Always behind…

I am enjoying Andrew being home so much, I find myself putting off normal activities. We won't discuss the kitchen floor but maybe me posting pictures on the blog!

Earlier I mentioned our crazy Black Friday shopping and had to share. Shirley, Sharon and I left Wall at our new record time of 2am. (I munched on left over turkey dinner before we left; breakfast/midnight snack right?) These pictures are for 5 ladies but keep in mind this was only 8am and we shopped until 4pm! Boosting the economy. :S

Thanksgiving in Wall was wonderful as always! The weather was gorgeous and the kids ran around outside and ate their lunch in the garage (if you’re a mom, you’ll appreciate this one!)

We left the holiday weekend early to travel to Wisconsin for an interview. On the way home we visited our favorite free zoo, the Como Zoo. Visiting a zoo is only fun when one goes with Andrew. Seriously, a blast!

"Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" John Lennon

Just wanted to post an update on our happenings. We spent Thanksgiving in Wall, SD with Andrew's family. Had a great time catching up with some amazing people and got a 'lil cRaZy on Black Friday as per tradition! Good times! We left early to make a pit stop in Verm before heading to Wisconsin for another interview. During our 10-hour pit stop we received a notice that our cupboards were being replaced... Exciting news but not when we only had a few hours to unpack, repack, sleep, AND empty our kitchen. (Totally worth it because they are wonderful! Plus new appliances next week!!)

We spent a couple days in Marshfield, WI... absolutely loved it there! Wisconsin is beautiful and you should see how excited Andrew gets for fresh cheese curds. Oi! Then on to Minneapolis where the kids and I were suppose to hang out while Andrew flew to California for an interview... but we made a last minute decision that he wouldn't go (the town is the 3rd largest in CA and has the worst air pollution in the nation with crime rates that would make you cringe...). Instead, we spent the morning at the Como Zoo and then headed for home. We were hesitant at first but are now certain it was a great decision!

Currently we are enjoying being home-bodies as we try to catch up with friends and to-do lists. Next week we will all travel to Witchita, KS. The following week we will load up for a cross-country trip to Vermont with two pit stops in Michigan. Gotta love interview season... Even though our legs get a little stiff with all the driving, it is better than being apart! Plus, what an adventure! Will hopefully have pictures of our adorable offspring the next time I post.

On the road again…destination: LaCrosse, WI!

The kids and I could hardly contain our excitement as we loaded up the car to visit Andrew in Wisconsin! Six weeks without him and we were all missing our man!

Gunderson-Lutheran Hospital in LaCrosse paid for a hotel for our family for two out of our three night trip. The program fits really well with Andrew and he thoroughly enjoyed his time in LaCrosse and at the hospital!

The kids went wild when they finally saw Andrew!

The weather was beautiful for our sight-seeing weekend in LaCrosse.

Like a bee to honey, Andrew quickly evaluated the climbing routes.

The kids loved this bridge. And of course all the time with dad!

LaCrosse has a great children's park with “nature-viewing” trails next door. The trails took us through a beautiful marsh area where the kids loved counting turtles and ducks.

We had a fantastic time hiking, playing, swimming, eating ice cream, watching trains, walking, and the best of all, just being together as a family!

My adorable Princess and Firefighter!

Please excuse the plethora of Halloween photos of my kids… but seriously can’t help myself. Too cute!

The trick-or-treat crew!

Schwanna carve a pumpkin?

Had BS over for some pumpkin whittling and BBQ sandwiches. Good times! Elizabeth was more interested than years past but her personality shined through… she picked out one. seed. at. a. time! Alex, who I thought would dive right in, was very reluctant. After having to wash his hands each time he stuck a finger in the pumpkin, he decided to be done early.

And from Allison and Amy’s house comes my favorite Halloween pumpkin picture: