Halloween 2014 ~

Another successful trip to the pumpkin patch behind our house!  With so many pumpkins to choose from we never know how long it will take all of the kids to pick out the one they want.  Thankfully, it went very smoothly and quite quickly!

This year Odin was able to carve out his own pumpkin after his Dad traced the picture on it.  Bryce did another fabulous job carving each pumpkin out to perfection! 

This was our first year going out to trick or treat!  Although it was a bit on the chilly side, all of the kids enjoyed their time out.  I'm pretty sure we made it to less than 20 houses between two neighborhoods, however their bags were full.  Our little ones were as follows:

Odin ~ Bumblebee Transformer

Quinn ~ Elmo

Corrigan ~ Snow White

Declan ~ Dinosaur 

Mankato Marathon 2014 ~

We could not have asked for a more beautiful weekend for the Mankato Marathon this year!  The big boys participated in their first official race, the KidsK, and both did great.  I ran the half marathon again this year and could not have felt better.  I came in at 2:18:22 and beating my goal of 2:20.  I am having a great time running and am thankful the boys are finding joy in running too.  We have talked about how fun it will be when we can all run a big race together.

 Odin really enjoyed the race and had the biggest 

smile coming towards the finish line!

Quinn got a stitch towards the end of his 

race but pushed through it and ran through

the finish line!

Deer Hunters Unite ~

Odin attended his first MN Deer Hunters Association banquet at the beginning of this month.  He was so excited!!  He was also a big winner ~ he won himself a rifle ~ which is something his dad has been trying to do since I've known him (8 years).  He is sad though that he can't go hunting yet and use his gun!

 Bonding with Dad

 Hanging out with Uncle Nick 

and Grandpa Anderson

 "Am I a winner?"

 "That was a funny guy!"

And finally, Odin wins his gun!!

(and a wee bit tired, it was a long night)

Quinn and Preschool ~

Quinn started preschool last week at God's Little Lambs at Hosanna.  He hasn't missed a day making sure his outfit is just perfect, teeth are brushed and that his dad does his hair!  I find much joy in the fact that Quinn is very excited for school and to make new friends.  

Odin Begins Kindergarten ~

A new journey begins ~ Odin starting Kindergarten and homeschooling.  I couldn't ask for a better student!  His love for learning is amazing.  He asks a lot of questions, challenges himself to do more and is now accepting that handwriting WILL happen everyday.  We are looking forward to seeing how our year will go.  Here are a few pictures of our first day as well as a couple from the first week.

 Quinn often joins in on the fun

The Magic Number Seven ~

Bryce and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary this August.  For the first time, in a very long time, we had a night away.  All.By.Ourselves!  We are thankful for each and every day we have with each other.

Declan's Dedication ~

On June 22nd, we dedicated Declan to the Lord.  We are so blessed to have him in our lives and extremely thankful to be his parents. 

Happy Birthday Boys ~

Happy 1st Birthday to this amazing boy!  Declan pretty much has a smile on his face all the time, his siblings LOVE him to pieces and his parents' hearts are overflowing with love for him.  I have no doubt this next year will be fun watching him grow and keep up with his brothers and sister.

Quinn turns FOUR ~ this kid has a personality that won't stop!  He keeps us on our toes and is constantly challenging us ~ in so many ways!!  Quinn's love for his siblings does not go unnoticed.  He enjoys being active outside, loves swimming and just mastered riding his bike after his birthday.  He can now write his name and will start preschool in the fall.  This next year will be full of great things for Quinn ~ we are looking forward to watching him bust out of his shell! "hulk smash"

Odin turns SIX ~ as I just typed the word six I found myself getting emotional.  It's hard for me to think that it is only 9 years before he can drive a car and only 12 years from graduating high school.  How is it possible?  We could not have asked for a better "oldest child".  He helps me more than I could ask for as a six year old and protects and takes care of his siblings all the time.  He loves his Legos and Transformers, building whatever he can build out of whatever he can find and is very inquisitive.  He will begin Kindergarten in the fall and I have no doubt his love for learning will continue through this next year of his life. 

Moms and Dads ~

Our lives are filled with so much love...and craziness...but we both feel so honored to have been chosen to be the parents to four beautifully made children.  Mother's Day and Father's Day 2014 ~

Easter 2014 ~

In an attempt to keep my sanity, the next several posts are going to be short and sweet!  My blog is something I keep up with (or get behind on) so I don't forget ~ don't forget all of the craziness in my life ~ I just don't want to forget!  I am a bit behind, but I'm getting it done...

 We started the weekend with an Easter egg hunt at church on Saturday and of course celebrated our salvation with service on Sunday.  "He is risen, he is risen indeed!"

The kids had a great time finding their baskets.  It is getting more fun watching the big boys find their baskets...it is getting much harder now that they are older!

A Lost Tooth ~

Two weeks ago Odin woke up and realized he had a loose tooth.  Last week it fell out while eating an apple.  Amazing how a milestone like loosing that first tooth can make a mother sad.  Where is the time going?

Pearly Whites ~

Corrigan had her first trip to the dentist yesterday and she did great!  I was so impressed with how well she sat in the chair and followed the instructions of the hygienist.  And the best part was that she didn't have any cavities. 

Ouch ~ Part II

We have been preparing Quinn for this day since he hit his finger with the hammer.  And it finally happened; his fingernail fell off this afternoon.  He was so excited, at least after he realized it didn't even hurt. 

Delicious Spaghetti ~

Declan enjoyed his first spaghetti meal tonight. I must say he is also the cleanest child; the other three kids had it everywhere their first time!  Of course he loves his avocados too.  If I'd let him, he'd eat a whole one. 

Mammy turns 70 ~

We don't usually get to celebrate my mom's birthday, but this year we did!  She turned 70 on May 2nd. She helped make her cake (as all birthday kids do!), the kids put many candles on her cake and helped her blow them all out too.  It was a fun time by all. 

Declan's First Surgery ~

Last week Declan had surgery to open up his blocked tear duct. He did great, momma only cried for a moment when the nurse took him from my arms and the doctor said the surgery was necessary (it would not have corrected itself).  Here are a few pictures of our morning.