Once upon a time. . .

. . . there were two princesses who wanted to share a palace. The King and Queen (a.k.a Dad and Mom) searched the kingdom far and wide for the most perfect bunk beds fit for these beautiful girls. As children do, these princesses grew and grew until one day they decided that they each wanted their own royal space. So the King, along with the King's father, took apart the most perfect bunkbeds and divided the palace (and then the Queen used her royal tools to correct the mistakes of those silly men). With a little extra love and attention, the adorable princesses lived happily ever after . . . until they again change their minds as daughters often do.

Miss Jillian

Miss Delaney

first snow

"Mom, mom, did you look outside? You've got to see this!" Delaney woke me at 7:01 am, filled with joy over the freshly fallen snow. I can't say that I was terribly excited about this snow on October 10th. I had projects that still needed to be completed, and I needed warm weather and sunshine for them. Guess the fence, pergola and deck posts will have to survive a Minnesota winter before they get stained. That's what I get for waiting through the hot, humid summer months, hoping to get some warm fall days to do my work. The excitement was building as each child woke this morning. Jillian's joyful cries to go out and play right now, soon followed by Elliott's "Where are my boots?!" After a quick breakfast and scrambling to get dressed, the kids were bundled in their winter gear. Here's what we have to show for our morning in the snow.

You all know that my SIL is the most amazing photographer. I'm certainly not in the same league as Ria, but I do love to take photos of my beautiful children, and I do try to consider angles, composition, lighting, etc, when I am taking pictures. And I'm not above stealing her ideas, either. Ria takes incredible pictures of siblings jumping in the air and captures their faces and their bodies in just the right shot. The series of pictures I got when trying to capture my kiddos jumping in this first snow of the season . . . is, well, entertaining anyway!


Jillian has this way of stealing the spotlight. . .

which her big sister does not appreciate. . .

sometimes Delaney has to take matters into her own hands . . .

but seriously, Jillian always manages to have the big finish anyway!

Perhaps the best shot of all three of them in the bunch, but not really my favorite. I have a soft spot in my heart for that little showgirl of mine -- I've been told I was just like her at that age!

What did you say?

Elliott talks ALL the time and often says things that I never thought I'd hear from a two year old. On two occasions this week, I had to stop and say, 'um, what did you just say????'


"Mama, you get a point if you hit someone with your car."



"Mom, I just can't respect that."

cousins

Okay, so these adorable little boys aren't technically cousins . . . but they are my best friend's kids and for me, that's close enough. Sara and I have been friends since my Sophomore year at college, when I was still at SDSU but spending many weekends at the U of M with our other good friend Dee. We spent 3 years together as roommates during college (yes, that makes it a 5 year plan for me if you're trying to do the math). Often we joked that we'd get married and buy houses next door to one another. That plan didn't quite work out and we live about 45 minutes apart and don't nearly see eachother often enough in my opinion. It's important to me that our kids are close and we truly do refer to them as cousins. In fact, my kids even call them Auntie Sara and Uncle Derek. This morning they came for some playtime and lunch (and more playtime, imagine that). These 5 little monsters played in every imaginable space we had - every floor, room and the backyard as well. Did I mention that Jillian has plans to marry Jackie? She's been wondering if he's too young for her - she is four years older than him, but since he adores her I think she'll make the exception. Thanks for a great morning Sara, Tyler, and Jack!

Delaney & Jackie

Jillian & Tyler

vacation II

Vacation Fun

We squeezed in one last getaway before school started. Our family joined Ryan's sister's family for Labor Day Weekend at Gull Lake. We stayed at the Bay Colony, part of Grandview Resorts. The kids got to enjoy both the lake and beach as well as the waterslide and pool! I had my own personal vacation photographer - Ria takes amazing photos. You can check out her professional website by clicking the link to the right and her blog by clicking here. She's promised to share all the vacation photos with me, and then I'll share a few with all of you! For now, here are some pics of our trip. . .

The cousins enjoying Pirate's Cove minigolf!

Czichotzki's and Elton's at Ernies on the Lake
(notice my two posers!)

My cuties

We stopped in Garison by the fish caught by Paul Bunyan on our way to pick Bailey up from G&G on Mil Lacs Lake.

and so it begins. . .

another year of school! The outfits were selected days in advance, complete with jewelry and their first ever 'dangly' earrings. We prepared for the big event with baths last night followed by manicures in patterns to match their clothes! I'm not sure I even put this much thought and effort into getting ready for the prom!!! The excitement was so great that Jillian spilled her entire bowl of Lucky Charms all over herself and the floor, and Delaney's tummy was so nervous that she could barely eat her breakfast. That's a lot of expectation, I pray the first day is all they want it to be!

Elliott is going to miss his big sisters so much!

Delaney, 2nd grade (7 1/2)

Jillian, 1st grade (6)