Our Last Cando Christmas

This year we traveled to Cando, North Dakota to celebrate our last Christmas there. Although I won't miss the 10 hour drive (one-way), I will miss spending the holiday in the house where I grew up. Grandma Sweetie Pie (my dad's mom) was even able to come over and join us this year. Another guest arrived just in time--Santa made a surprise visit too! Erik, Grady, (Jen wasn't able to come due to illness-- we missed you Jen), Jessi, Tom, Sophie, and Adam were also at my parent's house. The cousins had fun playing together and working on their sharing abilities! Even though Christmas will seem different in future years, it will still be special because we will be with family.

Heaven's Windows

This morning Blake saw a picture of Randy's mom, Marlene. He asked who it was and I said, "That's Grandma Marlene. She is up in Heaven." Blake replied, "In Heaven with Jesus." I said, "Yes, in Heaven with Jesus." He then thought for a moment and asked, "Which room is Grandma Marlene in?" I was surprised by this question for I never really thought of Heaven that way, with a bunch of rooms, but a 2 1/2, almost 3 year old, can really have a unique and honest way of looking at things. I answered, "I don't know which room she is in. What room do you think she is in?" Blake said, "I think she is in the room with all of the windows." I asked, "Is she in the room with all of the windows so she can see us?" He said, "Yes, she is looking down at us." I almost teared up at his response.

I do think our loved ones are looking down at us, especially during these special times of year, like the birth of Jesus. We miss these loved ones every day, and we wish that we could also look through a "window" to see them. Merry Christmas, and if you are missing your loved one's this holiday season, know that they are looking at you through Heaven's windows!

Santa Clause Came to Town

Blake and Bennett had their first visit with Santa Clause this past weekend. Blake didn't really know what to think, but gladly took the candy cane that Santa offered to him. Our friends, Stephanie, Hadley, and Piper also met us there to see Santa. Blake can be seen with Hadley in one of the pictures. Although he was shy around Santa, Blake did mention to tell him that he wanted a tractor with a bucket on it!

Celebrating Christmas With Papa and Grandma

This past weekend we celebrated Christmas with Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia. Blake had a wonderful time handing out the gifts, and he especially like opening his! Papa and Grandma gave Blake and Bennett a new wagon, which will really be handy for when they take walks this spring and summer! Blake also liked posing in front of the tree with one of his most recent favorite outfits-- the "batman" cape and baseball hat. Blake enjoyed giving Grandma a ride in the wagon too! Thanks for the fun night!

Fun in the Snow

Even though the temperatures weren't as warm as we would like them to be, it didn't prevent us from getting outside and enjoying all of the snow we had around the yard! Blake loved climbing up the snow hills and yelling "king of the hill!" He also liked building forts using the big chunks of snow.

Decorating the Tree

Blake was such a great helper decorating the tree this year! He was so excited to put the ornaments on the tree. I think his goal was to see how many ornaments one branch could hold! I thought it was cute how you could tell exactly which ornaments Blake put up, and which ones I put on the tree.

Bennett is 7 Months Old

A new month, a new tooth, and a cuddly 7 month old boy! Bennett is starting to sit up more this month and really is liking to play with his rattles and other baby toys. He is becoming so much more aware of the world around him now too. He has been such a snuggly, laid-back little man! We are so blessed to have him as a member of our family! We love you Bennett!

Cutting Down the Tree

This morning we ventured over to Papa Ron's farm to cut down our annual Christmas tree. We strapped Bennett's car seat into the sled (see picture-not sure if that was super safe) and headed out to look for the "perfect" tree. A scene from the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" comes to mind: "Dad, I can't feel my legs!" "Clark, Audrey can't feel her hips!" Okay, enough of that. Anyway, we did find a tree. It's probably not the most symmetrical, but one we will enjoy this holiday season!

Thanksgiving 2010

We spent Thanksgiving in Fargo, ND this year with Grandpa and Grandma Gronos, Erik, Jen, and Grady. Blake and Grady had a great time playing together and swimming at the hotel pool where Grandpa and Grandma stayed. Grady also enjoyed getting Bennett to laugh.

