And we're off!

Well...the summer has officially began, and we are all very busy (shocker)! Ella's gymnastics class is on Monday nights which started last week. Jocie started her basketball camp today which goes for the next two weeks. In the middle of that, she and Carl will be headed off for their annual horseback riding trip. But instead of heading all the way to Mandan, ND to ride and camp, they are headed to the familiar grounds of Argyle, MN. They will enjoy riding and camping with Grandpa Dwaine at the Old Mill State Park. Next week, Jocie also starts her Volleyball Camp (whew).

Carl and I are (too) busy also. I have Master's class every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:00-1:00 and some random Fridays thrown in there to spice things up! Carl does Driver's Training Mon, Wed, and Fri's from 8:00 - 12:00 and Tues and Thurs from 2:00 - 6:00. He is also working hard on his Master's because his Action-Research paper is due in early July (YUCK...or could substitute the "Y" in that word and use an "F" instead). Thank God Carl will be done with his Master's program in August! YAY!! And of course we have our darling little Claire to take care of who just turned 2 MONTHS :)

Claire is growing up (and chubbing up) right before our eyes. She is really starting to notice the things around her. She is starting to get a kick out of her toys. She loves to look at rattles and her little animals that circle her head in the swing (which she also really likes). She is starting to coo back at us when we are talking to her, and also starting to smile quite a bit (which is our favorite!)

Although our summer will be a hectic one, we are determined to enjoy it!

Jocie's first blog

I 'm so excited it's finally SUMMER. It's been a very long year, but I had a great teacher. Her name was Ms.Hageseth. This was her last year. She retired. I think the best thing about this year was meeting new friends and teachers.

Some summer activities I am doing are volleyball, basketball and swimming. Next year I get to be on the school patrol and a peer mediator. A school patrol person helps when people need to cross busy streets. We hold the flags up so they can cross. To learn how be a school you go to a camp called Legionville. The camp is in Brainard for 1 week in August. A peer mediator is when people have a fight or a problem with someone else and they can't figure it out on there own, so they come to us and we find a solution! On the 27th of august I get to go and practice to be one.

Have a happy summer!

Love, Jocelyn Adolphson

Claire is going green

....or we are attempting it :) My cousin Katy has a eight month old son named Elliot. She is very hip and up on the times. Because of this (and because she cares about the earth), she uses cloth diapers on Elliot, called "Bum Genius" diapers. These aren't you mom's cloth diapers. There are no diaper pins needed. There are two parts to these diapers. The shell and the liner. The shell is adjustable from new born size to toddler size (with snaps) and the liners are placed inside the shell. After the diaper has been used, the diapers are simply washed in the washer and dryer. You just have to take the liners out and throw them in. They do however have to washed twice (which might not be very green....) to make sure they are clean. Once with a little detergent and cold water and once with no detergent and hot water. I had heard of these diapers before Claire was born and was interested in them for two reasons. Of course because it is better for the environment, but also, because they are quite a bit cheaper than disposable diapers. It is more costly up front (about $15 for one diaper and liner), but over the span of two to three years are much less. I looked online and it was stated that parents spend about $2000 in disposable diapers per child, and only about $500 with Bum Genius diapers.

(not so happy in this photo...mom was taking too long)

Katy has borrowed me a few of her diapers to try and see if I like them. We have been trying them for about a week and here are the pros and cons that I can come up with.

Pros ~ good for the environment ~ less expensive in the long run ~better for Claire's skin/body...some studies link "infertility" with disposable diapers YIKES!!!!
Cons ~ pretty bulky..looks like she has a HUGE a$$...although if she has the "Lundby" butt gene, she will have to get used to this :) ~ I have to do A LOT more laundry ~ have more leaks ~ don't know what the daycare lady will think of this...she might not want to deal with them ~ have to front quite a bit of money to start

So...I have not come to a decision yet. Any comments would help.

Also on the "green" note (not environmental), we just finished painting Jocie's brand new HUGE room a nice shade of sage green. We have moved all of her furniture down and she is happily sleeping down there. I just have a few more things to finish (accent wall and some accessories) and then I will post some pictures!

