Easter Pictures!!

Here is the first slide show of pictures. This was on Saturday. We colored eggs and then made Jason his Easter bunny birthday cake. It turned out pretty cute and festive for the day, don't ya think?!

The second slide show is of Easter morning. The girls found the Easter eggs that the Easter bunny hid and also found their Easter baskets that they set out the evening before were filled with goodies. Also, a picture of the girls all decked out on the way to church, in their sunglasses and play gloves that they go in their baskets. Here in this slide show is also the lamb that was at church for all the kids to pet. Isn't it precious! Landree was a little nervous at first, but after she pet it and got a piece of candy, she was pretty excited! I brought the old camera, so it wasn't very quick, and I barely caught the tail end of Ryleigh petting it, and it's blurry, but I got it nonetheless. I didn't see the girls find their eggs on Easter morning or get into their baskets as Jason let me sleep a little, so here is what I got. Thanks Grandpa Kev for capturing it in pictures for me and thanks Jason, for letting me sleep!! Love you both!

The third slide show is of the Easter egg hunt that we and the neighbors did for our kiddos. Alexa and Brian are the neighborhood kids. It was a lot of fun and then Ryleigh did her own hiding of eggs throughout the day for all of us. It was so gorgeous out so it was perfect to do it outside (that doesn't happen very often here in MN on Easter)!! That's not all the photos my dad took (he's just as camera happy as I am), but these are what I am going to share!! Danny had fun pushing Landree on the swing, and I think Landree enjoyed it too since she took a cat nap while he pushed her....too cute!

Some photos, but not all!

Here are some photos I've played with. These are of the girls in their Easter dresses! I have tons more of Easter morning and the egg hunt, but we will see how long Reese lets me play! On Easter day, there were a few pictures I forgot to take.....a family photo, Jason with his cake. But, I do have to say that I got to have fun while my dad took all the pictures on my camera and so I just relaxed and didn't worry about what pictures I didn't get!

Some funny things that were said on Easter!! Ryleigh has always loved to be scratched on her arms, legs, back, feet, hands, head....yes, even her armpits! It is the one way I have always been able to calm her down when she is rowdy, upset, or not feeling well. It works well in places I want her to be quiet........like church! So, she was sitting on my dad's lap at church and asked him to scratch her legs. He leaned over to me and said, "Look at her goosebumps!" She leaned over to us and said, "Those are people bumps!!" When we were headed to church Ryleigh grabbed one of her purses for her sunglasses and gloves she got from the Easter bunny. She told Jason that she was a lady and needed a purse like mommy. When everyone left and the girls had finished their baths and went to bed, I was doing some dishes in the kitchen. I didn't hear anything as I had the radio on and I felt this little poke on my arm. I jumped so high and there stood Ryleigh. She told me she wanted me to tuck her in. Landree was right behind her. So, I said, "let me dry my hands off and I will be right there." She gave me a big THUMBS UP! I have some more, but Reese just woke from a nap, so I am going to go snuggle her up! Until the next photos are shared....................

Happy Birthday & Happy Easter!

Wanted to wish Jason a very happy birthday today! Jason, I hope you had a very fun day--we sure did! And a Happy Easter to all our friends and family! I have tons of pictures from today that I will be sharing soon! Today started of with a visit from the Easter bunny, then a lamb that the girls got to pet at church, dinner with Grandma and Grandpa Zabka & Grandma and Grandpa Quint, an Easter egg hunt with the neighbor kids in ours and their yard, birthday cake and singing to daddy, playing outside on this gorgeous day, watching a new movie, too much sugar, fun package in the mail from Nana Peggy, pictures, pictures and more pictures, skyping Uncle Ryan & Aunt Kelli, a bath for all three girls, an almost broken neck (twice) for Landree, and almost broken arm for Ryleigh, an evening cuddle, some more singing, and off to bed. FUN filled that is for sure!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

A very happy anniversary wish for a very special couple. Pretty sure it's 34 years, which is amazing by the way!! Thank you for always being such great role models for Jason and I. It is amazing to witness that marriage at 34 years is still magical and fun. ( we won't talk about the redneck comments here--haha) :) Anyways, hope you enjoy many more wonderful years together!!

Birthday Wishes!

So many birthday's today!

