Ah, the little things.

Brushing my teeth.

So I've recently done lots of thinking. Here's a list of things I am oh so grateful for/ the little things that mean so much as I get older and have a family of my own:

- A Husband. My number one fan and Best Friend.
- Deployment. Sacrificing your husband for America. It was sad when just us, but a whole new ball game with kiddos...
And yet, it is what makes him him, us us, and we are ok. We are learning and growing and taking in every opportunity the AF presents us.
- Having a part-time job so you can be a stay-at-home Mommy (and a husband who supports you in it)
- Having a job at all, especially if you love what you do.
- Having good cleaning supplies. (As I am shopping for a new steam mop!)
- Being able to close a door. (Maddy has mastered the door knob)
- Being able to keep a toddler out of the refrigerator.
- Sleep.
- Laughing.
- Friends. Oh how we wish you weren't all over the world - literally.
- FAMILY. Oh how we wish you were closer.
- A husband who cooks. Honey, I will keep her alive, but nutrition may be questionable...
- A web cam. A must! (As Maddy spread kisses all over the computer tonight for her Daddy)

And much much more that I know I'm forgetting, but you get the idea. I feel like I've done lots of complaining lately but as work undergoes changes and we explore new possibilities for our family I need to remind myself just how very lucky I am and go with it. For those that have listened and offered advice thanks ( and you're probably not off the hook yet), but I'm working on being more optimistic - well, for a while anyway ;)

Watering EVERYTHING
"MY DO IT" - Phrase of the week.

Poor Daisy.
Secretly, I think she Loves the attention.

And now for the star:
Mommy and I have had a very good week. She says we are playing "catch up" after being on vacation. Catch up on sleep, laundry, groceries, yard work, boring stuff. I did get to have a Mommy day on Friday though. She had to stay home because Ms. Amber had her wisdom teeth pulled and we had a great day! She took me to a place called "The Jump Around" and it had all these blow up castles inside where I played (HARD) for an hour. It was everything I could muster to stay awake till we got home for lunch and a nap.

Mommy and I also took some time this weekend to do some painting. I am a true budding artist. I also got to go to Kim's house. Kim used to work with Mommy in SD and she has a boy named Jake (he's two). We played in the pool Saturday morning (silly Mommy didn't get any pictures), and I guess I'm gonna have a sleep over on Friday this week. Mommy is going to Austin for work - Friday afternoon till Saturday night- and Ms. Kim bravely volunteered to take me. I'm apprehensive but excited. Jake and I are learning to share and potty all at the same time. Mommy says Kim will have her hands full - that's good right?
Guess we'll let you know how that goes next week!

Love you all, x

Video: A glimpse of my favorite jump castle. (Sorry, this netting was all over the place)

Part 2

Ponderin' life (and this great view)

Yes, it has been more than a day - and so goes life right now....

Again, our visit home was amazing and something we must finish sharing! After the lake we spent a lot of great time with family and friends. A day trip to Rapid dropping Auntie off at the Airport (and her getting a killer deal to take a later flight that actually ended up leaving sooner than the flight she was scheduled on...), and then a day with the King's, well minus Chris - someone has to work while we have fun! ;)

Auntie Jess.
Photographer - Madelyn.

Mommy kept telling me all about Old McDonald's Farm. Turns out, I loved it as much as she thought I would. Between feeding the goats (and picking them up), petting cows, holding baby chicks, taking a pony ride, and watching a pig race; it was a fabulous morning! I promptly passed out in the car on our way to grab some lunch.

With energy to spare that afternoon and the King kids (and Mom) being terrific sports we took in Story Book Island. This is a great park for kids and I was eager to keep up with Alex and all the things an almost 4 year-old boy can do!

I got to spend time during the week with many Grandma's and Grandpa's and unfortunately Mommy didn't get pictures of them all.
My Nana and Papa.
My Grandma and Grandpa E.
Grandpa was helping me fix stuff and Grandma was sharing candy :)
Great-Grandma Audrey.
I was helping with her breathing treatment. I like to 'help'.
I also got to spend an evening out at my Uncle Cheese's house.

