The Many Faces of Natalie

This just cracks me up. I'll be printing this one off and saving it for her high school graduation for sure.

This sweet girl has STYLE!!

One of my all time favorite pictures.

I'm standing by my assessment that potty training is like being pecked to death by a chicken. Just sayin.

I'm pretty sure I've NEVER fallen asleep while reading. Let's hope she has her dad's love of reading!!

I never imagined I could be the mom of two girls who love each other so much. Such a special bond in the making.

Finally, we have "Prayers According to Natalie". I wish I could tape her prayers every night. They are as unscripted as they come and ALWAYS entertaining!!

A Few Favorites

Here are just a few pics that make me smile. Not much to say, just don't want to forget these moments.

BatBaby!!

Man He Loves Her!

Camping out in the living room for a Friday night slumber party.

This kid.....Love his silliness.

Just showin' off her guns.

Nothing like some moose jammies to keep you warm during these cold days. Thanks T!

Love these moments after a crazy day. SO PEACEFUL!!!

I feel like EVERY parent has pictures of their kids bouncing themselves right to sleep.

All dressed up for church.

January Photo Session Year 4!!!

About three years ago I was stuck inside during the cold days of winter and decided I needed to do a little photo shoot with the boys. I've decided this was a fun thing to keep up and since we had yet another snow day, (We have had 16 total!!!!!) I used the day to it's fullest by forcing asking the kids to pose for some pics. The pictures are by no means professional quality, but we did them together and had some crazy moments that I'll never forget, and that's what I love about them. When I was getting this post ready, I was going to just post the pics I took  and move on. I decided I NEEDED to go back and see how much they've grown and couldn't miss the chance to compare them all. This photo shoot I didn't go with the white shirts and green background like before and I totally regret it, but I DID get 4 kids coordinating and sitting for a picture, so let's focus on the victory here. I really wish we could have taken a video of the entire event because it had to have been a sight. I danced, shook a container of M&M's, bribed, and finally begged until it was done. I was sweating and they were over it, but there were many giggles during it all. Still, I'm really happy we only do this once a year.

 

 

 

 

 Some days life just seems to FLY by and with all the necessary, mundane things that just have to get done like making meals, dishes, laundry, packing book bags, I get so busy I don't SEE these sweet faces as much as I should and want to. I SEE them, but I don't connect like I want to. It takes a post like this just reminds me that the laundry will ALWAYS be there....cereal for dinner is not going to ruin them.....Facebook will always have 100 new posts no matter what day it is...and the house will never really be clean enough or organized enough for my standards. The one thing that WON'T always be the same are these four little blessings. Tonight is going to be an unplugged/hide and go seek/book reading/baby snuggling kind of night.

Here are a few of the out takes that I just had to add.

  Tess was clearly not feeling the photo shoot at first. Luckily, she quickly got into the spirit. I love how both boys have their "buddies" and are taking care of them.

 This is her "Go Get 'Em Pose!

THIS is what it's all about for me as a mom. Raising my little lambs to be buddies and tackle the world TOGETHER.

She will hate me for this one day, but this is reality....

This girls CRACKS ME UP people....

 Clearly we had reached our breaking point.....

 

Some days seem to take forever, but the years FLY by.

Minnesota Pride

Before Tessa got too big, I had to take a couple pictures of her in the very few MN outfits we have left. Still supporting our teams even if we're 800 miles away.

Christmas 2013

***I accidently posted this before I'd written anything. Just thought I would add the commentary so I can look back and remember what was happening in all the pictures. I'm amazed at how much I had forgotten already!! LOVE having this blog to help preserve all the memories.****

 

Christmas 2013  

 We were blessed with a quick little visit from papa about a week before we left for MN. It doesn't matter if they're here for only a couple of days or if we're going to see them again soon, we can never get enough Nana/Papa time. Poor Papa didn't get much time to relax while here. :-)

 

All dressed up and showing her love for her daddy.

This trip we decided to drive through the night to get to the farm which we haven't done since going home last February. I'm not a huge fan of driving through the night in the winter, but we were prepared to stop at any time if the weather wasn't safe. Luckily, God gave us some extra love and we made it to the farm early in the morning. It was odd getting there at about 6 am and having the entire day ahead of us, instead of getting there at 9pm and going straight to bed. I know the kids loved this way better for sure.  