First birthday wishes go out to me and Jason's Goddaughter, Elaina!!! She turns the big 1 years old today!! Happy Birthday little sweetheart. We will see you soon to give you your birthday present!!

Second birthday wishes go out to Jason's dad, Danny! I won't tell you how old he is just in case he doesn't appreciate it (haha), but we just wanted you to know we love you Grandpa. Thanks for always being there for us.

In my heart I will always remember that today was also my Grandma Leora's birthday. I miss you Grandma and hope your first birthday in heaven is lovely. Praying that you are in peace. I finally found the pictures I wanted to share a few months ago that I had found of my Grandma. This is my cousin Dawn and I loving up on my Grandma. I have the date as August 2007. Man do we miss her, she was so darn sweet, loving, adorable and loved us all more than you can imagine! She didn't even care that my almost 30 year old bottom was sitting on her lap....she loved it!

Ryleigh signing the alphabet!

We bought this sign language book for kids at Christmas for Ryleigh. She has been learning some signing in preschool with songs and other little things, so I thought she would enjoy the book. And, she does. At the moment, we can't find the book, but it is somewhere in the house. Anyhow, here she is signing the alphabet a few weeks ago (actually about the time we brought Reese home). She does the alphabet pretty good, it's getting better and better the more she practices . I couldn't get the video to download on blogger, so thought we'd try a different way to share it:


Wow-I just realized Ryleigh is multi-tasking while doing the alphabet (holding Reese) and hopefully the video is "stable" enough. I had Landree off and on my lap then also talking!

April Snow Brings May Flowers.....

Snow.............um isn't it supposed to be April showers, I guess not if you live in MN. Here is what we woke to today:

So what to do on another cold, snowy weekend? Well, a few things. First you get in a good nap with and when the little ones do:

Then you put the older girls to work! All we have left to finish in the whole house and in the basement is the basement bathroom. We are going to try and have a functioning shower by the time Nana Peggy comes, but we will see what happens. Here is what we have so far. It's going to be so pretty when it is done. And, I think we will be painting it a different color, but here's a sneak peak:

What else did we do today? Laundry, drove around, planned what we are going to do in our backyard this summer and what we are going to do when we go on our family "vacations" this summer!

Book Club

Just a little about what I am up to. I am enjoying my Book Club so much. Thanks to Jason for telling my friends hubby that I love to read. I have been to 4 so far and they are so fun. There is one rule and it's pretty cool: What's said at Book Club stays at Book Club! I can talk about the books though. Although I have been to four, I've only read three books because the first one was basically a "come and see what we are all about" evening. The first book I read (Feb) with them was: Strengths Finder. Now, if you want to find out your top 5 strengths, you actually have to buy the book and take an online test, which is very interesting. It helps you uncover your top 5 talents so you can do what you do best every day. My top 5 talents fit me so appropriately after I read them. They are: 1) Harmony 2) Responsibility 3) Consistency 4) Discipline 5) Empathy. All of these are so me, even though some of the other strengths look like more fun. They say that these will stay in and around your top 7, and throughout your life will stay the same, but may end up in a different order. I would love for Jason to take the test and see what his top 5 are. It says how to work together to make good relationships with other types of talents. Has come in handy for working with different types of people as well. The second book we read (March) was: A tree grows in Brooklyn. Slow, but good. Aprils book was: The Heretics Daughter. About the Salem witch trials. Very good, upsetting at times. May's book is Sarah's Key. I just bought it, but haven't started reading it yet! Can't wait. Anyhow, book club was on Thursday evening, and although it's best to leave your kids at home (obviously), new babies are welcome for awhile, and since there is really no schedule yet to Reese's eating habits, she came along with me and got doted on! So, it was lots of fun with lots of good food and drink, and a wonderful glass of white wine! I love to read and love to visit with these ladies who range from my age to my mom's age about the books and life in general. These ladies also come from different backgrounds and some work, some don't and they all get along so nicely. So, if you have a chance, read one of these good books! And, if you have any good suggestions, leave me a comment, because some day I will get to host and when you host the book club at your home, you get to pick the book!

Reese - 4 weeks!

