A New Adventure

Henry and I have been wanting some baby ducks for a while now. We have a pond out in the woods that would be perfect for them. I found some ducklings for sale over the weekend and went and picked up four. They are Call Ducks. The three smaller ones were about 5 days old, and there is one that is a little older and quite a bit bigger than the others. After a few hours of having them we decided they will be better off staying around our yard, and having a coop closer to the house because they are so domesticated. They will follow us everywhere we go. It is so cute! They love to swim around in the little pool we bought for the dogs, and hang out on the rocks. Henry built them a small home for now, but will have to get moving on their permanent home soon because they will be full-grown in no time!

The girls checking them out for the first time.

Their first night at their new home. 

Relaxing.

Going for a swim.

I will update with more pictures as they grow and get their new house to live in. The dogs met them last night. Zoe wants to eat them, of course, and Lucky is just curious. Ozzi couldn't care less. The plan is to let them roam around during the day while we're home and the dogs are inside, and be in the coop while we're gone, at night, and while the dogs are out. 

A Project for Henry

The kids finally got their big birthday present put together. Henry spent a few days working on it and they are so excited that it is finally put together.

This doesn't look like any fun at all.

Waiting, not so patiently.

Here she is! Zoe even likes to go up the steps and hang out on top.

Lara's giant hopscotch.

Easter Weekend/Lara's Birthday Party

Our Easter was a little different this year. Lara decided she didn't want a "friend" party this year for her birthday, and instead wanted to go to a waterpark with just family. She had the day after Easter off of school so we decided to celebrate then. My parents came down on Sunday and we had a little egg hunt, more Easter baskets, Lara opened gifts, then we all took off to Waterpark of America. We had a great time! Lara even braved one of the bigger tube slides, and loved it. She also tried the surfing/body boarding. She got a little hurt on that one but I was proud that she did it, because there is no way I would have. Not with a bunch of people watching, anyway. We went to dinner at Outback then the kids hit the water again. The following day we headed over to Ikea for a bit, then to Mall of America to get Lara's American Girl doll. My mom and I had to convince her to change her mind a couple times on her choice. They didn't have one that looked exactly like her, but we found one that was close. She just has green eyes instead of blue, but it's not that noticeable. Hopefully they make some more combinations before Ayla gets one, otherwise they might end up with the exact same doll. Yesterday, the 16th, was Lara's actual 7th birthday. We went to dinner and had Dairy Queen cake.

We went the tie dye route this year for eggs.

Ayla with her basket.

Lara and her basket.

Opening some presents.

Now they each have their own toothfairy pillow.

My mom made this for her American Girl doll.

Here's Annie!

Ayla's Birthday!

Ayla turned 4 yesterday! We had a party for her at the house. It was mostly family, and a few friends. The weather was beautiful so we ate and opened gifts out on the deck. The kids then played with the new toys and also did a little four wheeling (so did the big kids). It was a perfect day! Aside from slamming my finger in the door. My fingernail is a real pretty shade of red right now. Here is a little bit of our day!

My cousin's daughter Norah

She had a rainbow theme

Joe playing with the kids

DQ cake. Mmmm

Nobu, one of Henry's sushi chefs put this together. : )

I ordered the kids a swingset for their big birthday present (Lara's birthday is in 3 weeks) so we look forward to the arrival of that. Not so much looking forward to putting it together, but hopefully that happens soon after we get it. We might also do a little shopping trip to MOA since I didn't have a chance to get Ayla anything yet without bringing her with me. Now that her party has passed I don't mind letting her pick something out for herself. Her Build a Bear is in need of a new outfit. She's been wearing the same dress for a year now. In 2 weeks we are celebrating Lara's birthday at Waterpark of America. We haven't been there yet, so we're really looking forward to it! Thank you everybody who came yesterday!

Doggies

This little ball will keep them busy for hours.

These nails grow WAY too fast.

A lucky boy.

Valentine's Day

This year the girls and I went on a date to Shanghai Bistro in Stillwater with my friend Jenny. After we were seated, these flowers were brought to our table for the kids and me from Henry. He's so sweet!

Who doesn't love a dog in heat?

Zoe went into heat while we were in Florida, so I came home to Diaper Dog. It's been a whole lot of fun! This is what we wake up to EVERY morning...

This actually doesn't look too bad, but this wasn't the only spot she chose to chew away.

She's so cute. I can't be mad at her. I don't blame her for hating the diaper. Love you Zoe!