Nat promptly found his spot by the fireplace and took at a little nap. Tessa did not protest. 

Ty made HUGE progress this winter in his ability to stay outside longer than 15 minutes before wanting to come back in!!

The large freezer has always been the favorite spot to change diapers. It's also the favorite spot to drop things behind. Here Nana is doing a little multi tasking it seems.

Cousin Movie night!

My brother did "No Shave November" and then HAD to have some fun with it when it was time to shave it. Can you say CREEPER!!

It was ridiculously cold this winter on the farm so when the weather was above zero we made sure to take advantage of the "heat wave" and get outside and have some fun.

Natalie decided she needed to help Jordan with the fish house he was building. It appears that daddy left behind a litter beverage from when he was helping as well....hmmmm

Not quite sure if she's trying to be a locksmith or a robber.....

Natalie did a MUCH better job of leaving the ornaments on the tree this year.  I love watching my kids play with toys that I use to play with. Ty of course used the old barn to hide his treasures. Can you say HOARDER?

Clearly she was LOVING her first Christmas on the farm!!

Christmas cookies and sprinkles. Enough said.

Cousin time is always at the top of the list of things the kids love about the farm. 

 

One fun treat over Christmas was that Tessa got to sleep in this baby bassinet that my dad slept in as a child!!

 

So fun to watch Mikey lovin on Tessa.

 

Every Christmas we do a white elephant gift exchange. I found these Hulk gloves at Goodwill and was going to use them as my white elephant. After realizing that they made noise AND were an absolute BLAST, we decided we would keep them for ourselves and find another gift for the white elephant exchange. Here Myles and Papa are having a pretty epic Hulk battle. The pictures are just too fun for words.  Best $3 ever spent!

Ty had to jump in at the chance to wrestle with Papa. I can't even count how many wrestling matches have been held in this living room.

 Our Christmas Eve morning tradition lives on. This year Natalie was a more active participant. She may have eaten her weight in gum drops, but who's counting.

After Christmas Eve Mass

 

 No idea what Nat was doing here, but Natalie and Nana decided to play tag right around him.

 Writing our letter to Santa and setting out some milk and cookies for him. That tiny Santa mug is the one I used as a kid every Christmas Eve for Santa's milk. So fun to be able to pass on these traditions to my kids.

They were clearly ready for bed.................. 

Christmas Morning

Dancing with Sophia!!

Tessa got plenty of love this Christmas

 You know....Your typical wrestling singlet, hair bow, and Mickey Mouse work gloves. Nothing odd here.

Not sure who was having more fun here.

The entire time we were on the farm, Natalie followed Mikey around like his little mama and made sure he was "safe". She also did not miss an opportunity to hug him every chance she could. Poor Mikey.

No Christmas is complete without a picture of Ken taking a nap amongst all the chaos. Natalie said, "Uncle Ken sound like a bear mama!" There may be a small snoring issue there....Just sayin. 

Mike, Mikey, and Tessa

A little Christmas night family photo session.

Michael James Zins and Michael James Zins. AKA Big Mike and Little Mikey

Honestly, this boy is obsessed with is Nana. 

 

 Love this sweet dress from Uncle Eric and Aunt Sarah

 My sister-in-law made these for the boys. Could you not die??? Seriously, THE BEST!!!

 Christmas bowling party was a necessity with the temps being so cold. Fun way to get out some extra energy AND make some friendly wagers. I am confident that next year I will not be as cocky with my wagers, as I am clearly not as gifted at bowling as I had imagined I was. Turns out I'm not as good without the bumpers....Who knew.

 

 This dude makes me happier than words can describe.

 New Year's Eve Party at Nana and Papa's!!!

 How has he put up with me for this long? Best dude ever!

Uncle Ken is some kind of special!

Sure wish they liked Jordan a little bit more.....

Last picture of 2013.....Bring it on 2014! The Mitchells are ready for SO MUCH FUN!!

The last thing I got to do before leaving the farm was meet this sweet little love. My newest niece arrived just in time for me to get one cuddle in with her before we had to leave. I'm SO sad we're not closer and the next time we will get to see her she will be 6 months old, but thanks to technology I am still feeling like I'm a part of her life as much as I can be from 800 miles away.