Fargo is Far, Far Away

Well... Steve and I can cross North Dakota off the list of states we haven't seen (my list is much, much shorter than his). It was a lot of driving, but I think we all had a good time. Except maybe Steve for the hours he had to spend in a very boring and apparently terrible class on pediatric dentistry. We made a circle trip out of our driving adventure - we only covered the same road twice for the first and last 60-ish miles of our adventure. We headed to Fargo by way of Minneapolis last weekend. We stayed the first night of our journey in Menomonee, Wisconsin. The next morning we packed up for the Mall of America in Minneapolis. We had fun checking out the mall, but were a little disappointed by the fact that it was basically just an over-sized mall. I guess Steve and I were both expecting more one-of-a-kind shops. We did have fun visiting the "doll museum" (aka the American Girl Store) and had planned to take Abby to the aquarium, but she got too tired. The highlight of her time in the mall was finding a barbie doll sized "Beast" to go with her Belle dolls. She's had lots of fun with that guy since we picked him up.

Our hotel in Fargo (the Ramada) was really nice. We had a great time at the pool, which had a kiddie pool and also a water slide. Abby and I went down the water slide once, but that was enough for her. She really had fun in the pools and the "hot pool" (aka hot tub). While Steve was in class the girls and I had to find ways to entertain ourselves, so we did some shopping and afternoon naps. We also checked out the Red River Zoo. I would not give it particularly high marks. There weren't very many exhibits and about 1/4 of them didn't have any animals that we could find. Abby is pretty petrified of animals too, so that didn't really help our zoo experience. The one animal she did like was the Russian red squirrel, so we took her picture next to it. I think we spent about 45 minutes total seeing every exhibit in the zoo - that gives you an idea about how small the place was. And it was in the 60's, cloudy, and super windy. So... if we ever decide to go back to Fargo I am going to be skipping the zoo and heading to Scheel's sporting goods instead.

After Fargo we headed to visit Glenn, Melissa, and Jack in Brainerd, Minnesota. Abby and Jack had a great time playing together, which was really fun to watch because it was the first time they were able to really play with each other and interact instead of just playing in the same space and fighting over toys. They jumped, stickered, and played with cars and dolls. And they've both been asking about each other since we left so it must have been lots and lots of fun. We also got to see Melissa's baby belly in person and hoped that Baby H. might sneak out early to meet us, but no luck on that. We can't wait to meet him or her and our other new cousin Isaac when they are born in the next few weeks.

Yesterday we made the LONG, LONG drive home from Minnesota. The 10 hour drive took us 12 hours, which isn't too bad for a two year old girl and her baby sister. We even stopped to see Agate Falls in the U.P. on our way back. But by the last hour of the trip the girls were pretty exhausted, we had a bit of a meltdown from both, and my back was killing me from having a very compacted seat (my seat has to be all the way forward for Olivia's carset to fit into our car). It was fun, but we were tired and sore from the big adventure. So today we slept in as late as possible, got the refrigerator restocked, mowed the jungle that used to be our backyard (it was mid-calf deep in spots), and started on the gigantic laundry piles.

So now we are back to normal, at least until Friday when the girls and I head down to Flint to take my baby sisters to a concert and visit with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Scott for a night. Busy, busy, busy!

Some Random Photos from Thanksgiving Weekend

Abby at Home

I don't know who was happier to be home - it was a close tie between Abby and Maize. One went straight for the toys and the other straight for the couch. We had a lot of fun down in Hastings, but it is always good to be home and sleep in your own bed - or in Abby's case last night in your own mom's bed. We had lots of fun last night. Abby had to hug every doll that didn't get to make the trip with her. She also had to try out her chairs and get almost all her toys out to make sure they were still here. On top of that she is a great walker after last week, so she was trying out her legs around the house.

We had fun playing with Jack and Melissa while they visited mom and dad too. We were even able to get Abby's photo with Jack and a bunny. They are professional photos, so when we have the link to the website later this week we'll share them with you. For the record, Abby hates bunnies and cried every time she saw the cute little rabbit. Oh well.

We'll try to add some photos later today - for now it's on to digesting all the stuff we dumped right inside the door.

Abby's Secret Movie

We found this gem when we uploaded the videos - what cuties Jack and Abby are :-)

Abby Loves Jack

Abby always loves seeing her cousin Jack again. This time she even loved his pacifier, which is odd since she won't use her own.

It's an... Incisor!

The first tooth is through - it is not all the way in yet, but you can feel the top of it if you allow Abby to gum you. She is going to have to find a new hobby - no more chewing on family members! And she has been remarkably well behaved and not a bit crabby the last few days. We will sign up for more teeth if they come in while she is being a perfect little lady.

Abby had lots of fun with her cousin Jack last week. They are going to have even more fun as they get bigger. Abby gave Jack's cheek a big pinch the other day, just like she gets all the time. It is amazing how kids see us adults do something and try it themselves. It makes me think I have to be very careful about what she sees me do and what she hears me say. Yikes...

Steve is off today, so Abby and I may make him take us over to Canada for something different. We still have a lot to explore over there. But first we'll have to check the exchange rate to see if purchasing things there is as cheap or cheaper than purchasing them here (which was not the case last time we visited). Steve and I may also go pick out some new glasses today - we are both needing new lenses, since our sets are both at least 2 prescriptions ago. We will have to make sure Abby approves of any new glasses so that we can actually wear them.

A Welcome Home Present

We made it home last night to a snow covered driveway, and the snow is still falling. It is so beautiful! Abby and I say bring it on, as long as we can watch it from the warmth of our living room.

We had a wonderful week down visiting in Hastings, but it was really good to be home. In fact, Abby did some of her best smiling and playing last night when she got her toys back. She can be quite a ham. While she was gone Abby reached one (and a half) milestone that we were really looking forward to. We now have a mobile girl, but only in reverse. Abby is a very proficient backwards scooter now and she is trying harder and harder to get going forward. Abby also almost has her first tooth (the lower right central incisor). It is just right there and you can definitely see the edge of it about to come through. Maybe by tomorrow we will no longer be parents to a toothless wonder.

We got to do lots of visiting in Hastings - Abby got to see almost all her grandparents (she only missed out on Grandpa Roy and Great Grandpa Duane who were in Florida and Great Grandpa and Grandma Gamble). She also got to see all her first cousins and her new second cousin Camree Kissinger. It was really fun. And we got to go shopping, to Aunt Emily's basketball game, and to Great Grandma Jennie's flower shop. As you can guess, we were super busy and now Abby and I are both ready to just spend a few days playing barbies and watching Handy Manny.

Abby also learned screaming this past week. Not the crying type of screaming - we are talking more about the Braveheart style shout of defiance. Oh joy... We have a lot more pictures to share, but you'll just have to wait until another day to see a few more.

Still Getting Bigger

Well, it is official. Abby is still getting bigger and at a good clip. She was in the 90th percentile for weight and the 75th for height. She's growing like a little weed! She had no fun getting the shots today, but a little pain now is a lot better than a lot of pain or illness later. She really did not like the shots or the poor nurses who had to deliver them, but she liked Dr. Mackie just fine. Unlike the last time she got shots, this time Abby's been pretty happy and playing afterwards. I was really worried we were going to have a whiny afternoon, but we are having fun instead and watching 101 Dalmatians together.

Abby is getting ready for camping. She is getting her bags packed up and ready to go and we got the tent and sleeping bags around yesterday. We are also reading our new library book - The Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring. Abby has learned lots of information about Hobbits and Wizards so far. She is going to be very smart someday and very well rounded (we hope).

Here are some Abby and Jack photos from yesterday morning. We did some rough measuring and weighing of Jack when he was here. Based on our very unscientific measurements Jack was about 22 inches - otherwise known as the same length as Abby was at birth. But he has grown 3 inches since he was born, so that's quite a bit of growing that he has done. Abby still dwarfs him for now, but by next summer he'll probably be able to wrestle with her pretty well.

And now... back to packing :)

Bye Bye Bamboo

We had a surprise visit from Grandma Mary, Aunt Hannah, Aunt Melissa and cousin Jack last night on their big drive from Hastings to Minnesota. We had a fun time visiting. Abby and Jack had a good time playing in Hastings last weekend (see photos below). They only had one "fight" - Abby hit Jack and he pulled her hair. Hopefully there won't be many more fights as they get bigger.

The wild and out of control bamboo is being removed from the yard this afternoon. It is a bittersweet removal. I really enjoyed having the bamboo for privacy purposes since it grew so tall that it blocked the view into our kitchen window and also made a great hedge around the backyard and hid the unsightly shed. But... it is invasive and out of control and was starting to block the back door. I'm sure it will be back, but for now Maize has gained an extra area of the yard to explore.

Tonight is the camping gear round up. We need to make sure we have it all in one spot so we don't run off into the woods and forget something important. We are really excited for a little rest and relaxation away from the busyness of home and work. I checked out some library books for the whole family today so we should have something to keep us busy when we are not sleeping or beaching.

Tomorrow is another check-up for Abby and her boosters for her shots. No fun. I'm sure lots of cuddling and a warm bath will be on the agenda for tomorrow.

Welcome Home Yupper

Left: Great Grandma Lorraine, Great Grandpa Harley, Abby O. & Jack Hagberg
Right: Aunt Melissa Hagberg, "Auntie" Meg Osgood and Jack

Left: Great Aunt Lucile and Abby
Right: Aunt Courtnie and Abby

Left: Abby in Grandma Mary's play gym
Right: Abby and Mom with Grandma Mary's goats

Left: Our nephew Connor Newland being attacked by Grandma Mary's puppies
Right: Abby loving her sweet potatoes

Abby & "Auntie" Meg

Wow - what a busy, busy week Abby and I had visiting in Hastings. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights of our trip.

Highlights: Meeting baby Jack Hagberg. Abby and I got to meet baby Jack and visit with him and Melissa. Jack is really cute, but I think he is now (at one month) about the size Abby was at about one week. But we're sure he'll grow fast. Abby got a great new "big girl" car seat. It is soft and squishy and has lots of room for wiggling and kicking around. It also met the daddy standard of being gender neutral and matching our cars. Abby rode home in her new seat and had a great time kicking and grabbing her toes. And speaking of toes, Abby discovered what great playthings that those little guys make. She's been playing with them every chance she's had. We also got to visit with Grandma Lorraine and Grandpa Harley. We miss all of our family, but we especially miss living so close to Grandma and Grandpa. We enjoyed getting to spend lots of time with them while we lived in Tecumseh and miss all those fun afternoons golfing or watching football. We can't wait to head down to visit them in a few weeks!

Lowlights: The sinking of my cell phone. I took Abby into the pool at Grandma Mary and Grandpa Scott's house, it was not a good plan. The pool wasn't heated and it was COLD! Abby screamed, I tried to grab the towels and my phone to get her out of the pool and my phone took a dive, right into the shallow end. Whoops. Despite Emily's best efforts, the LCD screen on my phone is officially dead, so I can't really operate the phone or use the phone book. The heat and humidity were terrible! We love the U.P. - it is cool and comfortable and we can get by with just fans. We did not love the 80+ degree weather and the ridiculous humidity. It was too hot to sleep, to eat, or to do anything. Poor Abby had to go topless for an afternoon just to beat the heat.