My favorite pics from Easter weekend

Lots of family time this weekend, and it was so wonderful!! Happy Easter :)

Favorite things about our house...

*washer and dryer are on the main level and NOT in basement! I actually enjoy doing laundry!
*our yard- watching the kids run around or roll around the yard (thanks, Uncle Aaron)
*neighborhood... we've already connected with some neighbors and Addie loves going outside to play with her "new friends" -- TONS of kids around here :)
*X Box in basement - two levels away from the kids sleeping = lots of volume! (that was B's comment of course)
*windows everywhere- lots of light!
*12 minute walk to Nana's house :)

We are loving being in Maple Grove! Still have rooms to paint, boxes to unload, and walls to decorate, but we're loving our space and the fact that it's a fresh start. Addie's looking forward to an Easter egg hunt in the backyard this weekend. Praying for warm weather!!

As of lately ... :)

Well, we are slowly feeling more 'moved in' :) I've decided that unpacking boxes after a move is like Christmas every day! At one point our garage looked like we should have been on the show HOARDERS, but Brandt has been working hard to put everything in its place. We were even able to park two cars in the garage a couple days after the move! He's amazing :)

We love the house. The kids have adjusted so quickly. They love to run circles on the main level. We've stayed busy and have had lots of help with various projects. The snow finally melted in our backyard. We were anxious to see what 'goodies' the previous owners (and dogs) left for us! Not too bad... 7 dog toys, 3 dog bones, 1 dog chain, 2 dog bowls, one random concrete square, 2 shirts, trampoline springs, 1 ski pole, 1 bundt pan, and unfortunately NO raspberry bushes (we thought there were some).

Addie's favorite part of the house, besides her freshly-painted pink bedroom, is the mailbox. She seriously checks it about 5 times a day. Send her mail, people! She would go crazy ;) We just had a box with a key at the townhome and she was unable to reach it, so she loves this new one!

I've had great friends assisting me with my decorating skills :) Paint is slowly getting up on the walls and curtains are being hung! We are 12 minutes walking distance from Nana, so the kids and I met her at the park last week. So fun! We just love being in Maple Grove. Feeling so thankful!

B starts his busy week this week and I'm going to sub two half days this week at PACT. It'll be nice to get back in a classroom for a bit. Special Ed on Wed. and 7th/8th grade Drama on Friday... should be interesting!

Haven't taken many pictures (sorry Natalie), because the house is still a work-in-progress. I'll take a few and post this week!

We spent the last three days in the Wisconsin Dells. The kids were perfect! They both LOVED being in the water. There were three waterparks at our timeshare, so we had a variety of things to do. Addie was SO brave!! Did crazy big waterslides all by herself! I had no idea she would do so well. I told Brandt she's going to be dragging me on to rides/slides in the future!! Eli just enjoyed walking up and down the steps into and out of the water. He also loved watching the giant bucket fill with water and spill over onto people's heads :) They both enjoyed the lazy river (or the "crazy river" as Addie called it), and we even took them on a giant family tube ride. It was a blast and a much needed two days away as a family.
Moving day count down = 7 days!

These two are the best of friends these days! So nice that they can play by themselves a bit :)

Love my little girl- she's growing up so fast! Some days I think she's 7 or 8...last night she even ate her broccoli and chicken without much complaint! Other days, though, she reminds me that she's still three ;) (which is ok with me)!!

One week til we head to the Dells for a couple days. About 17 days til we move. Hoping only 1 or 2 more days of snow ;) ... really ready for Spring!

Not much to report. Our renters signed their lease yesterday, so it's official! We close March 25th and move the 26th. Packing a few boxes every day. Trying to do it without Eli's 'help' cause he unpacks while I pack :) Found a new preschool for Addie for next year-- enrolled her at Joyful Noise Preschool in Maple Grove. We toured / observed and she is SO excited! Especially for new things, like a gym to play in, show and tell, and field trips (a few things we don't have at the preschool she's at now). Brandt is in the middle of his busy week at work and I'm adjusting to staying at home all day long with no coaching-- different, but good. Happy Wednesday!

