For Sale

Ben is selling his 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's a 4 cylinder, 2.4 Liter, 5 speed manual transmission. Has 111,000 miles and gets great gas mileage. We are asking $4,995 or best offer. It has new snow tires, new rotors and drives great in the winter. There is a small ding by the tail light, otherwise clean! It is parked at Mom and Dad's if anyone wants to look at it. Tell your friends!

Bed and Birthday

Griff's new big-boy bed, equipped with brand new car sheets and toddler rail.

SO EXCITED!!!

Happy 1st Birthday to our favorite little girl- Ruby Rae! Went to Katie and Jeff's house on Saturday to celebrate Ruby turning one.

Griff at the birthday party.

Being super cute in the stairway, talking to his daddy.

Transition

Griffin has officially become a big boy. He is out of the crib and into a big-boy bed!

Over the last week of illness, Griff hasn't slept in his own bed- which Ben and I are understanding of. However, now that the fever is gone and he is back to good health, we don't feel the need for him to be sleeping in our bed at night.

But he still did.

So we thought he might be phasing out of his crib since it was a dramatic event every night when we try to put him to sleep. So last night, Ben, his parents and I set up a twin bed, dressed with NEW car/truck sheets, pillowcase and bedskirt. Griff was seemingly very excited about this big change happening in his bedroom! After a few books and cuddle sessions to get him to sleep, it was a success! Our little man slept (nearly) all night in his new bed. He looked so cute and little sleeping in that big bed all by himself. Ben and I were so proud of him. Our hope is tonight is just as successful. Pictures to come soon!

Influenza

The face of a boy with a 103.5 degree fever and refusing to take off his snowman pajamas.

Yup, the three of us were home this week with influenza. Cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, chills and sweating. We had it all. But, on the positive side, I got to cuddle with Griff more than ever! We spent some quality time with Mouse, Curious George and Buddy- his three bedtime friends.

But after some time off from work, prescription medication and cuddling- we are on the mend.

26 Weeks

Gettin' there...

Feeling good still, I just dread taking my socks on and off. And picking anything up off the ground. I don't remember feeling this uncomfortable this early with my first pregnancy. But it will soon be over and I'll have a wonderful prize.

New thing- "picture Mama!" He's figured out that he gets to see himself after we take a picture.

Again?!?! How can I resist with a face like that?

Ben thinks it's just great to "tuck" Griff in anywhere, like the kitchen floor for example. Griff doesn't mind. As long as he has a soft blanket and something the drink- he's OK with it.

Just Stuff

Ben had tickets to a Wild hockey game through work, and I was lucky enough to go with! We had a fun night, just the two of us. However, by the third period, I was yawning.

Griff's buddy Simon Grove. They are going to get in a lot of trouble one day.

We went to Louie and Sally's house for supper last week and the boys played and played after supper. SOOOO fun to play with someone else's toys, including an awesome bulldozer!


"Hi Mama!" In the tub with his "guys, " Hulk, Mean Gene and The Shiek. Ben's wrestler guys from his childhood.

Lindell Winter gathering

Cheese!

Eating a yumy treat- a cupcake!

Sisters.

What a great idea "fishing" was! It was a HUGE hit with the kids.

Daddy and Griff fishing.

I'm not a good recorder of events, and I feel a little selfish. I only took pictures of my kid and sisters. That's it.

Growing...

What a beautiful day outside! Griff and I dressed up to go and play outside for an hour today before Ben came home. He had a blast! We have tried many other times to "play" in the snow, but it has always been too cold or windy for him to enjoy it. What a guy.

CHEESE!

22 weeks and feeling good! I still have some days when I'm really tired and sluggish, but other days I have endless energy! I like those days.

It was time for pajamas with a little "naked boy" time first! But Griff felt compelled to take off his diaper first.

Showing Katherine Stay our Christmas pictures, while taking off his diaper. She didn't mind.

Fall catch-up continued...

Griff has a new favorite spot, sitting on his own rocking chair in his room.

Attempting a group photo this past October at the apple orchard in Mazeppa. Katie, Jeff, Noah, Ruby, Griffin and I took a trip to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard. It was a PERFECT fall day, almost hot! The kids loved it, the adults were tired.

Buds. "Come on Griffy, I'll help you!"

The Sjobloms!

Big Changes

Look at his proud little face!

I bought a potty chair a few weeks ago anticipating potty training in the future. To my surprise, Griff was all on board to sit on it. So I took off his diaper, he sat down and actually peed! I was so surprised and happy- we called Ben and Katie to tell them to news. But since then, he has not wanted to sit on there. At all. So my eagerness to try potty training will have to wait a little while longer. Maybe in March?

The three of us went to our friend's house, Taylor and Mindi Pagel, at the beginning of January to have supper and celebrate our Goddaughter's 3rd Birthday. It was a fun and hectic night with three kids under 3. This is their 11 month old Cooper, so cute!

This was Miley's third dress of the evening. She felt the need to dress like the princesses on her scooter we gave her. She was so excited! What an expressive girl.

Belly pic at 18 weeks. I'll be 20 weeks tomorrow (Wednesday). Still feeling good, but I have my days of tiredness. So blessed to have a husband to pick up my slack on those days.

Painting! Ben and I have been attempting to sell our house for nearly a year and a half with no success. So we had another realtor come into our home and take a look. We wanted an opinion on a price adjustment, as well as what other updates or changes could be made to appeal to buyers. So, after a lovely visit with our realtor, she determined some painting needed to be done to "neutralize" our home. I agreed. Three days later, I was painting the front porch and our bedroom. My only regret is that I wish I had done it years ago- I love the change! Ben took this picture while I was up on top of the closet in the porch. Never again. I didn't think I would ever make it down I was so terrified.

Christmas 2010

Three pictures. That's it. I took three pictures over all of our Christmas celebrations.

Mom's face can be explained from Ben telling a funny story.

Jeff, Katie and Casey on the couch at Mom and Dad's on Christmas morning. I did take quite a bit of video of opening presents, so there is some record of this day!

Noah sitting in Ruby's new rocking chair, reading Grandpa Steve's tool magazine. Such a boy.

Kids

Ruby Rae is pulling herself up and becoming mobile!

Griff was playing with a puzzle wearing my headband and a play necklace. Ben was getting a little nervous of his outfit, and the fact that Griff was really enjoying wearing it.

No worries.

Fall catch- up

Every parent's most favorite sight: a sleeping boy with his butt in the air. Ahh.

Playing the drums.

Spaghetti was REALLY good this night.

Funny guy.

We did it again!

Well, Griffin is going to be a big brother!

Yup, Ben and I are having another baby! We are due June 8, 2011, making me 10 weeks along. Feeling pretty good, except for being REALLY tired. We are very excited for this little person to join our family! Now we have to do some more remodeling of our office to accomidate this new addition.

I'll post some update pictures of our family soon.

The Loose Cannons are Playing!!

Friday November 12, 2010 at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing, MN. Playing from 8-11:00 pm in the Summit Room. We are playing for South East Minnesota flood relief. Hope you can make it! We haven't played in a while, so we are really looking forward to it.