Homebound

I played hookie from music class last week so we could enjoy a nice fall day at the local farmer's market. We went to the market to look for pumpkins and cornstalks, but we quickly found out how picked over everything was. So much for waiting for a nice day! We walked around for a bit, looked at pumpkins, played with corn, and Daddy threw leaves up in the air, which I thought was hysterical. We left with 2 pumpkins, 3 Indian corn ears, and skipped the cornstalks, although Mommy tried to convince Daddy to just pull over and pick some from a cornfield. He didn't feel like going to jail=no cornstalks.

Eenie, Meenie, Miny, Mo

None of these were big enough

Here is the leaf throwing episode that I just loved! Mommy is going to store dried leaves in a bag so the next time we have a family photo shoot, she can toss these around!

Here is the only vegetable I eat, although I didn't sink my teeth into this corn on the cob!

How could they be out of cornstalk bundles??? Our confusion too!

I ended up with a full week at home because Jenny's daughter (daycare provider) had the swine flu. It was a bit of a scramble, but we made some quick adjustments and Mom and Dad were able to figure out their work schedules. Dad needed some pointers on where to take kids, so Mommy suggested the sports center. This was just perfect for us boys!

First stop, was my favorite pickup truck. I am somewhat obsessed with this truck and luckily Grandma did find it online for me and I "think" it will be a Christmas

present (yeah!)

Can't you just hear it... "MINE!"

Dad told Mommy that I was not into sharing the truck. If other kids were in the truck, I opened the door and would just sit in their laps. We are working on this.Of course, I did play with other favorites there including the castle and the tunnels. I also played in the bouncy jumper thing and laughed as I bounced all over on my knees. After two hours, we delivered lunch to Mommy at work and headed home for a nap.


Daddy really lucked out on the fun, because after my ONE hour nap (usually it is 2-3 hour) we decided to head outside to play in the wonderful, new snow.

I kept saying, "Uh Oh!" while I wondered around outside. I thought it looked like a big mess on the ground, but Daddy told me that this stuff we didn't have to pick up (better yet!)

We built a little buddy just my size in the backyard

I decided that I wanted to push the snowman down but he was too strong for me to knock over. He stayed in our yard for a few days and everytime I saw him out the window, I pointed to him while Mommy taught me to say, "snowman." I usually just growled at him and I think he got scared because he went away.We took the sled for a spin and I was happy to know I still fit into the blue rocket from last winter. I liked the sled a WHOLE lot more this time around! See last year's picture below (and look at the ridiculous outfit I am wearing... no wonder I am screaming!) I can't wait to have more snow so that we can head down some golf course hills!

Liberty also had fun jumping around in the snow and she likes to eat the white stuff too. Daddy warned me already about eating snow, especially the yellow kind.


This is what I looked like after a morning at the sports center and an afternoon in the snow. Mommy was happy that we stayed busy and had fun. I even slept until 7:30 the next morning!
On Saturday, we headed to the cities for Auntie's birthday and we had a little party for her. We gave her a few cute gifts and she always loves the "auntie" cards I give her.
Cousin Lexi showing me a funny music card from Uncle Jimmy. I loved this musical card and even danced to it! Of course, Lexi wanted to get a picture together and here we are (me holding on for dear life!)
I am really excited for the week ahead. We have a fall festival at Mommy's school, a neighborhood get together, a music/Halloween party, and more fun events for Halloween. Here is a sneak peek at my costume from Monday night's music/Halloween party!

Hot Dog!

Up North

It was an interesting start of the week when we woke up Monday morning to snow. Mommy realized I didn't have any boots for outside, so we headed to the mall to find a new pair. Luckily we found some and by the next day, the snow was gone! Oh well, at least we will be prepared the next time it snows.

We have been working hard around the house to prepare for fall. We decorated the front porch with pumpkins and gourds and we harvested our apples from the apple trees. We didn't get as many good ones since Mommy thought we should go "organic" and not spray the trees... not a good idea! Too many of our apples had holes in them and will be fed to the deer at the hunting shack. As you can see, I not only love to eat apples but they have become a new toy for me in the house. Whatever keeps me busy, right!?!?

I was enrolled in Kindermusik again this fall with Jillian. We meet every Monday night to sing songs, dance and I enjoy running around and socializing with everyone. Daddy just laughs the whole time at my silly dancing and Mommy tries to make sure that I behave myself. I love the shakers and the drums that we take out each week. We also get silly scarves and play peek-a-boo with them.

On Saturday, we headed to northern MN for Great-Grandpa's 80th birthday! It was a LONG drive (about 3 1/2 hours). There isn't much to see on the "Iron Range!" I was checking out the view (or lack there of) from our hotel room.When we got to the hotel, I was able to hit the pool with Daddy. Mommy said the water was way too cold for her, so Dad was on pool duty! Cousins Lexi and Sam also played in the pool with me.

On Sunday, we had many family members from all over MN and SD join us at the hotel for the birthday party. It was nice to see many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents there. By the time we took this family photo, I had enough with the party and it was time to head home. It's too bad that I was the one to ruin the picture (sniff, sniff).