Randy's Buck 2010

The 2010 bow/gun hunting season sure had its ups and downs for Randy. After having hit a really nice buck last week during the end of the archery season, and then not being able to find it, Randy ended his hunting season on a high note! On opening day of the gun deer season, Randy hit an 8-pointer. This is the largest buck that he has harvested in his 20 years of hunting. Blake even had the opportunity to go recover and register the buck with Randy and Papa Ron. The three generations had a fun time together.

Bennett is 6 Months Old!

WOW! The first half of the first year is over! What?! Where did that time go? I can't believe Bennett is 6 months old already! He has changed so much in the past month. He is rolling over like crazy, eating like crazy, and a tooth on the bottom just popped through in time for his 6 month birthday! Check out the video of Bennett doing his favorite move-- "the roll!"

Halloween 2010

Blake, Bennett, and I ventured out to trick or treat with our friends Shauna and Bob Walther and their 3 year old, Madeline. Blake and Madeline had a blast going door-to-door in Madeline's wagon. They couldn't wait to get up to the next house to ring the doorbell and say, "trick or treat!" Randy was out in his tree stand hunting, so he was unable to join us. Maybe one year he will get his trophy buck before Halloween and be able to come along:) Blake insisted that he and Bennett both be cows for Halloween. The picture is the 3 of us at the Walther's before heading out to gather our goodies!
Thanks to the Walther's for having us over to trick or treat!

Family Pictures 2010

We finally have pictures of all 4 of us together at one time! It only took 6 months, but we did it! It was a beautiful and very warm October day (don't let the sweaters fool you:). Most of the pictures were taken at the farm where Randy grew up, and a couple were taken in our backyard. Blake is not in any of the photos at our place. It took him a while to warm up to the camera. Dana and Tammy Swanstrom, our good friends and photographers did an amazing job! Thanks!

First Giggles

Blake never ceases in making us laugh, and if Bennett could talk he would probably agree. We finally got to hear Bennett's giggles thanks to his big brother, Blake! Blake was racing his toy cars around the living room and making a "BRRMMM" noise. Bennett loved watching and hearing Blake's impersonation of a car. My ears never tire of hearing a baby's giggle. I am sure there are more giggles to come!

Celebrating Sophie

This past weekend we headed over to Minneapolis to celebrate our niece, Sophie's, 4th birthday! Although I was too busy to capture any photos from the party, I did manage to get a few of Blake, Sophie, and Adam on the swingset on a beautiful fall morning!
Happy Birthday, Sophie!

Bennett is 5 Months Old

Bennett has started pushing himself up more this month. He also has started eating rice cereal 2 times a day. Bennett is also liking the taste of sweet potatoes that mom made and has a love/hate relationship with avocado. His 2 teeth on the bottom front have not popped through yet, but are right at the surface of the gums.

Big brother Blake is enjoying teaching Bennett new things like trying to get him to roll over, which Bennett is oh-so very close to doing.

Bennett is 4 months old!

Bennett is 4 months old already! This past month he gained about 3 pounds and he has started eating rice cereal, which he loves! He hasn't rolled over yet, but he really likes to sleep on his stomach. We can't wait to see what Bennett will do in this next month!

S'more Time

We built a little bonfire in our yard last week, and Blake got to experience roasting marshmallows for the first time! Of course he is my child, so he LOVED them! We could have done without the mosquitoes though!

Bennett and Dad

We have a ton of pictures of Randy and Blake, but we haven't taken a lot of just Bennett and Randy. So here is one of my favorites!

Music in the Park & Kol's Visit

This past week we attended the Summer Concert Series at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire. Kol, a fantastic new friend that Randy has had the great fortune of getting to know through work, was visiting us from Boston. He stayed with us for a few days this past week, and he and Blake became the best of buds! Blake wouldn't let me snap a picture of them together, but where Kol was, Blake was not far behind! Thanks for visiting us Kol!

While at Music in the Park, Blake enjoyed playing on the big rocks by the river, eating his PB & J sandwich, and of course trying to keep up with his melting ice cream cone!

Bennett's Baptism

On Saturday, August 7 Bennett was baptized at the Newman Parish in Eau Claire, WI. Father George Szews officiated during the mass. Michael and Karen Eckerman, our good friends, are Bennett's godparents. Tom, Jessi, and family attended the baptism and Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia were also present.