The Risler FAM*ILY

Happy 4th Birthday Blake

2012-01-19T06:05:00.001-08:00

Your first 4 years of life has just flown by! I can't believe I held you for the first time 4 years ago! You have grown into a creative, energetic, and curious little boy! We look forward to what your next years have in store for our family! We love you, Blake Marcus!

Dentist

2012-01-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

Blake had his first trip to the dentist during Christmas break. I had my appointment first, and Blake watched to see what it was all about. The best I was hoping for was that he would sit in the chair and let Dr. Leslie count his teeth. He was such a brave boy! Not only did he let Dr. Leslie count his teeth, but he also had her clean them, floss, and polish them! I would say that Blake's first trip to the dentist was a positive one!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-19T05:47:00.000-08:00

I am so far behind on updating our blog!!! Here are some pictures from Christmas. We stayed home this year. Papa Ron and Claudia joined us on Christmas Eve for dinner and to open presents. It was nice to spend Christmas around the new fireplace!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

This year Blake, Bennett, and I traveled to Walker, MN to meet my family for Thanksgiving. Randy stayed back to try and get that big buck! We rented a house near Leech Lake. The house was ideal, with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms-- 1 for each family. The bonus was the indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna :)

On Friday evening we took in the local Holiday Lights parade that Walker put on. All of the kiddos LOVED seeing all of the parade lights, and the candy was a hit as well!

The cousins enjoyed playing together and being silly. Bennett wasn't too sure of straying far from my side because of the unfamiliar surroundings. As soon as we returned he was back to his normal "daddy's boy" self, however.

How thankful I am that everyone made it to MN safely and home again. Thanks for the memorable weekend!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T04:19:00.000-07:00

Papa Ron and Claudia stopped over about a week ago to see the boys in their costumes. They got a little practice saying "trick or treat" as Papa and Grandma also brought some goodies along :)

For the actual day of Halloween this year we ventured to Mondovi to take in some trick-or-treating with the boys. Blake aka(Spiderman) and Bennett aka (Zebra) enjoyed seeing all of the jack o'lanterns lit up and knocking on the doors to say "trick or treat!"

A few weeks ago Blake drew a self-portrait of him in his Halloween costume. You can see the drawn Spiderman and the real Spiderman below.

Halloween Trail

2011-10-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

To get ready for Halloween, Blake, Bennett, and I met our friends Stephanie, Hadley, and Piper to break in those Halloween costumes at a local pumpkin patch. We trick or treated on the Fantasy Trail, fed the animals, and took a "train" ride. What a beautiful fall day to spend with friends!

Fall Fun 2011

2011-10-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

Now that our remodeling project is complete we have time to spend on outdoor projects like raking leaves (round 1 complete- stay tuned for round 2) and visiting the pumpkin patch. Blake and Bennett had fun playing in the leaves in our yard last weekend. This weekend we went to a local pumpkin patch to see all of the different kinds of pumpkins. Fall is definitely in the air! We hope that you are enjoying your fall days too!

Stones

2011-09-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

As the finishing touches get put on our remodeling project, we are getting even more excited to be able to use this new space. This past week they finished putting the stone on the fireplace, and the landscapers built our stone retaining wall. This week they should finish the landscaping by adding some shrubs, flowers and seeding the lawn.

Don't you like how the deer mounts are already in the addition before any furniture:)?! We do have our priorities, you know,--- well at least the hunter in the house does!

More Remodel

2011-09-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some updated pictures of the remodeling project! Almost complete!

Almost There

2011-09-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

I am starting to see the light at the end of this tunnel we call remodeling. We have flooring in the kitchen, almost all of the cabinets and appliances installed! We also have the rock and gutters finished on the outside of the house. The last big step in this process will be the hardwood floors. We have had the wood sitting in our house for 2 weeks now, but they cannot install it due to the humidity. We are hoping by the end of next week we will have an even more finished product!

Blake's New Bike

2011-09-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

All summer we have been looking for a bike for Blake. We have looked at garage sales and on Craigslist almost every week, and have found nothing. Grandma Claudia and Papa Ron were also out on the hunt, and they hit the jackpot with this "like-new" Schwinn bike in Blake's favorite color! Papa Ron tuned it up and put training wheels on it for us! Thank you so much Papa and Grandma! What a great surprise!

Painting and Staining-- Done!

