2017 Recap

Is anyone out there??  I realize I've been MIA for about a year now and I still don't have blogger on my phone which makes doing this blog a billion times harder but I'm going to attempt to BRING IT BACK BABY!!!  Mainly because it's the only time I really sit down and write about our family and I really do enjoy looking back on the memories.  Ok so here goes 2017 in a nutshell.  Hopefully moving forward I can be a bit more extensive in my writing.  Sorry 2017, you were good to us, I just neglected to write about you while life was happening.


**January 2017**
Caleb tried skating for the first time.  It wasn't very successful and he sure wore Dave's back out.  Dave had to hold him pretty much the whole time.  He was just happy to be there and had a smile on his face the whole time except during the one picture we got apparently.  Looks like he's feeling defeated but he probably was annoyed that Dave was taking his picture and not helping him skate.  We also didn't have a hockey helmet for him but the Spiderman bike helmet sufficed.

**February 2017**

Looks like the kids went ice fishing with grandpa and grandma and they are helping grandpa clean the fish they caught.  Or maybe Caleb is making a mess with the salt and pepper and Zoe is eating the raw fish?!?  Kidding, she's a good eater but not THAT good.

**April 2017**
Oddly enough I don't have any Easter egg hunt photos but I have a few from Easter service at church, playing outside in the beautiful weather at my parents and then hosting Easter with Dave's family at our house.

**May 2017**
I attempted a surprise 35th birthday party for Dave with the plan being that his friends and brother would meet us at a Saints game but the game was called before it even started because of rain so we had a change of plans.  We instead went out for a couple drinks at Dark Horse in St Paul and then headed to Dave and Busters for a few games.  It was fun, but really bummed my first plan fell through because his buddy Joe had hooked us up with some seats in a suite!

**June 2017**
We ventured downtown Minneapolis which we don't do very often so it was nice to make the trek down there.  We walked across the Stone Arch bridge, ate at Masu sushi, devoured some Izzy's ice cream, played in the park, splashed in some water wall art and strolled through the streets.

**July 2017**We headed north to Port Wing for the 4th of July.  It was filled with boat rides, fishing, walks on the beach, playing with sticks, looking for rocks, relaxing, bonfires, bags/cornhole and REALLY REALLY REALLY big fireworks!!  The kids just LOVED the fireworks.

Dave and I went kayaking on Lake Minnetonka for our 11 year anniversary and after ate at Lago Tacos in Excelsior.  It was a perfect day for kayaking and honestly the majority of it we just relaxed in our kayaks and talked and laughed while enjoying the beautiful weather.

THE BEACH!!  We purchased a membership at the beach and it was money VERY WELL spent.  We went after school some days and a lot on the weekends.  Caleb and Zoe are little water bugs and loved splashing around and building up their confidence in the water.  I'm guessing we will get another membership this next year as well because it really was a good way to spend family time.





If we weren't at the beach we were most likely at a park.  Another favorite of the kids and we love it because it gets us outside in the freshy fresh air.

What is summer if you don't have a little ice cream!??!  A few times we had an ice cream truck stroll through our neighborhood which made for a nice cold tasty treat on those hot summer days.

We also have a membership to the science museum so we have been hitting that place up too.  I think Caleb's favorite is running against TC Bear because he can beat him every time.  We are still teaching Caleb to stay in his own lane, he tends to veer off towards TC Bear!

Ok and if we aren't at the beach or at parks or at the Science Museum then we are out for walks!  Kids love to venture out for walks and I do too because you really see God's beauty everywhere.

**August 2017**
It's fair season and even though we didn't make it to the MN state fair, we made it to the Carver County fair.  Dan, Emily, Kaylin, grandpa Mike and grandma Lala all joined us as we visited the animals and rode on some rides with the kids.  Mike and I scored a free ride on the ferris wheel because the operator didn't balance out the ride correctly.  Dave also entered a rock, paper, scissors contest only to lose in the first round to a 6 year old girl.  Better luck next year.

We also hit up the Grantsburg fair where Caleb FINALLY got not only his first fidget spinner but his 4th fidget spinner.  We had been holding out getting one for him but he won it so he was a happy boy!

We also had a Meyer reunion at my cousin Lynsey's house.  WOW, what a blast!!  It was full of eating, maybe a few beverages, yard games and catching up.  Dave and I brought our tent and we slept in their backyard....nothing like waking up in the cool crisp summer morning.  We are looking forward to this event again this year.





