Halloween 2011

Kya the rag doll


wig: Walmart under $5
facepaint: $2 Walmart
shirt: already owned
skirt: made from scrap fabric
tights: $2
legwarmer: Grandma Katy original (thanks grandma!)
bag: reused shopping bag with sewn-on fabric
Kya's second halloween: priceless

. . .

Kya had an absolutely fantastic day making the rounds trick-or-treating to offices today. What I thought would be a quick trip in town was a four-hour morning and afternoon of fun.


The first stop was a visit to Aunt Caitlyn at Synergy Health Group (Jones Physical Therapy) in the Eckroth Plaza.



Then we visited my Aunt Ronda at MDU in downtown Bismarck. At lunchtime we met Caitlyn and Corey at Subway where Kya charmed every customer. After lunch we headed up to MDU Resources to see Corey's gang. MDU Resources was such fun because almost every employee hands out candy, so Kya got to trick-or-treat all around his floor. She filled up her bag!

Then we went to the grocery store. And then we made our last stop to see Uncle Andrew at the state water department.

After a great nap in the car on the way home, we spent a beautiful afternoon outside enjoying a 66°F sunny day (no wind!).







After dinner at home, Corey, Kya and I headed out for a few 'real' trick-or-treating stops. We went to Corey's friend Eric Miller's house and to our relatives, Bob and Kristen, and Bill and Sandy's homes.


Here are the most adorable Vander Vorst kiddos I've ever seen: Kya (19 months) as a rag doll, Lauryn (5 months) and Parker (4 1/2) as pirates.

Happy Halloween!

. . .

In other news, Kya seems to be completely healed from her cold and ear infection. Hurray!

the first ear infection

This is Kya Rose with her first ear infection. And  fever. And stuffy nose.
It all started on Sunday with congestion and Monday morning Kya was hit with major congestion and sneezing. By Monday evening her fever was over 103°F amd she was a zombie (even after two very long naps). At about 7:30 pm, this Mama (and Papa) thought a visit to the clinic was in order.

Off we drove, into town, avoiding deer and pheasants, to try to make it to Medcenter One before the clinic closed at 8 pm. We made it with a few minutes to spare and Kya came away with an ear infection diagnosis. I was impressed that we were in and out (with prescription filled) in less than an hour. This was her first trip to the clinic for something other than a routine check up and her first ear infection.

At the check up we found out she weight 22 pounds. Way to go Kya!

She was supposed to have an 18-month check up today but I opted to keep her at home and rescheduled for another day when she hopefully will be feeling better.


Today we've been having pajama day at home. I have set up an all-day buffet for her on the dining room bench seat with her favorite snacks and lots of water. She seems to be enjoying it.

She is doing much better in the pep department, but still has a bit of a fever. Oh and her boogers have taken on a new and nasty color. Sick toddlers are no fun at all.

. . .

Happy news - I have more Boston photos to share. These two photos were taken by Corey's mom and were on her camera. I got to snag them when she stayed with up en route home to Kenmare.


Our family of three with nephew Connor


Jesse and Megan, Corey and I and our kiddos

Boston 2011

Last Friday, Grandma Andrea (Corey's mom), Corey, Kya, and I headed east to see the newest baby Hager - Connor Francis.

We flew out in the wee hours of Friday morning and after two layovers and three flights, we arrived in Boston Friday afternoon. Kya was a super traveler and we even got a few compliments (yippee!).


Connor is adorable and such an alert one-month old. I'm so excited that Kya already has a cousin. It will be very fun to see these two grow up so close in age - only 18 months apart.


Kya was very nervous about the baby. She was jealous when I held him and really not sure what she thought about some little creature that makes noises – she would run away crying whenever he fussed.


However, she did enjoy giving Connor many light kisses on the cheek.

. . .


On Saturday morning, all the ladies (and Connor) went to Penzey's Spices. Andrea has been a loyal Penzeys catalog customer for many years and it was great fun to visit the store with her for the first time. We all went away with a few jars of spices to add to our pantries.


While we were buying spices, the men were tailgating at Harvard. Corey thought the tailgate food of Italian calzones were a nice upgrade from bratwurst and burgers.


This year Harvard is celebrating 375 years.


Built in 1903, the stadium is the oldest in the nation. More stadium info here (it's actually quite interesting).


In case you are wondering, Harvard won.

. . .

Sunday was baptism day.

We went to morning Mass and relaxed at Jesse and Megan's house for the rest of the day until the afternoon baptism. Jesse and Megan made a delicious Irish brunch with beans and bangers (Irish sausage) and eggs. As you can see, Kya enjoyed all the grandma time.


We arrived at the church a bit early, so Corey and I walked around the grounds with Kya.


