Thankful.

We had the pleasure of hosting Thanksgiving this year, 13 of the Kriege/Jeffers clan came together in our duplex!  We tried out some new recipes this year....some were better then others ;) but oddly enough we had sooo much food that in the middle of the meal we noticed that we didn't have Julie's 3 salads she brought!?!  Here's our sign--so much food you don't know when you are missing some!?!  WOW!

Every Thanksgiving in the afternoon, we bust out National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation--this year marked the 11th year of this ongoing tradition!  I love the laughs and the reciting of everyone's favorite parts :) 


This year Josh drew a  family tree and each of us put our thumb print on it, a neat visual of our family tree--we gave it to Mom as a keepsake of this day!

We then went around the table at lunch time and all said what we were thankful for--it's neat to hear the little ones say what they give thanks for :)

Black Friday is also one of our yearly traditions---we have so many fun memories of this day!  From the time in Grand Forks we thought we were going to get beat up as the crowd behind us was pushing us into the crowd waiting up front....to getting matching socks for our shopping extravaganza!  The hustle and bustle and waiting in suuuuupppper long lines is a fun tradition for us girls!!  It's always fun to get home and see all of the neat steal of deals you got for your family that morning...or night ;)

When we were done shopping Thursday night/Friday morning--Zachary got to go in for some allergy testing!  He has had allergy testing done before back in 2009 and it came up that he was allergic to quite a few foods including peanuts, cashews, eggs, and some fish, we were just curious to see if his allergies had gotten any worse or if any have gone away!

So they poked him 38 times with various allergens--they did cats, trees, molds, trees, grass, and foods.

You can see the ones starting to swell, I think the big ones on this side were the grass and trees mix.

And this was the aftermath--eggs, peanuts, cashews, mold, trees, cat, and grass mix.....the doc laughed and said, well winter is going to be about his best season!  He was such a trooper though and we are just thankful we have an understanding and have it under control!

This year we have so much to be thankful for...family, friends, and our health!  We are so looking forward to this Christmas season as well...this year will be the first year that all of our kids will wake up in their own beds to their own Christmas tree on Christmas morning!!  I've pinned about 20 things on pinterest that I can't wait to do with our little family, more to come on that in a later blog :)  Happy Holidays from our house to yours!!

Time to play a little catch up.....

So again it has been almost 2 months since my last post...lame sauce!  Where oh where does the time go!?! 



 Anna Marie had a big day that I missed blogging about, so without further or do....Happy 11th Birthday Miss Anna Banana....here is your story :)

Josh and I were youngins(19) when we found out we were expecting our peanut!  She was born on a freezing cold October 8th day in Grand Forks....we found out she was a girl at our 20 week ultra sound and she had a dresser full of pink dresses, pink blankets, and pink outfits the very next week!  Good thing you didn't surprise us by being a boy Anna, cause you would have been a very oddly dressed one ;)  My blood pressure was high with this pregnancy as well--but our delivery was perfect!  We had company the night before--Kristy and Tyson had been up to our (tiny GF) place to watch the NDSU and UND football game, so we were up later then normal....and by normal I mean I was up past 9pm :) Josh and I climbed into bed and I was just about asleep at midnight when my water broke!!  So up and off to the hospital we went!  Josh called everyone in his phone and ran around our tiny appartment in classic nervous Dad form....we got to the hospital and our friend Danny from Fargo nearly beat us there :)  It was so neat to have our two very close friends there for this special event---especially since our family lived so very far away!  Some pain and pushes later and Anna Marie made her big debute at 5:27am.  She was 7lbs 8oz and 20 in long--perfect :)
We love watching the video of Anna coming home as by this time most of our family was there and we looked like quite the caravan of people leaving hospital, for those of you who know how tiny our first appartment was on campus---it was a cozy homecoming!

Anna was a great baby--she did have a lot of ear infections and was the only kiddo of ours that ended up getting tubes at 18 months.  She was walking by her first birthday and her first word was Hello!  I was lucky enough to be able to spend Anna's first full year at home with her before I gave UND a go and when we did finally send her to daycare, we found the most wonderful home daycare in the world, a Mom and Daughter team up in GF who I still keep in contact with to this day! 

