Happy New Year!

We didn't do anything exciting for New Year's Eve this year but we had some great family time. We watched Shrek 4 with the boys and then watched the movie You Don't Know Jack (about Jack Kevorkian). Both great movies! I finished knitting a hat that I promised a special little boy a long time ago and I am actually going to be awake to watch the ball drop this year. Wishing all of you a wonderful 2011! I hope this year is as good to us as 2010 proved to be.

Now we need to make our New Year's resolutions!

Frames

In all my cleaning and organizing in the house this weekend I found a bunch of frames that I no longer want/need in the house. I added them to my garage sale pile but then I remembered a conversation I had this summer with a daycare mom about having a frame exchange. We had discussed gettin a few people together and exhanging frames that we no longer wanted and we'd have some new fun frames to add to our homes. I think it would be a great solution to no have to buy new frames as often. What do you do with your old frames?

Cast Iron?

In October 2009 we lost Mike's uncle, Mark, to a sudden heart attack. Since he had no children and his mom (grandma Mary) is too old to be doing heavy lifting, the job of cleaning out his house fell on Mike, myself, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. There were MANY things that we threw directly into the dumpster but some were useful so we each took what we could use. We found a cast iron fry pan and it nearly went into the trash but my mother-in-law swears by it so I thought I would try it out.

Well, it has been sitting in a box with multiple strings of Christmas lights since I brought it home. So while putting away the Christmas items I decided to pull the pan out and wash it up. However since i've never used cast iron before I don't know what to do with it or if I'll even like it. So I thought I'd see if anyone else uses it and if it is worth the weight of it? I need to decide soon as I am in 'get rid of it' mode!

Thoughts?

Moon Sand

I have found my new arch nemesis! I used to think Play Doh was the worst mess the kids could make but thanks to my brother, Sonny, I have found something even worse. He gave the boys Moon Sand for Christmas and of course they wanted to play with it this mroning. I have been trying to get all the Christmas decorations put away and reorganize the house to put away all the new stuff. I tried to hold them off as long as I could but they persisted...OMG the stuff is AWFUL! It breaks apart into a million pieces. It was all over the floor, the chairs (which are upholstered), and their clothes. It seems to be a pretty easy cleanup but it won't be something they get to play with on a regular basis! HOLY COW!

Merry Christmas

We have had a very Merry Christmas so far! We celebrated Christmas Eve with Mike's side of the family at our house this year. It was a good time had by all filled with too much food, a few drinks and many laughs. The kids got to bed late but fell asleep right away so the Santa duties could convene. The kids were happy with everything they got, so many that they will have new things to play with for a while. The tree looks quite empty right now but we still have one last Christmas to celebrate tomorrow with my side of the family. Today we are headed to Aunt Pat and Uncle Orlo's house to eat more and spend some wonderful family time. We hope that everyone else has a fantastic Christmas!

MORE SNOW!

Blake got his chance to help Mike snow blow the driveway yesterday. I'm not sure if this is some sort of punishment from Mother Nature for something that Minnesota did but we have definitely had more than our fair share of snow this winter...and winter just began on Tuesday! I hear talk of another blizzard on New Years Eve which is stressing out my mother-in-law because she may miss Donny & Marie at Mystic Lake. I would really like to avoid some snow for a while...at least until January 4th when i have to go back to work;)

Boxes!

When it comes to Christmas I am a wrapper. I would much rather use wrapping paper than throw the gifts in a gift bag and call it good. So since I like to wrap things I save boxes for months in preparation for Christmas gift wrapping. If the item is in its own box then I just wrap it in that but some things like clothes need a box so I save them. For months I tell everyone in the house to not throw the boxes away so that I have enough to wrap gifts. Well ineveitably we end up with a pile of boxes that looks like the picture below. Am I the only one?

Repurposing - Great Gift Idea

I was talking with someone recently about repurposing items and thought I'd share this really fun idea I came across a while back. It is a jewelry holder made from a picture frame. Here's what I did:

Scoured the thrift stores/garage sales for old frames that would look pretty. I actually found two that were the same and had a pretty design. I didn't like the color of it so I spray painted it black. Then I picked out a pretty scrapbook paper and put it in the frame. So now I have a pretty jewelry plate to put on my dresser and store my rings, earrings, etc.

Drawing Names

This year my side of the family was planning on drawing names again however we weren't all going to be together so I was on a mission to find a website that would do the drawing for us and email us all. My family thought I was crazy and laughed at me when I mentioned it. Apparently I am the only one who would think of this...however my thought is if it is something I'm looking for then someone else has surely created it.

