Lots Going On...

**Disclaimer: There will be a lot of rambling on, so please prepare.

We close on our new house tomorrow...With that brings lots of feelings-anxiety, worry, excitement, saddness, adventure, newness, butterflies (I could go on and on). I can't begin to tell you how excited we are, but it's also bittersweet. We are leaving the first home that Ross and I lived in together. Our boys' first home. The house that we made our home. We love our home and while we do feel sad, we are bursting with happiness about our new house and making that our home--and creating new, beautiful memories together!!

That being said, we have got a lot going on over the next week. So, we close tomorrow morning. Ross is heading over with a truckload (already packed up). He'll come home and I'll head over with more, along with a boatload of cleaning supplies--the house was a foreclosure and is in need of major cleaning. I will then take a cleaning break to meet with the painters, who are to start painting the entire house on Saturday. After cleaning all day, I will rush home to shower and meet my girls for our annual Christmas evening of fun! Saturday begins with more house stuff, and then another Christmas get together at my sister's house. After returning from Dana's, we will be packing more stuff before slumbering. Sunday will have me over at the house painting the boys' bathroom (the one room that isn't too badly damaged). Whew. Tuesday the painters finish, Wednesday the carpet cleaner and appliances arrive. Thursday more prep, packing and delivering of boxes. Then Christmas Eve at the in-laws. Christmas morning here. After naps, we head to my parents. More packing and then the big move. I'm exhausted thinking about it all. It will be amazing, but wow. It's a lot. It's going to be so much fun and we cannot wait to see how beautiful it will be when it's all ready. We've got our work cut out for us, but how great of a job, right?!

I'm not going to have time to post until after all of this craziness is over. So here are a few pictures and updates as to what we've been doing the past few days.

After it snowed the other day, we hit the driveway at Grandma's to try out her saucer sleds. The boys really liked them. I think Grandma did too...

I have been telling Mia since school started, that we would go and get manicures together. Well, I finally followed through! We had a great time with the mani's and an even better dinner at Daddy-o's after!

Dane had his last day of preschool before the winter break today. It was pajama day and he got to bring the frosting and sprinkles for decorating cookies at snacktime. The day was made better when he walked in and saw that there was snow inside the school-what?! It was pretty cool (ha ha--pun intended)!

Our evening wrapped up with Cash helping me "clean-up!" I hope this new helper phase lasts a really long time!

Merry Christmas! Believe in the Magic...

Pete and Re-Pete

Yep. We've come to THAT stage. Copying. Cute, but really annoying. If it's not Cash copying Dane, it's Dane copying Cash (because Dane hears us talking about how cute Cash is doing something, so then he does it). Cash does everything Dane does. Seriously everything. He is crazy--climbs everything, jumps off of everything, runs all over the place, chases his big brother, sits on top of Dane, tries to hug Dane constantly...whew. It makes me tired just writing it.

Dane was sitting in this chair, so of course, Cash had to join him.
(I wouldn't care so much, but Dane throws such a fit when Cash does this)

Cash climbing into the cupboard.

Dane following Cashie's lead.

One hood up, the other hood up. They did this, not me.

They are just so stinkin' cute, I think we can deal with this new stage for a bit. I'm sure it's only going to get worse.

Wanted to throw in some funnies! Dane put this on himself.

And came up with the moves himself. (actually, he may have learned them from someone else I know...)

Stuff. Fun Stuff.

We pass the ice rink every day we go to school. Dane has been asking since school started, when the rink would be ready to skate with Daddy. I told him it would be ready in Winter. Well, Winter came and he started to ask again, when he could skate. I told him when it got colder out and they flooded the rink with water. Well...it finally got cold enough and we saw that the rink had been filled. So, he immediately wanted to call Daddy and ask if they could skate that day. And skate, they did!

It was pretty cold and the warming house wasn't open. So, they skated for a short time. Ross said the improvement Dane made from last year is remarkable. He said there was even a bit of gliding taking place. I can't believe it...

Saturday was Otsego's Santa Day. We got there right after it started, yet still had to wait 45 minutes in line. Yuck. Dane did great-there were little elves passing out cookies so he just munched and looked around a top of Ross's shoulders. Cash was doing well until we reached the 1/2 hour mark. He started to get tired and hot. A cookie worked for a few minutes...

...Until he saw Santa. Then he turned into a wreck! Poor Dane was so excited to tell Santa he's been a good boy and wants a speedy skateboard for Christmas. So, Cash left and Dane did what he needed to! And left very happy!!

See you in a few weeks, Santa!

After getting some apple cider, we ventured outside (into a line again) to take a sleigh ride. Cash was doing better and is was nice to be in the fresh air.

As soon as we took off with Valentine and Cole (Dane asked the driver their names--and held the reins for our ride)! Cash broke down again and SCREAMED the entire ride. Super fun! I think next year will be better :o)

Lots to be Thankful For!!

It's been pretty quiet around here. Yes, we've been busy doing house things--packing a bit here and there, picking out paint samples, getting this place ready to rent...but we've been at home. Dane and Cash didn't have school for a week due to Thanksgiving. I was stuck in the house looking freakish with hives after being allergic to the antibiotic I was on. And Dane ended up with another little bug for a day. Can you have busy and quiet??

The little guys playing a game of connect four. Ca-uuute!