2011-08-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Now that we have stain on the outside of our addition, and paint on the walls on the inside, we are finally seeing the end in sight!

Bennett's First Tractor Ride

2011-08-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

Bennett has been watching his brother, Blake, get tractor rides all summer. Well, it was finally HIS turn, and he was in awe of the noise the engine made and sitting behind the steering wheel.

Dust

2011-08-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

This week "dust" has been the motto in our house. Normally I don't care for all that much dust, but since the cause of this dust means we have sheetrock on our walls-- it's okay. The outside of the house has also been sided and we look forward to it being stained this week. Our goal is to have everything complete by the middle of September-- just in time for bow hunting to start:)

Remodeling

2011-08-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

We are definitely seeing more progress inside our house now. They have taken the kitchen apart and knocked out the wall between the new addition and the existing house. It is exciting to see the changes and to imagine what it will look like when it is completed. There have been lots of workers and noise at our house the past week. Our temporary kitchen is set up in the basement in the computer room. I kind of feel like a college student again :)!

Fun at the Fair

2011-08-06T19:32:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! Yep, the Buffalo County Fair was going on this past weekend, and like in other years we ventured out with the boys to see the sights, take in the sounds, and taste the delicious food!

First stop was the animal barns where we saw rabbits, chickens, cows, horses, and sheep. After the boys had seen the animals we went and ate some delicious charcoal chicken and sweet corn. Blake was very anxious to get on the rides, and quickly devoured his food.

Blake went on two rides this year--the alligator roller coaster and the mini ferris wheel. He loved them both and talked about them for awhile after ward.

Our final stop, and might I say the most important one, was the malt stand! What a great way to end a great evening at the fair!

Our Pet?

2011-08-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Well it has been over a month since we last posted about our foxy friend, Boots. He/she has still been coming around at least twice a day to see us and try to get some treats (a.k.a. bread) from us. We think it is still living at the end of our driveway somewhere in the woods. When we are outside playing it will come out and greet us. Lately, Boots has been coming right up onto our deck to get some food. I snapped this photo the other morning when it came up. Is it safe to say that Boots is now our pet?

Cousin Time

2011-07-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

This past week all of my family got together at Tom and Jessi's house in Maple Grove, MN. We hadn't all been together since Christmas, so it was fun to see the kids interact with each other. Erik, Jen, Tom and my dad all went to the Twins game on Monday evening, while the Jessi, my mom, and I stayed back to watch the kids.

Grady (4.5), Sophie (almost 5), and Blake (3.5) had tons of fun singing Disney karaoke, and they also snuggled up to Grandma Bev with a good book.

Grandma Bev was a big hit with the kids playing a fun "lap" game that she used to do with Jessi, Erik and I when we were little. I wished we all lived closer to one another so that we could see each other more often! Until next time!

Remodel

2011-07-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

The upper portion of our addition is now taking shape!

Bennett is Walking

2011-07-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

For the past week or so Bennett has been teetering around the house on his little legs. Now that he knows he CAN walk that is all he wants to do! He does several laps daily around the house.

4th of July Weekend

2011-07-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

We celebrated our freedom this past weekend with 2 wonderful families! On Saturday and Sunday we drove to Rochester, MN to spend time with the Eckerman family. Mike, Karen, Ava, and Finn (2) are always so welcoming! Ava (4) and Blake (3 1/2) had a blast playing together. We went swimming at one of their friend's houses, grilled out, and celebrated Ava's 4th birthday. Thanks for having us, Eckermans!

On 4th of July morning Randy, the boys, and I ran in Mondovi's local 4th of July 5 mile run. Randy ran the 5 mile race while pushing the boys in the jogging stroller so that I could run my own pace. Thanks, Randy! I forgot to bring the camera to capture this event.

That afternoon the Anderson family invited us over to swim and grill out! We had the pool to ourselves and Blake and Bennett enjoyed having a water balloon fight with Hadley(4 1/2) and Piper (almost 3). This is just another example of a family that is SO hospitable and fun to be around! Thanks Anderson family! Thanks for the picture, Stephanie!

A Foxy Friend

2011-06-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks we have had a new friend coming into our yard to visit us. We first saw the fox one evening at the end of our driveway as we were coming in from a walk. It was not shy at all, and kept coming closer to us.

