Dad's FFFD Retirement Party

5-14

Though Dad's retirement wasn't the main reason for our trip, we did purposely time our trip so we were able to attend his retirement party at Pebble Lake Golf Course. It was a big emotional day for my dad, but for the rest of us as well. I have never known my dad as anything other than a fireman since he started before any of us were born. 35 years is a long time to dedicate time and energy to something - anything - and my dad has done it with great grace, honor, and incredible work ethic. He is, was, and always will be my fireman dad. :)

The day was spent playing, garage saleing, and getting ready for the retirement party. Several extended family members made the trek from NoDak to be there for Dad as well. Though we weren't really able to spend lots of time chatting (not the reason they were there), it was an added bonus to see grandparents and such. The party consisted of a sloppy joe meal, lots of chatting with friends and firemen, and a small program which included a speech from fire chief Sparky Hovland, a few words from Mayor Hal Leland, and a very nice, very thoughtful, very well put-together and delivered speech from Dad. There were tears and laughter from all of us - not only at the party, but in the days leading up to and after the celebration. What an accomplishment!

Mom, Jill, Kathy and I worked for over two months on a retirement gift for Dad; a scrapbook of his career as a fireman including several stories, pictures, newspaper articles, memories, and letters from past and present firemen. It was a big joint effort and the finished product was fabulous. Dad was beyond grateful which made all the planning and work worth the time and energy. We also did a Shutterfly book of Dad's little fire crew (all 9 grandkids) at the fire station.

It was a great day spent celebrating Dad and all that he has done during his career as a fireman.

Grandma painted Alanna's fingernails and toenails for the party. So fancy!

Oh my goodness - matching dresses on these two girls! They look so pretty!

An attempt at a picture of our kids. 2/3 cooperated. I'll let you guess which one didn't.

Kids table at the party! I wish I would have been more insistent that the kids take different table; it was never my intent to let the kids overrun the table that was the closest to where Dad was going to be receiving his awards and giving his speech. I put my purse down there and somehow it was taken over by little people. My one regret. They're pretty cute though....

Alanna was having a fun time with Ronny.

Molly and Ryan bonded; she let him hold her for about 15 minutes or so!

Some of these last pictures are a bit out of order since they came from Jill's camera.

We were about three snaps in to our family picture when Gread-Grandma ushered Alanna over. They had been talking over towards the back of the room and Alanna was left out of the family picture. OOPS. Who is her mother and why wasn't she paying attention to her kids?!?

MN Trip Day 2

5-13

We spent Wednesday mostly at Lake Grandma and Grandpa's before heading to Country Grandma and Grandpa's for supper with Polejewskis. Mom sewed this cute little play dress for Alanna. It's darling! We borrowed the Lincoln from Mark and Jean for the duration of our trip; it's so much easier to have the car seats set up in one vehicle and not depend on someone else to bring us back and forth. The Lincoln served us well with plenty of space for all three kids in the back! 

Charlie and Joe took a little break from playing to watch some Twins baseball. So cute!

May Minnesota Trip

5-11

Our trip to Minnesota has finally arrived! We opted to drive to Portland the day before so we could break up the traveling, swim at a hotel, and have a place to park the car. It worked well! The hotel was great; full, hot breakfast, pool to ourselves, big spacious room. Comfort Inn and Suites in Portland might be a future stop for us as well. We got to the hotel around 8 and headed for the pool as soon as possible. Check out these little swimmers!