**September 2017**
Our church, River Valley Minnetrista, put on a fun fall festival which included inflatable slides and bounce house, food, games, ice cream and watching Finding Dory outside.  We truly love and enjoy our church community.  We have felt so incredibly blessed to have found this church once we made the move to Waconia.

Football!!  Well I was hoping for a great Packers season but with Rodgers hurt the season came to a quick halt and reality set in that we wouldn't be making playoffs.  Instead the Vikings had a GREAT season and while we were hopeful they'd make it into the Super Bowl, they fell short during the NFC championship game.  I never realized how hard I would cheer for the purple and gold but it was fun being a "Vikes fan" for a few weeks.  Don't you worry though, now that their season has come to an end, I'm back to bleeding green and gold.

Caleb had his very first friend only birthday party at Laketown Gym here in Waconia.  All the boys got their wiggles out running, jumping, playing and sweating!  Only one mishap where all boys ran and jumped at the same time and a kid landed on Caleb's head.  Wouldn't be a boy party without a couple bumps and bruises though.

Dave and I took the day off from work to celebrate Caleb on his birthday!  It was the most fun we've ever had with Caleb!!  We went to see Lego Ninjago at the movie theatre and then we took him to Dave and Busters to play some games.  Watching all of this through the eyes of a 5 year old is quite precious.

Caleb, you're 5, buddy!  How did that happen so fast?  The morning of your birthday you woke up and asked "Mom, what day is it today?"  I said, "It's YOUR BIRTHDAY Caleb".  You then said, "Yeah I looked at my legs and they are WAY bigger than my 4 year old legs, but I haven't checked my arms yet."  You have a perfect way of making us smile and laugh.  You're so incredibly inquisitive and beyond intelligent.  You are so caring and loving and I absolutely LOVE your cuddles.  The past 5 years have been amazing and I look forward to every year after!

**October 2017**
We ventured on over to Gale Woods Farms for a quick photo sesh with my tripod and camera.  Not quite as good as a professional photo shoot but I thought the pictures turned out pretty well.  We were able to snap pics right before that bright sun came out which was great because we all know that Dave has a hard time opening his eyes in the sun. :)  After we were done with the photos we just wandered around the paths and took in all the beauty that place has to offer.  I highly recommend visiting this place!

Halloween was filled with Star Wars, Legos and Power Rangers!  My work has a halloween decorating contest each year.  Two years ago we won with an Avengers theme, last year we won with a Nintendo theme and this year we took 3rd (Boooo) with a Star Wars theme.  Even though we didn't take the trophy home, we had a blast with the team putting it together.  The kids also came to my work for the Trick or Treat trail and they enjoyed walking through all the cube isles seeing everyone's themes.

**November 2017**
My mom and I continued our yearly tradition of baking cookies!!  Zoe helped decorate the sugar cookies but then Dave took the kids out for the day so my mom and I were actually able to carry on a conversation without getting interrupted.  If you didn't know my mom is quite popular with the kids.  It was so lovely baking Christmas cookies with her while listening to Christmas music.

Grandma also bought the kiddos these cute Christmas jammies.

**December 2017**
Zoe and Kaylin shared a unicorn themed birthday!  I had so much fun planning and decorating for this birthday party.  I still can't believe my little baby girl is already 3.  Her personality just lights up a room and she's always, ALWAYS trying to make us laugh.  She's tough, but sweet.  She's feisty, but loving.  She's absolutely perfect and I wouldn't change a single thing about her...except maybe have her listen better. Haha!

Our neighborhood cleared off the pond near the cul-de-sac and we've enjoyed playing hockey over there and even sledding down the hill.  Whenever I see the pond I think "ahhh this is MN."

We took Mike and La to a Twolves game for Christmas and oddly enough I also ran into one of my long time friends from High School.  We all had a great time and we even got a photo op with Crunch!

Christmas, my FAVORITE time of year.  We ventured on up to Grantsburg this year and hosted Dave's family at our house again.  Nothing is better than spending time with family.  It's a time to slow down, think about what truly matters, eat delicious food, sit by the fire (even if it's just a crackling fire on the tv), find the perfect gift for others and celebrate Jesus being born!  Dave loves it so much that every January 25th he always tells me "BIG DAY TODAY, only 11 months until Christmas". Ha!  (sorry Dave's pictures were in a format I couldn't use for the blog so the Grantsburg pics are MIA)

Well that was 2017 in a nutshell (excluding one story that deserves it's own post soon) with I'm sure a few missing pieces but overall feeling so incredibly blessed to know you all and truly enjoying this journey we call life.  It was a great one, let's make it an even better 2018!