We saw it again the next night, and brought out some bread for it to eat. It now has been coming in almost every morning and evening to see if we have any treats for it. Blake loves throwing it food. It would be nice if "Boots" (that is what we named him/her, because of the black fur around his/her feet) would stick around this winter and catch the mice that hang by the house!:)

Boys of Summer

2011-06-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

We have had some rather 'warm' days this week. The boys were playing on the sand pile one morning this week, and they were VERY dirty. Before bringing them in they stripped down to nothing and played in the sprinkler. One might call this a 'Red-Neck Bath!' Whatever you want to call it, it kept my floors from getting dirty, and the boys loved it!

More Remodeling

2011-06-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

We are starting to see more progress with our remodeling project. They have now poured the walls for the garage! They also leveled out all of the dirt that took up 3 HUGE piles in our yard. This week they should start framing the upper level! Stay tuned!

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to three AMAZING dads!

5 Years Ago Today

2011-06-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

It was 5 years ago today that we said those two simple words. The two words that sometimes mean more than anything else. The two words that have filled our last five years with many memories-- trips, buying our first home, and two beautiful boys. Two words that have also brought us challenges.
As I look back over the past 5 years I will never forget the day that I became your wife. I thank God for the day I met you and for what the future holds for us and our family. I will never forget the day we both said those two simple words, and if asked again today there is no question what I would say-- "I do."

Remodeling Has Begun

2011-06-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

Over the past 2 years or so we have been contemplating adding on to our home. This past spring we finalized the plans to add a family room with attached garage underneath! I am very excited about the attached garage! Hopefully our "mice-in-the-car" problems will be over once we park our cars in the attached garage, and I will be thrilled to not have to carry groceries and kids through the snow to get into the house! The project should take about 3 months from start to finish.
Blake and Bennett have been enamored with all of the big trucks and excavators that have been in our yard lately. I will keep posting pictures as the remodeling progresses!

Brewers Game

2011-06-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Randy and I decided early in the week that we really wanted to try to get tickets to this weekend's Brewers game against the St. Louis Cardinals. We were able to get tickets and find someone to watch Blake and Bennett on Saturday. What a great time and game it was! The Brewers beat the Cardinals, which put them that much closer to tying them in the National League standings.
We got to see some Brewers "stars" (Bernie and some of the Sausages) and even got to visit with some of the Brewer players' wives before the game. Prince Fielder's wife, Craig Counsel's wife, and Jonathan Lucroy's wife were all out in the stadium selling raffle tickets! We can't wait to get over for another game soon! GO BREW CREW!

Un'bear'able

2011-06-08T05:02:00.000-07:00

Well, they're back! Yes, those black bears that I watch and listen for every spring are back. This is the 3rd time this year that I have seen the bears. These two in particular are a sow and her yearling. The sow, as you can see by the pictures and video, is HUGE! She is just another perfect example of why I don't like Blake playing outside when we are not with him. Randy will hopefully get his bear tag this year and the next time we see one of these two they will be made into a rug :)

Rocky Mountain Vacation

2011-05-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

This past week Randy and I took our first vacation away from the kids since Bennett was born. We went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was it ever beautiful! Our hotel was nestled right at the base of the Rocky Mountains! A little different scenery for this North Dakota gal!

We spent almost everyday doing some sort of outdoor activity, whether it be hiking (we went on at least 5 different hikes), horseback riding (Randy's first time on a horse, and it had been at least 12 years since I was on a horse), and mountain biking (no exercise on this adventure, as it was 17 miles all downhill! I think the brakes on my bike had to be replaced!)

We ate delicious food, spent time connecting with friends we hadn't seen in a while, and had some time to have conversations with each other without having to give all of our attention to our little guys!

It was wonderful to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but we couldn't wait to get home to Blake and Bennett! We definitely want to go back to Colorado very soon, and next time we'll take the whole family.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Being a mom is the best responsibility that I will ever have! I saw these short little poems about being a mom, and they really rang true for me! Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!

If you mean the whole world
To a little boy or girl
You’re a mom

If your living room floor
Looks like a toy store
You’re a mom

If your first occupation
Sounds like a sweet vacation
You’re a mom

If you need a sick day
But instead you’re gonna play
You’re a mom

Bennett is 365 Days Old!