Maple Grove... here we come! Well, we bought a house!! Inspection this week and close date will be end of March. The Lord has faithfully provided for us in this. We have seen His hand at work every step of the way. We are buying the house at a price that is right for us (we feel like we got a steal of a deal). We are ending up right down the road from great friends, Billy and Heidi, along with their sweet girls that Addie can't wait to play with all the time!! We are walking distance from Rush Creek Elementary School and even closer now to our families.
We put our town house up for rent last Friday night. Saturday morning we got a call from a family that was interested. Sunday morning they came and looked at the house, fell in love with it, want to pursue renting, and said they'd have the check and application to us by tomorrow. Again, we are feeling completely blessed-- the Lord had a plan for us, we trusted Him, and now it's falling into place.
The kids are doing great. Addie has her moments of frustration or sadness, saying "But I will miss this house when we move," or "What will happen to those blinds? I will miss them!" ... she's very funny. But other times she'll be running around, asking to pack boxes, and talking about what color she wants to paint her new room. Eli just doesn't know what's going on so he's clingy-- but that's ok with me :)
It's an exciting time-- and it's going to come quickly... :)

Well, I am officially a 'stay-at-home-mom' again :) Dance season has come to an end. I know it'll be nice to have a break, stay at home with my kids all day, and have some more time for my husband... but at the same time, I am really sad about it. I love my coaching position and love the girls I hang out with every day. I have poured my heart into this team for four months, so it will be quite an adjustment to be without them. But today has been great! It's nice to not feel rushed in the afternoon. Addie and I had some quality time today while Eli napped. And it'll be fun to get outside and do some things we haven't been able to over the last four months. These kids (my kids!) are my ministry always, so I'm excited to continue to watch them grow. And praise the Lord for a beautiful day today!!!

Gave the kiddos haircuts this week. It is definitely a two-man job with Eli. He hates it! Addie did fine, but just got annoyed cause I was taking too long. Hers isn't perfect, but it saved us $15. :)
So I bought swimsuits for the kids today because we're heading to the Dells in March. After trying on her swimsuits at home, Addie asked Brandt why girls had to wear tops with their swimsuits and boys didn't. Brandt explained (in the most tactful way possible) that girls had to wear tops to cover up their boobs. And Addie said, "But I don't need to wear a top because I have short boobs!" :)
Heading to Aitkin all day Saturday. My girls compete at the Section tournament. Top two in high kick go to State. We're keeping our fingers crossed and praying for fair judging! I'm looking forward to it. :)

Not sure why this last picture keeps flipping on me. It's the right way in my picture files!! I give up, so just turn your head :)
Things are good-- busy right now-- but good. Eli is a little man. He has a couple words-- "Da-da" for Dad, "Dadadada" for Mom, "Addie", "that", "hot", "down", and "hot dog." But even though he has little words, he's a great communicator! We almost always know what he's trying to say to us-- or if we get it wrong he shakes his head NO until we figure it out :) He enjoys 'helping me with dishes' (as seen above). He still LOVES his vacuum. He is sleeping much better these days- 11 hours a night, so I am a happy girl! He is still such a cuddle-bug. LOVES giving hugs :) Almost 18 months--- crazy!
Addison is my little smarty pants. She knows all her letters (upper case) and can write almost all 26 of them. At preschool she's learning the sign language for the letters, as well as the sounds they make. She wants to learn more, which is huge. We'll just be having a conversation and I'll say a word, she'll recognize the sound it starts with, and then tell me - "Mom! BALL, sounds like 'buh' so it starts with the letter B" :) It's amazing! Otherwise, still loving preschool and dance. Her 'best friend' from dance class just moved to TN this week, so that was a traumatizing experience for her. Cried for days-- some days 30 minutes straight! I had no idea how much that was going to affect her. But we promised to stay in touch. I encouraged her to make another friend tonight at dance... :)
Brandt and I are fine. I love my coaching job-- I think Brandt is ready for me to be done. The season is draining on us-- it's busy right now. What would I really love? A vaca with my hubby-- just the two of us! But we have to wait a little while for that.
And that's a wrap!