I believe Charlie is prepping for a cannonball in this picture. Matt taught him to do an all-out cannonball, grabbing his knees and everything. It was hilarious! The water wasn't too warm but Molly managed to last 10-15 minutes before I took her in the hot tub to warm up. She wasn't crying or fussy at all, I just thought she looked cold. Sort of 'Mom's cold so go put on a sweater' style. :)

The hotel's airport shuttle was actually in the shop while we were there (which I knew before I booked the room) so they arranged for a taxi ride to the airport instead. This was the kids' and Matt's first time in a taxi! We can officially add taxi to our long list of modes of transportation we have experienced. We made it to the airport around 9 and our flight left at 10:30ish so we had plenty of time to pass through security and find our gate. The Portland airport is a nice size; or it's organized in such a way that it doesn't feel as big as it is. I believe there are at least two main security check points which divides the crowds up into smaller, more manageable groups. We spent some time playing at an empty gate where there was more room to spread out and play. Charlie and Alanna carried their own little backpacks, Matt had a backpack with a majority of Molly's things, and I had a bag with my purse, camera, and a few extra things. We checked two suitcases. Anyway, I made Charlie and Alanna wait until we were at the gate before cracking into their backpacks - they weren't even allowed to look in there the day before on the drive. They brought a few different things for that ride. I was hoping to keep their backpack items fresh and new for our traveling day and I think it worked.

Everyone was awake before our alarm went off that morning so by the time we got to the airport, Molly was already showing signs of being ready for some rest. (Read: fussy, whiny, general unsatisfaction with life.) She ended up sleeping for the first 45 minutes of the flight from Portland to Salt Lake which was  great. She needed it and it made the time go faster for her. Molly and I were seated in the middle seat behind Matt, Charlie, and Alanna. He really championed the big kids, reading books, playing games, toys, dishing out snacks, etc, during that first flight.

Round two: Salt Lake City to Fargo. We were in a smaller airplane with two seats on either side of the aisle along with a few empty seats throughout the plane, including an empty seat in front of us. We did a bit of shuffling around throughout the flight trying to mix it up and keep everyone entertained and happy. By the end, we were all ready to be done. The kids did really well throughout the day so we can't complain. Matt felt ill by the time we got to Fargo - probably due to all the head turning and helping with the kids. It took him several hours after we arrived to finally feel normal again. What a yucky feeling. :(

Mom picked us up from the airport and that's where Charlie told her that there's a baby in Mommy's belly! It was so fun to finally let the cat out of the bag. 16 weeks is a long time to wait before telling anyone! I didn't tell any friends either because I was so fearful of something being put on facebook. It was worth the wait to tell people in person!

We had supper at Swenson's before heading to Edwards' around 7:45. Charlie, Alanna, and Molly were glad to be able to play with their cousins and be done travelling. Molly and Leah are playing a fun little toddler game in the picture below. ;)

I didn't take any pictures at Edwards' house; mostly because once we arrived, the kids all scampered and were playing all over the house. I bathed the kids before we left for Fergus around 9:15ish. It wasn't very far down the road before we had three little sleepers in the car, wiped out from a long, busy day.

Mother's Day 2015

5-10

We had a really nice Mother's day mostly spent at home. Matt and the kids made a super yummy quiche for lunch (with pie crust and all!) and we eventually made it to a baseball field late in the afternoon. Charlie wanted to show me how he hits the ball at the ball field, something he and Matt were doing the day before. One thing I wanted to do was take a few pictures in front of the flowers in the landscaping in the yard - they are so pretty! Our neighbor happened to be outside and offered to snap a few pictures of our whole family as well.

After supper, I opened a gift (new Chaco sandals!) and then Matt and I told the kids that they were going to have a new baby brother or sister in October. Matt videoed while I sat the kids on the couch and told them the news. Their reaction was more muted than I was expecting. I probably built it up to be more than what it was. I was super excited to finally tell the kids!!

Alanna runs with her whole body not just her legs.

Charlie's fierce concentration face. He was so determined and hit probably 70% of Matt's pitches.

This little ball player was all smiles!

Alanna hit some balls, Matt hit a few, and even I got in on the action and hit a few balls. Family fun at it's finest!

A Summer Preview

5-9

Charlie and Alanna enjoyed a hot, sunny afternoon on the back patio with some water play and freezies. I believe this will be a frequent activity this summer!! This was the first time Alanna put on her new swimsuit and she kept saying that she looked like a flower. Maybe the layers in the swimsuit gives it a petal look?