I would have a better photo if her sitting here but she sat for literally a split second before running off to the next adventure.


And then she found the wall.


If this isn't the most adorable little gal, I don't know who is.


On another adventure.


She is a little nature explorer - even in urban Massachusetts.
This just might be my most favorite photo ever.

And then it was time for the baptism. As expected, Kya thought she had better things to do, so as she and I paced in the back of the church, Corey snapped away with my camera.

We are so glad we were able to make the trip out to be there for this special day.


Jesse (Corey's brother), Megan, and Connor



After the baptism we gathered for an early dinner at an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. It was a special urban treat to be able to walk to church and to the restaurant from their house in Medford, MA.


Kya discovered a love for french bread. She is perfectly capable of chewing it but she savored the bread by sucking on. It kept her busy for quite a while, so we let her be.

. . .

On Monday morning, Corey, Kya and I headed into Boston via the T (subway rail system) to explore the city.




In the Boston Common (central park in Boston)

Kya's first carousel ride. In Boston Common.

The famous "Make Way for Ducklings" ducks. I bought the book on our last trip to Boston in 2008 (for Jesse and Megan's wedding).

Kya got to enjoy another extended bread chewing/sucking ... this time with a soft pretzel from Quincy Market.

City views from the docks on the Charles River.

Later that afternoon, we challenged ourselves to a climb up the Bunker Hill Monument. We climbed all 294 steps to the very top. Corey and Jesse get extra credit for carrying Kya up.

View of Boston from the top.

. . .

On Tuesday we had to head home but not before some last minute snuggles with baby Connor.

Proud Uncle Corey.

18 months

Yes, our little sweetheart is officially 18 months old. I love this spunky and adventurous little gal more than I could ever imagine.


She is happy. Oh so happy. In fact, one of her favorite words is "happy" which she pronounces "heh-pee" and says so very random times of the day. This makes me not only laugh but appreciate each and every moment with her.


Kya has 7 teeth in front and one molar on the top. From my best estimate and her drooling lately, I'd guess she is working on at least three more teeth.


Kya loves. She loves and loves. Spend an hour with her and she'll cry her heart out when you say goodbye. She loves her Baby (doll) Rose with her whole heart and take care of her all day, every day.


Balls and trains are a big hit with Kya. She can say both quite well.


She shows a new fashion style every day. She likes to pull open dresser drawers and come out holding up a random piece of clothing asking me put on her. She rubs her tummy, which is the sign for please. It's the funniest thing to see her come out with a way too large t-shirt pleading for me to put it on her.



Favorite things to eat: yogurt, spaghetti, cheese, raisins, and "kakas" (crackers)
Favorite things to do: fabric shopping (i'm not kidding!), eating, drawing on the driveway with Dada, going to bed, baths and swimming, playing with other kids especially my cousin Parker, talking on the phone or video chat with grandma and grandpa.
Funny new thing: Kya likes to point out flies in the house (we seem to have a high population this week - odd). She will clap loudly (like Corey does when he kills them) and point at each one she sees. It's actually quite helpful. And funny.

Anyway ... long story short: I love Kya. Every minute of every day.

Bison Homecoming 2011

This weekend, Corey, Kya, and I headed east to Fargo to cheer on the NDSU Bison in their homecoming football game. The bast part of it all is that we got to spend lots of time with Corey's sister Maria who is a freshman at NDSU.

In short: this school knows how to have a good time and they certainly know how to win a football game.
Fun weekend!

On Friday evening, we had dinner with Maria on campus. Then Corey, Kya and I attended the Blue Key homecoming show. It was very entertaining and Maria had a short appearance in it. Kya sat through the whole thing even though it was well past her bedtime. She even cheered and clapped.

Saturday morning we got up with our trusty 7 am alarm clock named Kya and then headed out to explore campus. It was cold and very windy so we bundled up and walked fast.


We visited the NDSU alumni gathering. Kya got a balloon ...


... and a button and her first tattoo.
By the way ... how do you remove 'temporary' tattoos? It's day two and I can't figure out how to get it off.


Again - lots of fun.


Then we headed to the homecoming parade. Kya loved it all - especially the band.


And we got another glimpse of our popular sister Maria. Here she is on the Saddle and Sirloin club float.


The morning went so fast. Soon it was time to take a quick walk through tailgating and head into the game.


We sat in our seats until after half-time and then we joined up with Maria in the student section.


The Bison won!


After the game we visited the tailgating area again ...


Then went up to our hotel room to regroup (and try on Maria's cowgirl boots). Then we had dinner at Sammy's pizza which was delicious.

What a great weekend in Fargo! Go Bison!