Anna LOVED and still to this day LOVES animals!  We ask her what she would like to be when she grows up and it's a Vet...or a singer...she does have a beautiful voice :)

Anna is our classic first born, she is smart and sensitive---she is a people pleaser and tends to wear her giant heart on her sleave!  She is thoughtful and loves school.  Her smile is contagious and the world is a better place because she is in it!  We love you so much Anna Banana!  Happy Happy 11th year of life!!

Addy's Big DAY!

So the day has finally arrived---PRESCHOOL!  Addy has been waiting for this moment from the time she understood that Anna and Zach got to go to school and she didn't....

Anna 4th grade, Zach 2nd grade...Addy sad as heck that she isn't going!

So we got up this morning :)

Brushed our teeth....

Picked out our new outfit in honor of Bonzo the CO cat....and had Sara do one big braid in her hair!

Before she was off to preschool though, she got to go visit the dentist for the very first time!!  She did great and came running in the house(with all the loot she made) and said, smell my teeth--don't they smell great!!!

No cavities!



We had a great lunch outside with the daycare friends and before we knew it, it was time to go!!  Addy and one of her daycare buddies will be going to preschool M,W,TH from 12:30-3:30!!  She was so excited--we got there and she found her name tag, hung up her back pack, gave me a quick kiss and said bye Mom!! 

Addy and her two teachers :)

Before she left, I did do a small survey(thanks Pinterest)...here are a few of Addy's favorites right now!

TV Show: Peppa Pig

Movie: Toy Story 3

Song: Starships

Food: Mac and Cheese

Color: Golden Pink

Candy: Choc. bars

Activity: Riding my bike

Jeffers' Family Vacation

So as most of you have heard, we went and enjoyed a weekend with the kiddos in Castle Rock CO.  Dusti, Eric, and their kids have lived there since we all lived in GF together and we try to get down to the 'big city' at least every other year!  Well it had been a two year gap this time and Addyson had never been there with us---well once she did but she was still in my tummy :) the 2nd time we went she was just a little under a year old and was not at her prime car riding age ;)  So to say she was excited is an under statement! 
We left here Thursday night after the kids were done with school and drove and drove and drove!!  The kids were troopers---we stopped in Belfield and had supper at DQ and then we didn't stop again until Buffalo SD, Josh took over the driving then and we made it to Sundance WY before needing to stop again for gas and a potty break!  We arrived at their doorstep at 2:15am (their time).

Friday the kids were up early and off to the mall we went!  We took some of the kids with for haircuts and shoe shopping, then we dropped them back off at home and hit the outlets!!  Josh had an test for work that afternoon(THAT HE PASSED!!!) and I was able to experience IKEA ...and car sickness :P  we picked up some amazing sushi for supper that night and just hung out in their beautiful backyard, listening to our kids enjoy themselves and each other!!  After the kids were in bed, the adults played darts in the garage just like back in the day in GF...it was a great night!

Dart Glasses are Fun!

Saturday was a busy day---we got up a little later and had lunch at a neat burger place called CRAVE--they had some interesting burgers--one is even served on a crispy cream donut!  Along with adult milkshakes ;)  Then we headed to downtown Denver--the kids thought the HUGE buildings were neat and we stopped in to my cousin Jymi's tattoo shop where Eric was able to get his first tattoo!  It was a fun experince!!  After that we were off to the Rockies game!!  What a great time that was!!!!  We even got to witness a grand slam---well some of us...Josh and Zach were in the gift shop getting matching hats when it happened :)  After the game we headed back to the house and enjoyed some more outside CO time!!

Thanks Jymi!!

Sunday-we were treated to a nice breakfast by the Mogrens--pancakes, sausage, and eggs!  We then loaded everyone up and headed to the Cheyenne Mt. Zoo!!  We had to wait in line awhile to get in, but it was definately worth the wait!  We walk in and the first thing you see are the giraffes--right there, close enough to touch, pet, and FEED!  The zoo sells crackers and you actually get to feed these guys!  Feeding it from your hand is cool, but of course Dusti had to push the envelope and stick the cracker in her mouth for the giraffe to get---it was hilarious!  Their tounges are so long and slimy---GROSS!!  But the kids LOVED it!!  Our other couple of highlights from the zoo included the enclosed bird house where you could hold and feed the birds & the 2-3 week old gorilla baby--it was amazing to see how the Mom just sat there and held him like we do!  Very very neat!!!  After the zoo the boys had a football draft and so us girls sat at the house with the kiddos and talked--it was so nice to catch up and just relax after the couple of fun, busy days we had!!