2011-05-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

W*O*W! Where did that year go? I know it sounds cliche, but this time around it really did go fast. It seems that it was only days ago that I was holding you for the first time and kissing those 'oh-so-soft' cheeks. You are such a lovable little man! We don't know what we would do without you as a part of our family. To see how much you have grown and changed over the last year is AMAZING!

Your big brother, Blake, loves you so much. His nicknames for you are "The Beaver" and "Buddy." We know as you get even bigger the two of you will be best of friends.

Mommy and Daddy love you lots too. You bring so much joy to our lives. We thank God everyday for blessing us with you. We LOVE you Bennett James! Happy Birthday!

Thanks so much to Claire, Grandma Claudia's granddaughter, for making Bennett's birthday cakes! What a talent you have!

Happy Easter 2011

2011-04-24T13:49:00.001-07:00

Our Easter weekend began by going to church Thursday evening for the "Washing of the Feet," and then for the Good Friday service at Newman Parish.

On Saturday Blake was very excited to dye Easter Eggs after is nap. He loved mixing the eggs around in the colored dye. Bennett was a spectator this year, but next year he will be right in the egg-dying action with us.

Before going to bed on Saturday night, Blake wanted to put a carrot out as a snack for the Easter Bunny. We also left him a little note with his snack. On Easter Sunday morning, the first thing Blake did when he got out of bed was to head out to the kitchen to see if the Easter Bunny had eaten his carrot. Blake came running into our bedroom yelling, "Mom, the Easter Bunny ate almost all of the carrot!"

Blake also began looking for his Easter basket almost as soon as he got out of bed. He couldn't wait to see what hiding place the Easter Bunny had picked for his basket!

We rounded out our Easter weekend by having Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia over for lunch and an Easter Egg Hunt. I have never witnessed Blake eat his lunch so fast as I did today. He knew that once lunch was over he would be searching for Easter eggs in the yard. He had his basket and he was ready! Again, Bennett was a spectator, but he did get to sit on Blake's tractor for awhile!

Most importantly, Randy and I really want Blake and Bennett to know why we celebrate Easter. While dying Easter eggs and hunting for baskets and eggs is such a special treat, we really want them to know that this day is so much more than that. It is about celebrating that Jesus has risen, and because He died on the cross for us, and because we believe in Him, we too shall have eternal life! We are so blessed in so many ways! Happy Easter to you and your family!

Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

2011-04-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Lately it has been a morning tradition for Blake to go into Bennett's room upon waking up. Blake climbs into Bennett's crib and they bounce around and laugh with each other. I thought I better capture this on the camera before this phase passes us by.

Blake's Lego Creation

2011-04-22T07:21:00.001-07:00

When Bennett was born, Grandpa and Grandma Gronos wanted to get Blake a 'Big Brother' toy. When they came to visit they brought Blake a bucket of Legos. He has loved playing with them over the past year, and he has made some pretty cool creations all on his own. Here is just one of those creations! Maybe he'll be an architect one day!

How To Be An 11 Month Old

2011-04-04T12:42:00.001-07:00

* Crawl to any destination your little legs will take you

* Pick up EVERYTHING and put it into your mouth to see how it tastes

* Drool on your toys, chin, and clothing

* Change your outfit several times each day (see photos)

* Sway to any music that you hear

* Splash water in your face while in the bathtub

* Squirm as much as possible while getting your diaper changed

* Eat diligently anything put in front of you on your tray

* Make cooing sounds in your crib upon waking up from your nap

* Sleep at least 3 hours during the day

* Pull up onto your legs to stand

* Say "nana" for banana (2 per day is not even enough!)

* Cuddle with mom and dad

Lamb Farm 2011

2011-04-03T05:57:00.000-07:00

For a 2nd year in a row we ventured out to Govin's Lamb Farm. Blake couldn't wait to see the baby chicks again. They were his favorite attraction last year, and he said they were his favorite again. Last year he didn't really care to hold a lamb, but this year was different. He sat right down and snuggled the lamb in his lap. Bennett even wanted to pet most of the animals. We are hoping to make this an annual event. Blake even left in tears because he didn't want to go home.

Spring Sledding

2011-03-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I think I might of jinxed us with the last post that I put up. I guess Mother Nature wanted us to be able to go sledding this Spring. We were able to get over to Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia's to take in some last minute sledding before all of this snow melts. Blake had a blast going down the hill, and Bennett enjoyed riding with his big brother.

Got Spring?