The Newest Lundby

No, another baby has not been added to our family. But there is going to be a new addition to our clan. In one month from today (June 27th), my brother, John will marry Beth Kovar!

I have to give Beth props. Coming into a family where your fiance has THREE sister's can not be easy. And I must say, these THREE sister's can be VERY protective of there only brother :) We tend to look at his girlfriends from all angles, and if there is ONE thing we don't like, we tend to not like the girl (sad but true). Luckily, our brother has wonderful taste in women (how can he not with all those lovely sisters), and we have decided that Beth is the cream of the crop, and are so glad to have her join our family.

This past weekend, Ali and I (Jess couldn't be with us because she couldn't get work off :( )had a great time with Beth and her friends and family at her Bachelorette party. We got to whoop it up in downtown Minneapolis - - and had a BLAST!

Beth, if you are reading this, we can't wait to have you as a sister :) And, Claire is very lucky to have you as her Godmother.

Welcome to the "Life of Lundby"

Tiny Dancer

Yesterday, Ella had her very first dance recital. This was a new experience for us all. We got ready by getting Ella's hair curled and pulled back in a half pony tail (direct order from her coach).

(Mette Severson and Ella)

When we got to the High School, and into the dressing room, I got another reality check. It was like walking into a warp-zone! Little girls everywhere, surrounded by stage moms, curling hair, adding hair extensions, applying make-up (not just blush and lip gloss...we're talking eye liner, mascara, eye shadow, bright lip stick, rhinestones around their eyes...yeah...), spraying on body glitter, gluing on fake eyelashes!!!! AAAHHHH!! I felt like I was walking into the TV show "Toddlers and Tierras"!! Jenine Severson and I looked at each other with sheer horror in our eyes...we were in over our heads. But we got it all together and helped our make-up free daughter's into their costumes. Needless to say, I will never be a stage mom!

Ella performed very well! She seemed to really enjoy herself on stage (shocker!). All-in-all it was a fun day for everyone. This is the video from Ella's ballet number...needless to say, there was a few tears shed...

Ella can't wait until her next performance! :)

1 month old!

Whew! I can't believe that Claire-Bear (yes, she already has a nick-name) is already one month old! I feel like we just got out of the hospital. Time has sure flown by. Probably because we have been so busy since Claire has made her debut...She has had many visitors, she has already attended a birthday party, and have been baptised :)

Carl and I just feel so blessed to have such wonderful girls! Jocelyn continues to be a GREAT big sister, and also a HUGE help to me! She always helps me by holding Claire after I nurse her, so I can get ready for the day, or make dinner, or any time I need to get something done (she loves to cuddle). She has also helped me with cleaning up or putting the dishes away (usually without me asking her to help)! She has even helped me with Ella, by getting her dressed in the morning or playing with her after school (which is NOT easy sometimes!!). Ella is also a big help with Claire. She is always willing to help with diaper changes, or running to get a blanket or spit-up rag. Her favorite thing is to talk or sing to Claire when she is awake :)



We are all really excited to watch as Claire grows up and starts to show her personality. We are anxious to see if she is like one (or both) of her sisters, or if she will be one-of-a-kind!

post-pregnancy drinks

Ahhhhhh, there are some wonderful things about being pregnant. The "glow", and extra helpings of your favorite foods, the wonderful feeling of flutters in your belly, but there are also some sacrifices you must make. Two of the big sacrifices (at least for me), was giving up coffee and wine. Although I was happy to do it (well....maybe "happy" isn't the best word...) and I do think that it was well worth it, I was so happy to start having my morning cup of coffee back into my routine and was also happy to enjoy my first glass of wine this past weekend!

(LOVE the caption

on this cup!)

We had a fun little BBQ with the Severson's and the Johnston's this past Friday night! They were very nice, and brought all of the food, so we didn't have to do a thing! My first glass of wine was made better because I got to share it over good conversation with great friends! The kids also had a great time playing together. Gabe and Jocie played outside, and Mette and Ella enjoyed (a lot) of chips and then played in Ella's room.

Jenine and Nicole also has some cuddle time with Claire...which she must have enjoyed just as much as they did, since she slept almost the entire evening away.

Thanks for the good times! :)