THANK YOU!!!!!

We're back home!  It's so wonderful to be back in our own home again.  BUT we sure do miss Ali and Jared and thank them so much for all they've done for us.  When leaving, I got very choked up and couldn't say all that I wanted to say.  So here is just a tiny bit of what I'm feeling...

Ode to Ali and Jared

There are no words for what we’re feeling.
The loss of our home had left us reeling.
They were there for us in our time of need,
And gave us more than was asked, indeed.

They dealt with tantrums, teething, and less sleep,
Enough mess to make them weep.
A baby who was stinky, whiny and crabby,
And all of this was just from Daddy!

There are no words to show our gratitude
For dealing with our kid’s attitude.
Every morning was a tad bit rough.
Getting Dani to wear jeans was very tough.

But those two kids sure fell in love.
To them, Uncle Jared was a gift from above.
The good time guy was lots of fun,
And always before bed, he’d get them to run!!!

There are no words for our thankfulness.
Their generosity was sure to impress.
They gave us their home and their support.
Their patience was long, their tempers not short.

Our girls couldn’t ask for a better Aunt.
More time with her is all they’d want.
Time in the garden or just watching tv,
As long as it’s with Ali, then happy they’d be.

(To you)
There are no words for what you’ve done.
Our love and admiration, you’ve more than won.
We couldn’t ask for a better sister and brother,
And we’re grateful that this flood brought us together.

We hope to repay all the kindness you’ve shown us.
Anything you need - want a box of donuts?
When you and your kids need a place to stay,
Come on over… your motel bill we’ll pay!

Loving some jazz

Talking

Life according to Danica

A few days ago Duane and Danica were sitting on the couch together.  She got a funny look on her face and asked her daddy if he tooted.  Yup.  She went to the table and started writing... we thought that was the end of that.  She walked up to him with notebook in hand and held it up to him.  Written in big letters was - PU.

The next day Auntie Ali was asking Dani all about her day at school.  They were learning about the letter B that day, so they went through some things that started with b.  After listing a few things, the conversation went something like this:
Ali - brontosaurus
Dani - What's that?
Ali - A dinosaur.  They're extinct now.
Dani - What's extinct?
Ali - They don't exist anymore.  They aren't living on this world anymore.
Dani - Well, where are they then?  Like, Minnesota or something???

Ali had gone to Target the other day to get a few things.  She got a different kind of toilet paper than we usually get.  Dani was going to the bathroom the next morning while I was still in bed.  She said, "Wow, this toilet paper sure is softer... I love it.  I sure am grateful for this toilet paper!"

To ignore or not to ignore... that is the question

Yesterday we were in the car heading somewhere (how we spend most of our time), and somehow we got on the topic of the differences in boys and girls.  Danica filled me in that you know if someone is a girl or boy based on how long their hair is and if they wear a headband or not.  She said she's a girl because her hair is long and she wears and headband.  Daddy doesn't so he's a boy.  I let this simmer for a minute and thought about if I should just leave it at that.  Nope.  So I asked what about some girls who have short hair and don't wear headbands.  Are they boys?  "NO!!!  Silly Mommy!"  So how do you know they're girls?  "Well, some girls are just funny that way.  But you know they're still girls," was the answer I got.  So I thought some more.  Nope.  I explained that how you really tell if someone is a boy or girl is by their private parts (and so on... I won't go into detail... if you haven't learned this already, I recommend calling your mom).  Hmmm, she thought that was very interesting and really made a lot of sense.
So today as we were coming in the house, it was a bit windy and chilly, and of course Danica has to be the one to open the door.  She was a bit pokey so I said, "Hurry up mister!"  And the response to that was, "MOM!  I'm not a mister!  I have a girl bum!"

wakeboarding

Here's Duane wakeboarding.  Not too shabby for his first time in 10 years!

Dreamy

Just had to post a couple pictures of Josh... he's so dreamy! 

After the concert we were at the bar of their motel.  Their band members were in (guitarists, roadies, groupies) but they never made it.  They were supposed to come in too, but their room numbers leaked, so we wondered if they went to a different motel or his mom's house.  Bummer!

It was a fantastic concert... below are a few videos of the highlights.  The camera isn't the best and some of it is a big jerky from my dancing, but you get the idea.

Just Can't Get Enough

Ima Be

Don't Stop the Party

Big Girls Don't Cry

Boom Boom Pow

The Time of My Life

This one's a bit jerky cuz I was dancing... sorry!

Kids and such

A baby doll doing some pilates (that's a great plank she's got). 

Bath time! 

Poor Jared doesn't get a minute to himself if he's upstairs in kidworld.  Those kids just love love love their Uncle Jared! 

Running from Grandma at the Beach Party. 

Dani making herself useful. 

A visit from Grandma and Grandpa.  Keni wants that cookie!!

Holy cow!

Our trip from the lake last weekend was packed with wildlife... we almost ran over a dog, saw an eagle, some llamas (or something similar), sheep, cows, horses, buffalo, deer, and a random cow walking down the middle of the road.  Who needs a zoo? 

School days

First day of preschool!

Language of her own

This morning on the way to the car, Dani was talking about why I carry Keni to the car instead of letting her walk there by herself.  At the end she said, "Well that sure is an exebate!" (Something like that).  "Do you know what that means Mom?"  I said no, what does it mean?  "Well, I'm not sure.  Maybe when I'm a grown-up I'll remember.  Actually, I don't think I'll know it then either.  Let's just forget about it."

Blow

For those of you who aren't on facebook...
Yesterday I was cutting up some carrots on Keni's tray and blowing on them because they were hot.  Keni watched me very carefully and then started blowing her nose on them.  Such a good little helper.

Dani's 4 (almost 5) pics

 Family, let me know which pics and what sizes you'd like and I'll order them for you.  If I don't hear from you within a couple days, I'll order what I like for you.

All pics compliments of Auntie Ali's Photography.  Thanks for the great pics Ali... you did an amazing job!!!

Keni's 1 year (13 month) pics

 Family, let me know which pics and what sizes you'd like and I'll order it for you... if I don't hear from you in a couple days, I'll just order what I like for you.

All pics compliments of Auntie Ali's Photography. Thanks Ali!!!