Caleb & Zoe: You need to know this about your mommy

Caleb,


God made you an extremely special boy.  I believe that you will make a huge impact on this world for God's Kingdom.  You mother and I spend so much time talking about you, and while we do tell you a lot about how much we love you and how great you are, we could certainly do it more.  You have an amazing mind.  You are so smart.  In fact, Grandpa Mike actually told me when you had just turned 4 years old that "It's scary how smart that boy is."  You have a soft spot in your heart for your sister, especially when she is having an off day (which isn't too often).  But you are also not afraid to toughen her up and pound on her.  You are a handsome boy, and that is an understatement.  Both your mom and I have mentioned on numerous occasions that you could easily be a model, not just because you are handsome but because you have such a dynamite smile.  You have an amazing sense of humor, you are funny and goofy in the best of ways.  Honestly Caleb, I could go on and on....


Zoe,


When Caleb pounds on you, you aren't afraid to give it back in a big way!  You are gorgeous, beautiful, and stunning all at once.  Your mother and I love you so much.  Before you were born we thought you may bring a calming presence to our home because Caleb is such an energetic boy and he is so full of life.  But we were quite wrong, you only amplified it!  You are a Princess.  And not just a Disney princess like Cinderella or Ariel.  You also remind me of Princess Leia.  You are beautiful and sweet, but still tough and not afraid to mix it up with the boys.   I fall more and more in love with you every single day.  You have this amazing personality that everyone who gets around you instantly loves you.  The presence that radiates around you is no doubt the Holy Spirit shining his light through you.  You will make a phenomenal wife and mother someday.  Like Caleb, you are so funny.  You make our whole family laugh and you brighten every room that you walk into.  I too could talk about your special qualities at an endless length....


Caleb & Zoe,


I say these things about the both of you because they are traits that God gave to you that he also gave to your mom.  Your mommy is such a special person.  Mommy, along with God's grace, is what brought you into this world.  And because she is your mom, her amazingness has poured onto the both of you.  In addition to the character and physical qualities she has given to you, she loves you like only a mother can.  Don't get me wrong, I love you too.  And I will always do anything for the both of you.  But there is something about a mother's touch that a father just does not have.  Your mom has the biggest heart for giving to others and I saw it firsthand by how she cared for you both before you could do anything by yourselves.  She brought you into this world and loved you from day one.  And that love has only grown.  I can assure you that there will come a day where you are moved to tears because you realize how special your mommy is, but until then just keep growing and changing and loving the same way you have always done it.


I love you Caleb.  I love you Zoe.  And I love you Carissa!


Daddy

Master Fisherman

Caleb's been getting some good fishing time in up in Grantsburg.  He's been sharing all of his "tricks" and "expert tips" with Uncle Bud to make sure Uncle Bud knows what he's doing.  Haha!  I must say those tricks are working because every time I get a picture from my parents, there's a boat load of fish in it.

"Hey Uncle Bud, see you jig your pole like this and the fish will bite it."

Caleb's living the true fisherman's dream, fishing in his undies.  When grandpa has a nice cozy fish house, I guess you can do that!!  What you don't know is that Caleb actually stepped in one of the holes so his pants were wet.  Caleb was quite startled but my mom said it was nothing a bin of chocolate chip cookies couldn't cure.

This is just the beginning.  I'm pretty certain my dad has waited his whole life for this and I can just see it now, him and Caleb being the best of fishing partners.

Our Kids

So many times I think....man I have the best kids in the world!!  We truly are beyond blessed.  The amount of laughter and joy these two bring into our lives is incredible.  Here's a hodge podge of pictures of our two favorite little beings.


Nakedness?!  These two perfect this game. Always.  Whenever they get the chance to be naked they take full advantage of it.  On our table...sorry if you have to eat on this table in the future now knowing Zoe's naked butt has been on it.

While playing with toys...



And of course the obvious one, in the tub.  Check out those cool dos.

One day I was scrolling through my phone and I found this super cute selfie of Zoe.  She occasionally gets hold of my phone but she doesn't know how to unlock it.  Fortunately for her and for me you can still access the camera so she was able to snap this adorable picture of herself.

Look at this stud.  I can't help but smile when I see him smiling back at me.  His face is so beautiful in this picture, I just want to wrap my arms around him and never let him go.   HE'S SO HANDSOME!

Books, books and more books!  These two like reading and in this rare moment they enjoyed reading together in the guest bedroom.  They look like a mini version of Dave and I reading in our beds at night.

