Music From A to Z

St. Anne's had their spring concert called music from A to Z. Yes they had a song for every starting with every letter of the alphabet. It was fun. Even the teachers had a song to sing. The kids didn't know and were very excited.

Andrew also was the song leader at the children's mass in the morning. He did such a great job. Jeff and I are always amazed how the kids at St. Anne's are always getting up in front of people and don't hardly look nervous. It is things they are always doing. It sure helps when they get to high school and beyond.

Mothers Day

The boys woke me early all excited to show me something. "Mom" "Mom" "Mom" we have to show you something. We want you to listen to something. I was sleeping so good and sound that I popped up thinking it was something major. They wanted me to listen to a song they had sang and recorded on my phone. The song, 'I've been watching you". I don't know the name for sure but the one about "daddy I've been watching you, I'm your buck r u, I want to be like you" You got it now.... they all sang it and were so proud. After it was done I realized I was up for the day. No way to say "thanks, but I'm going back to bed" so I was up. No church to go to, nothing. Reservations at noon at the Brau Haus. So I visited with the boys. I received a great phone call from my sister Heather. It is always a delight to hear her voice.
We had a nice lunch, met Gr & Gr Turbes, came back to the house and watched "Without a Paddle". That is always a fun movie. The boys laughed so hard through the whole thing. Luckily, Michael didn't get half of it and Zach was in and out. Jeff and I love to watch Andrew's face now as he is growing up more and more.

Saturday May 9th

We enjoyed a beautiful day at home. Some cleaning got done and then Jeff and the boys spent most of the morning outside. Cut down some more dead trees in the grove and placed them on the fire that is still smoldering since last weekend. No need to worry, it has been under dirt all week. I was paying some bills and doing some paperwork. Uggg. Jeff and the boys made a wonderful lunch on the grill. Steaks and shrimp! We have not eaten so good for a long time! The kids inhaled all their lunch. We just need to feed them good I guess! We then went for a bike ride together, as Zach has been asking for a few days. Jeff had all our bikes ready to go, Yea Jeff! I realized how dirty my bike has gotten and remembered back to all the summers (before cars, kids, jobs,phones) I spent shining my bike up. We would have "bike washes." Dad was always "anal" over clean cars and I always had a clean bike!
After the bike ride, Jeff got the kids cleaned up and they headed into town to pick up flowers for me and Gr Linda. After making a stop to her house, they headed back to the farm and off to church we went. Jeff and I were in charge of the Catholic Aid Associations "Take mom out for desert and coffee" after church. We got the coffee started, and deserts cut and on plates. The kids got to go up to church before us and sit with Gr & Gr Turbes. Jeff and I got up there right before it started and sat 2 pews behind them. We thoroughly enjoyed watching out well behaved children sit with their grandparents all through mass. Zach went out to children's liturgy like a big boy and Michael refused as usual. After mass we all enjoyed homemade deserts, coffee and juice. Visited with the locals and had a really enjoyable day. When it was all done, we came home, got on PJ's and watched some of our favorite show's on "PVR." Gotta love it! Soon it was off to bed.

Our Fire!

Sunday we decided to clean out a bunch of the rotten logs in the grove so the boys have a path for the 4 wheeler. It was allot of work but well worth it. We even had supper on the fire!

Wall Climbers

What one does, they all do!

2ND Grade Reading Rocks!

This is the 2nd Graders eating pizza with the KLGR crew!

New Rocks..... Treasures from Arizona

Treasures !!!

Michaels First Holy Communion

Michael and Father Todd Peterson
Michael receiving his First Communion

First Communion in Wabasso

On April 19th

Michael was soooo excited. On the way in to town, he told us that he memorized everything to do at mass. We were in the front row and had to lead at everything. Jeff and I are not comfortable with that, so that was interesting. Jeff and I also got to bring up the gifts for communion with Michael. He forgot when to go to the back. All I could think of was the last time I did this was in 6th grade. That was a long time ago. The church was PACKED! I have never seen it so full.

He was a little gentleman all day.

We were excited to have Great Grandma, Anties Janet and Katheryn also join us in the front pew. That was cool. Thanks for making the trip down from the cities! It meant allot. Great Aunt Frances Mahal was one of the eucharistic ministers for mass. That was neat also!

After mass, we hosted a reception at the farm. We had a great time visiting. We were blessed to have G & G Turbes, Gr Grandma Lillian, Katheryn, Janet, Kris, Tom, Liz, Brad, Sheila, BJ, Linda and Al all come over to celebrate. Many other far away family kept Michael in memory which was great also. Thanks so much. All day he told me how special he felt and what a great day it was.

