Monday, November 1, 2010

Halloween 2010

Halloween was a crazy busy, sugar-high weekend! Brady celebrated with 3 parties (and Samantha with 2) on Friday the 29th ~ preschool, daycare and one at Uncle Brad & Aunt Sara's. Saturday the 30th was Brad's birthday, so more fun and sugar :) Sunday was actually Halloween and we took the opportunity to trick-or-treat outside for the first time - now that we're in this kid-friendly area. It was a BLAST!! We had around 130 trick-or-treaters and Brady went to approx. 35 houses and came home with over 150 pieces of candy! James had to carry his bucket the last stretch because it was too heavy!

Brady taking his swing at the pinata
Brady & Samantha grabbing candy when the pinata finally broke
Samantha - my little NDSU Bison cheerleader
the crew of church friends' kids at Brad & Sara's
Jeff Gordon & NDSU cheerleader - ready to go!
"real" trick-or-treating!
3 of us dressed up - granted, mine wasn't a big stretch
Samantha & mom

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Samantha got the hang of it! Now we're in for trouble!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Brady's 1st day of preschool

Well . . . it's happened, the start of the schooling process. Brady is going to a preschool called "Brighter Beginnings" in South Fargo about 2 1/2 blocks from daycare. He goes Mon, Wed, Fri from 12:30-3pm. We lucked out that one of the fellow preschool moms is able to pick him up at daycare and bring him back.
I was really thrilled not to have to take him for his 1st day . . . . I would have been a puddle! James took him and I picked him up for his 1st day, just in case there was any nervousness/anxiety issues. He did great! James says he was so excited to go in that he momentarily forgot to give James a hug goodbye and when I picked him up, he talked nonstop! It was awesome!

ready to go!
NDSU Bison backpack he picked out
ready to get in dad's car
standing at the door of preschool
standing by his name on his cubby

Monday, August 30, 2010

Samantha's doing stairs

Ok - so she actually did her 1st set of stairs on July 31st, but I'm a little behind with the pictures of it. She literally tried one step, turned to look at me and did the whole flight with no trouble . . . dang! Here's the proof:


here was the look of "i'm gonna do it"

she turned and . . . she's off!

Brady was leading her up

Brady at the top cheering her on
And she gets to the top, turns with a big smile on her face and claps for herself :)

Thursday, August 5, 2010

SAMANTHA IS 1!!

Happy Birthday baby girl! Your first year has gone so fast and you've grown so much. Can't wait to see what the next year holds for you!





YAY!! Samantha's 1st birthday is here!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY BRADY!

I can't believe you're 4 years old today, it's totally cheesy - but I remember the 1st time I met and held you like it was yesterday. Now you've grown up into this funny, intelligent, inquisitive, caring, knowledge-hungry little boy who will be starting preschool in a few short weeks!

Happy birthday to our 1st born, so proud to call ourselves your parents!

1st day home from the hospital


Monday, July 5, 2010

Father's Day 2010

Father's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays are all so much more fun now that Brady can partake in the choosing of gifts and sign his own name in the cards . . . it means so much more, surprisingly, because it meant the world before then!

I took Brady shopping to pick out something for James and Grandpa Jerry. James got 2 Twins shirts (shocking) and Grandpa Jerry got jean shorts . . . ok, so he had a strong suggestion from me as what to get Grandpa Jerry. But it's a blast each time going with a toddler shopping.

Here's some pics as to how we spent Father's Day - I think a good time had by all.

one of the Twins shirts
one proud daddy :)

Brad & Grant trying to pass James & Brady while Brady is waving at us

Dylan likes a slower pace, so he went with Grandpa Jerry
Brady, Dylan & Grant - don't they look like old men ready to play the course? I love it!
the dads with their kids/grandkids
Dylan, Brad, Grant, Grandpa Jerry, Samantha, James & Brady
all buckled up and ready to go!

Samantha's room

I have completed Samantha's room, Brady's isn't far behind but a few more details to add to his. I was so excited to find exactly the right pinks to go in her room and then realized how much brighter the accent color was on the wall vs the paint swatch I had :) James is still a little overwhelmed at the pink - I have to admit I am a little, but still LOVE how it turned out!

her baptismal gifts

her name and crib

this looks purple, but is the same color as the wall with her name on it
the whole thing laid out

Happy Mother's Day

Just a really cute picture I have to share that I took of me & Samantha.

My 1st mother's day with a daughter and 1st with 2 kids! It's even better!

Samantha's 1st swim

I think both James and I can agree that Samantha is going to be our "no fear" child and also our fish. To her credit, we are really trying to expose Brady to the pool as much as possible to continue with his progress in swimming lessons. So - she won't get much choice as to become familiar with water.


just chillin' :)
Brady, me & Samantha

Samantha's swimsuit
she sure kicked alot

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

April happenings

Hello all - no I still don't have pictures taken of the new house, but that is on my "to do" list. First though I'll post some pics of things we've been doing (mainly the kids) in the last month.


Brady at his swimming lessons

cheesy picture by the "Mitchell" sign last night at the old house

Brady's forehead, nose & lip met the driveway chasing a basketball :(

Samantha's new "cheesy" grin

Brady sharing his push up with Samantha - it was a hit!

Brady helping Uncle Brad & Aunt Sara paint their bedroom

Brady & Dylan decided to draw letters with the paint

Samantha & Brady on Easter

my mother/daughter picture on Mother's Day - it's my new fav with Samantha!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

WE ARE MOVING!!

That's right - we're moving to another part of South Fargo. A home that has more space and 3 bedrooms on one level - can't wait!! This past weekend we spent moving things into the garage of our new house and now all that's left is some cleaning of our current house and a walk-through tomorrow and then Thursday morning is closing of both houses. In 36 hours from now, we should be standing in our new home!

It's been such a whirlwind last couple months. So much fun and so much work! As I sit typing tonight, there is 2 mattresses, a pack-n-play, a few clothes, a recliner, this computer and a small TV left in the house. Tomorrow night after kids are in bed, everything we don't need Thursday morning will be put in the trailer sitting in the driveway - waiting to go to the new house.

Look for pictures to come soon . . . I hope! We've been so blessed to have so many of our friends and family help with this move and can't wait to share the new house with everyone!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Easter 2010

Samantha had her 1st Easter and it was such a beautiful day! The boys were able to do their egg hunt outside . . . I don't remember a time that was able to happen! We spent the day with my family at my parents home. I would have to say - a good day had by all.


me & Samantha in our pink dresses


Dylan, Grandma Jane, Brady, Grant, Grandpa Jerry & Samantha

Brady, Samantha, great-grandma Doris, Dylan & Grant

Mitchell family

Samantha & Brady