First real snow

We got 3-4 inches of snow but we have 1- 1/2 foot snow drifts due to winds 25-30 mph.

Here's Ben, Sophia and Abbey sledding down the little hill in our backyard when it wasn't windy and freezing.

This is one of our windows in the 3 season porch. I think it was -11 this morning.

Crazy with the sewing

I got a sewing machine (the Project Runway edition) and I found several "refashion" websites... that combined with added time on my hands has really inspired me to sew... a lot.

Here is a skirt made from Ben's old polo shirt.

Here are some Pajama pants made from the girls old flannel recieving blankets. The first pj pants I made for Sophia were HOOJ. I learned from them though.

Here are 3 not quite finished projects.

1. This was a medium sized womens sweater and now its a Sophia dress. I need orange thread to finish the neck piece (you might be able to see the pins holding it in place)

2. This was a long sleeved hoodie and now it's a vest. I need to get pink trim to sew around the arm holes.

3. This was a size 9 month dress. It will be an apron for Abbey when I get some white ribbon to make a tie and add a white pocket.

I love this web site My Mamma Made It. She uses Anthropologie to inspire the stuff she makes. That will be my next project (or set of projects)

Como Park

I've been warned that the nice weather is probably about done so the girls and I went to Como Park/ Zoo/Conservatory . I rented a double stroller and that might have been the girls most favorite part :D Abbey would say "weeeee" when I pushed them a little fast. Most of the animals were inside because its a bit cold so their living arrangements were a little small. These little monkeys were so stinkin cute! They were probably about 6-9 minches tall and came right up to the glass.

The conservatory part was sooo warm and humid. I was really hot and it wasn't doublewide stroller friendly so I rushed through it. There was a HUGE python/constrictor mostly in the water that the girls liked and there was a sloth hanging out in the trees, no cage, just hanging out. The plants were amazing and I plan to go back there during the freezing Minnesota winter. It seem slike it would be a great escape from the cold.

The weather has been pretty nice so we've tried to spend time outside. All of the leaves are off the trees and we have 20 bags full of leaves from our yard. One neighbor behind us had 50 bags yesterday and said they'd probably get another 50 today!!!

Abbey has really started loving books over the last several weeks. She will bring you books and sit in your lap, so precious! She has also started bringing books to Buddy. Its got to be one of the cutest things as you can see.

I set up my eisle this morning and Sophia wanted to use it. I love seeing the girls be creative and this picture makes my heart smile.

unpacking

We decided to unpack our pictures and hang them on the wall. There was a lot of packing paper so we decided to play in it.

Ben escalated the play to a new level and built a box in the basement to contain all the paper. Sophia couldn't get enough.

We only have 4 pictures hung on the wall, but they're all unboxed at least :D

Minneapolis

We went to Minneapolis this weekend which is about 45 min from our house. The leaves are changing which made the drive pretty.

Here's the Animaniacs watertower that I mentioned before... and the trucks tint strip :) There's not any place to stop and take pictures on the side of the road.

I saw the rooftop of this building first and then discovered its City Hall. We told Sophia to look at the castle.

The beginnings of the Mississippi river run right through Minneapolis and I really wish I could have gotten a good picture of it because it was GORGEOUS with all the leaves changing colors. I found this picture on msn.

The girls fell asleep so we didn't get out and walk around. I'm looking forward to doing some artistic photography of the architecture and there are several museums that we plan to go to during the winter (Science Museum, Mill Museum, Childrens Museum).

Sunday I went to Ikea with Andrea (a wife of Ben's co worker) and saw the outside of Mall of America. It's insanely HOOJ... so was IKEA. Ben, his coworker, their 3 kids and our girls stayed at home playing.

The Arboretum

There has been a lot of rain and when we had a nice day I went to the Arboretum.

The leaves are changing colors and there were still quite a few flowers in bloom. There were the standard garden type flowers but they also had a huge herb garden that was soooo wonderful to smell. Basil filled my nose and made me smile! I can't remember the names of the plants, but here's a black big leaf plant.

This is swiss chard and I LOVED the colors. I had no idea it was this pretty. Ben tells me it doesn't taste that special though.

They had some scarecrows that lined the path as you enter the garden. This one was about 12 ft tall.

I saw this fish on the fountain andI'm not sure why but thought of Cathy. Maybe it will inspire you Cathy.

Mother and Child sculpture.

New house

We had all of our stuff delivered last Thursday and we still have a ton of boxes to unpack. Even though this place is a lot bigger its hard to figure out where to put everything.

This is the view as we walk out of the front door. There aren't any mountains in Minnesota but there are a lot of hills.

Also each town has a watertower and thats how you know where you are. Sophia pointed out the Animaniacs live there :)

Here is a good view of our yard. Its 1/2 an acre and Ben has gotten through mowing most of it. Another odd thing about houses here is that most don't have a fence. Not that I want to be unsocial but being able to let the kids out to play or the dog out without supervision is nice. Luckily our house is a little secluded because of the hill you can see on the left.

We've met quite a few neighbors thanks to Buddy. And they all seem nice. The front of our house and to the right is all the recent subdivision started in 1998. Directly behind us are older big houses. Lots of character but lots of work too. I'm really happy with our new house and we're looking forward to infusing it with our personality... Ben wants to add a theater room and guest room in the unfinished basement and I want to paint the walls and rip down wallpaper! There's a 50% chance of snow this Saturday so it sounds like we'll have plenty of winter to start and finish projects.

Our journey to Minnesota...

We made it with most of our belongings and all of our sanity. WE forgot a few things in Boise but the movers got everything... including dirty dishes. We left Boise about 7:30pm on the 24th and arrived in Yellowstone about 1am. We didn't have time to see Yellowstone so we headed to our next destination Mt Rushmore. We made time to visit and it was very inspiring. I've seen the image on TV but seeing it in person is really cool.

As you walk closer there is a path lined with all of the states flags. I really love the patriotic feel as it leads you.

You can get pretty close too. We stayed up on the lookout and I tried to get Abbey in the picture with the Presidents.

Zoo

We went to the Boise zoo today with Grandma, Papa, Uncle Chris, Aunt Shawn, Stephen, Rowen, and baby Sydney. I'm not sure what Sophia's favorite animal was but she loved running through the prairie dog tunnels.

Here's cousin Stephen getting her on the big tiger.
Abbey really loved the birds. Grandmas holding her while they're looking at one with a funky beak.

I saw this photo and I think I totally look like a mom. Hoodie, check. Sunglasses on head, check. Child being sprayed by water while I pose for a photo, check. It's the only photo with me in it so I had to include it in this post.

Here's cousin Rowen ridin the tiger. I think this cute little pose sums up her personality.

The penguins were my favorite part. The real ones were a million times cuter than this one, but Abbey looks like she's dancing with it.

My brother Chris and his daughter.

Friends

Sean 100% boy, but he's a cool boy :) He's about 3 weeks older than Sophia.

Ava is so smart and funny. These girls take some of the cutest pictures together. Sophia is about 6 1/2 months older.

Rowen is Sophias cousin and she just turned 1 in July. I predict she'll be taller than Sophia in about 2 years.

Birthday Girls

I seem to be a week late with posting everything lately. Last Sunday we celebrated the girls birthdays together. It was a really nice day and we were still riding the high of Ben being home... not that we're not still excited but it was extra special to have Ben and family and close friends all celebrating. Sophia wanted Abbey to have an orange flower cake so here's my interperetation (there's one flower missing because I forgot to take a picture before giving the flower away). Sophia wanted a blue Superman cake and again here's my interpretation.

Abbey actually fell asleep before presents and cake. I saved her cake and took pictures the next day though :) She found her presents on the floor the next morning and started opening them while I was cooking her breakfast. She's a very curious girl.


It has been a lot of fun to watch the girls grow and change this last year. I was really worried how Sophia would take to sharing and having a baby around but she has been wonderful. She had her moments of jealousy and wanting to be held but always very minor. Now that Abbey is mobile they interact and I love to watch them. Abbey loves to try and keep up with Sophia whether it's jumping or chasing after her. Sophia will share food or make sure Abbey doesn't get into the garbage. They'll play in the bath or with the water hose but also scream at each other and smack at each other. Sophia can be a bossy boots and Abbey doesn't take it. I love both of their personalities and hearts. Similar yet different. I love our little family so much it's incredible.