Monday laugh

I'm not sure who is having more fun — Kya or Reagan.

Our new puppy definitely fits right in, in our family. Corey took this video yesterday evening, after a very fun weekend.

First day of spring!

Just one week ago, it was so cold and snowy that Reagan got an 'indoor' bath in our heated garage.


Yesterday it was so hot and sunny that Reagan got a scenic warm bath in Kya's kiddie pool.


Before Regan's bath, Kya had her turn to swim. The warm 80° day was very surreal after the long cold winter. Kya is excited for "summertime" and can't wait to wear shorts and sandals.


Kya's beautifully simple self-portrait, taken yesterday afternoon while I was cooking dinner (she stole my iphone).


In other news, Kya and I have been making smoothies almost every day. She LOVES them! How I make them: whatever fruit I have on-hand (banana, pineapple, strawberries, berries, etc), plain or vanilla yogurt, a splash of vanilla, ice - blend all in blender. I add a little juice (apple or orange) to thin the smoothie if it is too thick. If I have extra ripe fruit on hand, I freeze it in baggies to later use for smoothies. I'm going to experiment with adding veggies (like spinach) and/or veggie juice (like carrot) as I know Kya likes "earthy" tastes too.

Fun in April

Cute girls at our friend gathering at our house - Kya (3 years), Norah (6 months), and Molly (2 1/2 years)


Planting starter seeds from Prairie Road Organic Seed (a Pride of Dakota company)


Night at the Circus! I think Kya was saying a prayer for the trapeze performers.


Visiting our backyard snowman (Corey made it)


Fun family breakfast after the ultrasound - we're having a baby boy!

Happy Easter and Kya is three!

This year, Kya's birthday fell just after Easter so we combined our Easter celebration with the Hager's and Kya's birthday party. We had another little birthday shin dig with my side of the family the following weekend. Plus, Kya got to blow out a candle on her birthday. So all in all Kay celebrated her birthday three times - she is three after all!


Ready for the guests to arrive! We had a house-full but as always, it was so much fun.


Connor arrived from Fargo and the fun started.


Kya and Great Grandpa Andy dancing. We told Kya the rule is that the birthday girl must dance before having cake. She thought that was a great rule!


Kya and I dancing.


Happy Birthday to Kya!


Kisses for uncle Matthew


PJ time with Connor


Opening birthday gifts


Matching outfits for 'Baby Rose' and Kya


Grandparent time


Connor all dressed up for church


Funding Easter treats on Easter morning

. . .


Kya's 3rd birthday dessert on April 3, 2013


Birthday party with the Vander Vorst's

. . .

the chicken girl

Maybe it runs in her genes (I'm talking about you, Grandma Z), but Kya has this funny fascination with chickens. My mom, grandma and I took Kya to Morton County Ag Day this year. Much like last year, she found the funny fluffy white chicken and thought it was the most interesting animal there.


2013


2012

. . .


Kya got to cuddle with a baby chick too.

the blizzard of April, 2013

The story was all too familiar this year ... major winter storm warnings promising many inches of snow, only to produce a light dusting of snow and/or no snow at all. In fact, we had so little snow this year that I was actually concerned of low moisture levels and dry grass (translate: grass fires! yikes!). So when we heard the warnings of this mid-April storm we said we'd, "believe it when we see it."


Well, we've seen it.

The snow started at 6 am and we've been averaging an inch or so per hour. All day. As of 7 pm, Bismarck received 15.8 inches of new snow, breaking the all-time record for single day snowfall. We're forecasted to receive another 3-7 inches tonight.

That is a lot of snow.

This morning Kya asked, "Mom, is it Christmas again?"


Snow ... little girls and puppies love it so!


Corey took this photo, after spending a few hours snow-blowing the driveway. In a matter of a few hours it was full of snow once more.

. . .

The highway has been plowed (numerous times) but our gravel road has not been cleared, so we'll all be snowed in at home again tomorrow, until further notice. Snow day!

Kya and Reagan

Corey took this video yesterday while the trio was exploring down by the tree in our back yard. Thought you'd all enjoy seeing the little girls in action.

Meet Reagan

We added a new family member this week!

Meet Reagan, our new 8 1/2 week old chocolate lab (girl) puppy.

We picked her up yesterday in Jamestown, ND, and have been having fun getting to know her today. Last night she very obviously missed her family (lots of sad puppy crying) but with each hour she seems to be getting more settled-in here at our house. 

Tonight after dinner, Corey and Kya showed Reagan around the yard and explored for almost two hours. Afterwards, Kya and Reagan both were begging to go to bed.

For various reasons (my sewing business included) we have decided that Reagan will live 'outside' which translates to our heated garage and a future shelter/kennel next to our shed. This means that we've been spending tons of time outside with Miss Reagan today ... not such a bad plan! Our family already enjoyed spending time outside and we are all are excited to have another reason to do so.

There is a very sweet story unfolding right now ... about a little girl named Kya and her new sidekick Reagan (the pup that won't leave her side). 

Kya will soon have a ...

BROTHER!
We're very blessed to have this little guy on the way — he's expected to arrive August 17, 2013.
Today was our 20-week ultrasound, we got to see him wiggling around and sucking on his knee. Already making us giggle! We love him to the moon and back.

Bison Booties at the ND State Capitol - one day only!

Shop for Bison Booties (new styles and many favorites too!) and other North Dakota original products at Pride of Dakota Day, inside the state capitol building.

Thursday, April 4, from 9 am to 4 pm
Free and open to the public.

Look for me and the Bison Booties table, just a few steps from the governor's door, in Memorial Hall (same location as last year). Hope to see you there!