Mind Your Pees and PooPoos....

That was the line from the "Potty Training 101" DVD that told me the disc was full of horse hockey!

But since we are officially in potty training mode, no turning back, I gave it a look.

All these cheery moms and dads who obviously have nothing else to do other than play in the bathroom and take car trips to get used to pottys in public. 

Seriously???

We have taken a slightly less "bubblegum" approach, but hopefully progress will be made!

We set up the bathroom downstairs to be "Potty Training Central"

We take potty breaks every hour.....or more since somebody seems to pee at either the 55 minute mark or 2 minutes after leaving the potty!

And since there are times when I KNOW he has to go, we sit down for the long haul!

One time (two times now!) we have gotten lucky!!

With a commemorative wave, he gets to flush...

And enjoy a delicious cookie!

Happy dances all around!

Now if only we can make this happen more often.....

I have to say, this has been the most challenging part of parenting thus far!  I am almost positive I have already given him a complex by making him sit on the potty all the time! How on earth is he supposed to use public restrooms when it takes sitting for at least 20 minutes before something happens??? 

Lord, give me patience to survive the next couple weeks and not harm a small child in the process.....

You Might Be a Redneck If......

.......this is your view from the deck:

In all seriousness, we have officially crossed over to Redneck-ville.

I mean further than normal!

Our home does not have air conditioning......really, it's common in Duluth...

But for a couple months, it can really get hot!!

So, while Adam had time, he went ahead and "installed" air conditioning for the season.

We were going to get an actual system put in, but decided to put the money towards some land instead.

So, here is our version of air conditioning.....Redneck style!

First, we had to hoist the stand onto the deck (since there are no stairs on the deck.....future project!)

Then my screen door was relaced by the "custom-made" air conditioner "frame"...

Definitely a MUCH different view than my previous one:

Then came the "gem"......the actual unit.

It fit in the "frame" and stood on the stand to make my sliding glass door now look like this:

Oh but wait!!!  The final Redneck touch.......Duct Tape!!

Now, as completely ugly as this system is, it does work great!  And since we don't have one of those dollar trees in our back yard, this is what we will live with until we get an actual "installed" system.

Donations are greatly appreciated!

And we accept Visa....



True Love...

You know how you do certain things for someone you love that may seem insignificant to others, but mean the world to the two of you??

Today, Adam came home from work armed with an extra large Mr. Goodbar AND a Dove dark chocolate bar AND a really nice card that he wrote really sweet things in.

My first thought.....

What did you do??

His response......

Just because I love you.

*Sigh*

Tomorrow, Adam has to meet a big Head Hancho at work, so he has to wear a "grown up" shirt.

It has to be ironed.

I HATE to iron......

But, at midnight, I am ready to iron his shirt so he can go to bed and rest up for his big day.

A bit of chocolate, a card, and an ironed shirt....

Seems like nothing much to an outsider.

Around here, that is True Love!!

Love you Babe!!



Vacation....Kansas City Style!

We just got back from a jam-packed week in Kansas City....

....and I mean JAM-PACKED! 

We love going down there and seeing family and friends, but there is absolutely NEVER enough time to do everything we would like to do!

I think we did a pretty good job fitting in all the essentials though!

We hung out with all the grandparents....

Avery got to meet her Aunt Lisa:

Landon helped out with a few projects....complete with the tool belt!



Handprints (and feet for Avery!) in the cement around the flagpole.



We hung out with our friends, Pat and Lori, who will one day be our kids' in-laws (at least that is the plan!)

Here is Avery and her "husband", Tyler:

Landon and his "wife" Maddy:

Last year...

And this year...

I think they are in love.... :)

We took a day trip up to Ankeny to see friends from school...



And while in Ankeny, we got some AWESOME pictures taken by the AMAZING Sarah!

A couple of my favorites....

Adam and I also got in a much needed date night!

Titanic in 3-D!

The grandparents provided the babysitting!

Landon and Maddy got to go on a date too (supervised of course!)

They went to the zoo!

Highlights include polar bears...

Feeding the sheep...

And riding the train...

Sadie and Bailey enjoyed hanging out too!

Of course, we did lots of relaxing!!

And napping...

And when Landon wasn't in the "naughty chair"...

...he was outside with Bompa!

It was Bompa's birthday while we were there, so we went out to celebrate:

And on the way home, we had to stop by and see the Hatfield's.  We both have had babies since we moved....Avery and Greta got to meet each other.

We had a blast in KC!! 

Next time, we need to be there at least a month!

One little monkey jumping on the bed.......

You know the rest....

...monkey fell off and bumped his head.

I would say my little monkey sure did bump his head!

He decided to test out his bed at Nana and Bompa's house.  And by "test" I mean holding on to the head board and bucking like a bronco.  Well, what happens when our hands slip off?? 

He claimed he could put the ice (or frozen raspberries) on his head himself, but that wasn't going too well.

So we move to Plan B.  Daddy holds him down, Bompa applies the berries!

After the "torture" from Daddy and Bompa, he was pleased to get a treat!

A little love from Mom and he was just like new.....with a "war wound"!

You know, after that, he took every nap and went to bed without a single issue!  Who says a knot on the noggin is such a bad thing?!