2011-03-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

I really hope that this is a sign of what's to come! As of today all of the ice and snow have officially melted off of the deck! At one point this winter it was about 2 feet up the sliding glass doors (see picture), so to see the bare (dirty) deck is a blessing! Now I can't wait to post pictures of the grass with no snow! Stay tuned!

Blake's Reading Chair

2011-03-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

I caught Blake sitting down to "read" the other day. Maybe not quite where you'd expect a 3 year old to be "reading," however!

Bennett is 10 Months Old

2011-03-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

Crawling, crawling, crawling.

Bennett is on the move this month! Now that he can move he wants to touch everything! Bennett has pretty much switched over to eating table foods now. He is really good at picking up his own pieces of food and feeding himself. He LOVES to eat bananas and Yo-Baby yogurt! He points to the baby on the container of yogurt and says, "daydy" (baby). It's hard to believe that in 2 short months this little guy will be 1 year old!

Hey, Soul Sistahs!

2011-02-06T12:25:00.000-08:00

This past week the boys and I had the opportunity to get together with my good friends, Mary and Sarah. Actually, I would call them more than good friends. I really believe that they are my soul sisters! We met at Jamestown College, and although we don't get the chance to all be together that often, when we do see each other it is like we never missed a beat. We spent our day and evening together reminiscing about our college days (over 10 years ago now!), eating our favorite college snacks like twizzlers and Baked Lay chips, and seeing our kiddos play with each other. Sarah and Ava made the trip down, but Grace had school on Friday so she wasn't able to be there. We sure missed her! Mary, Ryan, Lucas, and Simon were great hosts! Thanks for the wonderful food and hospitality! We need to get together more often!

I love you girls, and I am so blessed to have you in my life!

Bennett is 9 Months Old

2011-02-06T11:53:00.000-08:00

Well, a lot has happened this past month. Bennett has 2 more teeth on top and 1 more that is almost poking through. He started to crawl this month and is beginning to eat more solid foods, like peas, blueberries, oranges, and grapes. He has been a pretty good sleeper this month too. He usually goes to bed around 7pm and gets up around 6am! He is still very laid-back and just goes with the flow! Here are some pics from this past month, and also a video of Bennett trying to crawl.

Blake Sings . . . Bon Jovi?

2011-01-30T17:07:00.000-08:00

It all started on our long drive to North Dakota for Christmas. Randy and I brought the cd's along, because once you get to the northern part of North Dakota there are not many radio stations. We put in the Bon Jovi cd, and Blake was hooked. His favorite songs are "Livin' On a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name" (I think that is the title).

Now Blake wants to hear Bon Jovi whenever we are driving in the car-- on our way to daycare, on our way to church, and on our way to get groceries. The other day I saw that Oprah was going to have Bon Jovi on. I set the DVR just in case he would happen to sing one of Blake's favorite songs. He did not disappoint. He sang "Livin' On a Prayer" and the next morning I showed it to Blake. It was a regular dance party in our house at 9 am!

Here is a video clip of Blake singing his 2 favorite songs. Notice his change in the lyrics-- "Livin' On a Prayer"--- 'take my hand and I"ll make it a square', and "You Give Love a Bad Name"-- 'Shot to the heart and your too late, you give love a bad name.'

Gotta love it!

Blake Turns 3!

2011-01-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Blake turned 3 years old! He was so excited to finally be able to put up that 3rd finger when someone asked him, "How old are you?" We celebrated with Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia. Blake wanted a Toy Story cake this year, and told me today (Jan. 19) that it was still his birthday. I asked him why he thought it was still his birthday and he said it was because we still had birthday cake left over.

Blake's passions in life so far have been tractors, pretending he is Benny from "The Sandlot" movie, and putting his blanket around his neck like a cape and pretending he is Batman. We can't wait to see what else his little heart will get excited about in the years ahead! Love you Blake Marcus!

Happy Birthday to My Sister and Best Friend

2011-01-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to my "wombmate!" Wow, to think that it seemed like just yesterday that we were sharing a room, sharing clothes, and playing "soap opera!" Now we are grown women with our own children playing make-believe. The time sure does fly! I love you so much, and I don't know what I would do without you as my sister and friend! Happy Birthday!

