halloween fun - 2012

This Halloween was extra special because cousin Connor spent the night on October 30. Connor (and his parents: Corey's brother Jesse, and wife Megan) are moving from Boston to Fargo. We were more than happy to have them stay the night on their way to Fargo.


Pyjama party!



Halloween morning was full of fun and giggles.

These two are looking more and more alike each time I see them together. Adorable!


Jesse, Megan and Connor took off for Fargo and kya and I headed to town to make the rounds visiting friends and family for daytime trick-or-treating.


Little Red Riding Hood's first stop was Grandma Rene's house ... of course.


Funny grandma!

Then Kya and I went to see Aunt Caitlyn at her office ... Kya had great fun playing with all the physical therapy exercise equipment.


Then we went to downtown Bismarck to see Aunt Ronda.


Since we had to drive by the library (and Kya almost jumped out of car seat with excitement) ... we also visited the library.


And then we explored every nook and cranny of the kid's area.

We went home, and Kya took a great afternoon nap and then we went out for more Halloween fun this evening. We made it home in time for greet any trick-or-treaters that may visit our house ... but I'm sad to report we didn't have any visitors for the third year in a row. Maybe we can stop buying Halloween candy now?

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Kya is Little Red Riding Hood!
Cape and skirt handmade by her mama.

Last year: http://bisongirllife.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-2011.html

fall is all about pheasants and leaves

Kya and Corey had lots of fun on Saturday.

Corey's day started with a morning of pheasant hunting in the backyard.

Kya and I watched from the dining room window.

He didn't bring any pheasants home, but he did scare up a few birds and fired a few shots.

Later that morning, Corey put Kya in the hiking backpack and took her for a walk down the property to the tree/bush grove.


They explored and found a 'tree tunnel'


they crunched leaves


and then had a snack of dried apples (thanks to Grandma Irene)


Hello fall.

sunrise on the prairie

today's sunrise:



I love it here.

NDSU Homecoming 2012

This weekend we made our annual trip east to Fargo for North Dakota State University (NDSU) homecoming weekend. Corey graduated from NDSU so it's always a ton of fun to visit and catch up with lots of good friends. Nowadays it's even more special because Corey's sister Maria goes to NDSU - so it's a family trip too! Corey's parents joined the fun this year and it was extra fun having them along for the festivities.


Waiting for Dad to get home from work so we could leave on our road trip, and so excited!


Kya was an excellent traveler, sleeping the entire way from Mandan to West Fargo.


Corey, Kya, Maria, Andrea (Corey's mom) and I went to the NDSU Homecoming Show. It's a great gathering of skits and acts from campus organizations, and of course - the band! I was hesitant to take Kya (the show started at her normal bedtime) but much to my surprise, she was quite entertained and didn't make a peep. What fun!


On Friday night, Corey and I went out for a quick beer at his old college favorite The Turf. It was packed, but we had a fun time reminiscing and seeing friends.


Homecoming day!


Meeting Thundar the mascot, on the way to the parade.


Waiting for the parade.






In the Fargo Dome ... killing time before the game.


Kya was very excited to meet Thundar again in the same day.


Ryan, Corey and Kya during the game (Ryan is the son of friends we sat with).


The Bison won 48-7!

Last year's blog post: Homecoming 2011

it rained. and snowed!

All it took was Kya's rain dance.
It rained.
And then it snowed.

And those were the two main factors in Kya and my very very fun day.

The rain dance video above was a special request from Grandpa Z (my dad) hence the shout out at the end.


My view from the Bison Booties studio workshop as it started to snow. Today my room is entirely too messy to be called a studio.


She woke up from her nap very cranky because the rain was "too noisy" on her window (can you tell we've been in a drought?) but when I told her it was snowing she was estatic.


Evidence of snow.


She then said she was cold (note to self: time to get out the winter coat) and we hurried inside for hot chocolate, at Kya's request.


Then we cuddled in warm laundry.
And all was right with the world.

the two-and-a-half year-old

Kya will be 2 1/2 tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 3. 


It seems like she was just born, yet it also seems like she has been in our lives forever. It's hard to remember life before Kya ... and I don't try to. Life is so much better with this little blonde blessing around.

Kya's favorite things:
- Mickey Mouse (we don't have cable TV, so this is just about anything that has to do with Mickey - books, stuffed animals, etc)
- video chat and Skype
- letters, colors, and numbers (she LOVES to learn!)
- puzzles
- the weather report on the news
- stickers (what 2-year-old doesn't like stickers?)
- playing games (her favorite is Candy Land)
- running errands with me
- having guests visit (especially relatives and kids)
- dressing up (usually as Super Kya, or her alter-ego: Princess 'White Hair')
- and best of all ... meeting daddy at the door when he comes home from work every day

Fun with Kya over the past month or so ...



Watching football with Daddy, and enjoying a beef stick (this kid loves meat)


I got a steal of a deal on this Little People town/set and Kya is really enjoying having 'big kid' toys to play with.


Funny faces around the bonfire.


Gluing leaves to wood ... fun at the river cabin


The three Vander Vorst kiddos at the river cabin. My cousins Lauryn and Parker, and Kya


Kya driving Parker's motorized tractor at the river


Sleeping in. Kya is officially in twin-size bed. Corey disassembled her crib a few weeks ago.


Dressing up like Dora - Grandma Katy made her a matching dress and she loves it!




Another visit "way up" to the top floor in the North Dakota Capitol building. She is getting more brave with heights.


Backyard pajama party!




Playing Candy Land for the first time.


I think she was saying "two blue!" She's really good with numbers and colors so this game is a hit.




Princess/Farmer White Hair


I love you Kya Rose!