Where did they go?

We drive past houses like this out here all the time. Houses that were most certainly adorable at one time or another and are now vacant. Sitting there lonely and bare. The children and I have been talking a lot lately about who may have lived there, why they moved, and how that must have felt. We talk about it being cold here, the beautiful miles of farm land, and what life might have been like living in these houses.

Something that amazes me about my older children is how much they actually care. They care about where the families are now and why they left. In truth, so do I. We have taken a new interest in photographing these homes when we drive through the countryside. They each love to find new abandoned houses and start the conversation rolling. For some reason, I find them stunning. Beautiful. There is something so interesting about all the stories that remain hidden under the mossy roof. Honestly, I can't wait for summer when we can walk the country roads and take a glance in the windows. No tresspassing signs were meant for good reason but surely a few country folk showering love upon a lonely abandoned home would be more than welcome, right?
They seem so simple and so plain but they have become some wonderful dreaming in our house. Also, a beautiful entry to discovering history for our children.

Not every choice is an easy one

Pokie Pokie and Alice. Yesterday I had to make a hard call. One I am still sad about and also a little guilty about. As you know, we had a BAD mice problem when we first moved. Our solution was to get a few farm cats. I knew the children would love them and unexpectedly, I really liked them too. They were great with the children and very sweet. They were great companions to Lucy and were hilarious as they followed us all through the snow.

Sadly, they began displaying some really odd behavior. I won't go into detail because it really was disgusting and odd. There were numerous things that were not adding up and after numerous phone calls to people who had cats, two Vet's, and the Humane Society, we made the decision to get rid of the kitties.

The children haven't noticed yet that they are gone and I dread telling them. What is even more sad is that Kitty Kitty (the other fluffy white and black one) was killed by a coyote right in front of our garage yesterday morning. A friend took the two remaining kitties to a farm down the way where they would make the choice to try save them or put them down. I asked not to know the decision.

This is where the guilt sets in. Pokie Pokie and Alice seemed so freaked out about the death of their sibling. They acted more normal yesterday afternoon than they have in weeks and were so sweet cuddled up together on the railing. Makes me wonder if I should have given them more time? Tried harder? Had them tested and treated? Regardless, I brought animals into our lives and now they are gone. Sick or not sick, I feel sick about it.

Remember this?

Remember this? I sure do. Two spunky babies wearing snoopy and being silly. For some reason, this day sticks out in my memory for me. Not sure exactly why but I remember wishing I could stop time and stay in that day forever with these babies that were getting so big!

Now, look who wears that shirt!
Another spunky little boy who thinks he needs to wear underpants now like his brother. A pint sized, snoopy loving, double dimpled boy who makes me want to freeze time as well! Just two months older than the twin's were in their picture. This shirt has seen quite a few great memories!

Things are getting out of control!!!!

In more ways than one!!!! Maybe it's because the weather is cold? Maybe it's because I simply have to pick my battles with these three? Maybe it's because I am out numbered here? No matter the reason, things have been getting out of control and it's making for some really great fun! As you can see here! Brayton had a BLAST throwing cereal off of the high chair and onto the floor where the twins had an equally good time eating it. Since they never get to eat cereal, I would have thought that they would savor every bite and not waste it but then again, they did eat every last morsel off of the not so clean floor. Like I said, things are out of control!

Here is just another area that things are. . . well, building to a not so controlled status!

I do need to get out there and start shoveling but I don't know if you know this but IT'S COLD!!!! On the good side of all that snow, it puts the kitties at eye level with the children when they are at the door! Always a positive!

I guess I won't be using this door anytime soon??? And yes, those cats are COVERED in snow but they REFUSE to stay in the barn all day. Even though there is warmth and cuddley hay, they think we need to see them 24/7. Silly kitties!!

Yep, that's more snow out our front door. Again, this needs to be shoveled by little old me but like I said, things are getting out of control. This pile is about 2' deep too so I am in no hurry to get out there. Not to mention, it will be back there all too soon. Glad we think it's so pretty!!! Hope we can get things in control some time soon!!

