Christmas

Having some trouble getting photos on here again but if youa re on facebook I put lots on there tonight so check them out. Will work on pics again tomorrow.

Had a wonderful christmas with Gus' parents and bro here in fargo the weekend before heading to Bismarck. I got to meet my stepsister's new little guy and we had lots of fun playing games. Gus and Griffin and Ian have all been sick over the past few days but praying I can live ina little bubble for a couple days to get away from the contagious dudes!

Only a couple more days with my current company...nervous but excited for the new one! Better get some sleep but check back for pics if I can get it to work. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Griffin's Christmas Program

Griffin had his program last week and Grandma and Grandpa Staahl were there to see him which he was really excited about. Not great pics with the lighting but still ok. Didn't post a pic on here of Griffin talking to "Santa" because I feared a small child would see it and ask you why this Santa had a tattoo on his hand. Yeah, kinda creepy but Griffin didn't seem to notice....he was certain he had to remind Santa one more time that he wants Transformers.

State Bank Party

We had a nice time at Gus' work party on sat night. They showed quite an emotional video of some examples of how people spent their money....be prepared for some tears as you watch this here. This year the bank has decided to do the same but asked the employees to step it up a little more working on getting more matching and personal funds involved as well.

WARNING:::You will need some alone time and a box of tissues when you watch the video!

My Christmas Party

Had lots of fun out with the girls on fri night for my work party. Nice dinner and great company.

Elf on a Shelf

Santa (Gramma Mary) delivered an Elf on the Shelf to us this week and so far Griffin is having a blast with it. He is the little elf who watches what you do during the day then when you go to bed he flies to the North Pole and tells Santa about your behavior. The next morning he hides somewhere else in your house to watch you the next day. I have caught Griffin whispering to him and caught him tonight saying "I know you want a hug but I can't take your magic away." The rule of the elf is that when you first meet him you are allowed to give him a name and cuddle him but after that you aren't supposed to touch him or he is no longer magical. Griffin named him Donny (short for Donnatello) and when we asked Ian what his last name should be he replied MMMMM so it is Elf Donny M. Will keep you posted on his whereabouts.

Pics from thanksgiving

Just a few from our simple thanksgiving with Gus' parents and brother.

Cookie time

We spent the evening at Ed and Mary's decorating christmas cookies on sunday and had lots of fun. Griffin's cookies looked like they had a pound of frosting and candies on each and Ian decided it would be best just to scoop spoon after spoon of the frosting directly into his mouth. The boys loved it and we are looking forward to making a tradition of it. I think the grownups had just as much fun--a little competition never hurt anyone!

Fun pics

Wurgler visit

We got to see our best friends over thanksgiving and had so much fun catching up. Little "G" is only 2 months older than Ian so it was cute watching them interract. Thanks for the visit and we miss you guys already!

State Bank Kids Party

Griffn had lots of fun again this year at the State Bank party for employees kids. He loved the food, games and horse drawn sleigh ride but his favorite thing was to see Santa. He couldn't figure out why there were kids crying about being scared of Santa as he has been planning for months on telling him everything he wants for christmas. This was Ian's first year seeing the big man with the white beard which I would like you all to know he says clear as day (not sure why he can say this better than almost any other word). Ian was one of those kids who was not interested in him at all. We had a nice time with the people Gus works with and their families.

Lil' Elvis

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving!

We are staying in Fargo and actually cooking for the first time. Gus' parents are coming over to share the holiday with us. Will report back on the edible and inedible items we experience!

Giant stuffed critters

Some of you may recognize one of these giant stuffed animals because I posted a few months back how Griffin spotted the lion in the store and went into a crying spell about the animal having to stay at the store all alone without a family and living in a box...thus we brought him home. I was dreading having this giant thing laying around the house however he is getting lots of love. He got so much love from both boys and Griffin got mad at Ian for always drooling on him that Gramma Kathy decided Ian needed his own. Griffin and Gramma went to pick a new one out and they came home with a bear. Of course initially I thought...as if one giant stuffed ting wasn't enough, thanks gramma! Well, the boys are loving them. Thanks for going against my initial reaction Gram. We love them!

Our little workout machine!

Looks like our working out has sparked some interest in Griffin.

Thanks Gramma!

Grandma made a new stool for the boys' bathroom. Ian tried it out to brush his teeth tonight and it worked great. I have to say way more stable than the previous one!

More Bis pics

Trip to Bismarck

Had a fun but quick weekend in Bismarck. First chance for the boys to see snow this season and they loved it. Grandpa even built a lift for the boys to pull themselves in the sled back up their backyard sledding hill. Mom and I got out for a few hours to shop and Gus and I got our big dinner out. We ate at a place we had never been but heard so much about and it was amazing. So fun to try new places! Thanks again gramma and grandpa--sorry I broke the VCR!

Bad blogger

So I discovered the world of facebook last week...thus this blog has sat unattended (that facebookis addicting). We have actually been a little more boring lately anyway so no big updates but few fun things:

--Ian signs for please, thank you, boy, more, milk and num nums; says hi, ball, bye bye, num num, daddy, mommy, thank you.

--Got a call from Griffin's teacher because he and Tatum in his class have been kissing. They were told to stop but she replied, but we have to...we are getting married.

--Didn't make it to Bismarck for the weekend due to weather but will try again next weekend.

--Ian is teething--STILL!

Like I said, kinda boring but promise to keep it going.

Poor kid

So this daylight savings time is so annoying. Went to pick Griffin up today and when we walked outside he said to me "did you forget about me; why did I have to stay at school all day." Because it was dark out he was thinking we left him there extra late. Then with this sad look on his face he said "mom, can I please stay up for a little while when we get home?" I tried explaining to him that it wasn't actually late but gets dark earlier but I could tell he didn't understand because he said "if I promise to eat a little dinner really fast and take a fast shower can I still stay up a little longer?' Poor thing!

Beautiful day!

Happy Halloween

Made it to the 2nd Annual Balvik Halloween Bash this weekend. Gus was a monk and I was a hippie chic. The group photo includes my employees. What an awesome crew!

Final gymnastics

WINNER

Wanted to let everyone know Ian won the cutest costume last night for age 1-6. Way to go Ian. I think it may have been his personality as well....going from car to car using his sign language for please, num-num, eat, and more. Gave everyone a thamk you too then proceeded to try getting more candy and went so far as to take someone's candy bucket and dump it out for himself.

Trunk-or-treat

Church had a halloween party tonight and we finally let Ian partake in the excitement. Cake walk, games, and trunk-or-treat. Lots of sugar but boys had fun. Ian actually won the best costume award for age 1-6 so we were so proud.