Bennett is 8 Months Old

2011-01-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

Scooting. Sitting up by himself. Giggling. This sums up Bennett at 8 months old! We sure have started to see his personality this past month! He is such a laid-back baby who likes to cuddle! Here are some pictures of Blake (almost 3) and Bennett!

Potty Time

2011-01-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of months we have been working on potty training Blake. He has been doing a great job. We kept a chart for him as an incentive to be more consistent with going to the bathroom. We made a deal that if Blake filled up all 35 spots on the chart that we would take him to a movie and have popcorn! He was very excited about this, and each time he would complete a task on the chart he couldn't wait to put the smiley face on. Well, the day has come, and Blake's chart is filled! He jumped up and down after finally filling up the line for going #2 on the potty (that was the toughest line to fill up)! Now we just need to set a date for our movie! Way to go Blake!

Our Last Cando Christmas

2010-12-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-22T12:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-14T17:01:00.002-08:00

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

2010-12-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2010-12-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-21T14:14:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-04T18:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

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

2010-10-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-09-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-30T06:52:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Bennett is 3 Months Old!

2010-08-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

Bennett is really putting on the pounds! At his last appointment (10 weeks old) he weighed 14.5 pounds! I am sure he is close to 16 pounds by now! He has given us lots of smiles and even a few giggles this last month.

Fun at the Fair

2010-07-31T13:28:00.000-07:00

We had our traditional night at the Buffalo County Fair in Mondovi on Friday night. The Anderson family has joined us the last several years. It has been neat to watch the kiddos grow each year and enjoy the different parts of the fair. Blake, Hadley, and Piper went on a few rides together and we also ate some delicious chicken, corn on the cob, and of course we can't leave the fair without a chocolate malt!
While waiting to get on one of the rides, Blake entertained Hadley and Piper with his hand-in-the-sleeve trick!

Blake watching Grady read

2010-07-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Blake really enjoyed watching his cousin Grady reading on the computer. I had to capture his reaction on video! Great reading, Grady!

Cousins

2010-07-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

Last week Grandma and Grandpa Gronos and Erik, Jen and Grady came to the cities for a Twins game. Blake, Bennett and I drove over for a few days to see everyone. While we were there the cousins, grandma, and grandpa had some good bonding time! If only we all lived closer to one another! You may be wondering why Blake is not in the group picture with the rest of the grandkids. He was getting a little tired and refused to take a group picture. I did snap one of him laying by himself on the floor though.

Brothers

2010-07-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

I was curious to see how much Blake and Bennett resembled each other at 2 months. What do you think? I definitely see some similarities. These were the first smiles that I caught on camera for both of them.

4th of July

2010-07-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

We spent this 4th of July with our good friends Mike and Karen and their 2 cuties, Ava and Finn, in Rochester. We had a delicious grill out, and Ava and Blake were such good buddies sharing toys and playing together. Thanks for your hospitality Mike and Karen!

Bennett is 2 Months Old

2010-07-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

Another month has passed us by and with it a growing Bennett has flashed us his first smile on camera! Here are some pictures from the Bennett's 2nd month of life!

Happy 4th Anniversary!

2010-06-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

On June 17, 2006 Randy and I became husband and wife! I want to wish Randy a happy anniversary, and tell you that I love you even more than I did 4 years ago! Thank you for being such a wonderful husband, father, and friend!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Blake!

2010-06-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

For his 2nd birthday, Blake received a t-ball set from Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia. Since Blake's birthday is in January we didn't have much of an opportunity to use it right when he got it. Now that the weather is warmer Blake has been loving the time when he can get outside and practice hitting the baseball! Randy has really been working with him on his stance.

Bennett is 1 Month Old!

2010-06-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

One month ago today Bennett joined our family! He has already grown a lot in just one month! We can't wait for the next month when we will surely see some smiles! Thanks to Sarah, Jeff and family for the cute striped outfit that Bennett is wearing in one of the pictures!

Some of the other pictures from this past month include one when Grandpa and Grandma Gronos came to visit from North Dakota, and one of Bennett with his friend Malena, Sherm and Kacie's little sweetie! Malena is about 1 month older than Bennett.

Bennett James Risler

2010-05-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 8:28 a.m. we welcomed another beautiful son into the world! You have dark hair just like your big brother Blake did when he was born-- no wonder your mother had heartburn for most of the pregnancy! One look at you and we fell in love all over again! Thank you, God, for giving us another healthy, beautiful son! We love you Bennett James!

