Little Goblins Run

This last weekend Will and his buddy Nolan "competed" in a race at a local lake. It was adorable! Most kids were dressed in costume, but anyone who really knows Will knows it takes a LOT of peer pressure to get him into a costume so he did not wear his Scooby Doo duds. I was so proud of the boys and got downright teary. The look in their eyes was so intense as they ran and they just looked so proud. Alice from Alice in Wonderland won, just so you know, but all the kiddos were winners and the medals proved it ; )

Half empty or half full, hmmmmm.

Today Todd woke me from my slumber with the words "wake up, our basement is flooded". Fun, eh?! After some ranting, stomping and impatient gestures (and loads of wet vac yuck) we decided we are pretty darn lucky AND blessed. The air is very heavy with the doom of the economy and we just feel extra lucky to have each other. Houses break, money comes and goes and business isn't always bustling but we have each other. And you have yours : )

Fall Fun with Friends in Minnesota

We just returned from a feel good, yummy kind of trip to Minnesota. We started out by seeing our Minnesota family, the Princes (minus Cori who is in Chicago). My "sis" Kristin is heroically battling Hodgkins Lymphoma and it was so nice to be able to see her and hug her. She is in our daily thoughts and prayers as she keeps on intently living, laughing and loving (her motto). We love you sista Kristin! My mom went with us to Minnesota so everyone enjoyed that part of the visit too.

The next day we saw our old neighbors from St. Louis Park for a play date. Three of the five girls (and now one baby boy) were born within weeks of Will so we had many a good time together. We couldn't stop staring in disbelief at how much the girls have grown and how beautiful they all are! It would be an understatement to say that we miss this fabulous group of friends. By the way, if any of you from Minnesota are in need of photography services or know of someone who is, Jeff's blog is on our blog list. He is wicked good! 

The next day we headed to Mike, Catherine and Caden Langer's house for what seemed way too fast of a visit. As usual we were treated like royalty and indulged in delicious conversation and superb cuisine. Friday night we saw baby Owen Robertson and oh yeah, his mom and dad Katie and Travis ; ) Owen is a perfect addition to the boy crew! The next day the Langers took us on a very unique mini golfing excursion where an artist has created a course on his farm using a lot of natural and recycled materials. If you are in MN check it out! It is called Big Stone Mini Golf and Sculpture Garden. We also went to the Landscape Arboretum which was not a bit short of dreamy. A  small highlight for Kari was a steamy cup of Caribou Coffee.

It is hard to sum up fabulousness in words on a blog. To try and do so, there were many great times with many great peeps! And thanks to Scooby Doo DVDs the boys did very well in the ol' minivan. 

More pumpkin patch fun

I told you we can't get enough of this place! Here are some photos from our trip to the pumpkin patch with dad.

Will always has an idea

Will still wears a Pull Up at night as he simply does not wake up when he has to go. We have been practicing wearing underpants with no progress. After an especially wet night Will and I were talking about it because he is so frustrated. He told me he can't feel that he has to go at night and that he can only feel it in the day time. I told him we just have to teach his body to wake up when he has to go. He replied "no mom, we just need to figure out how to keep the sun up all night". I just love that little guy so much. He never stops thinking up ideas!

The little man likes shoes

Our little Jude is a sucker for shoes. We were eating at Subway one day when Todd nodded proudly upon witnessing Jude checking out a 2-year-old hottie. Todd's smile headed south when I whispered "honey, he was checking out her shoes". Yesterday though Jude and I purchased his best find yet. Check out these bad boys. 

Jude Dude is 2!

Jude blowing out his fruit pizza candle

Will displaying his tower o' sugar

Jude with Sydney, one of his favorite friends

Todd Rod leads the kiddos in Pin the Tail on the Donkey

So the Judester turned 2 this weekend. Eeeegads, where has the time gone? (I literally don't know because Jude stole my trusty Timex, a.k.a. the "timeout timer"). I feel like my babies are gone and that part has a sad little cuddly spot in my heart but the little men the boys are becoming are so fun ... and fun together. If one if them is gone, the other is quite concerned about his whereabouts and the naked laps they do together down our hallway after bath time is the most precious and hilarious fun ever. Will is a sweet and loving big brother despite the naughtiness Jude displays when Will has something he wants which is everything Will has. Sibling rivalry is such a mysterious phenomenon and it makes me wish there was a patience pill or something. Anyway, Jude is 2 and we are all having so much fun with his personality. He brings a lot of love to our family and we wish him a very "Happy Birthday!". 

Pumpkins, pig races and pop corn

Gaga and Jude on the train

"What the hay, Will?!"

The Pumpkin Patch "rocks"!

The boys and I packed ourselves and Gaga into the mini van for an outing to Vala's Pumpkin Patch. So amazing it is, we buy a season pass every year and it was gaga's first time so we really did it right. We started out with the pig races, chowed down some warm chocolate chip cookies and kettle corn, played on the tractor slides, went to Bunny Ville, rode on the ATTs (all terrain tricycles), rode the train, wound through Storybook Village, rode on the Farm Adventure wagon ride and ended with an arm load of assorted pumpkins and one yard decoration (thanks Gaga!). And that was just our first trip. We LOVE this place. We look forward to it all year and we are continually impressed with how they can create so much fun out of nature.