Monday we got up...later then we wanted, but we headed home and got back to good ol ND about 10:45 that night!  It was a wonderful trip with a million great memories and we can't wait to go back again :)  Addy made a life long friend while we were there who she will not stop talking about---Bonzo the cat!  That cat had more patience then I've ever seen any animal have---Addy would pick him up, lug him around, and pull on his poor leash---she really had a good time...probably much more so then Bonzo :)

**Tomorrow marks another big day---Miss Addyson starts preschool!!!  She can hardly wait!

Go Rockies!!!

How many blogs can a blogger do in one evening to play catch up since January!?!

So I vowed to be a better blogger....fail!  It's been since January and there is much much much to catch up on!  So instead of doing 18 seperate blogs---here is a quick recap(minus pictures as Josh has our laptop at Boys State)....pictures to follow later!

February:  BEST SURPRISE PARTY EVER!!  Thanks to my hubby and bestie Tara---I brought 30 in with a smile...and smiling around me where my bestest friends!!  I honestly didn't suspect a thing...ok, maybe when Josh wanted to take me to Mandan...but other then that it was a true surprise!  If this is what the diry thirtys are all about...bring them on!!!

March and April:---nothing really stands out here :)  Zach tried wrestling!---he said the kids were pretty rough ;)

May: My parents moved from Dickinson over to Bismarck---HIP HIP HOOORAY!!!  They are living and managing Parkwood Appartments here in Bismarck...have I mentioned yet they have a pool :)  It's so nice to have them so close!!! 

OH!  We were able to take a girls trip to AZ for Tara's 30th birthday treat---I have tried to convince Josh since then that we need to move there!!  I love the heat....he would love the golf!  A perfect fit :)  May was a very busy month----

I ran my first--and maybe my last--1/2 Marathon!!!  What an experience!!  Me, Danielle, and Michelle---put a lot of blood, sweat, tears, laughs, and many Lincoln pavement miles into training for this race!  We were so proud to say we didn't walk once...or for a week after ;)  They were the best!!!  Since then we have done a 10k here in Bismarck for RibFest and we will attempt our first Gladiator Rush in two weeks!!

On May 29th our Zachary Xavior turned 8!  We celebrated his birthday the same weekend as Josh's the first weekend in June---but I have to do a special remember your birth story as I did for miss Addy!
.....My due date was over the July 4th weekened---so we thought that traveling to Dickinson for Memorial Weekend to visit my parents would be no big deal!?  I do however remember Eric Mogren looking at me before leaving GF and saying...well, good luck when you have that baby, cause I'm guessing you won't be pregnant when you come home....man was he right!!?
My blood pressure spiked and I was admitted to the Dickinson hospital---they monitored and medicated me over night and induced me first thing the next morning!  The doc started me on poticin and said he was gonna go play a quick nine...came back, broke my water, while getting the epidural the nurse encouraged my family to go grab a quick bite....well Zach wasted no time and they were all called back to the room!!  My 'early' baby was born at 11:27am weighing in at 8lbs 4oz and 20 in long(the biggest of our 3)...he was as healthy as a horse!!  We still laugh as when the doc came in the next morning to check on us he smirked about going to Applebees and telling his table about the 8lb 34 week old baby he delievered last night....pre-HIPPA maybe ;) 
Everyone asks how that happened and we honestly don't know....we had the normal 20 week ultrasound and it confirmed our due date...I still stick to the theory that my body is a convection oven and I just cook my babies faster then normal!?!
Anyway---Zachary was a wonderful baby---the snuggliest of all of ours--he had his blankey 'lovey' until about a year ago when Rick bought it from him :)  All that was left was enough to fit inside of a small zip lock baggy which we hope to present to him at his high school graduation!  Zach got glasses at 18 months due to his right eye turning in---he is already asking for contacts :)
Zachary is such a bright boy and is in the excellerated reading program at his school---he will more then likely be like his Dad and school will come very easy to him!  He also LOVES video games(as does his Dad) and catches unto things very quickly!   He is constantly asking questions and is a very early riser :)  We love you so so much Zach!!