Happy Friday!!

My girls rocked this weekend!! We competed at Belle Plaine and got 3rd place in jazz and 1st place in High Kick!!! Couldn't be more proud of them. They were incredible!!

Eli and Addie spent all day Saturday with Dad and had a good time. Nice to see that they're totally adjusted to having B home all the time again (well, evenings and weekends)! Addie didn't even bat an eye when I left Saturday morning.
B is loving his job at Best Buy. He's received some great feedback from co-workers and bosses already! (I like to brag about him)
Eli is still in this funk where he wakes up early... too early! But I've been leaving them down there to talk or cry-- until he quiets or occasionally falls back asleep. I may just have an early riser on my hands. Addie, on the other hand, sleeps 13 hours most nights. We have one more month of the nuk for Eli and then that will be taken away. But he loves his blanky (just like his sister did), so hopefully it's an easy transition.
B's bday is this weekend, so looking forward to a dinner out with the fam and then date night on Saturday! Thanks to Nana :)
Happy Monday--

Eli's first hair cut... loving every minute of it!

Spent Christmas morning at home and then headed to my parents' house for the rest of the day.

The kids had a great Christmas! And we had a blast hanging out with family.

Adding more people (and animals) to our traditional 'top of the stairs' photo every year!!
Sorry, Phil. You're head was cut off -- blame Dad for that one :)

Christmas at Sorbel's :)

Christmas cuties

Reading the Christmas story with Uncle Aaron

Macy's display and visit with Santa. A fun day with girl friends!!

Christmas at Great-Grandma and Great Grandpa's house... best reaction to a gift EVER!

Kier and Eli

My girls and their first competition at MG last Saturday!

LOVE them!!

Counting down the days til Christmas!

Been horrible at updating. Brandt reminded me to update yesterday. I told him he hasn't updated in over a year, so it was his turn. But who's writing?? It's me again :)
Addie's quote from yesterday-
I told her I was starting to get a cold. She said, "How do you get a cold?" I tried to explain a bit, but she interrupted and said, "No, Mom. You are getting a cold because you drink too much pop." Yikes!! Ok... so my New Year's Resolution... no more pop. Or maybe some every once in awhile... but no more being addicted to the caffeine. No, I'm not starting it now... I'll start it in January. If my mom could do it, so can I ;)
Coaching is going well. First competition is a week from Saturday. We're not ready yet, but we will be. Love competition season!
Brandt is enjoying his new job. Had orientation this week and attended meetings. Not really sure what else he does, but he's loving the company. The kids and I met him for lunch this week, which was super great! A really fun working environment-- I found myself slightly jealous.
Counting down the days until Christmas. I love Christmas. I love giving gifts. And I can't wait to hang out with my family on Christmas Day :) Missing the sibs this week.
Tomorrow we head to Breezy Point with friends. A weekend away that we have been looking forward to for some time. No kids, just relaxing, game playing, maybe some tubing, and sleeping in! YEAH :)

Elias James is 15 months old! Where does the time go?? Here are his 15 month stats -
Height: 31 1/2 inches (50th percentile)
Weight: 23 lb. 12 oz. (25th-50th percentile)
Head: 49 (97th percentile)
That's right folks! My little man is short and skinny!! Just carries it all in his cheeks :)

This was Addie at 15 months -- she was 5 inches taller and 3 pounds heavier! Crazy!!

Thanksgiving week was a blast! We did lots of things and the week actually went slow (which was a good thing!) Sledding...

Mall of America

Turkey day!

And today Brandt starts his new job! Exciting! We loved having him home for a week. Now we'll adjust back into a normal routine :) Happy Monday!