Abi had her parent teacher conference this week and it is official, she is a great student and right where she should be. She got above average on most things, is respectful to others, and a great listener. If only she could be so good at home.......... The other exciting thing that happened for the first time ever earlier this week was the surprise middle of the night throw ups, both kids, both beds = disaster (and tired parents). I had to stay home with them Monday and it took me all day to wash all the bedding. I guess it's bound to happen sooner or later.

But by far the most exciting thing that happened this week is MY SISTER WON THE FACEBOOK POWER BAR CONTEST AND IS RUNNING THE BOSTON MARATHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited for her I could cry. They will fly her out, put her in a hotel, and she gets VIP treatment at the race. Sometimes I lose faith that good things happen to good people and this is one of those things that makes me believe. No one is more deserving and I believe my mom will be cheering her on from heaven.

Now if Apple Cup could turn out in our favor it will officially be the best week ever (minus the throw ups)! Win or lose this bathroom in Pullman will still exist.

Go Cougs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another fun, sunny, freezing weekend in Pullman with a W. It was 12 degrees when we got up Saturday morning. Now that is cold! It was a stand by the fire in ski pants kind of weekend.

 

 

Now we are ready for the biggest game of the year, Apple Cup! Where the team with the biggest ego plays the team with the biggest heart and you can only hope the best man wins. The world is a better place when the cocky guy gets a dose of humility and the little guy gets ahead with sheer will and effort. But matter what the outcome-

 



 

Unlike the trash talking Eastern or Western (or Community college) graduate, fair weather UW fans.

 

 

Dentist and Kindergarten picture

I took the kids to the dreaded dentist yesterday. I was wishing the day could hurry up and be over. I had no idea how I would try to control Ben while Abi was getting her teeth cleaned and if either of them would cooperate at all. I envisioned crying and struggling and feeling stressed. Why do I always think the worst? Anyway, it turned out to be the best visit ever! The dentist (Larissa referred us to) was awesome. The check up room is like a big open living room with lots of dentist chairs, benches for the parents and TVs in the ceiling. Each kid got a chair right next to each other, and there were more kids in other chairs all in the same room. The hygienists did both kids at the same time and they could see that they were both doing the same thing together. They both got there FIRST real cleaning, and Abi voluntarily got x-rays. No cavities and their teeth looked great, the dentist was super nice. Finally, yay! Made my week. I was so happy that they did so good that we went to Toys R Us and they got a special toy.

 

We got Abi's school pictures in the mail! To start off I'd like to say I didn't think there was anyway in h-ll she would get her picture taken, in the past it's been a struggle so I didn't bother ordering any and told her she didn't have to get her picture taken if she didn't want. So of course she did get her picture taken and I had to do an online order. I was at work when Brad got the pictures in the mail and when I asked him if they were good, he said "um yeah". Which I think means kinda good? When I got home from work I cracked up a little bit because I know what he meant, she looks so cute and funny. See what I mean-

 There will come a day when I have to break the news to her that in our family when it's picture time, chin out. We were not blessed with small heads and skinny necks, LOL.

I got out of the shower today and saw this baby deer hanging out just on the other side of our fence in the backyard. I suspect it was eating the rotting pumpkins I tossed over there. Can you tell I'm obsessed with the deer, I love the wild life so close to home!

Little buddy bossing Maggie around, they are buds.

Being cute and stubborn as usual.

Happy place

Waking up to a giant buck hanging out in the backyard.

Snow in the forecast.

Hearing Ben sing the alphabet "a b c d e f g h i j k k k k k k k mellow-men-oh-p".

Finally back in the groove of everyday life after the past few crazy months.

Abi's excellence in science award from school.

Christmas cards ordered.

Ready to decorate for Christmas right now!

 

No words necessary...............

Thankful for too much to mention this month and every month. Especially my husband, babies, family and this perfect, tragic, wonderful, brutal, beautiful life.

 

Lake cabin

 Little weekend get away into the woods.

 

Exploring

 

Guys cutting wood

 

Ben, Tryg, Sonja, Abi

Abi and daddy

 

Stinker Ben bug

Jump and Bounce with Abi's Kindergarten class.

 

This girl loves the slide.

How can you not love this boy? Although he does drive me crazy by never going to bed or listening but when I'm tucking him in for the zillionth time and he says, "Mommy can you stay with me forever?" He just melts my heart.

I finally took them in for there yearly check ups and I really like their new doctor. They are both in the 95% for height and extremely healthy!

Madison Street Photography took these pics at the Ghost Ball and they crack me up so I had to share-

 

The whole group!

 

Can you find the bearded lady?

Last but not least please vote for my sister on facebook (everyday!) to win a spot to compete in the Boston Marathon. There is no one more deserving and she's my everything, the only other woman I have left in my shrinking immediate family. (see link below)

A plea from sister- Please keep voting friends! I didn't talk about this in my story, but I also want to do this for my mom. As many of you know, she had the same heart problem I did. She had open heart surgery in September of 2011 (5 months before mine) and suffered a stroke during the operation. The woman who had been my athletic inspiration and who had instilled this crazy love of exercise in me, became unable to walk or function on her own. She ended up passing away just 5 weeks after my own heart surgery. I like to think she wanted to make sure I was ok first. The last time I ran the Boston Marathon in 2006, she had been at the finish line waiting for me- so proud. This time she will be with me the whole 26.2 miles. Please continue to take a few seconds to vote for me, to give me the opportunity to honor my mom and make her proud. Thank you all so very much!

 https://www.facebook.com/PowerBar?sk=app_183837888454522&app_data=416&ref=ts

Snow!

It snowed all day today, man do we love the snow! And it's so nice that no one freaks out when it snows either, no panic, no crazy drivers, no I have to leave work early to drive home. Just everyday normal life with snow. It hasn't gotten out of the 30's for a few days now, burrrrrr.

 

Ben was excited (w/healing black eye and food in mouth)

By the time I got home from work it was mostly melted :( but still pretty in our backyard.

 

Abi not that impressed

Ab's new school winter gear.

 Happy to say we are finally all healthy! Hopefully we can keep it that way this month.

Happy Halloween!

 Nummies, friends, campfire in the street, fun night!

 

Pink leopard kitty

 

Fireman was not in the mood for pictures.

Abi and Hilie

Fireman (still not in the mood for pictures) and Scooby do

Big ol pile of leaves! (or is it leafs?)

 Kitty cat in the leaves 

Got to try and remember this for next year, so cute for kids too little to carve.