I know it's only been 4 weeks...............but, I can't imagine my life without little Miss Reese! She is so cute and easy going and for the last two nights, she has gone 6 hours straight without waking up to eat. Which means, only up one time during the night. I shouldn't say too much because the night before the last two nights was not that hot and I don't want to jinx it! At least I got to sleep in on that night she was up a lot, tho, that helped me function. It's crazy to have a baby around again, but oh so much fun....I wouldn't change it for a thing! What else about Miss Reese, she is weighing in over 8 lbs and is starting to get the "breastmilk" rolls! She is a great eater, good burper and is strong. She is trying to hold her head up and will just stare at Jason or I if we are holding her. She keeps rolling from her back to either of her sides, don't know if this is accidental or if she just has some good ab muscles! She likes the swing-yay!! Loves to be cuddled and loves to go for car rides! The girls still absolutely adore her and they have been so cute with their "babies" lately. They are good "mommy's"! They rock, burp and even "nurse" their babies! Which is absolutely adorable when Landree lifts her shirt and feeds her baby, which is usually down by her belly button! They love to hold her and want to hold her all the time. They don't let Jason get any "holding" time, so he has his time after they go to bed! He also gets her to sleep every night, I think she loves his warmth, and then she is out!

Can't wait to meet her..........

Here is my brother and sister-in-law Kelli with some belly shots they took last weekend while home in WI. Little Zoee Rae Zabka is inside there and I can't wait to meet her this summer. I am so excited to be able to have another niece born. All these girls, can you believe it??? Mom and Dad will have 4 granddaughters. Not to mention all the girls on Jason's side....6 granddaughters by August and 1 grandson. Craziness. Can you tell they like to have fun:

Wish I could have been able to get to see you both while you were in WI, but we will definitely get to see you this summer and fall, so it will then be worth it. Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy. Kelli, I heard you got lots at the shower. Anything you two lovebirds need for little Zoee?? Let me know.

This Weekend Visitors

Saturday, Grandpa Danny and Grandma Terri brought Aunt Shea and Thatcher over to meet Miss Reese! It was a fun time seeing them all and hanging out for a few hours. I tried taking some pictures of Thatcher with my make shift photo "set" (haha), but he is so darned fast, it was a challenge! I did manage to get a few. Anyways, I have never seen a kid crawl so fast. He got from one side of the room to the other quicker than I could say his entire name....that's how quick he is. Watch out when he starts running! :) Shea, Thatcher is adorable. I thought I had some pictures of him and Landree giving each other kisses and hugs, but I guess I don't, that must have been someone else's camera. They are the little love bugs of the family. Anyhow, here are some pictures I snapped:

Shea, it was great to see you. Hopefully, it's not to long until we see you again. You are such a good mommy, and Thatcher is such an adorable, happy baby! I can't believe he will be 1 next month.

Last week some of my friends that I work with stopped by and I got a cute little 1st Easter outfit as well as a dress that I will use for Reese's Easter dress. It was fun to see them. Thanks Becky and Susan for coming to visit Miss Reese!

Happy Birthday Andie!

Happy Birthday to our sister-in-law, Andie! Hope you have a great day getting to do something you enjoy. Wow, I can't believe it is the 10th of April already! It has been so awesome here weather wise. This weekend it hit 70 both days and was even up around there on Friday. This morning we have already been to the park, to see the farm animals, and this whole weekend has been consumed by being outdoors. It's awesome. Reese has even enjoyed the fresh air! We also had some more visitors this week along with some visitors this weekend: Grandpa Danny, Grandma Terri, Auntie Shea and Thatcher! I have pictures from that so will try and do a post on that later. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and hope you all have a great week as well!

We Love Our Reeses to pieces!

Here are some pictures I snapped of Reese this past week. She is so fun to take pictures of, especially with this nice camera! She is so beautiful. I will have to mohawk her hair and get a picture, it is about an inch long all the way around. She is a "squeaker". She squeaks all the time, even in the middle of the night in her sleep. It is adorable and makes us all laugh. We call her our little squeak toy, pipsqueak and squeaker. Ryleigh will tell everyone and does that we love our Reese's to pieces!! Here she is and here I am trying to get better at my picture taking skills.

Reese's 2 week check up!

