Children's Museum

On our way home from Duluth we made a stop at the Minnesota Children's Museum. It was so much fun! Nels came and met us for some afternoon excitement. I thought Henry wouldn't like it as much as Jack, but they both loved it!

Henry's favorite part was playing in the water.



Jack loved the room where you played music on a stage and then you could see yourself on the TV. Nels was also entertained by it I'm sure!


It was a fun day and a great break in our trip home! Thank you Nels for meeting us!

Stepec Christmas

This past weekend we went to Duluth to celebrate Christmas with the Stepecs. Here are some pictures of our time:
(I'll try to add more stories, but I wanted to get the pictures on before my helpers get up from their naps!)

Henry, Emery and Jack at our hotel

Trying to get a picture of Jack and Henry in their Christmas pj's...no such luck! All they want to do is tackle each other.

We had our Christmas morning at Seth and Sarah's house, it was crazy with 6 kids and Jack is the oldest at 3 years old! Yikes!


Jack got a GeoTrax train set. He has played with it for hours already and we've only had it a few days. The bonus is that it's even Henry-proof!


We went to Bentleyville, it was freezing but really neat.

basement

We're in the middle of two large projects at our house. One being painting the outside trim of the house (yuck!) and the other painting the basement. So depending on the weather we always have something to be working on. That's not to mention the cooking, cleaning, children duties, etc. So we're really looking forward to a weekend away next weekend.

Here are pictures of the laundry room in the basement. We have half of it painted, we have to go in stages because we can't be more than a couple days without a washer or dryer. So here are the two different sides of the room. It's amazing what a little paint will do to a place!
The unpainted part:

Painted:

We won't talk about how we had to sleep with the windows open because the floor paint stunk so bad....it was 53 degrees in our house this morning! I told Steve next time it comes time to paint the floor...the boys and I are leaving for a couple days!

okay, okay...

In an attempt to get this blog updated (finally) I'll just re-cap some of the fun and new things we've been up to at the Stepec house:


- Henry is 8 1/2 months old.Henry is not only crawling, but is able to stand on his own for a few moments. The funny thing is he looks around for who is going to clap and cheer for him while he's standing. Henry also wants to be everywhere Jack is and doing what he is doing. Oh yes, and he climbs stairs.

- Jack survived his 3rd birthday, the celebrations went on for about a week. Too long for a 3 year old I can tell you that much! He got a used play kitchen that was my sister's when she was little so that's been so neat to have here in Iowa. He also got a lot of other fun things.
- We got rid of a white car and got a new white car, only this car is newer and hopefully will last a long time! I prayed to be a stay at home mom, not a stuck at home mom! It was interesting only having one car for a few weeks. Yes, we are spoiled.
- Our schedules have been crazy busy! I'm not sure what we would have done if I was still teaching. We haven't had a free weekend since way back at the beginning of August. We're looking forward to 1 free weekend in October. Don't get me wrong we love having guests and things going on, it's just busy and our boys are very much routine children which makes things interesting.

I'm not going to promise anything about when my next post will be, you'll just have to be surprised!

Duluth

We spent a couple nights in Duluth visiting Steve's family, the weather was suppose to be yucky the entire time we were there...but it turned out beautiful! Jack had so much fun staying at a hotel, you forget how exciting things like key cards are!

Henry attacking Emery! At least he's smiling! These two are going to have a lot of fun growing up so close in age.

All 6 grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa. Jack is the oldest of the 6. It's crazy when we all get together, there are kids everywhere! (Henry is the one with grandma)

Jack took a few baths a day in the hotel bathtub! He had so much fun playing in the tub with all the fun things a hotel has to offer...travel shampoo, cups, ice buckets, etc.

4th of July Vermilion Trip

We spent another fun week celebrating the 4th of July! Again, here are some pictures!

Boat not cooperating! But very talented paddlers!

Yum, dirt!

Group picture of everyone who was there.

Steve took Jack and Henry to Ely for a day.

Steve made Jack a drum set out of the sand.

Moosebirds! We went there a couple times during the week, of course.

We took a lot of pictures of Henry for his 6 month pictures, but I need to edit some of them. We also took some more now that he can sit up!

okay, okay...

We've had an amazing summer with lots of fun adventures to go along with it. In order to catch up to where we are now I'm going to post some pictures and a few highlights...I'm going to attempt to get it all done in one post, but that depends on how long of a nap Henry takes!

