Blaise's First Time...

Skiing!

How cute does he look in all of his Patagonia gear?

A true Montanan in the making.

Since the snow wouldn't come to us this Christmas (we weren't in Montana this year), we had to go to it.

Good thing Powder Ridge is only a 10 minute drive from our house.

It was the perfect place for B's first time!

I decided that I would teach him myself - which I wasn't sure was the best idea

but

luckily, I have a very quick learner.

I'm so glad that I did because we had SO much fun together!

There were lots of laughs and Blaise's smile was permanent.

He caught on in no time, and pretty soon he was taking the tow rope up and coming down all by himself!

I am such proud mommy/teacher!

He loved it!
We can't wait to go again this weekend!

Never thought...

I'd be proud to say that Blaise is a wrestler,

but I am!

Blaise has been learning how to wrestle with our daycare provider's older boys since he was two.

He loves it.

I always thought I'd have a hockey player...

but he has no interest.

So, wrestling it is!

I can't tell you how many times we've watched this video.

(Watch it.  Amazing, even if you don't like wrestling).

B is obsessed.  He knows all the words to the song, and even demands that we call him Steve-O,

just like the kid in the video!

Last night was his first official practice.

He was so into it.

I don't think the smile left Blair's face once. Such a proud daddy!

Doesn't he look so precious in his singlet?

(He'd be so mad at me for saying that)

So, what I really meant was... super strong and scary!?!

Ha!  Wrestling...

Love it!

Holidazzle

We finally made it to the Holidazzle Parade!

We have planned on going every year since we moved to Minnesota,

but for some reason we never make it.

I am so glad that we did.

It was a beautiful night downtown,

if you don't mind the snow.

Which we didn't - it was so pretty!

We had to take turns carrying Blaise because we forgot his boots

(he told us that we're naughty parents).

But he forgave us quickly - like, when we bought the light up sword.

Hot Chocolates and Chai Tea Lattes...

always make waiting in the cold much more enjoyable.

But, it was totally worth the wait.

B loved it!



Definitely a new family holiday tradition.

But next year - we won't forget the boots!

Just because...

...I love this photo.

A Happy Halloween...

...it was.

On Sunday night we carved our pumpkins.

Blaise (obviously) thought that playing with the "guts" was the best part

The finished products.

On Monday morning I had no problems getting Blaise out of bed.

He had such a busy day ahead of him, and he was so excited!

Parties at daycare and school,

and of coarse...

trick or treating!

Since we live so far out of town, and no one in our neighborhood has kids

(or is under 70 for that matter),

we usually end up taking Blaise trick or treating in Grandma Betsy's neighborhood.

It was such a beautiful night for it.

I got Blaise ready right away so he could surprise Grandma and Daddy when they got there.

I had so much fun doing his make-up!

I think he made a pretty scary mummy!

He had so much fun going up to all of the houses.

This year he made Blair and I wait on the street because he "needed" to do it by himself.

He's becoming so independent.

But luckily for me, he still likes to hold mommy's hand sometimes.

We hope you all had a very Happy Halloween too!





Fall is for Family...

Last Sunday we had a fall family day.

Sunday fun day, indeed!

The day started early.  Blaise woke me up at 7:30 A.M.

He was really excited about this:

The cat I adopted the day before.

Also known as:  The sweetest cat in the world.

I couldn't help myself.  He was sick, starving, and begging for attention.

When it comes to animals - I'm weak.

I really need a hobby farm.

Of coarse Blair wouldn't let me keep him.  We already have a cat and 2 dogs,

which is why the cat is up the tree in this photo.

But I brought him to meet Bets (my mom) and thankfully she couldn't resist him either.

We've named him Oliver.

Blaise and I have stopped over there or called to check in on him every day this week.

We wanted to keep him so bad!  But this situation works perfectly because we still get to see him whenever we want.

Blaise also got a haircut early that morning.

He had to look nice for school picture day.

Then we got ready and headed in to town to introduce my mom to her new cat.

Of coarse we had to stay and play with him for a while and help him adjust to his new home.

Finally Blaise was ready to go to the Nelson Farm

(he was having a hard time leaving Oliver - yes, there were tears).

It was the perfect day for it.

The weather was fantastic.

He's getting so tall!

If Blaise had a choice he would bounce on those things all day long.

Every year we practically have to drag him away from them.

He was old enough this year for the barn swings.

He loved it!  I remember that being my favorite part when I was little...

aside from the animals.

Once again, the fact that I need a hobby farm comes to mind.



Good thing Blaise is an animal lover too. 

This year we went on a family combine ride.

So much fun!

It was the perfect fall family day.

As of late...

We've been busy.

Still.

I thought that when summer ended life would slow down.

I was wrong.

But it's been a while, so lets catch up.

A few weekends ago my Dad's side of the family came to visit.

We don't see them very often, so it was great to catch up

(and drink a few bottles of wine with my aunts).

Blair and I have been to all of the Vikings home games so far.

Early mornings spent tailgating with these two is always fun!



Even though we have been on a legit losing streak I'm

 still.a.fan.

My Dad bought a new Mustang this spring.

He finally broke it in so he could start racing it.
So we spent the last Saturday in September at Grove Creek.

Go Dad!

Blaise loved every minute of it.

Especially being part of the "pit crew"

and



checking out "sweet" cars with Papa.

Blaise's First Day...

...of Preschool!

Yes, I am that mom

(the one who is always taking pictures and documents everything).

But your first day of school is a big deal, right?

Even if it is just preschool.

So here is a taste of what Blaise's first day of preschool was like:

All smiles (even though I just woke him up) after I reminded him it was his first day of school!

I promised him a special breakfast -

he said it had to be fancy!

We spent the rest of the morning getting ready and packing his back pack and after-school snack

(I scored when I found this vintage motocross lunch box on e-bay.  It makes little boys happy!).

Then we picked up daddy and had lunch together,

and then...

it was finally time for school!



I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

My baby - is a student!

His classroom.

His hook.

His birthday tag.

Yep, its really happening.

The parents got to be there for a little while during the first day.

He drew me a special picture

and

we read a book together

Then it was time for mommies and daddies to leave :(

but,

he was just fine.  He had a great time.

He came out of the classroom with the biggest smile one his face, because



apparently it's a pretty big deal when your the first family that gets to bring home

The Snack Bucket!

What a great first day of school!  I can tell already that he is going to love it!  I'm so excited for all of the new things he is going to be learning!  But I still can't believe I have a preschooler.

Where does the time go?

'Tis the season...

Football season!

Our favorite time of the year.

For the first time all summer we didn't have plans on a weekend.

We were thinking that it might be a great weekend to check out the State Fair.

But...

my amazing friend Tuna offered me free tickets to the first preseason home game.

Vikings vs. Cowboys

Row 11

Now that is a good friend!

I took my little guy



to his very first game!

(he is still clinging to that bucket of peanuts)

He had a fun time:

Doing a little pregame bouncing in the giant football,

making new friends,

 (and being silly with them)

checking out cheerleaders,

(they kept all of the boys around us very entertained)

but I think that learning how to do the wave was his favorite part!

(it went around at least 10 times)

Here he is telling a Dallas fan what's up.

Ever since that game I hear "GO VIKINGS" around my house frequently.

It's a pretty welcomed phrase.

We had such a great time!

I love my little football fan!