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!!

Family Travels.....

Well for the last two weekends in a row, we have been family reunion-ing! We enjoyed Josh's family reunion 2 weeks ago, and now traveled to the Black Hills for the Kriege reunion last weekend! Our van is tired and so are we--but both trips were well worth it :)
Of course we can't go to the beautiful Black Hills of SD and not take in some touristy things as well! I actually was a nanny for all of my jr.high and high school years down in Spearfish, so it's fun to now take my kids back to experience all the fun things I used to do there!! We went to the City Park, which is now the home of a gorgeous wooden play area and the creek that Jess Brosz and I used to try and tube down, is still there and it was fun to watch my kids put their feet in and try and skip rocks across!
Friday night we hung out at the campground--good thing we were close to the pool as I don't think Anna came out of it except for meals ;) Friday night, the rest of the family members showed up and the evening was spent visiting, remembering, and of course laughing :)
Saturday we got up and headed over to Storybook Island in Rapid City--this is always a favorite in our family! Brother Paul then showed me where him and my parents used in live in Rapid, so that was neat to see!! Saturday evening brought firsts for a lot of our family---Mom, Dad, and Julie all got their first (and most of them say only) tattoo!! Brooke and I also 'got inked' on the top of our feet---OUCH did that hurt!!
Sunday we all gathered for breakfast and then everyone started packing up to head home! It was a great weekend!! It's fun to see the next generation of cousins meet and Anna has already started writing letters to her new friends :)

Next weekend another tradition continues as well---Lacee and I are making a treck down the Bowman for our '11 year reunion'!! We had so much fun at our 10 year with so many of our high school classmates, that we decided to have an 11 year :) Should be another fun time!!

OH! I forgot to mention that Josh DOES have full intentions on getting a tattoo as well, his design was just a little more detailed--so since Jymi(our talented tattoo artist in the family) will be in Sturgis, Josh and I plan on making a day trip down so Josh can get his done as well!!

I HEART SUMMER!!!

So it has been a lot to long once again since this gal has blogged---I was honestly waiting to add some pictures--but those will just have to come later! A lot has happened in our little world so here's a recap!....
Josh and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary---it was perfect :) The kiddos were away at RuthAnn's(Josh's Mom), minus some pink eye I managed to get myself into, we got in a round of golf after Josh was done with work--I drove the cart and basked in the sun, Josh golfed....got all dolled up and had pictures taken by the amazing Amy, and went out for supper for the first time at the Bistro, then were blessed with company from one of our awesome couple friends for the rest of the night! Josh spoiled me with jewelry, 10 roses, and the most special poem a girl could ask for....
It's so amazing to me to look back and think-Wow!! 10 years....but at the same time it seems to have happened in the blink of an eye!

Summer is upon us and last weekend we headed up to Josh's family reunion---this family is something!!! Out of 6 children of which Josh's Mom is the oldest with 5 'little' brothers came 14 grand babies(Josh's generation) ranging from ages 35-24, of which from that came 23 GREAT grandbabies(our kids generation) with 2 new ones on their way the oldest of this generation being 15...all the way down to 1!!! I find this absolutly amazing and to see this gathering together is awesome!!! We gathered at Smishic(sp) Lake and the kids, as well as us adults have a blast!! There are bountiful amounts of life-jackets lying around for anyone brave enough to jump into the lake (of which we didn't see our eldest until we pulled her to the car on Monday when we had to go home....) along with tubing/paddle-boats/kayaks/fishing and more!!
The food was endless as was the laughs and stories told! Josh's Grandma Ruth (who will turn 80 next year) was more then willing to get out on the water (IN THE TUBE) with her Grandkids and I swear you could hear her laughter in the boat, over the motor, and probably across the lake :)
I feel so blessed to be apart of such an amazing group---the memories our kids will have from these gatherings are endless!! Josh's Mom had a special birthday celebration as she turned 60 this summer...Anna turns to me and says, she doesn't look a day over 50 Mom :)
We came home to our amazing friends who joined us for a 4th of July BBQ in our backyard, followed by fireworks in Mandan--the show gets better every year!