Funny Daner.

Cash sits at the table now in a booster. He pitches a major fit if we try to put him in the highchair. He's getting so big.

I made an apple pie for Thanksgiving at my parents this year. It was the first time I attempted a lattice crust. And yes, it was as good as it looks. Better. This is before I cooked it. It had a thick, butter, caramely sauce that was wonderful. I was pretty impressed with myself!
Again, we had 2 awesome Thanksgivings this year. On the actual day of, we started out with our annual Turkey 5k downtown with Kelli and Christian. It was very nice. We finished the day with a great meal at the Greenwald's. It was a small group of us, but wonderful nonetheless. Saturday we celebrated with my family. We were missing a few, but had another great meal and fun doing our other annual event, bowling. The kids had a great time playing together.
We are thankful for so much. It's hard to list. I'll just say that we are very blessed and filled with more than we need. Thanks to everyone who fills us up!!

Saturday night we set up our tree (didn't go and cut one this year with all the moving hub-ub) so that was different. But it was still fun. Well, fun for me and Dane. Daddy recorded part of the event and laughed while Cash pulled every ornament off that we put on. I was rather stressed with Cash (he only broke one ornament) and then more stressed because I was stressing over non-stressful stuff. Whew. Annoying, right?!

This funny guy didn't make one smiley, happy face or laugh all through Thanksgiving with family Saturday. He saved it all for us that night. He is such a character.

This is it. It's quite beautiful. I used so many lights this year. And had to run out to buy more. But it was fun. That's what counts.

New House!!

So...we bought a new house this week! Very exciting and happening ever so quickly! We saw it Friday, made an offer Friday and became new home owners Monday. And we close in 30 days. Lots to do--we are going to be renting out our townhouse and moving down the road about 6 miles (still in Otsego). 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms and a bonus room over the garage! Score! The house is everything that we wanted and more! Now comes the work of packing. How exactly do you do that with two little ones running a muck?

Here it is! A little stain on the porch and it will be amazing!
And the front door is so beautiful-(it's been a dream for as long as I can remember to have a big front porch-can't wait for summer!)

View of the living room from the kitchen. Off to the left in the back is a door that will lead out to a future deck. And another little door leading to my walk in pantry!! (another thing I have wanted forever)

Our beautiful new kitchen (sans refrigerator). Tons of cupboard space and counter tops. Love it!

And the master bath complete with an awesome tub that I'll never get to use!

Thought I would throw in a picture of all my guys being, well...guys! Can you find Cash in this mess? He's under there somewhere!

Happy Wednesday!

A LOT to Blog About!

We sure are keeping busy--school is going well for Dane. He was also doing a little sportsters class, which is now over and will start again this week. Cash enjoys his ECFE class (it's sure is weird for me to do it this 2nd time around. Not as fun for me, but Cash likes it and that's all that matters). Ross is busy with work and daylight savings hasn't messed anyone's sleep up (but makes me mad--I greatly dislike sunset so early).
We even managed to make cookies recently. That's a feat in itself...

Sampling of the goods. Yummo.

I know I've said this before but Dane is extremely talented with sports. He really is. Definitely not a trait passed on from me. I think I see $$$ signs in our future!

Sweet Cash! Loves to do everything his big brother does and is such a ham for the camera!

One day last week, my Mom and I brought the boys to the Maple Grove Maze. Dane is big enough to go it alone in the huge climbing area. He goes sooooo fast! It was a great time!

This one is for Erin--the germ pit is so much fun!

Nice! It's funny how they know to put the nastiest of things into their mouths. Eeew...

The Larson clan joined us for a carving party complete with power tools. I think there was a big drill used and a dremel. It was fun!

Scooping.

Cash tried to help. Right after this, he put the scoop into his mouth.
I'm so ready for this stage to be over.

Using the dremel.
I went for the shape theme.

Ta-da! The finished products! Pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Cool!

Ship captain Dane.
Aye aye sir!
Dane is totally into dress-up these days. Grandma and Grandpa Greenwald picked up this outfit on one of their Floridian excursions! Isn't it adorable?!

Friday, Erin and I ventured to downtown Elk River with the kids, for the annual Trick or Treat event they hold. It's a really neat thing that the town does--open their businesses for the kids! Most of the employees dress up too, which is fun to see! It's great to have such a small town feel in the suburbs!

Our little Scrappy Doo! Joined right on in with the big kids.

Stopping to try a treat.

Snow White, a bat, Scooby and Scrappy.
They had a lot of fun despite the gale force winds!

Halloween night, we have built a tradition of gathering at my parent's house to celebrate my Mom's birthday (which falls on Halloween) and to eat, trick or treat with the cousins and play outside by a bonfire afterwards. It's a great time and we look forward to it each year.

By the time we got started on the trick or treating, Cash was done. Too tired to participate so he stayed back to help pass out candy.

Scooby and Velma.

Walking to the next house.

Trick or Treat!
Thank you!
(that's what he would say after he got his candy--silly boy)

Pretty little cowgirl and cousin Scooby.

Fred and his buddy!

Wow! That's one handsome Fred!

A swinging good time!

Cash was happy to join in outside!

Cooper was the cutest little lion and he just sat so sweetly and quietly in the stroller the whole time. Huh?! Who is so lucky to have kids like that??