I love this age of creativity.  Initially they were both coloring which then turned into sticking the markers into the crack of the bench.  They said the markers were fire and that we had to watch out so we didn't get burnt.  How do they come up with this stuff?  It's truly incredible and I want their imaginations to explore like this forever!  Caleb and Zoe, never stop imagining and exploring!  Ever.

Remember awhile back when I posted about Zoe being messy?  Well things haven't changed.  This is Zoe having fun at school.

Ballin

A few months ago I told Dave that I wanted to check out a few Timberwolves games this year, even if they were the cheap seats.  It's fun to get out and watch the T-puppies even though the good seats can get quite pricey.  We've always heard in the business, in books and at church to speak what you want so I did just that and guess what?  Two days later Dave scored free lower level tickets to a pre-season Twolves game.  I could care less if it was pre-season or not....I just LOVE going to Target Center to watch them play.  We had a great time!  Then a few weeks later Dave was asked by his boss if he wanted to bring a date to a Timberwolves game in the US Bank suite.  HOLY SMOKES!!  This speaking thing really works!!  That game was a blast and man the food was excellent.  The tomato basil soup was the best I've ever had and the pepper jelly cheese appetizer was so delicious!!  Someday, Dave and I want to own season tickets.  That time isn't quite yet, but someday we will.  Until then, we'll gladly continue to receive free tickets. :)


Reppin' before the game.

These two look like season ticket holders.



Hey I even snapped a picture with Crunch.

Here we are in the US Bank suite.  Ahhhh that suite life.

Last but not least I'll leave you with a video of Dave and I bouncin' to the beats.

https://youtu.be/OYSOT0vGF04

Christmas

Unfortunately they deleted the Blogger app from the iPhone system so I can no longer blog from my phone.  I ALWAYS create posts from my phone so I suspect blogging will be even slower going forward.  It's so easy to blog from my phone because that's where all my pictures are so I was extremely sad to find out that this app is no longer supported by the iPhone.  Looks like I need to either switch to an android phone or move to a different blogger platform.


Anyway, let's look back to a happy, peaceful time....CHRISTMAS!!  We had such a glorious Christmas even though I was under the weather a bit.  I wasn't able to smell or taste any of the yummy Christmas scents or flavors BUT I was so incredibly grateful that the worst of my sickness was a few days prior to the celebrations!  And it was WAY better than last year when both Dave and I got the stomach flu on Christmas night and my mom had to drive down in a snowstorm just to watch the kids so we could rest.  We have such amazing family.


We celebrated December and Christmas with some snowball fights, snow walls for protection during the snowball fights and of course building frosty.

Caleb had fun playing with my Hallmark houses.  He noticed there was a bank that needed guards to protect all that money.

Christmas Eve, we had Dave's family over for the Packers/Vikings game.  Zoe and I were surrounded by purple and gold but the Packers managed to pull off a win.  We watched football, ate food, drank, celebrated and enjoyed each other's company.  Could it get any better than this?!?  It was such a lovely evening.  Oh and look at Zoe and Kaylin in their matching purple dresses.  How cute...thanks Grandma Lala!!

Can you tell this girl is from Wisconsin?!  She snagged some beer and apparently drank some of it...naturally she liked it.  LOL.  Or maybe she just liked the fact that she was drinking something wasn't for kids.

The beer had an affect on Zoe and she was up for a couple hours that night which didn't make for the best early morning rise but nonetheless we woke up early to celebrate CHRISTMAS!!!  Dave sang the usual "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" song and the kids raced downstairs to open the countdown to Christmas door from my mom.  They had such a fun time with this during all of December.  After, we opened presents and Caleb was so excited about his new ice skates and Zoe was just excited about everything.  It was a great morning and the two of them looked so cute in their Christmas jammies.

After breakfast, we headed to Wisconsin...."over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go".  We sang that song as we drove over the bridge between MN and WI.  Again, we enjoyed food, family and celebration.  Those king crab legs were DELICIOUS!!  Super grandma took the kids outside to play for a little bit even though it wasn't the best of weather.  I was so tired from Zoe being awake the night before so I slipped downstairs for a quick nap and I think I spied Dave taking a quick snooze too.  Zoe came back inside and had a great time combing Uncle Bud's hair and putting chapstick on him too.  She just adores him.  Ummm doesn't Zoe look just like my mom in the picture below?!  It's like she has a miniature version of herself sitting on her lap!

Overall it was a LOVELY Christmas.  The time and spirit of giving and being with those we truly love.  We have been so blessed with such amazing families!!  Merrry Christmas everyone and Happy Birthday Jesus!! 

Dirty gun

As I was loading the dishwasher, little miss Zoe decided the Nerf gun needed a washing too.