a moose on the loose!

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day. It was the first day that was warm enough for Gavin to spend  more than 2.5 seconds outside. So we did just that.

Corey went for a quick drive around the loop just east of our house (along the river) and happened to spot a moose! This was quite the excitement around our house. I've dreamed of seeing a moose in this area — and one finally wandered through!


My parents and grandparents came out to take a look, and my Mom got some amazing photos of the moose. (thanks Mom!)


Earlier in the week, my mom was at our house and we were watching 6 bald eagles feed on something in the field east of us, across the railroad tracks. And one day, Corey and Reagan were on our back lawn and a bald eagle was in the closest tree!

And of course, the geese are returning, so we've been seeing and hearing lots of geese. It's been quite the week for wildlife around here.


Kya said: It's feels so funny to not wear a coat!
This little lady is very happy with the warm weather.


This fellow hasn't seen the light of day since October. Just like his big sister - he loves being outside.




Miss Reagan is excited for the warm weather too!

We hiked down to the creek and pond (both frozen over). Good thing we went down yesterday ... after the warm evening, both the creek and pond are completely covered with water today. I'm sure the ice is thick under the water, but it would be near impossible for us to explore on it now.


More critters! The beavers seem to have returned (Kya is peeking in the hole/door).


Once I get over the initial fear of walking on ice, I remember that the frozen pond is quite possibly the most fantastic place to explore.

. . .

Perfect first day of 'spring'!

The Hager Kids

My mom and I took the kiddos in for professional photos on Tuesday — which also happened to be Gavin's 6-month birthday. It was a blast and the photographer at Glasser Images was amazing. These are definitely the best photos I have of my two sweeties.

Enjoy!

Gavin - 6 months
Kya - almost 4 years old

hello.

So I knew it was time to update this blog when my darling husband (who I didn't even know had time to read my blog) kindly asked for a blog update. Then today I received the sweetest e-mail from the amazing woman that taught me how to quilt many years ago in California (hi MaryJo!). I think she was curious if our family fell off the face of the earth. Or froze up here at the top of the earth?

It warmed my heart that someone reads this. Hello!

My explanation for all those who are curious: two kids are so much more work than one kid. In the best ways of course. Kya told me "mom you need more arms" ... I could't agree more.

I'm happy to report that (although busy) we're getting along perfectly! We all adore Gavin, and he seems to adore us, especially Kya.

Thanks to my iPhone and Instagram, I have a quick and random glimpse of our life the past couple months. Please enjoy this 'appetizer' while I organize the other gazillion photos/words/thoughts from October and today.


My sidekick.


They are already the best of friends. I hope they always will be.




This one is for you Mary Jo :)


Right after snapping this photo, she told me she missed summer.


Giggles and cuddles in big sister's bed.


Kya loves playing cards. The only card games we have are Crazy 8s and Go Fish. We play them a lot. Kya has proven to be quite the card shark. Corey and I are anxious to teach her pinochle.


This little guy always has me laughing.


Kya is completely obsessed with learning and school so we've had a lot of fun with tracing books, and learning letters and numbers. Oh and she started preschool in January. Keep and eye out for that blog post coming soon.


Cold weather = lots of living room forts


love.


Gavin (l) and Charlie (r) were due date twins and my friend Brianna and I had fun chatting throughout our pregnancies. It is even more fun to get our boys together now that they're out in the world. Charlie arrived a week after Gavin but long ago passed him up in height and weight.


Snowed in on a Sunday. These two made the day more magical than the blizzard out our door.


The blizzard out our door. (view from our dining room)


Funny story: Kya and I usually have a healthy morning snack of yogurt, fruit, or vegetables. She definitely knows the difference between healthy food and junk food. I was in the shower and came out to find her sitting on the couch with an ice cream pail of chocolate chips. She told me that since I was busy, she made snack today. This kid takes after her Grandpa Z.
... and then I moved all the chocolate chips up two shelves in the pantry.


Fun hair do' for preschool.


Love this little man. Even if he does think his Bison Booties are for eating.


Growing up too fast!

grape stomp ... North Dakota style

One of the traditions we had goring up in Sonoma County, California, was going to our county harvest fair and watching (and participating in) the grape stomp. Grape stomping is a fun and messy way to celebrate the grape harvest and the beginning of wine-making.

My mom made a connection with someone in Bismarck with free "you pick" grapes so she coordinated a mid-October family grape stomp ... North Dakota style.

We had so much fun! Amazing memories and a great way to break-in my parent's house.


The event started with festive photos




and there was lots (and lots and lots) of leaf-raking with Grandpa Z










Kya and my cousins Parker and Lauryn


Baby Gavin joined the stomp








Grape stomp footprints

Happy Halloween!

My parents were quite excited about Halloween this year. My dad and mom always dressed up for Halloween when we I was young. But this year they had two grandkids to celebrate with AND a house to decorate (extra points if you noticed the bats on their house). I'm not sure who had more fun — my parents or Kya. My dad was Zorro, complete with sword and goofy poses my mom was a witch; Kya was Gretel Von Trapp; Gavin was a baby skeleton.

Oh and by the way ... their neighborhood is the coolest, most magical place in autumn — historic houses, lots of trick-or-treaters (my parents had over 500), about a gazillion beautiful fall leaves ...


Meet baby skeleton and Gretel (Gretel VonTrapp from Sound of Music ... singing "Do Re Me" and "Favorite Things" to everyone/anyone who asked).
Best. Halloween. ever.

Gavin: two months old

Our favorite little dude is two months old!
He weighs 10 lbs, 10 oz (25%) and is 23 inches long (40%). He's already got the Zundel-Hager skinny bean pole body where all his pants are baggy and too short and his shirts are too big yet the sleeves are barely long enough (or way too short in most cases).

he's got her hair

Who do our kids look like?!
Babies clockwise from top left: Me (Mom aka Erica), Gavin, Kya, Dad (aka Corey)

Obviously Gavin got my hair. And we all have blue eyes. And I think we make some darn cute kids (if I do say so myself).