June:  Another exciting month!!!  JOSH TURNED 30!!!!!  We had a wonderful backyard surprise for him...he said he didn't want a party--so I really think we got him!!!  He had a HUGE turnout with close to 40 people filling our backyard with fun!  We stayed up way to late and laughed way to much, but it was wonderful!!!   June also brings Boys State---this marks Josh's eighty-fifth year...not really, but it feels like it ;)  It is a program that he is truely passionate about and it's amazing to see him work so hard into ensuring it will be around for when Zachary is a Jr....sorry buddy....you won't have a say at all if you get to go or not :)
This June 23rd will also be our 11th wedding anniversary!!!  Holy cow we are old!!!  It has been an amazing rollercoaster together---but no one I would rather do it with :)
Ok---I think I am caught up!?!  The girls have been spending the week with Grandm RuthAnn, Josh is at Boys State...the house is clean, Zach is in bed and I think I will head that way as well :)  pictures to follow very soon! ....well maybe!

My Baby is Four....

Wow---took quite the vacation from this little blog...but there is no better time to start back up! New Year...New Look--ready to rock and roll!!
Today's blog is dedicated to our youngest Addyson Grace---she entered the world on her own terms four years ago today at 37 weeks...see even then she was gonna go fast :) Thought I would share the memories I have of that special day!!
At our normal 20 week ultrasound we found out what we were having--I will never forget it as Josh loves telling this story...she looks over at us and asks if we would like to know and we both say yes...she said if I were you I would shop for a girl!! My heart melted--Josh looks down and says--well I guess it's ok...I just won't love it!! I busted out laughing--knowing my Josh and his sence of humor...the poor tech lady probably put a red dot in our chart and noted his behavior ;) And from that day on my belly went from being called 'baby' to Addyson---you were an Addy from the very begining with no other close contenders for a name! Had you been a little boy we had that one picked out as well and you would have been Oakley :) Josh thought of Grace as your middle name and I loved it!!!
My blood pressure had gone through the roof early in pregnancy with Addy(as it did with my previous two as well)...we had tried modified bedrest and then STRICT bedrest for a week or two...but at 37 weeks when I went in for my doctor appointment around 3pm, Dr B said enough is enough--go over to the hospital and lets have this baby!
So I called Tara who was home with Anna and Zach(she was my lifesaver through the whole pregnancy...if I had an appointment she would come to my rescue!!!) and told her that we were going to go have a baby! We called my parents and they were on their way as well--Julie came over too and we were set!
When I got over to the hospital I was already 3cm dilated and they got my IV started--Dr B came over after her clinic hours and broke my water around 5pm---got my epideral(BEST THING EVER INVENTED!!) at 10pm and we heard the first sweet scream of our Addyson Grace at 11:27pm! It was really the best labor/delivery a girl could ask for...Rick and Tara came up to visit...Lacee stopped over after work...Julie stopped in before going to relieve Tara from our older two...and my parents were there--they actually stepped out of the room and walked down to get coffee--Mom said they walked back and the student doc was walking out already!!? When Mom asked if everything was ok, she said yep--it will be just a couple of minutes they are just cleaning baby up!!?! I pushed once and that was it--they joked and said you shouldn't tell people how easy that was...
So Addyson Grace weighed 7lbs 3oz(the smallest of all of our babies) and was 19in long--perfect :) She was a good infant--didn't really care to sleep a lot on her own until she was about 2...lol!!
Addy has a stong personality and a big heart!! Her feet go and go hard from the time they jump out of bed in the morning...until they pass out at night :) We joke a lot at what a hand full she is, but really I couldn't picture her any other way! She is a great energy to our family and we love you to pieces Addy!!!
Right now Addy is into anything the big kids are--she wants to be in Anna's room with her--she wants to play the Wii with Zach and is no longer content just to watch!! She loves the babies we have at daycare right now and if you ask her --they are all her best buddies!! Addy you are smart and beautiful and I know you will have big plans for this wonderful world!!
Happy Birthday Sassy---WE LOVE YOU!!