So after a simple Google search I found DrawNames.com. The site can be easily set up by entering all the participants names and email addresses. They are then sent an email to join the group (you are able to also remove a person if they choose not to participate). Once everyone has 'joined' the group, each person is sent an email with their drawn name. Everyone is then able to make a wish list to make it easier for their 'secret santa' to easily find them a gift.

This is such a great way to draw names!

Christmas Caramels

My holiday baking is in full swing and I baked this weekend with a good friend. We made these caramels and they turned out so yummy that I wanted them to have a pretty wrapping too. I had already wrapped them in freezer paper but they looked to plain. So I took a stamp that I had and put a little red Christmas bulb on them. It spruced them up just a touch!

Once was lost...now is found!

The worst part of losing your mind is you never quite know when it may turn up. But I do feel like I found mine again (partially anyway)! After days of searching I finally took Saturday night and searched through EVERY Christmas box I have, looked in the attic of the garage for more boxes (to find none), and then finally looked in the one place that I had Christmas stuff I hadn't checked. Sure enough i had put the labels with the wrapping/tissue paper so I could easily find them (yeah right!).

As for the rug I thought I had purchased last year it has yet to turn up and I'm starting to think that I created it in my mind since I wanted one so bad. So I took my $20 of Kohl's cash and bought one last night. I wasn't about to let this free money go to waste this time!

So all is back in order in my house and I can begin working on my Christmas letter. The envelopes are all set minus the address labels I need to print yet! Can't wait to get that checked off the list.

LOSING IT!

OMG I feel like I am totally losing my mind. I have put up all my Christmas stuff and went to print labels for my Christmas cards and remembered that I had purchased labels 2 years ago to use to the card but forgot last year. Well now this year I can't find them! I feel as if I am losing my mind because I have been through every Christmas box I have (yes there are several!) and I can't find the labels. Now I just remembered that I bought a Christmas rug for the bathroom last year (at least I think I did) and can't find that either! SERIOUSLY my house isn't that big and I feel like I am pretty organized. Where could they be?

Younger Brothers

I guess being the younger brother teaches you things that you wouldn't otherwise know. So after Blake posted a sign to keep Avery out of his room Avery decided it was time he had a sign too. Not knowing how to spell he just put an 'X' on the sign and that was sufficient for Blake to know it was meant for him. It was very cute! And it wasn't long before both signs were down and they were once again playing in each other's rooms.

What would we do for entertainment if we didn't have kids?

And it begins...

This is the sign that Blake made this weekend to keep everyone out of his room. He was apparently sick of his brother going in his room and making a mess that he ended up cleaning up. I really can't blame him but found it extremely funny that he added the names of the daycare kids too (although they aren't allowed in his room anyway). However, mom and dad did not make the list! I thought we had quite a few years before this stuff started happening but I guess not!

Reminiscing...

Today is the 10th anniversary of the day Mike proposed to me. I had drug him out to the ring store on duck opener (after he finished hunting of course) to show him the ring that I wanted. I had gone shopping with my aunt and picked it out since he was dragging his feet about it. I called him and told him that I had it picked out and he came to the mall in his camo (and duck blood too I believe) to buy the ring. He abliged and we also picked one out for him.

A few weeks later, two days prior to my 21st birthday, he popped the question. I should have known something was up as he was home from work and showered when I got home that day. He was watching TV and wanted me to sit on his lap so I did. He then said 'I have a question to ask you'. I don't remember the rest of the conversation but it wasn't some long drawn out romantic proposal but the question was asked and I answered YES! We've made a lot of great memories in the past 10 years and in 5.5 months we will celebrate our 10th Anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long but it has been a great ride so far!

Busy, Busy

It seems that every time I think to update this blog I get sidetracked by something else. I also don't have my laptop currently because it is in the shop. Boy how I miss it!

Let's see...here's what's up: I started building a bed all on my own. I found plans on a great website (ana-white.com) and had to make it. I am hoping to get to work on it this weekend. Hockey is starting in 2 weeks and then we will not have as much free time. The boys have still been doing lots of hunting. I will post more of those pictures as soon as I get my laptop back. Did I mention I miss that thing?

Anyway, this is short and sweet for now but I will be back with more real soon!