This weekend we head to the beautiful Black Hills to spend the weekend there with my family for the Kriege family reunion--the age group is a little different and there won't be as many in attendance, but the memories we will make together is what counts!! Plus one of the cousins coming is a tattoo artist and Josh is seriously considering getting 'inked up'...that alone is worth the blog ;) I too will get a tattoo---not sure what it will be exactly yet...more details to come on that later!

Summer is going to come and go...before you know it we will be back to complaining about snow, wind, and all the other stuff that isn't bad enough to ever make us leave this crazy state called ND!! But today I'm thankful for a little sunburn, wonderful friends, and an amazing family!!!

**Fun Facts**

So Josh just got a new video game, the kids are finishing up a movie before bed and I have been wanting to do a new blog...I just didn't know on what!?! I was going to do one on our VEGAS trip...but really most of you have me as a friend on facebook and you can just go through the Vegas Album and see most of our trip :) I will say it was an amazing, relaxing, all around great time!! I love Vegas--there is just something about the lights, size, ahhhhh...when can we go back!?!
So for this blog--it's just some fun facts about me, us, our family that I find neat!...well see how this goes ;)

1. I love diet coke and mornings....but most of all, diet coke in the mornings :) It's how I start my day everyday and if I go to bed not 110% sure that there is at least 1 diet coke waiting in the fridge for me...I will get out of bed just to make sure!!!

2. My closet as well as my kids closets are pretty orginized...and by pretty I mean in color coordinated order with all the long sleeves together...then short sleeves...tanks and then dresses! It's weird, but it bothers me if they aren't all like that...

3. I'm not a big hugger---not sure why--I'm just not. I will give you the best high five ever though :)

4. Josh loves tacos. Seriously this man can eat chicken tacos for breakfast, lunch and supper...if it can be made and put in a shell...he loves it!

5. Between the 2 of us we sleep with 6-7 pillows on our bed....it's only a queen sized bed. I guess we heart pillows!

6. I LOVE sleeping with my bedroom window open! Now this is not only during the spring/summer months...poor Josh has probably woke up with frost bite more then once...if not at least a cold ;)

7. I love rummage sales...going to them and having ones with friends!! Josh just said on Sunday when I made him break quickly and swurve to the left, 'You should really get a bumper sticker that says I break randomly for rummage sales....!'

8. Josh's birthday and his Mom's birthday are exactly opposite--therefore super easy to remember...Josh's is 6/7 and his Mom's is 7/6!

9. Our kids were born in 3 different ND towns.(GF/Dickinson/Bismarck)...just kinda funny as we still lived in GF when we were pregnant with Zach we were just back visiting my parents in Dickinson when I was induced do to high blood pressure! We joked that we were just scoping out who had the best rooms in ND!

10. Josh hates scary movies...it actually makes the movie that much spookier when I look over and Josh is staring at me so he doesn't have to look at the TV!!!

11. I love the sunshine and being outdoors!!!

12. I would rather clean bathrooms then do the dishes...but I hate seeing dishes sit on my counter...so I guess I get to do both :s

13. Josh and I both love to watch documentry movies!

14. Anna is named after both of her Grandma's: RuthANN and Alyce MARIE...my middle name is Marie too :) Anna was originally a McKenzie for most of my pregnancy...but something changed pretty close to the end and now looking at her I can't see her as a McKenzie!?! Zach is Josh's choice...mainly from his favorite Zach Morris from our Saved by the Bell years....he actually wanted to name him his middle name Xavior...but I really liked Zach better....Addyson was Addyson from the time I found out I was pregnant--I loved that name the minute I heard it....but had she been a boy she would have been an Oakley!

And then came bedtime....hope you enjoyed our fun facts---ok ok...they were mostly my fun facts....but fun facts still the same :)