Pictures from home:

Steve and the boys in their Africa shirts. Take a good look at Henry because that's the first and last time that shirt is going to fit him!

The best garage sale "purchase" of the summer, a brand new pedicure tub with all sorts of extras. Now we're all set for some porch pedicures!The best thing from the summer garage sales was a free Little Tikes basketball hoop I got.

I look outside one day to see this! Jack and Henry riding in "cars" but they fashioned something for Henry so he would be safe! They were entertained for a long time with that!
Some pool pictures:

home again...

We went to Iowa City on Monday to pick up Jack, and turned around on Tuesday and came home. Good thing it's only a 90 minute drive! Jack had too much fun at Grammy's for the weekend, and it was time to get him back on a routine. He slept a lot the first couple days back!

So basically Henry, Jack and I have been hanging out since. The weather has been pretty rainy, but we did manage to venture to the pool a couple times. The one thing I've had a hard time with is trying to get the lawn mowed. Everytime both boys are sleeping it starts to rain (the past 2 days) and you know what rain does to the grass, makes it grow like crazy! Oh well!

Here is a day in the life of "1 mom and 2 boys" as Jack would say:

Wednesday night:

12:00am--- Thunderstorm starts...dog freaks out and tries to get under the bed. I'm awake. 2:00-3:30 --- dog keeps freaking out and claws out and back under the bed over and over. Thankfully the boys slept through it!

So that was the start to my long day, here is part of the rest:
- Henry pees on me when I change him (he hasn't done this forever)...all over the blanket, clean diaper, my pj's, etc. Not 2 seconds after I get that all cleaned up he spits up all over everything!

- Jack is having a bad day with potty training...somehow proceeds to pee (through his pants) on a couch pillow that thankfully is on the floor. That was one of many accidents through the day.

- Henry is laying on the floor and Jack thinks he needs to use his head as a step to get on the couch! I was so mad at him.

Along with my patience quickly running out...there have been a couple things that make me smile and remind me of why 2 little ones really bring me a lot of joy!

- Jack uses Henry's jumperoo as a microphone, which makes Henry jump all over, or dance as Jack calls it

- A conversation like this after lunch: (while Jack playing his guitar) "Mom, do you know this song...Beat It, Just beat it)". Mom: "yes, I've heard that song before. Jack: "It's Michael Jackson". Mom: "Where did you hear that song?" Jack: "Grammy". And he goes on and sings it for me. He is something else. Just like one day in the car he asked me if the song on the radio was Toby Mac?

- Henry sleeping from 7:30 to 7:00 in the morning! Yes!

Yes, sometimes they kind of entertain each other.

Henry is getting so huge! He has a really long torso. If it buttons like a onesie he is wearing 12 month clothes! Otherwise it's pretty much 9 month size. No matter what he wears he could fit 2 of himself in the outfit because they are so wide! It of course depends on the brand. So I'm washing Jack's summer clothes from when he was 10 months old for Henry (who is only 5 months old)! Crazy!

PS- Come home Steve, we miss you! I can't believe we still have until next Thursday. Good thing Linda is coming back next Monday or I think I would lose my mind.

Week at school...

Grammy came last Monday to stay for the week while I headed back to teach school for 3 days and have a teacher work day on Friday. I typed up a schedule and a list of phone numbers for her to have.

It was SO weird to be headed back to school...walking down the halls, opening my classroom door...just like an old routine. I re-introduced myself to my 6th graders, which they all thought was funny so that broke the ice. They were so quiet when I first got there, it was kind of nice. But that didn't last too long as they all had something to fill me in on (since I was their teacher for 1 1/2 school years before Henry came). Tuesday and Wednesday were days with the students, very long days that is! I was trying to pack up all their junk from over the past 2 years and pack up my stuff too. So it looked like a disaster, but it all came together in the end. On Thursday we took the kids bowling, on a picnic, and to the Aquatic Center. By the time we got back and had 30 minutes or so left in the day they were all sitting in their seats tired! Mission accomplished!

Friday was a teacher work day. The teachers in my neighborhood put on a wonderful shower for Henry, Jamison (another new baby this year) and a bride. So there were three of us getting attention, which was nice because I hate all the attention in situations like that. Henry of course was smiling and cooing for all to see and hear. Henry got a lot of new clothes, and money and giftcards towards a Jumperoo.


