Mini get away!

Auntie Cori came to visit us a day early before we headed out on our mini get-away to the Hearts at Home conference.

Traeger helping Auntie Cori with dishes in the morning and loving every minute of love from his Auntie.

With 3 boys in at home Cori doesn't get a lot of practice "doing hair." She's practicing so that when "Lou" comes she will be an old pro.

Our 4 hour adventure southwest to Rochester, MN got started Friday around noon. We were off like free birds and loved every minute of our girl time, sister bonding moments and just being away from the daily grind.

We are affectionately called the "Chatfields" by our dear friends the Arndts and it's not after this city in MN :O)

I am so blessed by this chica--sisters are the best!

Cori and Dr. Kevin Lehman...

This guy is great and delivers amazing truth with a ton of humor. If you've never heard of him, check him out and learn a thing or two about relationships with your kids, spouse or mind blowing truths about birth order.

All too quickly it was time to head home and get back to reality.

We're real moms, equipped with new information, encouraged on our journey of motherhood and ready to head home and put it to use.

About 2 hours into our trip home, I thought it was about time to crank the tunes and jam out..you know, break the monontony of the long drive....

Apparently, we were really into it--oops!

20 over and $200 later, we turned the tunes down...it was a little of a buzz kill.

Overall though, it was a refreshing, encouraging and fun weekend.

Thanks Cori for being a fantastic sister. I was blessed by you and our time together. Should we start planning for next year?!

Should we be concerned :O)?

The sweet butterfly and handsome ladybug.

Flag Football

Luke played in his 3rd season of flag football, made it to the playoffs but called it a season when they lost in their 2nd playoff game. The last two games were played in a wet, muddy, slippery, and sloppy mess. Though the conditions were less than desirable, I think it brought out the little boy in each one of them as they got to slip in slide in the mud.

Not much cutting or speed happening in that mess.

They were lucky if they stayed on their feet.

Doesn't that look like fun?

A few of the youth group kids came to cheer Luke on.

Traegerisms

I had to type out a few of the Traegerisms we hear most days, so when these days pass, I won't forget :O)

"That was sure nice of them to _________( fill in the blank.)"

***

"That hurt my feelings"

***

"I have a solution mommy"

(saying that after not really liking mine)

***

At bedtime after we're done with bible story, prayers and tucking him in, he'll say,

"I want someone real to stay with me and cuddle."

We'll follow by saying God is with you and you can cuddle with your blanket and stuffed animals. One night he said, "well, I guess you're right, God is real."

***

On our way to church we pray. One particular Sunday this was his prayer...

"God be with us, help us to love others with your love and help me and Ataly to come to know you."

***

"You're special mommy, I'm grateful you're my mommy."

***

"Did I do that on purpose or on accident?"

***

"Thanks for changing your mind."

(after a decision had been changed to benefit him)

***

"Can the timer go beep, beep again?"

***

"Mom, Ataly is hitting me."

***

"Hey Ataly, do you want to have a dance party with me?"

Leaf cleanup, part 2

Because we have so many leaves we weren't able to finish the cleanup Sunday night. So, Tuesday morning the kids and I braved the 28 degree temperature and got back to work.

I guess the truth of the matter today was the kids played and I worked :O)

"I got you Ataly."

The smiles and giggles quickly turned into crys for mercy.

Finally...

Sunday night we finally got around to cleaning up our leafy yard. I'm not sure if you could even see any grass?

Daddy blowing the leaves into piles.

Under Traeger's own initative, he pitched in and helped out for over an hour.

He gathered the leaves, put them into his bucket...

climbed onto the ladder...

and dumped them in!

Mommy and Traeger smooshing the leaf bag like a pancake to make more room for more.

Mommy using her muscles to pick up the leaf bag and Traeger capturing it.

Looking back...

I love looking back and seeing just how far we've come in a matter of a year.

2008

2009

Fall Festival 2009

While Daddy was at Grandpa Tim's playoff game, the kids and I attended the first annual Fall Festival at the Youth Center.

First we had to dress up for the big event...

Traeger going for the serious look.

"How's this face mom?"

Not sure where he got that pose :O)

Traeger taking a turn at snapping a shot.

Craft time was a big hit!

A family photo op...Go Badgers!

Traeger and Ataly were excited their friend Aiden was there too!

The kids loading up their bags with the goods...that should last us a few days :O)

A sweet memory I have is the kids and I walking home from the Youth Center hand in hand praising God for their good attitudes and a fun night out on the town!

Go Rockets!

Saturday after demolition, Luke traveled down to his hometown to help his dad coach the Rockets in their playoff football game.

They came out victorious and will have another game this Saturday...

GO ROCKETS!

Port Washington Hatfield visit--Saturday work day

While the men were back home working hard tearing out our porch, the ladies and children gathered at McDonalds for lunch as a thank you for them sacrificing their Saturday morning and sharing their husbands/daddies with us!

The B family

The K family

And in this corner the Hatfield family represents in their festive Halloween colors.

By the time we were back from lunch the guys had it all torn out....

right down to the ground...

and down to the studs.

Can you see those white insulators, that come from the original 1920's wiring?

Can you say fire hazard?

And just like that the weekend visit was over. It's always goes by too quickly. Thanks Port Hatfields for making an appearance and blessing us with your presence.

Port Washington Hatfield visit---Friday adventures!

What's a trip to Medford without making a stop at good ol' Happy Joes?!

The 3 older kiddos chowing down!

All smiles and tummies full!

The Port Hatfields had never seen our backyard...

and a little fresh air is never a bad thing!

Look at that handsome man.

I love to see Jack wearing Traeger's old clothes....

It reminds me that time goes so quickly.

Was my son really that little at one time?

Uncle John, Annabelle and Traeger playing a game of Chutes and Ladders.

Auntie Nicole reading bedtime stories to anyone who's listening.

Once the kiddos were all in bed, I can't guarantee they were sleeping, the men got started on the demolition of the 3 seasons room.

Thanks John for not only coming to visit but being willing to be put to work :O)

Port Washington Hatfields visit--Thursday night!

After many schedule changes and detailed e-mails back and forth, the Port Washington Hatfields arrived with smiles on their faces. We were thrilled to welcome Luke's brother's family. I always like to say, it's going to be a wild time with 5 kids under the age of 3--Yahoo! It proved to be a wild ride of naps times not quite going as planned, bedtimes extended way beyond normal time, meal time chaos, and anything else that's involved when you put 5 toddlers together. We have great pictures to prove a good time was had by all!

We had tight quarters but no one seemed to mind.

By their next visit, Jack will join the rest of us at the table.

The kids were upstairs playing and you know how it goes...when the children are quiet, the parents should be concerned. I'm not sure if one of the kids came down or if one of us went up to check, but either way we found all 3 older kids "washing" their hair. I guess it could be worse, right!

GUILTY written all over his face

BUSTED, but obviously isn't too concerned about it :O)

OOPS...I was just following the leader.

And who would that have been?

I'm going to have to go with Traeger.

Photo shoot for Auntie Cori

These pictures are for Auntie Cori and a special friend who gifted Ataly adorable Halloween items for her wardrobe...thanks!

I like to read books...

and show off my leggings and barette with a super cheesy smile!