Froehle Easter 2012

We had a wonderful Easter 2012!!

We started our weekend by celebrating with the Froehle's. Luke had some work to do in St Cloud, so unfortunately we both had to drive...but it probably worked out for the best in the long run.

I drove the kids up to Cold Spring Friday afternoon and Luke joined us after work. We had a great time walking to the lake, playing in the fort and being together!

Hanging out on the porch with Grandpa!

Wearing Grandpa's boots and helping sweep up!

Wearing Grandpa's Hat!

Grandma and Nora!

The Easter Bunny found his way to Cold Spring!

Loving his new duck that changes colors--this kid LOVES ducks!

On Saturday we visited Dave's ducks and got a tour of his "work". Dave lives next door to Rich and Eileen--he raises ducks and grows all sorts of things (peaches, apples, and vegetables I probably haven't heard of)! He also makes wine! :) He let Bishop pet one of the ducks--he has 13 ducks....Bishop chased 12 of them away, but we were able to see one of the stragglers!

Walking to Dave's

Meeting the duck

We had a delicious Easter meal with Father Alberic on Saturday and enjoyed our time together!

Dave brought us some Duck Eggs and a bottle of wine. We will try to bake something with the duck eggs, as they are similar to chicken eggs, but have a bigger yolk and are great for baking!

Due to a tired boy, Luke and Bishop took off right after we ate. Bishop slept all the way to Owatonna, so we didn't stop to ride together (Bishop would have woken up and not gone back to sleep). I fed Nora and left about 45 minutes later. It was such a wonderful Easter at the Froehle's!

Happy 1st Birthday Madelyn

A year ago today the most beautiful girl was born--Madelyn Michelle! I was so sad to not be there for her birth--so sad I was crying in my hotel room in New York....tears of joy and tears of sadness--yes, I was feeling a little sorry for myself. My sister was there for me when I needed her most (she always has been), but she was there as I lay in the hospital bed by myself because they took my baby boy to the special care nursery and I knew it was more important for Luke to be with our baby. Shelly went and bought me McDonald's, which was just what I needed.  I digress..........

A year ago today, Madelyn Michelle forever changed our lives--she is the happiest little girl I know. I am such a proud Auntie and Godmother! Her giggle makes me laugh and she makes me smile everyday! I love how happy she is to see Bishop and no matter what he's doing, she laughs (they make a perfect pair--he LOVES the attention)!

Madelyn I am so excited to celebrate YOU tomorrow and I can't wait to see what you have in store for this world. Your smile lights up so many lives! We LOVE you bigger than the sky!!

You are such a good cousin to Nora!

I love this picture of Madelyn--she was cruising around at Easter!! Such a honey!

Feeding the ducks and mowing the lawn

I took the kids down to Owatonna again this week (Wednesday night), as Luke was out of town. On Wednesday we went for a LONG walk....and Bishop walked/ran almost the entire way! The kid has so much energy, it's crazy!!

Nora on our long walk--content as can be! 

We stopped at the park and then walked to feed the ducks. There was another playground on our way home, so we stopped to play at that one as well. We were gone for 2 hours! Nora was such a trooper--she slept the entire time in the stroller!

Walking tot he park with Nana!

Walking to the park with Nana....in their sunglasses! Bishop never let go of the bag of bread (for the ducks)--he kept stopping to check to make sure the bread was still inside too!

Feeding the ducks!

On Thursday Bishop took a walk to Wilson School (by my parents house) with my parents to play on that playground. While they were there they saw a policeman in his policecar. The policeman was very nice to Bishop and put his lights on in his car....he asked Bishop if he wanted to sit in his car, but Bishop declined. I was surprised to hear he didn't sit in his car, as one of Bishop's favorite things to do right now is play in our cars. He loves to sit in the drivers seat, turn the wheel, honk the horn, and push the buttons.....and when it's time to get out...watch out--it's tantrum time!!!! Getting back to the policeman though--it made me good to know he wouldn't sit in a stranger's car and that he is cautious.

All smiles!

My dad mowed the lawn and as I've said before Bishop is a Papa's boy---so he had to help out! It was a little loud though, so he was fine sweeping off the grass off the driveway. He kept say....yucky grass, I wipe up....so he went and found a broom to sweep the grass off with! He's such a good helper!

Bishop still adores Nora and asks to hold her. He was so happy here--laughing, and singing to her! 

Nora doesn't mind his crazy brother at all! She loves to watch him play and takes it all in!

Girls Lunch Date

On Monday my mom hung out with Madelyn for the day (just for fun), so Nora and I went to play with them and then we all met Shelly out for a "girls lunch date"! It was so fun!

Madelyn is such a Nana's girl.....thankgoodness, because Bishop is a Papa's boy and always asks "Where's Papa?" when Nana comes by herself!

Madelyn really wanted Nora to play with her--but she napped the entire time! It won't be long though!

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Loken

Nora was finally able to meet Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Loken!! It hadn't worked out earlier due to some sickness going around their place. They were both pretty excited to hold her (and Bishop)!

Bishop enjoyed looking out the window at all the John Deere tractors (they live across the street from an implement)! He also enjoyed walking down the steps and riding the elevator back upstairs!!

Proud Great Grandpa

 Bishop choosing which hand his pennies are in!

 Nora is named after Great Grandma's mother!

We stopped at the park on our way home to feed the ducks--Bishop got such a kick out it! He would laugh and sqeal and say "the ducks eating bread"! It was so cute!

Toots

Luke was out of town last night so Bishop, Nora and I went to my parents for the night. I'll post more about that soon.

This morning we were all hanging out with my parents and Bishop "tooted" (as he calls) it. Our conversation went like this:

Me: Bishop, did you just toot?

Bishop: Yes, I tooted

Me: What do you say?

Bishop: It happens!

Me (while laughing): you say excuse me, when you toot!

Ha ha ha ha ha!!  I have no idea where that came from--but he's right.......it happens! :)

President's Club 2011

Luke won President's Club with his company in 2011! I am so proud of him and it's so nice his hard work paid off. He is typically on the road 1-2 nights a week and he works nights and weekends besides that, so he deserved the recognition and the trip!

President's Club 2011 was held at The Breakers in Palm Beach, FL! It was an AMAZING place--and was ridiculously expensive. Thankfully.....everything was paid for by Zurich!! Although it was a completely free trip--we both paid for it! :) We left last Sunday morning, March 18th--our flight left at 9:20am and we got home Thursday the 22nd at 5:30pm. There were 7 guys from MN who won, so it was extra fun to have a group of people we know to hang out with!

While we were there, we enjoyed sitting on the beach, by the pool, snorkeling, massages, great food and wine!! Like I said--anything and everything we wanted was on Zurich, so it was a wonderful vacation!

Of course, it was very hard to leave the kids and I cried the first couple of days--but I definitely enjoyed our time away and some time with just Luke.

My parents stayed at our house with Bishop and Nora. They are the absolute BEST! I can never express how thankful I am for my parents! They are amazing--having both kids is a lot of work (and energy) and they loved it.....they also cleaned, raked our yard, cleaned out our gutters, did laundry and had dinner ready when we got home! What a deal!! :) The kids loved their time with Nana and Papa and Bishop asked for both of them quite a bit after they left! Thanks mom and dad--we were able to truly enjoy our time away, thanks to you!!

The last night is the awards dinner/ceremony, which is black tie. It was a fun night and a great way to celebrate!!

Luke and his partner, Jim! Jim and his finance got married the day after we left in FL.

 Ryan, Jesse, Dan, Jim, Josh, Pete and Luke

 Barb, Kristin, me, Jayme and Nina