Blake Sings the ABC's

2010-04-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

Tickle Monster?

2010-04-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Earth Day Project

2010-04-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

This last weekend Randy and Blake put their carpentry skills to work and made a birdhouse. This was a great week for creating something to help make the Earth a better place to live, since it is Earth Day this week. Blake wanted to paint the birdhouse orange. Hopefully we will see some feathered friends taking up residence here soon!

Nesting in the Nursery

2010-04-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

It is crazy to believe that Baby Risler #2 will be here in 5 weeks or less. (I hope!) The nesting phase has begun for me at our house. I have installed the car seat base into the car, washed some of the 0 to 3 month clothes, and just this week added some new touches to the nursery. I wanted it to be a little bit different than what Blake had when he was just a baby. I found a picture online and decided to paint it on the nursery wall. Hopefully the new babe will like the bright orange and blue color!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Easter 2010 was spent with The Link Family! Tom, Jessi, Sophie, and Adam and their dog, Duke, all made the trip over from Minneapolis. The kiddos had fun decorating eggs on Saturday. On Sunday after church they had an Easter Egg Hunt and found their baskets! What a beautiful day to spend with family and rejoice in the day that Jesus rose from the dead!

"He was healed for our transgressions, crushed for our sins, punishment that brought us peace was upon him. By his wounds we are healed."

Baby Animals

2010-03-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we took Blake to the Amish Pancake Breakfast, which seems to be turning into a tradition these past few years. Our friends, Kyle and Stephanie, and their two lovies, Hadley and Piper, also joined us. Blake loved the pancakes and sausage! We decided to add to that tradition by driving over to Govins Lamb Farm near Menomonie, Wisconsin to see the lambs, chicks, and piglets that were just born. By far Blake's favorite of the baby animals were the chicks. He loved holding them! While we were there we even got to witness the birth of one of the lambs! It was amazing! Hopefully this will be the start of another spring tradition!

From the Mouth of Blake

2010-03-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

About a week ago Blake was watching Randy start a fire in our wood stove. Blake picked up a small piece of wood, but it slipped out of his hand and landed on his big toe! OUCH! Here is what happened according to Blake.

If Looks Could . . .

2010-03-23T12:45:00.001-07:00

I asked Blake to smile for the camera the other night while taking a bath. He didn't really want to and this was the look that he gave me! We'll try again next time!

Blake's Bus

2010-03-23T12:43:00.001-07:00

We saw a neat idea for making a bus out of a shoebox. I asked Blake if he wanted to make one and he said yes. Here is the bus that we came up with.

Giddy Up!

2010-03-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

The other day Blake decided to get on the rocking horse that Papa Ron made for him. He sure had fun rocking away!

One Picture?

2010-03-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Randy went to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this past week for a work trip. Blake and I stayed home because it is just getting too close to my due date to take a trip out of the country. Believe me, I really wanted to go, but I didn't want to take any chances. Blake and I had fun hanging out while dad was gone. Randy's friend Kyle joined him in Mexico to hang out for a few days. While Randy was there this was the one and only picture that he took!! Can you believe it? Apparently Kyle snapped a lot of photos and is going to share them with us! Thanks, Kyle!

Happy Birthday Sarah Lynn!

2010-03-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

Sarah, you have been a wonderful friend to me over the years! Always so supportive and caring as to what is going on in my life! Thanks for always being there for me and for showing me what a true friend is in life! Love you!

Couch Jumping

2010-03-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

If "Couch Jumping" were an Olympic event, Blake would win a gold medal! He decided to put the couch cushions on the floor and jump, jump, jump! The activities we come up with to get through the winter amuse me! Sorry for the footage being sideways, I always forget that I need to hold the camera straight when I am taking video.

10 Weeks to Go!

2010-03-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that Baby Risler #2 will be here in about 10 weeks! I have already started the 'nesting' process by moving Blake into the other room and into his 'big boy' bed! He has adjusted fairly well, and hopefully will be really used to it once the baby is here. He likes to show visitors his new room and his new bed! He now refers to his old room as the baby's room.

Our Angel

2010-02-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

On February 2, 2009 we said good-bye to a beautiful lady. We remember our mother and grandmother this week! We know that she is up in heaven sitting on the greenest of hillsides, under the bluest of skies, next to the stillest of waters watching down over us as an eagle flies over head. We love and miss you, and we know that not even death can separate your love from us!

