Snake Handlers

My mom, Maren, Brendan and I went to Quarry Hill Nature Center this morning to see ancient dinosaur sea monsters, but were disappointed that the exhibit is only open in the afternoon. No worries, we'll head back tonight with Connor's school for free.

While we were there, I remembered why we love that place. The kids were running around looking at live and dead animals, bones, furs, etc. and loving every minute of it. We were fortunate that we got to see a snapping turtle eat a dead baby mouse and a minnow. Also, Maren and I got to hold a fox snake. Brendan after refusing to touch it, petted it while mom was holding it. Success!

Sorry the pictures aren't great; they're from my phone.

Connor's Hockey Jamboree

Sadly, my camera's batteries went dead at the beginning of Connor's first game. So, I didn't get anything. I'm totally bummed. You'll have to appreciate with a play-by-play from me.

First game
This was probably Connor's best game of the season. He played center and on his first shift, got a breakaway and scored. On his next shift, another breakaway and shot went off the post. A teammate put the rebound in the goal. Connor continued all game to hustle and push offensively. It made his momma very proud. He also had a large cheering section: his grandmother, his teacher and her fiance, and our neighbors, the Hoovers (aka "the quads"). Unfortunately, dad was moonlighting, so he missed the games.

Second game
Well, you could tell that Connor was tired. He played defense and did try his best. The whole team was exhausted. Luckily, our goalie was awesome and helped out a great deal.

Overall, Connor was thrilled and had a great time! Connor, Maren and Brendan all have matching t-shirts and trophies. I just can't believe that the season's over already!

I'm hoping that I'll get some pictures from some friends to post, so check back soon!

First Day of Hockey Jamboree

Maren and Brendan had their "Hockey Jamboree's" today.

For Maren, it involved her first full ice game of the season. This girl can really skate. Not only did she score 2 goals, but she also was usually the first one back on defense. I've included 2 videos: one of her 2nd goal and one that was especially impressive to Bret (that she stayed standing).


Maren's 2nd Goal (red jersey, pink socks)


They all fall down except Maren

One of the best things for Maren was the making of a new friend, Carlie.

The girls with their trophies

For Brendan, it involved a game on a full sheet of ice, with shortened goals and high school goalies (which Brendan loved; he at one point was having a discussion with one of the goalies, during the game). Although after declaring that he would score 20 goals, he ended up with 1 shot on goal, which as you'll see on his video is pretty darn good considering that he couldn't skate last September (he couldn't even stand up on skates by himself) and that he's the littlest guy out there. Also, he actually really knows what's going on (e.g. which goal he's supposed to shoot on, where the puck is, etc.).


Brendan's skating and turning!


Brendan sends the puck into the zone.


Brendan is skating with two feet!

Brendan and his friend, Jacob, enjoy their trophies. The boys also go to preschool together.

Connor's Jamboree is tomorrow, which involves back-to-back games. I'm just hoping that he can still skate in the second game. More tomorrow! XOXO

It's on the market!

I can't believe that it's finally here. I've been preparing for this day for so long, and it's finally here. Wish us luck!

I'm going to try not to kill my family while we all struggle to keep the house clean. So far, it's been good, but I'm sure that it will get old fast!

You can view our beautiful abode at the following link:

http://www.coldwellbankerburnet.com/CustomModules/Property/PropertyDetail.aspx?SearchID=6034918&PropertyGUID=736FBE24-CAC5-46C0-9C92-84F21D1A03E1&TotalRows=13&CurrentPage=10&SortValue=0&LastResultsPage=2&IsSold=False

Bret only has 119 days left! Yippee!

Our New Dog?

Connor, Maren, Berkley and Brendan

The kids and I have started the discussion of getting a dog. This is in anticipation of moving to Duluth and having a large piece of land to let the dog run and also provide some warning/safety for the kids with the wilderness being right there.

Every dog Maren sees becomes the kind that she wants to get. She's convinced that we should get a puppy (although Mom isn't so sure). Connor and Brendan, of course, want to get a boy dog. But Mom is convinced that a girl dog will be calmer, so that will prevail.

Connor's teacher recently got a new puppy and brought it to school. As soon as I told Maren, she had to see it. The teacher was generous enough to bring Berkley back to school just for my kids to see. Maren was the most into him, but Connor and Brendan tried to keep up. I was just afraid that they were going to step on him.

Three Kids in Hockey!

Bret convinced me to sign all three kids up for hockey this year. Connor helped enormously by selling pizzas to help mom and dad out.


We've had the painters here painting inside to clean up all of the hockey dings in the walls. The carpets are getting cleaned next week. I hope to get this bad boy on the market by the end of the month. We only have 5 more months here, yikes!

More Pictures

My handsome boys!

The cats are getting better day by day. Rocky (my cat) and Maddy (Bret's cat) have been laying on our bed at the same time without Maddy hissing at him. Here, Rocky and Annie (Maren's cat) rest on a chair together. They often play together, too.

Rocky (white) and Annie (black)