FOUR kids!

Tonight we found out what it is like to have four kids! Wow, I'm exhausted. I worked at the RAC today, then came home and watched Moore's kids for them while they went to a no-kids-welcome wedding. I watched Kristi 3 days a week for 2 years before we moved to Connecticut. Kristi and Kaden pretty much grew up together. The crazy thing is, they ended up in the same Kindergarten class this past year! They truly are "buds", but wow...how different it is to have a girl in the house! WAY different than those tough boys. :) She has a little brother, Issac. He is a real sweetie and Hudsen has enjoyed having someone his own age to play with. He keeps coming up to me and saying, "Mommy, what is his name?" Too funny! Issac (2), Hudsen (almost 3), Kristi (5 1/2) and Kaden (6 1/2)

Hudsen Lee

Crazy monkeys!

Then...

Kristi (2) and Kaden (almost 3) Halloween 2004 at our house

Now...

Kaden and Kristi on the last week of school during a field trip to Silver Lake Park.

Sushi-Itto!

Last night we had planned on taking the kids to the parade possibly with John, Kaisha, Avery and Baby J. However, their kids got a stomach bug at the last minute, so that was out (oh darn...we missed the parade!). Friday afternoon we decided to try to get a babysitter and did eventually luck out! Had a cute girl in the 'hood named Maddy that did an awesome job. We met John and Kaisha and Art and Lisa at Sontes for drinks. We had some pretty refreshing sangria then headed across the street to Sushi-Itto. We had some skeptics (Art and Lisa!) but overall had a super meal! There are currently two other Sushi Ittos in the U.S., both in San Diego, and several other Sushi Ittos slated to open in the U.S. this summer. So we are lucky to have one here in town!

Rochesterfest Moon Glow

After 8 years of living in Rochester, we FINALLY got to the Moon Glow! It was a ton of fun. We headed downtown after Jeremy got off of work. We consumed as much fried food as our stomachs could hold. Then, we headed to the "Kid Disco" at the Art Center for awhile. At around 8, the trucks and trailers carrying the balloons were starting to arrive and set up. The boys loved every minute of it from when they started getting the balloons unloaded to the moon glow part of it. It was really neat! We are constantly reminded how lucky we are to live here. We have a little bit of big city atmosphere, but with a small town feel. We have everything we need (and more!) but with no traffic and hardly any crime. We are truly blessed to raise Kaden and Hudsen here. I really figured that out when we lived out East. It is so different from here. No, Rochester may not be the most exciting place to live. I am just happy my kids can play outside without worrying about them too much!

I'm pretty sure having a balloon in your mouth isn't real safe!

Our boys...they were SO good that night!

Boys and me (look how tall Kaden is!)

Waiting patiently while they set up balloons.

Dad, Kaden and Hudsen eating Roscoe's Root Beer floats...yummy!
Peace, Love, MOM!

Kindergarten '07-'08

I know it seems weird to post pictures of a big yellow school bus, but I just wanted to compare Kaden's first day to his last day of Kindergarten. I am just in shock at how fast that year went. Kind of sad, too. My first baby is growing up entirely too fast. I look down at him and cannot believe how big and tall he is. Pretty soon he will be looking down to me! He is SO tall! I keep telling him everyday how he grew a little bit more while he was sleeping! Now only if Hudsen would get a little bit of Kaden's height. :) First day going to school on the bus. I get the biggest kick out of the little girl looking out the window!
Last day of Kindergarten. Same bus, same bus driver, Deb!

Kaden on his first day of Kindergarten, Sept. 6th, 2007
Kaden on his last day of Kindergarten, June 6th, 2008. Take note of his shirt...class of 2020! I'm sure that will be here before we know it!

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Weekend at the Lake

We had a super time at the lake with our friends from Rochester. We owe Mike and Monica a ton of thanks for all they do for us. Monica is always saying, "Mike and I can help you do that" or "Mike knows how to do that!" He is THE ultimate handy-man! Thank you guys! Monica is truly a selfless person. At times I feel like we could be sisters, except she is nicer than I am! And also for the fact that I crash at 10 and she is just getting started! :) I am truly blessed and very lucky to have met her over two years ago and connected like we did. I am in the process of writing up a legally biding contract that says that they cannot move from Rochester...EVER!



Hudsen at breakfast. He has a terrible habit of stealing my food!Izzie and me taking a killer nap on the deck. She likes the chair as much as I do!
Matthew and Kaden playing football with their dads.
You know you are a lake rat when you wear your lifejacket while playing football!
Huddy and Grandpa Blum hanging out at the lake.

Welcome summer! (and blogging!)

Kaden loves his swimming lessons!
CANNONBALL!!!!!!!
Kaden backfloating

Well, we have officially had our first "real" day of summer. Kaden and I both have slight sunburns (not too bad, a little pink)! Kaden is in swimming lessons at the RAC every morning this week. He is such a little fish! Not afraid at all and such a quick learner. I love watching him. He could outswim me anyday. We spent 5 hours at the pool. Hudsen did so well. Our friends Autumn and Alec showed up with their (awesome!) mom, and my friend, Kayla. Autumn is so sweet with Hudsen. Absolutely wants to play with Hudsen and he just adores her! We had a blast! To think we may do it all again tomorrow. Jeremy had a fun summer day, also. His department took off at noon for the Honker's game. He had a lot of fun in the sun also! I don't feel so guilty telling him we were at the pool for 5 hours today since he got to soak up the sun, too!