Zeke and the helmet

I LOVE helmets.

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My friends in Montana used to call me the Helmet Hero because they loved when I would always bug them about wearing their helmet.

Oh yeah, I like seat belts too. :) I am proud to say Zeke has his very first helmet at 6 months of age. A gentleman in Fergus who survived a traumatic brain injury has now started a nonprofit organization advocating for helmet use for children. How cool!

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I think he might be my new Helmet Hero.

And, don't worry friends from Montana. I am not making Zeke wear his helmet all day long every day. . . just part of the day. :)

Only in Minnesota (or other ridiculously cold places)

So, it was a bit cold here today. Weather.com said -34. I think our indoor/outdoor thermostat froze. Or, it was God's way of helping me cope with the cold. I'm not complaining, ok, I'm complaining. But, I'm trying not too.

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These are a few "new" things I have had the chance to experience here in Minnesota:

1. Watching the dogs watch my husband help the neighbor get unstuck during his pre-shovel shovel. Is that a word? A pre-shovel shovel in my definition is what you do BEFORE the snow plow comes to prevent you from really getting stuck. Then, the snow plows comes and you get to shovel some more. Wow, what fun! (Can you hear the sarcasm)
2. A chance to take a picture of an oven and a snow blower. . . together. . . in my house. . . in my kitchen. On this particular day, my husband had to bring the snow blower in the house to WARM it up as it wouldn't start. 3. MINNESOTA POEM

It's winter in Minnesota

And the gentle breezes blow

seventy miles an hour

at twenty-five below

Oh, how I love Minnesota

When the snow's up to your butt

You take a breath of winter

And your nose gets frozen shut

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

So I guess I'll hang around

I could never leave Minnesota'

Cause I'm frozen to the ground!

4. A missing husband (above) and a frozen husband (below)

5. My kitchen window from the INSIDE (with my vase of marbles and fake flowers).

(hint, hint Danny)

6. And, last, but not least AT ALL.

A super super awesome cool snow fort built by the nieces and nephews and Danny last weekend.

Visit from the Sulpizio Family

Any guesses on what might have caused my living room to look like this 5 minutes after his arrival? Also, take note that all of the nativity scenes have been removed from the shelves.

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If you guessed an almost two year old, you are right!

My sister and her family braved many hours of flying from Spokane, WA to visit us in the warm wonderland of Minnesota. They are brave. Who visits MN in January??

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Zeke telling Katie about everything she had missed. He had a lot to fill her in on as this was his first time to meet his Aunt Katie!Getting a squeeze from my boys. I don't like them or anything!The boys taking a bath. Zeke learned a few tricks about splashing and playing in a tub from a big cousin Ryan. Zeke also seemed most interested is whose toes were in his bathtub and how could he get them in his mouth. Looking cool in their hats. Ryan was sitting in the "potty" as he referred to the bumbo chair. During their visit, we often sat down in the "potty" and said poop. Ryan also gave Zeke a new nickname. . . "Baby Geek." We are hoping that one doesn't stick. After seeing all of the sights and sounds of Fergus, we also spent a night in the cities and enjoyed the Mall of America.

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Little Scott enjoying the truck ride with Ryan!

Go Scott Go! It is hard to tell from Scott's face, but he was a little scared with the speed of the trucks. He also LOVED all of the honking of the horns from all of the kids on the ride.
Danny looking at a map. What a surprise.
Who needs to ride on a ride when you have a map.
I think Zeke might agree.


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I think this picture might need a caption. Any ideas?


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We had such an AMAZING time with Scott, Katie, and Ryan and baby girl due to arrive in April! Thanks so much for coming to visit. Thanks for taking the time to come and for surviving flying with a busy little boy. We miss you guys.

Love you guys!

The Sulpizio family eating a family favorite! Blue Cotton Candy

Katie, I forgot to ask, any surprises the day after?

Cook your own Christmas Dinner

For Christmas Day this year, Danny and I had a total of 18 people in our house! We had two 6-month old babies, 8 kids between the ages of 2 and 13, and 8 adults. Does that add up to 18? Danny is the mathematician of the house and he is still sleeping.

I meant to take a picture of everyone eating just to prove I cooked for that many people without my Mom. Mom, can you believe it???

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We decided to do fondue with the theme of "Cook your own Christmas Dinner." Honestly, I felt like that might be the safest bet. Then, if someone wasn't happy with what they ate, it was their own fault because they cooked their own dinner. We did a fondue called Shabu, Shabu with chicken and veggies, pizza fondue for the kids (and big kids), and chocolate fondue for dessert.

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Here is Zeke with his cousin Ashley. I think they must have planned their outfits.

Danny spent a good part of the day planning Fox and Hound or it is Geese and Fox or Hound and Geese with the nieces and nephews. I would ask Danny what it is called, but again, he is still sleeping. They just enjoyed chasing each other around the house with the help of the dogs. With all of the snow we have had, we have some pretty awesome trails and forts around our house.

And yes, this is my husband who is in his second year of Seminary in the dog's igloo. You might only be able to see his hand as the dogs are also trying to get inside with him.

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Cousin Hannah with Uncle Andy and Aunt Shana were also able to come from Moorehead. Of course, we had to get some cousin pictures of our big 6 month old kiddos. And, here is a little insight into their communication.

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Zeke says, "Hannah, I really really want that hairband."

Hannah says, "No Zeke, it does not go with your outfit."

Zeke looking very sad wishing we had the hairband on his head. Why are our parents jumping around, smiling at us, and making funny noises?
Hannah, I have no idea.

Overall, it was a fun and awesome Christmas.

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends!

Just always check for safety pins first

My cousin David gave me my very fist Christmas present. I was in AWE of how big the box was and had no idea what could be inside!

Mom said we should take a picture first, but how can I wait? I mean, it is a really big box!

And, here it is: My very first homemade bed complete with a pillow. But, remember, always check for the safety pins first before laying down on it according to my cousin David.

We came up with a few other perhaps safer uses for it too.

A cup holder

A guitar

A drum

Any ideas from you?

And many more

Thanks Cousin David for the very thoughtful and VERY creative first Christmas present!

Fits me like a glove. . . or a sock

My Oma made me my very first stocking, turns out that the thing ended up being a little big. I decided to try it on for size. I can't wait until this gets filled up with gifts for me. :)

I'm thinking of being a mermaid for Halloween next year.

What do you think?

A few different looks

The relaxed look

Mom, you don't have to worry. I will not fall. And, no Mom, I will not wear a helmet while I sit in a chair.



Just hanging out. . .

On my goodness, my feet!

(Sorry, I got a little distracted)

Thanks for your help Dad!

I appreciate your steady hand.

Merry Christmas!

No, I will not look at the camera.

Nice shirt Dad!

(Sorry, distracted again!)

And, Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Hope you have a great day!