I couldn't believe my 2nd child was receiving First Communion.

Fun Weekend!

What a fun spring weekend we had. Saturday was spent starting the morning off with a pancake and scrambled egg breakfast. 4-H fruit arrived so after cleaning a bit, we delivered the wonderful fruit to some. Visited for a few hours with our friends Deb and Dan Salfer while the boys played with Aldon. Zach barefoot for the first day of the season. The played on the tramp, examined the semi, played hide and seek in the yard, examined around other buildings on the yard all while we visited outside. It was beautiful weather! Snow is almost all gone on the snow hill. The boys rode on the 4 wheeler allot. Saturday night after putting the kids to bed, (Andrew babysat) Jeff and I picked up our neighbors Jim and Jennifer Zollner and headed to Redwood to the VFW to listen to our favorite home town band "Bus Nine." They are wonderful! You can check them out, Bus Nine on myspace. listen to their music. We love it! Today was layed back. Up early for 8am church, Catholic Aid Meeting - I'm VP. Brunch at the Roadhouse for a 4-H livestock fundraiser. That was wonderful. Home and more laundry. Jeff cleaned the gutters on the house and fixed on on the 2ND story. That was scary to watch as it was very windy today. I had to hold the ladder. Nap for me and Zach, Wildlife practice for Jeff and Andrew. That's what they get when they win. Keep studying. To end the night we had steaks on the grill for the first time this season. Wonderful!
Of course I can't forget about the big car races the boys had in the kitchen with about 50 of their favorite matchbox cars. It is so fun watching them play and get along together. Andrew is working on being patient with Zach which is a good thing.
Ahhhhh.... the sound of the rain drops and my boys sleeping after a fun weekend.

Michael & Zachary discuss the weather.....

On Saturday morning, Zachary wakes me up to tell me "Mom, Michael said he heard on the radio that it is going to be froggy all day today!" "Get up. Are you ready to get up yet?" By the way it was only 6:30am.

Later that night I couldn't remember what he had said so I asked Zach what the weather was going to be the next day. He in turned looked at Michael and the conversation went like this. "Michael, Michael... MICHAEL. Is it going to be froggy tomorrow too or just today? Michael states, No, it is going to be froggy just today, not tomorrow. Mom, it is just going to be froggy today," states Zachary.

I couldn't help but giggle.

Beautiful Sunday!

What a beautiful day it was today! I don't know if it reached the predicted 60 degrees or not but we won't complain. The morning started out very relaxing. Jeff worked at the Lucan Lions egg breakfast, while the kids slept in. Everyone but Zach. He's up at the crack of dawn. Later in the morning we met Jeff and all ate together. We next walked to the fire station and helped some of the fire fighters wash the fire trucks and First Responder rig for the St Patricks Day parade that was to start after lunch. The kids had a blast. Andrew was on windows, Zachary on tires, and Michael was on whatever he could find. After they were all washed, we went for a walk to kill a little time and enjoy the beautiful day. We ran into some friends and visited. Soon it was time for Jeff to get ready to drive a Rescue rig in the parade. Zachary, Michael, Lindsey and Justin Bernardy joined him very excited to ride in an old ambulance and throw out candy. They parade was a whole 2 blocks long, but it did make a u-turn at the end of main street and you got to see it again! Everyone was dressed in green. There was fire trucks, tractors, old cars, a boat, truck with daycare kids in the back, bag pipe players, horses and a 4 wheeler. Usually the weather is very cold, sleeting or snowing and windy so this was a beautiful day for a parade. After, we all head over to the Community Center for cake and ice cream and a short program. We listened to a couple that played the bagpipes and a large family who each played an instrument and sang. Of course there were jokes also. A fun day. We returned home and worked on Michaels social project on landforms. He wanted to do something "hard". We choose Oahu island. That was a great example of many different kinds of landforms. Now it is time to get the crew ready for bed. Good night!