Great Giveaway

In an effort to learn more about photography I have been following lots of different blogs. I have come across a giveaway.

http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/?p=982

Good Luck!

YUMMY Rolls!

I just made the most delicious cinnamon rolls of my life (truly I haven't made that many but have tasted several). I got the recipe from this blog . I have seen many delicious looking recipes on this blog but this is the first one I have tried. Let me tell you it was worth it! And I have extra to put in the freezer.

Open House

So last night we went to the open house at Blake's school. He was so excited about being our 'tour guide' as his teacher had told them that he talked CONSTANTLY from the time he got home from school until he went to bed. Now don't get me wrong, I am totally thrilled that he loves school the way he does but the constant talking started to drive me nuts! But as any good mother would I patiently listened to him tell each and every story and detail. He has a great teacher and he is enjoying school as much as I could ever hope for.

Not sure why there is such a pained expression on his face but I think it's kinda funny.


My 1st grader in his desk. His class is the only one out of the 3 at Roosevelt that get desks. He is pretty proud of that!

Ketching up...

I know I have been terrible at keeping up with this blog but I promise to be better. I feel like I am constantly playing catchup with everything. I am FINALLY doing some much needed catch-up on my photo albums and photo collage frames. I have the boys' books up to August of 2010 after a long hiatus! The 3-photo frames in our living room have been up there for 2 years without being changed...until now. One of the collage frames in our hallway still had pictures from our wedding...nearly 10 years ago.

With a little extra time on my hands now I'm hoping to start and finish a few projects that I've been putting off...making us a bed, learning more about photography and baking and cooking more new recipes. Wish me luck...

More Hunting...

The boys have been enjoying hunting season to the full degree. Avery has informed me that it is 'fun' to get up at 3:30 in the morning. Last night they were upset that they weren't getting up until 4 am instead of the usual earlier time.

So mom has been getting lots of alone/quiet time and is not disappointed at all! Here is a picture of one of our little tired hunters during his nap. Notice the camo hat in the corner of the picture...gotta have it there so when you wake up it is there to put on. I think the boys are in love!

Hunting Season Begins!

Every year my husband has a countdown going on a calendar at work of how many days are left til early goose season. Periodically I'll ask him how many days are left and he'll know the answer off the top of his head (YES, he's that obsessed). Each August I can feel the days getting closer as a black trailer is parked out in front of our house and a boat blind is filled with broom grass and decoys are meticulously set out and repainted (don't worry if you don't understand what these things are I didn't either until I met my husband).

So tomorrow is the big day! I used to dread hunting season as it meant lots of time with my hubby gone and me having to take care of the kids on my own. Well the day has come when BOTH boys want to go with their dad and he happily gets all their stuff ready for the season. So tomorrow I am going to wake up to an empty house, except for the dog, and enjoy every minute of it! My plans for the day include sleeping in (especially since I am up late trying to teach myself a few things about photography) and then slowly getting myself ready for a day of shopping with my mother-in-law who, herself, endured many years of hunting season. She however is a much better wife/mother than I'll ever be because she would get up and make them breakfast before they went hunting. Not this wife/mom...she enjoys her sleep!

I'm really hoping that my two overly-excited boys can drag themselves out of bed in the morning at 3:15 am since they both were up later than their dad tonight. They will be tired tomorrow...hopefully that means that I am going to be able to come home to everyone napping after my shopping escapades!

Smore's Goldfish

I know I've been absent for way too long again but I'm back. I have a suggestion for all of you mommy's out there. Go out and get yourself a bag of the Goldfish in Smore's flavor...and then HIDE THEM!. They are absolutely to die for. I don't know what it is about them that makes me want to eat the whole bag but they are not for sharing.

Warning...if you give them to your kids they will love them so don't share. It's okay to have your secret stash of a mommy treat.

Parenting

I always thought I would be a good parent and I like to think that I am most of the time but sometimes I just really think I SUCK! I feel like I have no control of what is going on around here with the kids sometimes. I feel like I don't know what technique to try next and am at my wits end.

Having a 4.5 year old is hard. I would have said that when Blake was that age but it is nothing compared to raising a 4.5 year old Avery! The child just comes with all new challenges. One of our biggest seems to be napping and bed time. No matter how tired the kid is he always seems to find a way to stall. Now some of you are probably thinking that at 4.5 he no longer needs a nap...well let me tell you he does! I know my children and Blake still takes naps. All I'm asking for is a short nap...just to take the edge off. However that is not on his agenda. It is so stressful that sometimes I just lose it! Today is a good example. I get so frustrated and start to yell...well who can go to sleep after just getting chewed out? Probably pretty hard but apparently I expect it anyway.

