70 degrees

So it is official. We are the ones from Ak that think it is summer when the weather gets above 60. Gavin wanted the pool up when it was just 60 and today it hit 70 so what do you think we did? Got out the sprinkler. The kids were crazy running around outside (too cold for me) in the sprinkler and loving it! Olivia wasn't too crazy about the cold water but wore her water clothes and watched from the side. I got some video that I will post later this weekend. Tomorrow we head down to Fargo for the 5k on Sat. I am running with my partner Anna and Kevin and Jake (Anna's boyfriend) and the kids are walking. Should be fun. I will take some pictures and try to post them on Sunday or Monday. (Along with all my other good intentions). Only one more week of school and Payton is so excited. I guess I am too but it just solidifies my fear that he is growing up way too fast. Okay I have to get to bed!!!

kirsten

Well hello there. I haven't blogged in a while mainly because I don't really think anything blog worthy has occured. It has been consistantly normal (well normal is always relative) around here and truly I am not complaining. Olivia had taken to using her body as an art canvas (even washable markers last more than a day) and Gavin is generally pleased that the weather has consistantly in the 50's. (Truth be told so am I) We have been outside whenever we can be for the last 3 weeks. On our bikes, at the park, on the path. It is so great. We have started our count down to our trip up north...23 days until we head to Billings, MT to fly out. WOOHOO!!! I am so excited. I am a little nervous about the 1/2 marathon on the 21st but my goal is just to finish. Any other takers on the challenge???? Jen??? Well I will try to get some pictures posted here this weekend. Miss you all and can't wait to see you!!

Kirsten

Changing weather

So, I am sure that none of you follow the weather here in ND, so let me fill you in....It hailed last night along with a thunder/lightening storm about 3:45am. CRAZY...needless to say we were stuck to the car today for transportation. When we got up it was raining and Payton said to me "Mom we aren't riding our bikes to school today are we?" I couldn't resist and said "Sure, why wouldn't we?" To which he informed me it was raining and even had hailed last night (I guess he thinks I am not too observant) I said that a little rain wasn't going to hurt and Kevin piped in that he could just wear his helmet in case it started to hail again. He wasn't too excited about that prospect, although he did think I was serious. So although some of you may think I am a diehard...I am not crazy so I drove the car today. I am, however, hoping tomorrow will be rainless. With the Fargo Marathon coming up (I am only doing the 5K) I need to get some more outside running in...the treadmil is OLD. Well have some great days and check back later.

Kirsten

Spring is Here!!

I just wanted to share a few pictures of spring. I am so amazed at how quickly it got here. Last week was in the mid to high 60's and we were loving it!! The wind is still a bit cool but as soon as it's in the 90's it will be a welcomed addition to our day!

Gavin and Olivia taking a little nap in the cart!

My grapevine and clear garden...I can't wait to get my starters out.

Some of my new shoots...I don't know what they are but that will be exciting!

Rain is in the forcast for this week, which is not so bad...this morning it smelled like rain and it was awesome. Gavin keeps on getting after me to put up the pool. Yesterday I told him to go sit on the hammock in his underwear and tell me if it was "So HOT" then. He did and kept insisting that he needed the pool up. I, however, did not cave. Even being from AK where 50 is a heat wave I held strong and told him it had to be at least 75 before the pool got filled. "That will be like in forever" was his response. Luckily it will probably be in the next few weeks. I am so thankful for the nice weather...my kids are now outside constantly and I can find a bit of peace each day, even if only for a few minutes alone in the bathroom. You moms know what I mean....

One more thing...I keep forgetting to give credit for my layout and all things cute on my blog to my sister, Karla. She does all the upkeep and I just fill in the blanks. She's awesome and I love her tons!!! Thanks Karla.

Love, Kirsten

I am LAZY!!! That is all.

So the only excuse I have for not blogging in 2 weeks is that I am computer lazy. I really can't stand to be on it when the kids are home or awake which leaves me like 2 nano seconds a day....not long enough to blog. Plus I was lazy and didn't want to the download of pictures from the camera because our computer is ancient (7 yrs old) and it takes me forever sometimes....needless to say I am LAZY!! But with much coaxing from my sister to get some new pictures up here they are. I cannot promise that they are completely appropriate not that some may find them offensive (my children still are young) but they are pretty funny!!

First we have Payton, who took second in his weight class, at his first and only wrestling tournament. There were about 8 kids in his class and he did very well. He got pinned the first round then won with pins the other two. He ended up liking wrestling (much to his chagrin...he didn't want to like anyting I suggested) and hopefully will wrestle again next year.



So here is Olivia using a "band-aid" for her not scraped leg. She found them herself when I was busy with something. My children have been blessed with a lack of patience (like their mom and DAD) and tend to be self sufficient. Not always a bad thing and many times something to make me laugh.



For those of you who don't know, Gavin will one day be in theatre (or a chef he can't decide). He LOVES (I can't emphasise that enough) wearing costumes. So Kevin found him this all too fitting one on the UPSers website and we had to have it. We made a delivery of chocolate covered pretzles (the letter envelope is made of material and is really useable) to Kevin's office. All the ladies thought he was so cute.



Then here is Olivia again being self sufficient. She decided to wear makeup one afternoon. I decided to take a picture rather than get too worked up. It worked out well and now I am trying to adopt that way of thinking to many things. Be warned you may see some rather interesting pictures in the future!!!



Here is our "one and only" hill in ND!!! (I am NOT Joking) Payton went sledding here with his class on a Monday and wanted us to all go so badly. We went the following Saturday and as you can see there was a lack of snow. That, however, did not deter them from sledding down and climbing up this pitiful snowburm. It was a great time had by all but made me miss the hill out at the Wasilla park!!!



See I have lots to catch up on. Here are all the (78) Easter eggs I hid for the hunt in the yard. It sounded like a good idea at the time but I must admit that 6 eggs would have been easier for me to remember where all of them were. We only had one at the end that Payton had to go hunt for. He was successful in finding it and eating way too much candy!



Other than all that, the weather is becoming beautiful. It was in the 50's today and sunny (with wind of course, I do live in ND). I got my bike out this week and am now peddling all around. Including my workout this morning I've already logged 20 miles today. The people here will begin referring to me as the crazy bike lady. I put Olivia and Gavin in the cart and away we go. I've started riding Payton to school in the morning and then picking him up in the afternoon. Unless it's raining (crazy raining) we will be on the bike all summer!!! I do have to admit I love that about this little town. So I will try to keep my blog updated so you can see the crazy I live with!

Love Kirsten