Happy Anniversary!

We have encountered the infamous 7 year mark, amazing since it feels like 20! Brian would say it feels more like 50!!! Ahh the love and sarcasm that is the foundation of our relationship.

From the outside looking in, I know A LOT of people thinking, really? Kari and Brian? Does not make sense. To be perfectly honest, from the inside looking out, it still doesn't make sense. All I can say is divine intervention, that is how we are together today. Outside of our core values and beliefs, we have NOTHING in common. We went to the same college for years and have ZERO friends in common, that just does not happen. Unless you are extremely different people, of which we are. There is something comforting to me in knowing that this relationship was orchestrated by God and not us. I am so indecisive and Brian had questionable taste in women before me, so thank you God that you did not leave the decision making up to us. God put us beside each other on a plane and here we are. I still can't get on a plane today without being a little nostalgic for what a difference one plane ride made in my life.

I love you Brian! Thank you for the life we have together and the beautiful children.

She really did it!!!

Tonight was monumental - Myann pooped on the potty!!!!!

I know, I made this post a few weeks ago, but it really didn't count since I caught Myann trying to poop and I whipped off her pants and held her on the toilet until she pooped. Ok, so probably not a good idea, but I was desperate. Well she showed me because she has not pooped since. She has had a few mystery poops - where she claims to have pooped, but flushes before I can see the evidence. I really don't think she pooped, but appreciated her effort. For a few days she has been claiming she needed to poop, but when I took her nothing happened. Tonight she said she needed to go again, I really didn't think it would happen, but know that we have to go through the motions. So off we went and of course, because the girl lives her life to prove me wrong - she pooped. We called anyone we thought might be awake to spread the good news. I was ecstatic and she was so proud.

Then 30 minutes later we are getting ready for bed and she tells me she had to poop again. So off we went and she pooped again. It is amazing how poop can make your day!!! So I am hoping this will be it and she won't look back.

Fall Family Photos

Our sneak peak is up on Jaidean's blog. Given how uncooperative my kids were and how chilly it was on the lake, the photos came out really well.

http://jaideanbakerphotography.com/blog/

Stink Eye

Today we took advantage of the AMAZING weather (55 degrees and sunny, just perfect) and met friends at the Finch Arboretum. The kids enjoyed running around and playing in the leaves.


Just in case you have not gotten enough of this beautiful face.


Jenn tried to take photos of the kids and I, which is of course impossible, but the 4 of us were in one frame, even if not all visible.



I also captured a photo of Myann's Stink Eye, evil eye, call it what you want. But it is just vicious, but kind of cute in the photo.



Anders gave me one of his infamous hugs - which can be described only as pure love wrapped around you.


Myann's Ensemble

Farm visit

Tonight we visited the Spokane Family Farm. They are a newer farm that does like organic milk, though not certified organic. It is good stuff. I forgot how good real milk tastes. The kids enjoyed being out on the farm and it was a nice evening. It took me back to my old work days when I used to inspect these types of places. It was nice to just enjoy being there without being in inspector mode. Brian and I are trying to buy more from local small places. We get our eggs from a local farm, and they have the strongest egg taste. Next week our half pig arrives and we will do beef soon too. Fresh food really does taste better.

My thought upon watching the pumps start, honey I have been there and feel your pain. The only difference, they only pump in 3 month stints and then get a break for several months. I am still going strong at 14 months.




Feeding the donkeys

Happy Birthday to me!

This year was a low key birthday. There has been so much going on, that my birthday could have gone uncelebrated and that would have been ok. I already bought my presents during the summer, so no big fanfare for present opening. We had family photos in the morning with Jaidean, so no time for breakfast in bed. And all our threats for good kids during picture taking because it was mommy's birthday was not acknowledged.

I did not want a cake, but then Shane reminded me that they like birthday celebrations even when it is not their's. Shane asked when we were going to have cake and was really said when I said we didn't have one. So off we went to Dairy Queen, to get my favorite birthday cake. We all enjoyed it.

Halloween Festivities

You know you have kids when Halloween requires more outings than Christmas. The past 2 weeks have been a flurry of Halloween preparations and celebrations. We all had fun, but I was happy when Saturday night came and went - I was done with Halloween. Shane insisted on being a Stormtrooper this year. He wanted to be a jedi, but then he decided he wanted to carry a gun instead of a lightsaber. So the theme was set. I planned for Myann to be Lei, but then she found the elephant costume and insisted on being an elephant. I couldn't argue, it was free and Shane's costume from his 2nd Halloween. Then I decided Anders would be Chewbaca. Shane wanted me to be Asajji, no clue who she is, but she is a character in his wii game. I told him no because it was a bit skimpy.

We started with a trip to a retirement home, dressed in costume to greet the residents. My kids are social, so they really enjoyed talking with the "older" residents. Myann was hysterical. On the way there, I explained we were meeting other kids Grandmas and Grandpas. So when we get there, she starts asking the ladies, "What are you called?" They thought she was asking their names, I did too at first, and then realized she was asking for their identification, Grandma or Grandpa and by what title. Then she met one lady and asked her if the lady next to her was her mom. The lady got a kick out of that, since they both looked to be a similar age. Shane asked ,"Where are the boys?" Sadly, retirement homes mostly have women and Shane noticed.
So stinkin' cute!!!


The kids had school parties - sorry no photos.

Pumpkin Painting at my friend, Jaidean's.





Thursday night was our little party for the mom's I hang out with. The kids just ran wild and had a wonderful time.
It's a hat, it's a witch, no it's just Myann


Decorating cookies, Shane is a huge sprinkles fan


Myann is the elephant, enough said


Playing "Hot Pumpkin"

The group


Friday night was Hallowfest at the school. Shane did his first haunted house and came out saying, "That wasn't scary. I did not get scared." I think he was trying to convince himself.

Then Tina and I went to our neighbor's party. I have been dying to see the inside of this house. I have loved this house since before we moved in. They live up the hill from us and the house is ridiculous. The party was fun, you can see from our crazy neighbors.



Saturday we went to the Frenches for Halloween, as we have for 3 years now. They are wonderful hosts and we had some awesome food prepared by Blaine's parents. The kids love hanging out together and the adults like the community effort. Instead of just drinking wine at the house, I actually went with the kids for a while this year. Usually the dads take the kids and the moms stay home and pass out candy. I wanted to see the kids, but ended up carrying Myann door to door. That lasted 2 long blocks and then I was wiped out.





Action shot at the door, probably Shane announcing, "I said thank you mom."