in love with these miniature horses.  She would have taken one home for sure.

Kadence really wanted to bring all of the pumpkins home.  Where in the world would she get her love for pumpkins and all things "fall?"

I have some pictures of Landon at this age at the very same pumpkin patch.  Very fun.  Love Kenzie's wispy blonde hair glowing!

There was a train right next to us at this point of our day.  Kadence is frightened by the noise of the trains and it was so close.  Thank goodness for the distraction of this pretty pink painted pumpkin on "Pumpkin Alley" or we may have had a meltdown.  Poor thing.

 

 

Look at this speedy girl running through the hay maze!

The horse drawn wagon ride was a definite highlight.  The kids loved it!

 

 

Love these little people of mine who keep my life so busy and chaotic!  Thanks for a great visit Mom and Dad!

*On a side note I am beginning to wonder if it is actually Fargo we moved to.  It has been so warm the past week we actually have had to use our air conditioning.  The next 5 days are forecasted low to mid 80's!  Awesome.

Vikings/Chiefs Game.

Ryan had the opportunity to go to the Vikings/Chiefs game in Kansas City.  He met Arin in Omaha then they drove the remainder of the way to Kansas City and met Kristy and Tyler.  I am quite sure Kristy and Arin felt like they were hanging with their 14 year old brother once again.  I know Ryan well enough to know he was definitely like a kid in a candy store.  They had some great seats and it was a beautiful day for a football game outdoors.  

I am sad to say that the game did not end well.  The Vikings lost 22-17 and are now 0-4 for the season. This makes my life very difficult.  Pull it together boys and start playing football so that every Sunday is not ruined for me for the next couple months.  Thanks.  

First Swimming Lessons.

Landon and Kadence started swimming lessons this week.  They have never had lessons and I was very excited for them to start.  They are in a preschool class with just the two of them and one other child.  Their teacher is actually training another teacher in, so they have two instructors for the three of them.  The other little girl had a hard time with getting in, so Landon and Kadence essentially had their entire first lesson with one on one teaching.

I was a little worried about Landon as he is the one who is a little reluctant about the water.  Kadence usually loves swimming and has no problem submerging her entire head in the water.  She was a little distraught when she realized that I wasn't getting in the water with her, but she toughened up and was just fine.  I am not sure she would have gotten in the water without big brother at her side.  He totally surprised me and loved swimming lessons.  He was freezing cold by the end of the 40 minute session, but asked when he could go back as soon as he warmed up.

Waiting for their teacher.

 

 Landon looking a little nervous with his hand in his mouth.

This cracks me up.  I can just imagine what is going through her head, "Mama, what are you making me do?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So fun!  Glad they liked their first swimming lesson and are excited for the next!  I can't wait to see how they progress over the next month!

GO TYLER!!

Ryan has downloaded an app on our ipad where he can watch Tyler's football games.  It is pretty cute, Ryan watches the plays in detail (often replaying the really good ones to show me) and critiques the whole thing.  This is usually followed up with a conversation with Tyler on the phone.  It cracks me up and I seriously can not believe the time Ryan devotes to watching the footage.  He just has such a great love for football and a special bond with Tyler, it's pretty neat really.  I wish we lived closer so he could actually go watch the games.

Anyhow, Landon is obsessed with our ipad-I mean really why wouldn't he be?  He usually plays some games, but was watching Tyler's football and getting really in to it (not sure where he'd get that from).  He had actually been watching about 5 minutes before I realized I should grab my camera.  Too funny.

29.

Today marks the start to my last year of my twenties.  It is hard to believe I am already that old when I simply feel so young at heart.  It seems like just yesterday that I was anticipating the start of a new school year at Cloquet Senior High.  I often step outside and smell the fresh fall air and think of volleyball practice, football games, the abundance of beautiful changing leaves, and the smell of my mom's home-cooked dinner after a long day of school and practice.  I seem to have so many great fall memories and I truly think that is why it is my favorite season.

This fall has been equally exciting but in very different ways.  I have experienced the excitement of Landon and Kadence as they have started their preschool year.  I have watched Landon's fall soccer practices and taken Kadence to dance each week.  I have watched Kenzie develop her own personality and meet milestones.  And, Ryan and I have bought our very first home together!

So, as I reflect upon my growing old I realize that I shouldn't be sad.  Not only do I have all the wonderful memories of the past 28 years of my life, I have the making of present and future memories with my beautiful family to look forward to.  I am so blessed to have met the love of my life and best friend at such a young age.  I look forward to the rest of our lives together and it just keeps getting better each day.  I am  also beyond blessed with my 3 beautiful, happy, and healthy children.  Although our lives seem like utter chaos most of the time, I would never trade it in for the simplicity of life without children.

With Ryan having a crazy busy work week this past week, I have had some time to reflect on the past year of my life...

~My baby boy turning 4.  Wow.

~A difficult, long 5 week stretch of single parenting (35+weeks pregnant).

~The birth of my 3rd (and most likely last) child.

~Many restless nights with a cranky newborn.

~My hubby turning 30.  Wow.

~Ryan's completion of CRNA school.

~The process of finding temporary housing in Fargo.

~My princess Kadence turning 3.

~ The 260 mile move back to Fargo and all it entailed.

~My first marathon relay.

~Purchasing our new Honda Pilot SUV which we absolutely love (we are so not minivan people).

~A summer filled with traveling to see family.

~Being offered a great part-time RN position and turning it down because my kids mean the world to me.

~Braces.  Really at 28?!

~The fun and stressful search for a house to finally call our own.

~5 years of marriage to the best man in the world.

I know I am missing many things that have occurred this past year.  How can you possibly remember and write everything down you have done for an entire year?  These are just some major, new things that have happened.  I can not believe how many transitions our little family has made over the span of just a year and we are stronger than ever!  So here's to staying positive about growing old when you have the best man in the world to do it with!

Happy Birthday to me!  I can not believe I will be 30 in just one short year.