A Snowy Day

2010-01-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we had a blast playing outside in the snow! The huge snowflakes were falling ever so gently and it truly was a winter wonderland in our yard! About an hour after we came inside the snow had already melted off the trees. Blake liked building another snowman, this time with deer antlers! Where better to build a snowman with antlers, but in the woods in Wisconsin?

Blake's 2nd Birthday

2010-01-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Ron and Grandma Claudia joined us for Blake's 2nd Birthday on Monday! We had supper, Blake opened his gifts, and then cake! Blake loves the tractor he got from Papa and Grandma, as you can see from the video clip! Thanks again for all of the birthday wishes!

Blake is 2!

2010-01-18T19:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Blake Marcus Risler! It is so hard to believe that 2 years ago, on a very cold January day, you entered our lives! It was the best day ever! Now you are not a baby anymore, but an energetic, tractor-loving, little boy! Wow! We hope you had a great birthday! We love you so much! ---Mommy and Daddy

Christmas Eve and Day 2009

2009-12-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

This year we spent Christmas at home rather than in North Dakota. It felt different not spending the holiday with my family in North Dakota, but it is also good to start new traditions too. On Christmas Eve we attended the Children's Mass at the Newman Parish in Eau Claire. Then we came home and waited for Papa Ron and Grandma Claudia to arrive for supper and gift-opening. Blake had a blast handing out gifts to everyone and opening them himself.

On Christmas Day it was just the 3 1/2 of us! Blake opened his presents and stocking from Santa, and we spent the rest of the day cuddled up inside staying warm! We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and made it to and from your destinations safely!

Building our First Snowman and Fort

2009-12-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve day we decided to take Blake outside to see if he had or would conquer his fear of the snow. Immediately he wanted to walk on the snow, unlike the last time we went outside and we had to carry him everywhere! Yeah! The snow was heavy and wet and just right for a snowman. Randy also wanted to build a fort with Blake. Here is a picture of the snowman and the fort. Later that night the snowman tipped over, so it's a good thing we captured a picture of him when we did!

Blake loves to ride on the tractor with Randy. Randy took Blake along as he plowed our driveway. After about 10 minutes on the tractor Blake ended up falling asleep! I guess we know what we'll do if we ever have trouble getting him to fall asleep at night:)

The Risler F*A*M*I*L*Y

Happy 4th Birthday Blake

Dentist

Christmas 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Halloween 2011

Halloween Trail

Fall Fun 2011

Stones

More Remodel

Almost There

Blake's New Bike

Painting and Staining-- Done!

Bennett's First Tractor Ride

Dust

Remodeling

Fun at the Fair

Our Pet?

Cousin Time

Remodel

Bennett is Walking

4th of July Weekend

A Foxy Friend

Boys of Summer

More Remodeling

Happy Father's Day!

5 Years Ago Today

Remodeling Has Begun

Brewers Game

Un'bear'able

Rocky Mountain Vacation

Happy Mother's Day!

Bennett is 365 Days Old!

Happy Easter 2011

Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Blake's Lego Creation

How To Be An 11 Month Old

Lamb Farm 2011

Spring Sledding

Got Spring?

Blake's Reading Chair

Bennett is 10 Months Old

Hey, Soul Sistahs!

Bennett is 9 Months Old

Blake Sings . . . Bon Jovi?

Blake Turns 3!

Happy Birthday to My Sister and Best Friend

Bennett is 8 Months Old

Potty Time

Our Last Cando Christmas

Heaven's Windows

Santa Clause Came to Town

Celebrating Christmas With Papa and Grandma

Fun in the Snow

Decorating the Tree

Bennett is 7 Months Old

Cutting Down the Tree

Thanksgiving 2010

Randy's Buck 2010

Bennett is 6 Months Old!

Halloween 2010

Family Pictures 2010

First Giggles

Celebrating Sophie

Bennett is 5 Months Old

Bennett is 4 months old!

S'more Time

Bennett and Dad

Music in the Park & Kol's Visit

Bennett's Baptism

Bennett is 3 Months Old!

Fun at the Fair

Blake watching Grady read

Cousins

Brothers

4th of July

Bennett is 2 Months Old

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Blake!

Bennett is 1 Month Old!

The Risler FAM*ILY