Love to you, until the next post! x

Videos: A view of me at Old McDonald's.


A Toddler's interaction with a Frog (or Toad - whatever)

Home (Part 1)

Well, since it has been two long weeks since I've blogged - I have a lot to share so we are going to make this two parts (especially since I went to bed way late and Mommy and I had a hard time getting back out of the house and on with life this morning so she says she needs her sleep tonight).

The first night we were home, Mommy got to have a nap while entertained Nana and Jessie (it was very hard to keep me from checking on Mommy, well it was that way all week). That night, all of the family came over for a BBQ. It was so nice that my Aunt Jessie, Aunt Darcy and Uncle Dan, Scott and Caroline all came in from Minnesota for the weekend. Then all the local family came for dinner too (on Great- Grandma Olstad's side), even my Great great Uncle Daryl and Aunt Marlys. We even had a fabulous cake made by Aunt April for my cousin Scott's birthday celebration that day - Yum-O!
The next morning we had a very nice service in remembrance of my Great-Grandpa Olstad who passed away a year ago. We layed his ashes to rest and it was so nice that all of the family could be there for it and honor him once again. He is always in our Memories and thoughts off and on from day to day.

Second Cousin Rachil and I.

Of course (not realizing it at the time), we booked our tickets during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Although this is not in our hometown, it is close enough so the entire week was a sleuth of motorcycles. It is truly a remarkable event - all those people coming to one area - and that we live in an area so beautiful that is where they want to be!

Motorcycles!

My Uncle Cheese (Chad) rode in a annual ride they hold every year through the hills. It was quite a turn out! I got to wave at all the "bicycles" (as I kept calling them all week :) We all walked up to cheer them on after a lovely brunch at Aunt April's (where I inherited a stroller and wagon to entertain me for the week- Thanks Rachel!).

Uncle Cheese!

After all that excitement, it was off to the lake....

My Auntie thought it was a great idea to give me my first tube ride. I wasn't feelin' it.
We were so fortunate to have the King family drive down and spend the afternoon. I love playing with Eva and Alex.
More to come tomorrow. Ah the anticipation :o)
x

Daddy is found!

Well we started off with a GREAT weekend this Friday. As I began to play "nigh night", Mommy got out my sleeping bag and out rolled Daddy Doll. I guess I forgot I put him to bed last weekend and when Mommy put the bed away looking for him, he got rolled right up!

I also got to meet a new friend on Friday. Mommy decided to go have a "Girls dinner out" and left me with Karessa. She works at Mommy's hospital and was suppose to babysit me for her and Daddy right before he left when I got sick. Anyway, she is so much fun I hardly noticed Mommy was gone (asking for her only once). I showed Karessa all my toys and my swing set and fed her pizza - the works! I promptly passed out [HARD] with nothing but my diaper on and slept pretty well. I decided to check and see if Mommy was still around at about 4 a.m., but went back to bed by 5 and slept till 8!
Speaking of, sleep is slowly getting better. Mommy has figured out which cries are real and which cries are because I have her wrapped around my finger. I rarely sleep all night but am getting better about putting myself back to sleep during my 'fake' cry attempts.
We had a pretty laid back week. I have been taking tubbies in Mommy's big garden tub and love it. I enjoy laying down in the water and listening to the sounds. I also got a new table to eat at. It works for a little bit but I much prefer to try and sit on Mommy's lap and eat her food (something Mommy is trying to divert). Oh yeah, we also had a movie night! This weekend is the first successful attempt at watching a full 25 minute cartoon. Mommy actually took a shower all by herself (a rarity on the weekends).

Sorry - no video this week - but by the time the next post goes up, I will have gotten to personally say hello to most of you! x

P.S. I am very independent these days, but it doesn't always work out in my favor....