Jack left with Linda Friday night and so it's been just Henry and I home! It's been a really nice break. I've been relaxing, getting house stuff done, and all at the same time missing Jack! The house is so quiet without him here.

Africa

This is Baindu and Steve...we support Baindu and I am so thankful (and jealous) that Steve gets to see her again! Since I have never met her.

Steve left yesterday morning for Sierra Leone, Africa. He will be gone for 19 days, so my goal is to post every few days just in case Steve would get to check the blog from there or most likely, for him to read when he gets back. Jack just says the funniest things that I want to remember to pass them along for Steve. He also gets to spend a few weeks with my dear friend, Christie who is over there!

Jack was fine yesterday when Steve left, but this morning he came into our room and was upset to see that Steve wasn't there. He told me, "Dad's done in Africa"...well, not exactly since he hasn't even made it there yet.

Grammy Linda came this afternoon since I have to go back to school for 4 days then I will be finished. It will be nice to have all my school stuff moved out of my classroom and all that stuff taken care of. Then the pool will open and summer can really begin!

A month of catch up...

Yikes! I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted. I'm going to catch up with some pictures since they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words"!

Enjoy...
Henry's first trip to Minnesota! The boys and I (and my dad...who so kindly drove to Iowa to pick us up, and yes, he was more than thankful to bring us back!)

Throwing rocks in the water at the bridge! A childhood favorite of ours, especially Nels! Here is Jack and Christie and Henry is in the stroller.

Henry and Trisha! I love this picture! Too bad Henry has drool falling from his face.

Jack and Steve washing the van after our first trip to the pool! Well, Jack is washing his shoes I guess!
Last, but not least...Henry eating rice cereal for the first time. He loved it! He had it all down his back and even in his belly button! Gross!

Birthday...

Today is my mom's birthday. I miss her like crazy! Her birthday always falls close to Mother's Day so that's another reminder to me. I won't say it's any easier now...but it is different. I wish my boys could have met her here on earth. They would love her, and she would love and spoil them like crazy! It will be fun as they get older to share crazy stories about her with them. I wish I could pick up the phone or e-mail her and tell her all the little things that happen, especially now with the kids.

I am very thankful for all the "grandmas and aunties" that my boys have in their lives! God has really blessed us with amazing people to share this journey with.

Mother's Day!

(trying to get 2 boys to look at the camera didn't work out so well...)
When I got downstairs on Sunday morning, the boys had me listen to something and it was Jack saying, "Happy Mother's Day" on a recording. I soon figured out it was coming from our stereo. Lone behold there sat a sweet pink i-pod all for me! What a special surprise! I love it! Steve and Jack had recorded a video of Jack telling me Happy Mother's Day!

After church, I took a good nap (that was my goal!), then we went out for dinner for Ruth's birthday. Jack loves birthdays. He wants to sing for everyone and give them presents. He did get over the fact that not everyone celebrates their birthday at McDonalds, so at least that's progress!

Speaking of progress, another thing I appreciate is that Jack is wearing underwear! Having one in diapers is sure nice! He's done a great job so far...even dry some nap times and at night (I'm sure you all wanted to know!).

I hope everyone had a great day!

New Career!

I am officially a stay at home mom! Yipee! I do have to go back and teach the last 4 days of school this year, to finish my contract. But I will not be returning for next year. Our district is cutting positions, so I decided that I'm saving some poor 1st year teacher her job! I'm so excited to be able to spend more time investing in raising my own kids! Challenging, I know...but worth it! At least I'll give it a try and see how I like it. Okay, to be honest I just got done filling out a job application for my next job! I'm going to teach the parent/tot swim class at our local YMCA. The bonus is that if I work 1 hour a week I get my family membership for free! Who can pass that up? I'll teach 1 class a week to start with. We'll see if they talk me into getting my Lifeguard Certification again...

new camera...

new camera, means lots of random pictures! Hope you enjoy!

Henry is a bit dramatic!


Jack the little monkey.


Jack's bike from Bapa for Christmas...finally made it out of the basement! We love the handle!

I have some funny stories to tell...but we have a small issue with water in our basement so once I get that under control I'll try to write more! I was just telling a friend this morning that I was going to Spring Clean one room at a time and go through the entire house...but I was going to do the basement last! Agh...
Have a great week!