One of 3 things...

OK, one of 3 things has happened here. 1) I'm a nature lover and these video's represent that. 2) I've lived in North Dakota long enought to become a hick. or 3) I've been married to Ryan for 10 years and his excitements have become my own. I'm gonna say it's a mix between 1 and 3. I'll never admit to being a hick. Deep down, I'm a -Target makes the world go round- kind of city girl, living in the vast wilderness of central North Dakota. That being said...these videos are kinda cool. Thanks Mom and Brick for the new trail camera that is helping Ryan scope out the good hunting locations.
Poor little fawn. He has no idea that Ryan and his hunting buddies are watching this and hoping he grows some big old antlers someday so they can shoot him. Although, I would rather he shot them than hit them with my car (which he did this summer).
This guy's not the trophey we're looking for, but city girl that I am, I'd shoot him!
This guy thinks the racoon is pretty cool.

She Ski's

My mom just sent me pictures of their Lake Powell weekend with Brooklyn. For those of you who don't know me well...Lake Powell is my favorite place to be.

Grandma's a good teacher.


This is the first time she's done the skiing thing. She's been a knee boarder sinse before she could walk.

I love the concentration on her face. She's working hard!

Uncle Andrew is also a good teacher. Here he is showing Kaylee how it's done. I think she likes it.


Cute Cousins.
That's it for now...although my mom said there are around 300 comming on a disk!

Last Week

Last Wednesday was the Carrington Youth Track Meet. Rylee entered the 100 meter, 200 meter, long jump, and softball throw. It was a really fun event and Rylee learned a lot about track and field.

We have also done a lot of swimming...as usual. She's getting very tricky off the side of the pool.

We are all missing Brooklyn right now. Last night the girls talked to each other on the phone for almost an hour. I love that they are so close. They both claimed the wouldn't miss each other, but it's sure been quiet around here without Brookie.

The East Coast Kids

OK...so I stole these pictures from my cute SIL Cheryl, but my kid is in them, so they are fair game!

This is Brooklyn and her new cousin Boston. She's in Utah right now and we are all very jealous that she gets to hold the baby. Isn't he cute?!?

Memory Lane

Here are the rules:

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Where to start...

Well, like usual, it has been a busy week an I have lots of pictures. Sky was here all week and we did some swimming and playing. The usual. Then on Friday, Grandma and Papa Brick flew in for a visit and to help us celebrate Rylee's birthday. We picked them up from the big old Carrington Airport and headed home for lunch and then swimming, but...someone pooped in the pool and they had to close for a superclorination. Yuck. So swimming was out, but we still had a birthday party to prepare for. While I was readying the house for celebration, Grandma and Grandpa decided to take the kids for a bike ride. 30 mph wind and all.

After the bike ride, it was time to party. We just invited a few close friends over for dinner and cake and we had a great time.


The next morning we had big plans to head to the lake, but alas, we live and North Dakota and you just can't count on the weather. It has been absolutely gorgeous for a couple weeks now, and Saturday we woke up to a high of 60 and insane wind. Not a good combo for the lake. So we had a lazy day at home. Papa Brick entertained us with his usual goofiness and we set up Rylee's new bedroom.



The next morning, Grandma and Grandpa took off early and took Brooklyn with them...for 2 weeks. I'm a little bit freaked out. Not because I'm worried about her, she's in good hands, but I just love to be with my kids and that's a long time away.


Sunday afternoon was beautiful, so Sky, Ry, Rylee and I headed to the lake. Skyler needed a chance to show me up on the wake board. Pictures of me will not be posted. Next to Sky, they are just not too impressive.


Then, Monday was another hot one, so Sky and I took Rylee, Bailey and Amber to the beach.


Monday night we headed up to Devils Lake to put Skyler on a train to Minneapolis where he would catch a plane to SLC. On the way we went hiking at Sully's Hill where we introduced Sky to the local wild life (ie. wood ticks). He was very impressed, but he took those pictures. Hopefully he'll e-mail them to me (hint, hint). This morning, Rylee and I slept till 9:00! Whoa! That never happens! Must be visitor let down.