Miss Reese had her 2 week check up on Monday. I was right, she did suffer from a broken collar bone. She just didn't handle it as well as Landree did. That may have been the reason why she might have been a little irritated last week as well. She is doing very well and doesn't seem to be quite as stressed. She is moving her arm well and she doesn't seem to become angry when I lift her under her right shoulder anymore, all signs that it is healing well (and the little bump that is there). I do not think she likes red Currey pepper however. :) Didn't know Jason had substituted that for chili powder in one of his meals and even though the girls both thought it was a "spicy" meal, I thought it was wonderful and had about three helpings. This may have been what upset Reese's little tummy as she is doing well this past week with whatever I eat. Thank goodness. She still does seem to have a bit of a fussy time around 8 pm, but it is short lived. Thank goodness again. She is perfect during the day. And her feet are doing well. I didn't mention when she was born her feet were a little worrisome, but they are flexible and are straightening out just fine. She was so crammed inside of me and so long, it took it's toll on her poor little feet. I have also been massaging and stretching them. Back to her appointment. She is weighing in at 8 lbs!!!!! Go REESE!!! Yay, she's getting enough to eat! :) I can't believe she will be 3 weeks old already coming up here. My how time does fly. That's about all I have to update on Miss Reese. I did take some more photos of her and will try to get them posted either tonight or tomorrow!

Videos of Ryleigh!

Above: Anything that resembles a rock, you can find Ryleigh climbing on it and pretending to be Ariel from The Little Mermaid! She and Landree love to use my couch as their rock to sing this lovely tune. Not only does she hum this tune only on rocks, but even when she is playing in the toy room or her room. Below: Ever heard this country music tune? Here it is Ryleigh style!

Videos of Landree!!

I've finally been able to get the videos that I've had working on this new computer, so I thought I'd get them posted. Here are some of Landree. This first one was video taped back in the beginning of January. She is telling who the people are in the family photo!!

She's kind of more interested in coloring at this time, but I love how she says Reese's name and my name. So, I had to get it on here. Of course, since she's more interested in coloring, my name isn't the best at how shes said it, but you get the gist.

Landree Loves to Jump!!

Here are some videos of Landree jumping. She's an awesome jumper and has been up to this for quite some time. We always have to pay attention to her when she is on anything where she can jump. There was one time she was jumping to Jason from the stairs but he didn't realize it until she was mid-air. Luckily he caught her or it wouldn't have been pretty!! But anyways, she loves to JUMP!!! Can you see my big helper in the background?? She loves to do the dishes!!

Reese - 2 weeks old

Yesterday, Miss Reese turned 2 weeks old...crazy. I am a loving her so much! I have been trying to play with my new camera as well. Here is a picture I took of her yesterday, she was not very happy with me as you can tell. She does not like being naked, especially with this April chill. I also got a set of her footprints in her baby book and for her footprint hangy thingy, I however was unable to get her handprints. She did not like that one bit so I may need Jason's help if Grandma Terri can't get over here to help!! ;) Anyhow, here is my picture: (not nearly as good as Ana's but I am just beginning and learning).

April Fools Day!

Yep, it happened today. I was April Fooled by my own 4 year old!! She got me. This morning after preschool, I was sitting in the chair feeding Reese and Ryleigh said, "mom, there's a deer standing in our front yard!!" And as I said, "oh really" and was getting up to look, she said, "April Fools Day, mommy!" Little turkey! She giggled a good giggle after that! Reese is doing good, had a great day yesterday, with little gas issues. She had more visitors, my friend Rebecca came to see her and love her up yesterday afternoon and then my other friend, Emily took Reese and I out to lunch yesterday at Panera Bread....yummy! And Reese liked it!! Yay!! So, it was a fun day. Jason took the car to finally get fixed. Hopefully, with this fixing it is back to it's trusty old self. The girls are doing great! Ryleigh is looking forward to Easter. Landree is looking forward to whatever excites Ryleigh! They are such good big sisters and helpers. Landree likes to throw away the diapers for me and Ryleigh well, she insisted on helping with changing the diapers, that is until she saw the poo, then she told me she'd only help with the ones she pees in!! :) Gotta love it! They both like to help burp her and hold her and cuddle and kiss and etc..... I had some other stuff to update on the girls, but I will have to go think about it. My brain is still somewhat missing. I baked this morning, some lemon poppy seed muffins....I am going to go eat one and see if that helps my memory!! Will work on getting more photos on here. Seems as though the evenings are filled with much more craziness than the days lately, so we will definitely see. Have a great weekend and watch out for those April Fools jokes........and yay for April...goodbye March. Welcome spring and warmer weather!!!