Sometimes I just wish I had Super Nanny here to tell me how to deal with these kids. I'm sure that wouldn't solve the world's problems but man it would be nice!

Random Thoughts

It has been so long since I have had time to sit down and blog but I promise I will try to be better about it. However I've started reading other people's blogs and realized that they use it as sort of an outlet to express themselves more than a way to update people, so I thought I might give it a try since I doubt everyone wants to read my every thought on Facebook. I am home alone (a rare feat) at 11 am on a Monday listening to MY music and only the noise I choose...so here are some of the random thoughts I've had recently.

-Am I the only one who organizes CDs by alphabet? I like organization and disorganization just makes me cranky. To me finding something right away when I want to find it is important rather than searching through the stack. so I alphabetize my CDs. My hubby is constantly teasing me for this but guess who can find their music when the time comes?

-There is something to be said about being home alone once in a while but I almost find that I can barely figure out what to do first. I have been reading up on photography on one of my favorite blogs . I took a shower and then started cleaning the bathroom...WHY can't I find something more exciting to do?

-I think I have a Facebook problem because I find myself constantly formulating interesting posts. I don't always post them but my mind automatically goes there!

-I will never again have more than 1-2 magazine subscriptions. I have a stack of 20 or more magazines that I need to read, consisting of: Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Taste of Home, Family Fun, Rachael Ray. I enjoy all of them and 3 of them were gifts for my 30th birthday, but I just can't keep up.

Those are my random thoughts for today and I'm going to give this blogging thing a better shot in the future and I hope that I can find the time to keep posting...in between my other jobs as baker, daycare provider, wife & mother.

The puppy finally sold!

We have finally sold the final puppy. He is the sweetest thing ever! He has been so good since the other puppy left and I am glad that he is going to have a new (and good) home. He is still here until next Thursday when the guy is coming to get him! Can't wait to be done with puppies...although I love them!

WHOA! What a crazy month!

I can't believe that it has been over a month since I last posted. The time just got away from me. We finished up hockey and had a Jamboree for the kids. It was special because my grandparents all got to come watch him. It was their first taste of the sport of hockey. They all seemed to enjoy it and the boys gave them a good show! A good time was had by all.

We are continuing to work on our bathroom project in the basement. We have gone from a toilet and a half a wall to a fully enclosed bathroom complete with a shower and door. I have most everything painted in there and am waiting for some fiberglass to be installed above the shower and then I can finish painting. I am also going to attempt to do the tiling in the bathroom. I took a class with my friend Amy at Home Depot to learn how. We have borrowed a tile saw from our friend in the Cities and as soon as I get a full day to work on it we will be doing it. Then we can finally install the toilet and vanity and hopefully just be able to use the bathroom. I can't wait to have our basement back together.

The puppies have also kept us busy. We only have two left to sell and hopefully they go home really soon. They are getting really stinky and need to go! I love this stage of puppies though when they are so playful and cute. Unfortunately they all grow up and are expensive. So please tell all your friends we still have 2 boy black labs left!

We also had a baby shower for my niece, KayleeAhna, along with her baptism. She is growing so fast it is just crazy! I can't believe that she is already 7 weeks old. Before we know it she will be becoming independant and running around!

Well, anyway, things have finally slowed down a bit and we will be busy again soon enough with the summer lurking just around the corner. This year is flying by!

14 days old!

The puppies are growing so fast. Their eyes have started to open up. Not sure that they can see much as there seems to be a film on them yet. They are starting to walk better and soon they will be running. They are getting pretty loud too!

Blake & puppy


Stretching


I am also awaiting the news from a friend of mine who is having a baby today too! Can't wait to meet him!

She's Here!

The waiting has ended and a baby has arrived! KayleeAhna Rae Berg entered the world on Friday at 6:43 pm weighing 8 lbs 6.5 oz and was 20.5 inches long. She is just a doll and I get to be her godmother. What a special way to welcome my first neice into this world! We love her to pieces and can't wait to watch her grow!

Puppies have arrived!

The puppies have arrived and are all healthy and doing well. They arrived a few days before we were expecting but all went well and we have 6 puppies. One yellow and five black. Only one black female showed this time! Labor was quite a bit shorter this time for mommy but we also had 4 less puppies.