It doesn't take much

That's right. It doesn't take much these days to impress or entertain a group of toddler's.

Not much at all I say.
But if you look close enough in some of these photos you will see what was keeping them busy for 20 minutes before bedtime tonight.

Incase you aren't certain, I will help you out. That, my dear friend's, is a box elder bug. We have lot's of them. LOTS! Since it's so cold outside we have decided to let them live inside with us. Or rather, Annelise has decided since she is the animal/insect whisperer. A few years ago this would have NEVER been OK with me but you know what? I just can't think of a thing that it will hurt if we let them live here. In fact, that 20 minutes was rather enjoyable for us all. So I guess we now have 2 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats and an entire population of box elder bugs. Sweet!

Once if we like it, a few more if we love it!

You aren't seeing double. This is the same place we were at in the last post. I guess we are no different no matter what state we live in. If we like the activity, we go back again and again and again and again!!! The Polar Patch seems to be one of those return trips. It so much fun to be all bundled up, zooming down slides, riding behind those beautiful horses, and breathing in some fresh air. Last time Daddy was able to join us so it was even more fun! Never thought I would say we are getting use to the chilly weather but really, we are! (Today it was 10* and all I wore to the YMCA was a sweatshirt.) Anyway, here are a few more pictures from the other day. Great times once again!

Then, here are a few pictures of New Year's Eve at the local Wilton Bar with some new friend's and neighbors. Now our closest neighbors are a few miles away but we sure lucked out and have the best neighbors!

Misty and Randy! Bodie just cracks up laughing at Randy all the time! This is one fun couple that we have really enjoyed getting to know. With their two young girl's they have been a blessing for us all!

This is Doreen and me. Her and her husband are actually our closest neighbors in general and are the family that we acquired the cats from. A super sweet couple that have proven to be loads of fun as well. What more could we ask for?I don't have any pictures right now but we also started our second session of swim lessons this week. Great new instructors and even Brayton has joined in on the fun. I am just blown away at how much quicker they learn to actually swim from an instructor. My children have always loved the water but they seem to be becoming more like fish with every lesson. We hear the coldest two months are upon us now and I am glad we have some activites that force us out to play every week. Our New Year really started off in a frenzy but we hope to see all our family and friend's this year on some great vacations! We hope 2011 will be a joyous one for everyone!!

Making lemonade. . .

What does lemonade have to do with all this snow? Well, I will tell you at the end but for now I will show you what we did yesterday.

We bundled up and headed out to Papa's Polar Patch. What a great idea! The local Pumpkin Patch gears up for winter and thrills the children with a winter wonderland after Christmas.
A great picture of all three rarely happens and Annelise was working hard at not smiling for the camera.

In the background you can see a great big slide, the blue bales are the exterior of the ice skating rink, and some great climbing structures for the little ones.

All Aboard!!!!!!

Bodie LOVES the snow. He was in heaven here!

We went on an old fashioned sleigh ride where Anna was loving the horses. What I didn't get a picture of was of us on a sled ride being a 4-wheeler. I was curious if the children would be scared of it but to my surprise they all laughed hysterically the entire time!

She has been one of the greatest gifts ever!

Their favorite part was the maze. Brayton loved bouncing around in my arms as we chased the twins.

Now, to my lemonade part. Yes. We are making lemonade out of lemons. We are happy to be doing it. We are excited about the adventure we are on and we are all happy to be together in a beautiful state with some of the sweetest people we have ever met. WE are doing great. I realize that many of you would NEVER come here to stay or to visit though most have never set foot in the state. We totally understand that not all people like the cold weather but what we don't enjoy is hearing how everyone else thinks they would be miserable here. We understand but we are busy making lots of lemonade over here in North Dakota and hope that everyone will stop in for a glass! You might find you like lemonade. . . and if not, that's ok too but we will still be enjoying ours! :)