I had lots of attention from family at the hotel which was a nice break for Mommy and Daddy. My fascination with the elevator kept everyone very busy!

Great-aunt Karen hasn't seen me since last summer. She think I look like Papa (Mommy's Dad) and Daddy.
I am always excited to see Sam! We gave each other a big hug, but Mommy only could get the tail end of it.... ahhhhh!
Gotta love when grandparents give you pop! Here is the birthday boy.... he sure doesn't look 80 to me! This 80 year old still flips his 4-wheeler for the fun of it at the shack!

To break up the long drive back, we stopped in Duluth to get some pictures of the bridge and to stretch our legs in Canal Park. I liked the many sea gulls although Mommy was a bit nervous around these poopy creatures!

After a short visit in Duluth, we headed home for good. I slept an entire 45 minutes of the drive, but kept myself busy talking, reading, and playing with toys. I was happy to be back home on Sunday night!

Football Fun

Last week was a fun, but also a long week for us. Daddy was out of town from Monday-Thursday, so Mommy had to think of ways to keep me busy. She says she is more thankful for Daddy when he returns from these *$^&*#* conventions. To pass time, we went to the Sports Center for their Family Fun Zone.

This is a toy that Mommy didn't even know I could "drive." She was surprised to see me moving my legs to make the car go. Later in the week, she noticed these little cars at Jenny's house (daycare), so now she understands why I was pretty good with this thing!

My latest craze is pulling everything behind me. I have several pull toys that I just drag around the house. Mommy said she used to bounce on these fun hoppers when she was a kid. Luckily, she didn't embarass me by taking a trip down memory lane.

This was my first time at this ridiculously, fun place. I was instantly overwhelmed and I began to run, squeal, and act extremely silly the minute my feet hit the turf. Mommy thinks we need to go here every week to burn some energy. At the Sports Center, they had sports balls in every shape, color and size. I loved the huge soccer ball. It was even bigger than me!


Other fun things to do there included a bouncy slide, which was impossible to climb up. I mostly just ran at the slide, bounced backwards, and laughed my head off.
My sticky shoes helped, but not enough
Probably the coolest toy they had there was a Little Tykes pick-up truck. I was amazed at this thing. I have a cozy coupe, but that doesn't even compare! I even let a little boy ride in the back because Mommy insisted that I shared with others. The good news is that I only got whacked once, by a little boy who thought I was trying to get into the truck when he was getting in. Mommy said in her stern, teacher voice, "Hitting isn't nice!" Good thing his Mommy wasn't around because she probably would have thought that my Mamma Bear was a grouch.After 1 1/2 hours, it was time to head home for lunch and a nap. I was already asleep by the time we were at the nearby stoplights. That night, Grandma Lois came over to babysit me so that Mommy could play soccer at the sports center. I am jealous that she got to go there twice. She plays on an "old ladies" league, but she has been scoring 2-3 goals each game. Too bad her games are too late for me to come to. Grandma and I watched the BIG football game for a few minutes before bed. Since Daddy was gone, Mommy gave me permission to wear my Vikings jogging suit and to cheer as loudly as I wanted for the Vikes. The good news was that they beat the Packers~ Yeah!

Speaking of the Vikings, this weekend I went to Grandma Carla's and Grandpa Jamie's house for the weekend. Daddy went to the hunting shack and Mommy had a scrapbook weekend with her girlfriends. I was happy because Grandma and Grandpa spoil me :) Grandpa gave me a wonderful gift...

Favre Jersey Daddy's not too happy with Grandma and Grandpa right now! My latest new word is "Touchdown" as I am saying and demonstrating in the picture above.

Grandma also gave me a wonderful gift.....COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mommy is shaking her head. As the old saying goes, "What Happens at Grandma's, Stays at Grandma's." Maybe we won't share pictures with Mommy anymore!

This week, Mommy and I had a date at the doctor's office. We both went in to get our flu shot. I only cried for 2 seconds and was quickly soothed by the pack of animal crackers the nurse let me eat afterwards. Hopefully, this shot will keep the bugs away and once the "pig shot" comes out, Mommy is going to have me get that one too. I think she is trying to toughen me up.

Showing off the shot site. I was hoping for a fancier band-aid.

Mommy is teaching me how to say, "CHEESE" when I get my picture taken. This is a pretty good attempt and look at all of my teeth!

At Jenny's house, we have noticed these fuzzy,little buggers creeping on the driveway. The kids are excited to pick them up and collect them. Mason and I were learning about the fuzzy, wuzzy caterpillars and Sadie was trying to eat it. I am certain the fuzzy creatures are dead after our extreme cold and snow this weekend! "See ya!"

The last pictures are proof that I truly attempt to help Mommy. She was busy sorting through her school "stuff" and before you know it, I was thinking that the bin full of her ideas looked like a great place to play. Mommy caught me "red handed" but she gave me a minute to play. She then had to convince me to leave the bin before I ruined the 10 years of teaching materials and ideas she has accumulated for her October tub. It was fun while it lasted! Busted!

Kicking back

All done! Thanks Mom!