It's been quite an exciting couple weeks for us and we are not done yet. Still awaiting the arrival of the newest Berg family member! Can't wait to meet him/her!

First 4 puppies


Siblings Napping


2 days old - Forgot how fast they grow!


Snuggling

Excitement!

Things are always busy around here and this week has kept the excitement going. We have been thinking about it for a while and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy a new car. This last weekend we went looking and struck out. Then we called our favorite sales guy in town and he hooked us up with a 2005 Grand Prix. It is a sharp looking car. We picked it up tonight and Mike has been like a kid at Christmas ever since.

We also finally decided to buy a Wii. After looking for a couple weeks and not being able to find one in town we finally found one at Best Buy. We have been having lots of fun with it since Sunday. The boys really enjoy it and it is a useful bargaining tool in order to get them to do things too!

Next week should be another exciting one! We have a litter of puppies due on or about Friday and my brother Nick & his fiance are expecting a baby any day as well. Such excitement! Can't wait to meet all the new additions to our family!

Proud Mama & Exciting Weekend

Our big weekend started out on Friday night with our daycare sleepover. I did a 'Parent's Night Out' for the parents of my daycare kids. I take the kids and have a sleepover and they get to enjoy a night alone without kids! So we have 7 little boys sleeping here on Friday. It was quite a night filled with hockey, pizza, ice cream sundaes and a movie. They all had so much fun and so did I!

Then on Saturday all the parents picked up the kids by 9 am in time for us to get going to hockey. After Blake's practice I took him to a birthday party for his friend Aurora. He got there late due to practice but had a good time. When I went to pick him up Aurora's mom came out and said 'He is the sweetest most polite little boy. He is welcome to come and play ANY time!' AAAWWW! That makes my heart so proud that we are raising such a nice young man who other parents would ask to come play. Makes me feel good that we are actually doing something right in raising our kids!

After the birthday party the boys headed off to the Southern MN Children's Museum with uncle Nick & Janelle and her boy Braydon. Sounds like they had some fun and after that they went to the WOW Zone. While they were gone I left for a Girls Night with my best friend Amy. We booked a hotel in Mankato for the night and made Valentine's for our kids' classes at school. They turned out SO cute! I will post some pictures once our laptop is back from the shop.

Now we are all settling down for the night and possibly going to watch some of the Super Bowl. Not sure I can watch much of it with the disappointing Vikes game 2 weeks ago but we will see. I might just hit the sack early!

Kids

Sometimes my job stresses me out to the ends of my rope but then when I get to see the kids playing together and doing cute things I know why I keep doing it. Tuesday I watched as the three older boys did their 'exercise' before their hockey game. They were using the things they learned in gym class...pushups, windmills and jumping jacks. It was so cute to watch them.

Today I am watching as 5 of them (ages from 4-6) are playing Hungry Hippo and actually patiently taking turns sitting out so that everyone can have a turn! It is one of their better moments as they are usually fighting but today they are actually getting along. Kind of nice to see that I have taught my kids something useful in life!

Old Man Winter Strikes Again!

We had yet another snow day again today...only half of a day but still got out of school! The winds are a blowin' through the house today and just howling through every crevice they possibly can. It is cold and we are in a blizzard warning. I am hoping for calm weather tomorrow! I am ready for spring!

Keeping busy...

So last year I picked up a new hobby...knitting. It is something to occupy my time (what little extra I have) and a great way to make gifts for all the people that we love. A friend of mine just had a baby boy and I just finished this hat for her baby boy, Colton. Can't wait to get to meet him and see this cute hat on his head!



Now its on to making more baby hats for my brother who's baby is due in a little more than a month and a couple other friends who are due the end of February and March. Couple of them don't know what they are having so I will be busy making one of each!

Hope everyone's new year is going well so far!

Happy New Year!

So here we are already....it's 2010! 2009 seems to have flown by! Nothing much exciting here happened to ring in the new year. We decided to opt for a low-key New Year's Eve this year. We took the boys to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at the cheap theater. It was a very cute movie. Then we came home and just hung out there. Mike and I had rented a couple movies to watch once the kids went to bed so when we got them all tucked in we put our movies in. Surprisingly I was able to keep my eyeballs open and see the clock hit 12:00.

We're hoping for another fairly uneventful year. Uneventful meaning no major surgeries (which are not planned as of now) and no major bad news. We are hoping for health for us and all of our loved ones.

Hope everyone has had a great new year so far!