Too cute for words . . .

Ella has a friend at Ballet class . . . Mette Severson! These two have been friends for quite some time (her mom, Jenine is one of my teaching friends), and now they get to see each other every week for class! Ella was thrilled :) These are some of the pictures from their first class together!

The Lake

Last weekend, we packed up, and headed up to Maple Lake to spend time with my mom (Nanny), Ali and Daysha. We hadn't been able to be at the lake since October, so we were REALLY looking forward it going.

Saturday was filled with fun, fishing, and family. My Aunt Judy from Texas joined us at the lake. She is always a hoot to be around! I was so excited to be able to spend some time with her in such a relaxed atmosphere, where we could just talk and hang out. Carl spent his day out on the ice fishing. Although he didn't have much luck (only caught three bullheads all day long!), he still had a great time just enjoying the northern outdoors. Carl's parents also joined us! They enjoyed sledding and skating (after Grandpa Dwaine shoveled off a HUGE rink for the girls on the lake). The girls always have such a great time with all those grandparents around to spoil them :) We were also lucky enough to have my cousin's Heidi and Heather come and visit from Montana. Because they live so far away and are extremely busy with their graduate programs, we don't get to see them very often. So it was great to be able to hang out and play games all night.

We always have such a great time at the lake. I often refer to it as my "happy place". I was pretty sad to leave on Sunday, but we will be back during our spring break week!!

Top 20

Because I am now over 29 weeks pregnant, I am starting to get into that "uncomfortable" stage. Because of this, I'm also starting to focus on the negative aspects of being pregnant. I started to re-evaluate and decided that I need to be more positive! This might (?) be our last pregnancy, so I'd better enjoy the 2 months I have left. So I came up with the top 20 things that are GOOD about being pregnant (FYI: some of these reasons are very girlie ones . . . boys; be aware)

1. Getting told how "cute" you look
2. Saving money on the drink tab when going out for dinner
3. Never having to worry who is driving after a night out
4. Never having to worry about my zipper being down . . .Maternity pants don't have them
5. Smiled at A LOT by strangers
6. Never have to exercise for longer than 30 minutes
7. Not getting my period for 9 months!
8. Getting to sleep, knowing (and feeling) that the baby is awake
9. Going up a cup size :)
10. Telling yourself that the hamburger and fries are going straight to the baby's butt and not yours (FALSE)
11. More back rubs from the hubby
12. More hugs from the hubby
13. Sleeping through the night . . . well most of the time (potty breaks)
14. Knowing that my last day of school is in April and not June!
15. Not feeling (too) bad when the number on the scale keeps going up
16. Second helpings
17. No shoveling in the winter
18. Having a place to set my plate/beverage
19. Healthy, strong nails
20. I get to feel my little baby moving and kicking at least 10 times an hour! Could be the best feeling in the world!

Adolphson Pride

Last Sunday, we went to the Women's Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Gophers basketball game (at the Williams arena) to watch Carl's cousin, Kamille Wahlin play. We had such a fun time! I swear, every Adolphson across the state was there to cheer on Kamille. We all met at Applebee's before the game and basically took up the entire restaurant.

Kamille started the game at guard (as a freshmen!!!!) and played an awesome game! She had 8 points (2 three-pointers) and many assists and rebounds. It was pretty amazing watching a family member playing at such a high caliber of basketball (Division 1 - Big 10). . . we all knew she was an unbelievable athlete, but we were all still impressed by her skill and composure.

Family wasn't the only people to come out and support her. Her Crookston (probably around 40-50 people) fans rented a charter bus and drove up especially for the game! Talk about support from your home town!

Even though the Hawkeyes lost in the final minutes by only a few points, the game was amazing and we were all extremely proud of Kamille!! :)

Side note - Carl and Joice got to go down to the locker room before and after the game (we've got connections). Jocie got her favorite Hawkeyes to sign the poster she made, and Carl got to sit in Tubby Smith's desk :)

And the winner is . . .

Jocie entered a coloring contest. The contest was in affiliation with a play that is happening in Buffalo, MN ("Your a Good Man Charlie Brown"). Turns out that her picture was chosen out of the 3500 entries as the 4th grade winner! She won tickets to the play and a gift certificate to Buffalo Books!

Way to go Joc :)

Nice!

So....Carl and I went to go get our taxes done the other day. We were both sitting in the accountant's office, talking about our schools, and our day with students. I started talking about the current unit I was teaching, when Carl reached over and started to brush off my shirt. I looked down and YEP I had the crumbs from my most recent snack all over my shirt!!! How embarrassing! They were everywhere! Not only do I feel large, but the evidence of my "large-ness" in plain sight for all to see.

Did I mention that our accountant is the School Board President . . . Nice :)

I like to move it, move it

Wow . . . this little bugger sure can move! It's amazing how much this baby is swimming around. It's been awhile since I was pregnant with Ella, but I am pretty sure that this is my most active baby yet. So much in fact, that the massive flutters sometimes takes my breath away . . . not that it hurts, but just because it feels like such a BIG shift in there! Every time the Doctor checks the heart rate (145-150 beats per minute), she's always commenting on how active the baby is. Which is only leading me to one conclusion . . . this baby is probably a lot like it's sister Ella . . . and I am beginning to hope that this baby will start to take after her oldest sister Jocie. Jocelyn's demeanor is easier to deal with :)

Today is "Read My Shirt" day at school, and I'm wearing a shirt that says, "What's Kicking?" . . . how appropriate!

Side Note: How many of you think this baby is a girl because of the heart rate? I'm starting to lean that way. But I guess only time will tell :)