Happy Birthday Chandra

I don't even know where to begin to describe what this amazing woman means to me. She is my confidant, my cheerleader, my advisor, my counselor, my shoulder to cry on...the list goes on and on. Her strenghth and kindness never cease to amaze me or inspire me. She is the most amazing mother, sister, daughter, and friend. She is drop dead georgouse on the inside and out (can't you tell from that picture?) Anyway, you know me Chandra...sometimes the sappiness just flows, and othertimes, it doesn't! Today, it doesn't.


Happy Birthday!

Today She Turns 8

I know everyone always says "It feels like just yesterday..." but seriously, it feels like just yesterday that she was this tiny, chubby little baby. When I was pregnant with Rylee, I had this overwhelming feeling that this was it. This was my family. No more kids, and I have never wavered from that. But it is so bitter sweet to see them growing up. To know you will never snuggle a wiggly newborn, never hear your own babies belly laugh, never smell that new baby smell. With Brooklyn, each new stage has been an adventure. Something new and exciting. With Rylee, I have to fight the tears. I know I'll never have another first day of Kindergarten, or watch another 4 year old learn how to ride bike on 2 wheels. And so, while I am so proud of the beautiful, kind, strong, stubborn girl that she has become...these birthdays are a little sad for me. Anyway...Happy Birthday Jay Bird!

Road Trip

Skyler has been trying to visit, but getting here was not working out as planned. Bumped off full flights, planes delayed, trains sold out...so on Monday night the kids and I decided to meet him in Minneapolis. We left the house at 8:00 PM and arrived around 1:30 AM. Sky arrived before us and checked into a hotel. We caught a couple hours of sleep and then got moving. We had a long drive home, but first, we wanted to check out the Mall of America. Here's a few mall facts:
*258 Statues of Liberty could lie inside the Mall
*If Mount Rushmore was divided into individual monuments, a president could reside in each of the Mall's four courts
*Mall of America is big enough to hold 32 Boeing 747s
*Seven Yankee Stadiums can fit inside Mall of America
*If a shopper spent 10 minutes browsing at every store, it would take them more than 86 hours to complete their visit to Mall of America
*Cost to build - $650 million
*Gross building area - 4.2 million square feet
*Number of stores - More than 520
*Sit-down restaurants - 20
*Fast food restaurants - 30
*Walking distance around one level - .57 miles
*Total store front footage - 4.3 miles
*Key attractions include Nickelodeon Universe®, Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, LEGO® Imagination Center, Dinosaur Walk Museum, A.C.E.S. Flight Simulation, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Nordstrom and Sears.

All that in one building. We spent a little time and money at the Nickelodeon Universe (which had 4 roller coasters and many more rides) and hit about 5 stores. Took us 3.5 hours. Here are a few highlights.

Captain Jack Sparrow

Bumper Cars

The kids on one of the rides and Nickelodeon Universe inside the mall.

A Lego Dinosaur

Lego Land - A 3 story Lego store built out of Lego's. Wild.

A map of Nickelodeon Universe.

A Day At The Lake

Yesterday was hot and muggy...perfect for a day at the beach, or as close to a beach as we get in ND (which is some very fine gravel.)
Carla, Faye and I loaded up our girls, slapped on some sunscreen and headed to Jamestown Res. for some fun in the sun.
Our little spot on the beach.

Brooklyn's chillin' spot.

Rylee's castle.

Out for a swim.

Posing for the camera.


The Hardy Girls with Kayla.

Faye and Carmen

The Muir Girls.


Making a waterfall.

Celebrating the 4th

The girls and I started the 4th off with a 5K in New Rockford at 8:00 AM, and then stayed in NR for their 10:00 AM parade. After we had collected (and eaten) our fair share of tootsie rolls, we headed back to Carrington for our parade and food and fireworks at Carla's house.


Waiting for the Carrington Parade to begin...candy bags on hand.





Hhhmmmm, sparklers. Not mom's favorite, but always a hit with the kids.








Rylee is cooking desert. MMM MMM good!



Watching the dads fireworks show from the tramp. The "big ones" are legal for anyone to buy in ND, so it was a spectacular show. Boys and gun powder can be a fun thing to watch.