Rejoice...the Lord is Risen!

 

Happy Easter to all...our first official holiday (besides March Madness) as a Family of FIVE!

We have so much to be thankful for, especially a healthy baby girl.

 

 

Love these Kids!!!

 

 

Baby Carrine's first Easter...the same outfit Andray wore 5 Easters ago, pretty cool.

 

 

The kids were so excited to wake up this morning and find that the Easter Bunny had come!

 

The Easter Bunny was good to all of us!

 

 

Jake and his Lil' Tator Tot in their Sunday best!

 

My newest Baby Girl...so happy to celebrate Carrine's first Easter with her!
God is GOOD!

 

The Easter Bunny came to church a couple weeks ago - was the first time any of our kids had actually met the Easter Bunny...Andray and Roz were a little hesitant seeing the Bunny for the first time (just like with Santa Claus) - but overall all it was a good time.

I cherish these moments with the kids.

What A Week!!!!!

Wow, we had a very busy and tiring week with Jake home on Spring Break, but we accomplished a lot. Looking forward to seeing family and friends this weekend for Easter - especially looking forward to celebrating Carrine's first Easter with her!

 

Sweet Feet...

 

Andray had his 5-year well check this week and did good at the clinic. Boys/Men are so funny when it comes to pain - after 3 immunization shots in his legs, he limped out of the clinic. He was still limping that night at supper time. Dray definitely takes after his dad - Jake still complains of his wisdom teeth that were pulled over a decade ago (all in fun!). We love you Andray - he's so excited for kindergarten next fall!

 

 

Jake got to spend a lot of  "quality time" with Baby Carrine this week - thankful for that.

 

Was a big week for Carrine too - Jake was able to feed her a bottle for the first time. Not sure if the milk came out of the nipple too fast because she spilled a lot, but we'll keep working on it. At least she was able to latch on. Was fun to watch Jake feed her for the first time...hopefully soon he can help me with the night time feedings :)

 

 

 

 

 

Roslyn got to head to Pre-School Screeing this week!

 

Can you tell Roz was just a "tad" excited to go to school this week?

Hard to believe it was a year ago already that we took Andray to pre-school screening. Jake and I were much more prepared as parents for pre-school screening this year, which means Roz was much more prepared as well.

 

 

We were very proud of Rozzy at her screening. She stayed engaged, followed directions and passed with flying colors. Roz is very excited to attend Andray's pre-school next fall!
Jake and I joke that this photo should be used on a flyer for pre-school screening - we have one proud lil' 3-year-old here!
 

Have a safe and happy Easter Weekend everyone!

Happy Holy Week!

Happy Holy Week to all of you - with no church school for the kids during Palm Sunday Mass this morning...thank the LORD the kids had the actual palms to keep them occupied, especially since we got ushered up to the very first pew! Can't make it up. Was fun for me and my girls to dress in purple today. Carrine is wearing the purple sleeper that my Grandma bought for me to wear home from the hospital nearly 32 years ago. Roslyn got to wear the sleeper home from the hospital as well nearly 4 years ago. Very special to me.

 

 

The girls sharing Roslyn's bed yesterday morning. Before Carrine was born we told Roz that she will have to share her bedroom with the baby if it was a girl. She was not thrilled at the time. Now that Carrine is here, Roslyn is very excited for the crib to go in her room. We explained that they will share a room probably in the month of May and Roz said - "Yippee, just in time for my 4th birthday!"

Yep - you're right Roz.

 

 

The kids and I enjoyed coloring Easter eggs on Saturday morning while Carrine napped. Not sure if they enjoyed coloring the eggs more and adding glitter or making hand prints on the table!

 

 

I still had some smurf egg coverings from when I grew up - they are probably 20 years old but still worked! One smurf egg for me and Jake - the other smurf egg for Carrine. The big kids got the rest of the eggs to decorate!

 

This apron that Rozzy is wearing was mine from pre-school and kindergarten - again, 25 years old and still gets the job done!

 

 

Andray of course picked GREEN coloring for his Easter eggs.

 

 

Wrapped up Saturday afternoon with a visit from our foreign exchange student back in the late 80's. Tominori Miyata flew to America from Japan early last week for work. His employer gave him 2 free days to travel anywhere in the USA, and he chose to fly to MN to visit my parents in good old Redwood Falls. Our family hasn't seen Tom since Jake's and my wedding nearly 8 years ago. Was nice for Tom to meet our kids and see how his Horse Training business has boomed in Japan - apparently Tom is nationally known now in Japan - congrats to him for making his horse business a success.

