Saskatchewan

Ben just got home from Saskatchewan after (almost 9 days) being gone. I feel like I haven't updated with anything lately so I though I would share some photos. I must be getting desperate. Hope you enjoy!

A couple of Avery guys.

Ben

Ben

Ben

Poutine...a Canadian delicacy. I told Ben he needed to try this for me.

The whole group.

Goose

Ben

The whole group +1 (A local guy that they met last year hunting).

Happy 5th Birthday Tayah!!

It was Tayah's birthday yesterday and she is officially 5!! For whatever reason five seems so much older than 4. She had a good birthday though. We celebrated it at one of her favorite places, The A'maze n Farmyard on Sunday. Tuesday, her actual birthday, we took her to go see "A Dolphin Tale" at the movie theater. Here are a few photos from the celebrations.

 This was from her birthday, day.

Opening gifts from mom and Collin.

This one is from dad...could you have guessed.

Please don't fear...this will be strongly supervised. It's a BB gun.

DIY Laundry Detergent

So I decided to start making my own laundry detergent. Cheaper and safer....and really, really easy. Just thought I would share the recipe I have been using.

All ingredients can be found at your local grocery store.

Grate 1 bar of Fels Naptha Laundry Soap...or I know some people use a bar of Dove soap.
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup of Washing Soda

When ingredients are mixed store in a cool glass jar. Use 1 Tablespoon for every load.

Christmas Getaway

So last year for Christmas my whole family... grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses, kids, dogs stayed at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa. We had a great time and decided to make this our tradition rather than giving gifts. We couldn't get a reservation at Grand View this year so we found a vacation home in Brainerd that we have rented for the same weekend. It's beautiful and I know it is going to be lots of fun again. I can't wait for Christmas.

School Days and Renaissance Festival

Sunday we headed to the Renaissance Festival. We decided to do this, this year rather than the fair. Tayah really enjoyed seeing all the people dressed up. This is all up her alley. Monday started school for Tayah. It's her last year before going off to kindergarten next year. I can hardly believe it. Wrapping up summer.

Tayah getting her face painted.

She chose a Purple dragon.

I got suckered in to riding the elephant with Tayah.

New fairy wings.

Off to school. Showing off the big backpack.

Attitude.

MORE

In the past I have tried sign language with Collin but he just has never taken much interest in it. So, I decided to give it a try again as he seemed to be a little more attentive in what I was doing. I tried it at meal time today as it can be a time when frustration may strike. Collin picked up on it pretty quick and I actually was able to get video of him doing so. Yay!! I did lots of signing with Tayah and she picked up on it really quickly at a fairly young age. So, hopefully I can get Collin to do the same until the words start coming more. Too cute!! Good Job Collin!!

Happy 30th Alicia!

This weekend we had a mini surprise party for my best friend Alicia who turned 30. Last but not least for turning the big 3-0. We met at The Foshay downtown Minneapolis and then headed out for a night on the town. Ben and I even got to spend a night downtown at The Radisson. So Cheers to Alicia (whose actual b-day is today!!)

Kara, Me, Alicia

Ben and I.

The Group.