4-H Wildlife Project Bowl 2009

What a big day. It started very early for us (for a Sat)! Alarms going off before 7am and me hitting snooze a few too many times. I get Andrew up and hop in the shower only to find Andrew back in bed when I get out. Now Jeff wanted to drop off Zach and Michael at G & G Turbes' at 7:30am. Jeff tries to get Andrew up and dressed, hops in the shower, while I get dressed. I find out Andrew can't find his camouflage shirt! Yes the Redwood County teams are all wearing Camo shirts and Bright Orange caps. (Nobody will miss us!) So, I am looking everywhere. In Michael's clothes, Andrew's clothes and even in Zachary's clothes, back to Michael's and to Andrew's. Nothing! I check under beds, in toy bins, up in the attic, (maybe it got sent up with the summer clothes) still nothing. I check Michael's room once more and find his. Luckily Michael is almost as big as Andrew as far as shirts go so this will work. OK, everyone is ready to go but me. Remember I just got dressed and had to look for my 6Th graders shirt! I throw some powder on my face, spritz some hair spray in my wet hair, eye liner, grab a yogurt and out the door we are. Oh, back in the house, I forgot my cell phone! (can't miss that important call even though it will be off during the competition). We race to G & G Turbes', open the doors, let the boys out and leave. Poor Michael is carrying the WII, steps out the van door and BOOM, slips on his butt on the icy cement. At least the WII was OK.... Just kidding! I jump out and console my big guy. He is so cool about it. He just gets up and says, "man it is slippery there!" I'm glad he didn't hurt himself. Back in the car, we didn't even go in and let them know they were there. Race to Redwood Falls. Jeff and I are each coaches of teams and we made it very clear to be there and not be late! Yup! That's us! Late! We did get there by 8:15 so I think we did pretty good for how our morning is starting. We find everyone there, another coach grabbed our packets and we are off to a good start. Now it is waiting for it to start at 9am. Our club took 2 Sr Teams and 3 Jr teams. Lots of kids to corral. We pass out books and study questions, pop is spilled, the usual. The competition is starting. They have orientation so everyone knows what to do and what is expected. We get to listen to the Sr teams pair off between themselves first. This is only the second year of Wildlife so there are not many other counties there. It is double elimination. These kids are learning stuff I learned or should have learned in High School if ever! Biomes, do you know what that is or how many are in MN???? They do! Finally after a long morning and into the afternoon of Knowledge Bowl, we have a winner. The Redwood Raccoon's (Jeff's team) won! Undefeated!!! Andrew was on that team so he is super pumped!! It was cool. The kids were so excited. They had tough competition! They received metals and now qualify for the State Competition in Foley MN on April 18Th. The day before Michaels 1st Communion. UGGGG
We picked up the kids, said Hello, and returned home only to get refreshed quick and go to church so we can sleep in in the morning. When we got home from church, Zach and Michael quickly put on their snow pants and rubber boots to go out and play. Yes have a snowball fight with each other. They play until they are soaken wet. Andrew received uninterrupted time on the WII. No little brothers to bug him!!!
Finally- to bed early!
We are all exhausted! Good night.

Snow again!

Last night, Andrew participated in the Showcase of Bands. It was the elementary, Jr High and Concert Bands. They all did such a great job. Jeff and I were so proud watching Andrew play the trumpet. He was dressed so nice and looked very poised. He is playing the trumpet that Uncle Tim gave him. He has really taken to it. I love to hear him practice, but unfortunately he doesn't practice as much as he should.

While we were in the concert, we started getting freezing rain. It was so slippery. Today we were getting quite a bit of wind and some snow. We figured they would get out of school early so Jeff and I went into town to get his hair cut by Bean the Barber, then pick up Zachay from Preschool, stopped at the library and picked up some movies. We then took Zachary out to eat at the Roadhouse while waiting for the kids to get out early at 12:10pm. We got home and they were so excited, until I had them do there homework. After getting that all done, they got to play and watch the movies Jeff surprised them with. A night together. Our other plans canceled (firemens training and FRED - fathers reading every day event). It continues to blow and snow.....

School Days

Andrew learning to knit a scarf.

Catholic Schools week - Mini Courses.

Andrew learned wood burning. He made a beautiful eagle picture.

Just me and my boys minus 2

Tonight it is just Zachary, Michael and I. Jeff took Andrew to Marshall to cheer on the Wabasso Girls Basketball team in section play. Michael doesn't like to watch games. I don't think he can sit that long. The only time he can sit is if he is sleeping or watching NCIS. He has started getting hooked on the old time Western movies with G. Linda. Anyway, Zach thought he should go with, but he just likes the snacks. No snacks for him tonight as Jeff and I signed up today to crew in the Breast Cancer 3-Day event in August. We spent his snack $. We are enjoying our evening together. We played "memory" with Michael's subtraction facts. That was different! We just got done having popcorn and watching Diners, Drivins and Dives. Zachary is asleep on the couch and so it is now me and Michael.

Andrew did great on his science fair project. He received a 1st place (1 of 7 1st place awards). He now has the chance to go to MSU in Mankato to be judged. I think we will take him. It will be good experience. He loves science stuff. He made fruit powered batteries.

Hugging or Wrestling???

Fall '08 They are actually hugging!! Michael and Zachary are often unseperable. Michael doesn't like to sleep alone right now. He sleeps with Zachary and often we will Michael using Zach as a pillow.

Monday, February 23

This morning as I'm checking email and enjoying 3 min of silence, while imagioning my boys eating their breakfast peacefully together, Zach and Michael come flying up the stairs yelling "Mom" "mom." I say to myself, "Oh God, help me this morning." Michael explains how Zach hit him while Zach is yelling how Michael hit him. I looked at Michael and calmly asked him, "if someone hit Jesus, would he hit them back or did he teach us to turn and give the other cheeck?" Stunned he looked at me and calmly states, "well it is already done" and walks away. I then calmly ask 4 year old Zach, "Would Jesus hit his brother if he was looking at him with a funny face?" Zach calmly states, "Is he that little baby or is he that man?" Needless to say the fighting was ended, and I had some explaining and teaching to do.Kids have a way of making life so "real." God sure did help me this morning because I can't stand fighting in the mornings.Having Christmas and Easter so close can sure confuse a kid! :)

Birthday Continued....

I posted to early. As I say, "never a dull moment." Jeff and I let the boys stay up later last night because they didn't have school today. So, after watching WALL-E and then Survivor we got the boys ready for bed and up the stairs. Jeff, Zach and I were up ahead with Andrew and Michael following. As I'm putting clean sheets on the bed (after finally getting them washed), Jeff is holding Zach as he fell asleep on me watching TV, we hear Andrew start wailing as he is walking up the stairs. Michael commes running in by me as I ask him the infamous question, "What did you do?" "Nothing, I only touched his shoulder like this (holds out 1 finger and pokes). I go in to check on Andrew with Jeff following me into the bathroom only to find Andrew leaning over the sink with blood gooshing from his nose and splattering all over the sink while crying uncontrollably! Wow! I'm thinking, "what the hell just happened - it's his birthday". Jeff gets the 2ND story from Michael and I get Andrew's story among the sobs. "He punched me in the nose!" I tell you....... It finally ended with both of them getting "punished (to be determined in the morning per Jeff) for not telling the truth about what happened, and exaggerating, pulling pranks on each other at 11pm at night and ordering them to stay away from each other!

So what did happen???? Andrew pulled Michael's leg back down the stairs, Michael turned to "bop" Andrew and accidentally popped him in the nose, they both stretch the truth??? Only God Knows For Sure!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Well, It has become a tradition, snow on Andrew's birthday. He has come to accept it, not stating he is excited about it. Once again, school gets called off early with buses leaving at 10am. No party planned today with friends. We have planned a trip to the Mall Of America and he gets to invite a friend. They will get to spend the whole day on the rides at the Nickelodeon Park in March. He is excited about that. The worst part of today is the snow came up so fast, I didn't get to go in to town and get the Wii from Grandparents L&L from their over night last night. Andrew is not happy about that. All 3 boys did get to play outside in the snow. I could hear them laughing together while they sled down the snow hill and shovel snow in piles. I love the sound of them playing together. Andrew opened a gift tonight and we are ending the night by watching WALL-E and eating pumpkin pie. Andrew's favorite!! Andrew has enjoyed the birthday calls tonight. He now has his own email address and gets to graduate to the front seat in the vehicles. Ya!!

What are we up to now???

Today is Ash Wed. Michael's 2ND grade class is in charge of leading the children's mass today. Of course we Jeff and I didn't leave home as soon as we wanted as I forgot my coffee and cell phone so we had to turn around and get them. Luckily we were only 1/2 mile from home. We get to the church to drop Zachy off (he is spending the day with Grandparents L&L) and the church is packed. My hair is wet and there are classes and parents are lined up outside. I deliver Zachary, wish Linda a Happy Birthday and sneak out. Jeff and I don't stay because he has a meeting at 10am and I have class. Michael says "that's OK mom because I have done it before!" meaning, carrying up the gifts. I later find out that Andrew was an usher. He is sure enjoying the privileges of 6th grade!