Let the Madness Begin...Let's Go DUKE!

 Let the MADNESS begin! We are so excited for the NCAA tourney, truly the best time of year!!!!!

Baby Carrine's 1st official Duke photo shoot!

 Beautiful in Duke BLUE! Thanks Auntie Rhonda for the awesome flower!

 The big kids were excited for the Duke photo shoot this morning as well!

The kids' expressions in this photo are priceless.

The kids love to kiss Carrine and get right up in her face, she is a good sport!

Love this pic of my boys...have a safe and fun weekend! I'm so pumped to watch basketball for the next 4 days straight!

Roz is Excited for Dance Photos Tonight!!!

 

Roslyn is very excited to take her Dance Photos tonight and wear her Red costume!

Bringing Roz to dance lessons is one of my favorite weekly events and I haven't been able to bring her to dance for the past 3 weeks. Looking forward to our girls' night together this evening!

 

March 19th..A Tough Day

 

March 19th, a tough day for my family. Happy 37th Birthday to my brother Adam...wherever you are. Miss and pray for you every day that you return to the family!

 

Also, hard to believe Jake's Aunt Jeanne joined the Angels in Heaven 9 years ago today. She is thought of often and prayed for everyday, as well as her husband Ken and children Carrie and Michael who she left behind. Jeannie was a stud softball player at St. Cloud State! :)

Induction Would've Been Today...

 

Well, today would've been our induction day with Carrine. God truly works in mysterious ways...instead of being at home on bed rest for the past 18 days and worrying every second about the baby's health and mine - He sent me into labor on my own and granted us with a safe delivery and healthy baby girl - we continue to be overwhelmed with thankfulness and relief. Jake and I are so grateful for Carrine's health and my regained health.

 

 

Jake and I gave Carrine her first bath at home when she was just 5 days old. It was that day that she "marked her territory," peeing on Jake and pooping on me!

 

 

Carrine wasn't a big fan of the sponge bath on her body...

But she LOVED getting her beautiful hair washed...what a doll.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Weekend!!

 

Have a fun and safe St. Patrick's Day Weekend everyone.

 

 

Looking forward to SELECTION SUNDAY tomorrow! Bummer Duke lost last night in the conference tourney - but more time to rest up for the BIG DANCE!

 

 

Andray Had a Great Birthday Week!!!!!

 

Andray truly enjoyed turning 5 this week - although he still says he "doesn't feel any different," he was lucky enough to have 4 separate celebrations this week. High 5 for Dray!

 

 

Andray even let Roslyn take turns wearing his birthday crown. A HUGE thank you to my mom who stayed with us this week to help out - couldn't do it without you Mom - love you tons!

 

 

Andray and Roslyn gave Baby Carrine this stuffed Lamb when she came home from the hospital. Hard to believe our lil' Tator Tot (as Jake calls her) is 2 weeks old today! She's up to 6 lb, 10 oz and 20 in long - growing by the second I swear! So thankful for her good health and my own good health.

 

 

 I just adore hands and feet photos of our children - so precious.
Have a great St. Patrick's Day Weekend everyone - March Madness is among us - truly the GREATEST TIME OF THE YEAR!
Let's Go Duke!

Happy 5th Birthday Andray Paul!!!!!

 

Hard to believe Jake and I became parents for the first time 5 years ago today. Life truly changed for the better when Andray joined our family - Happy 5th Birthday Little Man - we love you!

 

I enjoyed Andray's 5-year photo shoot with him a few weeks ago - couldn't believe it when I had to tell the JCPenny photographer that Andray really wanted to take a photo with a #5! Life is going by way too quickly! I took full advantage of the fact that Andray still wanted to take a couple photos with me though!

 

Let's Go Duke!  March Madness is just around the corner!

 

 

 

Jake thinks Andray looks like a TV anchor in this photo - hilarious.

 

 

Yesterday we celebrated Andray's bday at the farm with his grandparents and great grandparents. Very thankful to Papa Steve and Grandma Sandy for hosting the party - was a very relaxing and special day at the farm!

 

 

Andray wanted brownies for his cake - so we made them into a #5. We also brought the photo of Great Gpa Stang and Andray sitting together from his 4th bday last year to sit by the cake - was nice to have Gpa Andy sitting with all of us at the dinner table - he truly will never be forgotten!

 

 

 

Andray making his bday wishes while we all sang Happy Birthday to him.

 

May all your wishes come true this year Andray Paul - we love you so much!