Last Few Days in FL

When we were in Miami, we stayed downtown and just walked everywhere.  On one of our last nights, we walked to dinner and while eating, it started raining...then pouring...then flooding.  

It was already way past the kids' bedtime so we didn't want to try and wait it out, who knows how long it would rain, so we braved it.  Within a matter of seconds, we were soaked through.  We had around 7 blocks to get to our building.  The streets were completely flooded.  I had to take my shoes off so I didn't lose them.  Across the street from our building, a man pulled over and offered to give us his umbrella, so sweet!!  But so pointless by then, ha! There was about 2 inches of water in the diaper bag I had to dump out.  

Craziest thing I've ever been in!

The kids and I spent our last day at the pool.  Oh how awesome it would be to have access to a pool everyday...

I actually got some pictures flying back this time...not very good ones, but I had my hands full:)

It had already been a long day by this point, but they did pretty well for Adeline not liking to sit on laps and having to sit on the runway before takeoff for an extra 45 minutes.  We also sat next to a much much nicer lady this time:)

Those dang little baby hairs that grow back after you have a baby, totally off topic, sorry.

I also saw a dolphin in the wild swimming in the bay right outside our building, probably the highlight of our vacation, I was so excited, but couldn't get a picture:(

We'll miss you Miami, but it's good to be home!

For our other Miami adventures, see here, here and here.

Mother's Day Weekend 2012

We went to Florida before I had a chance to post about our weekend in Fargo.

We originally planned to go to my sister, Alyssa's graduation from college in Grand Forks, but didn't leave in time to get up there.  However, I am so proud of her for graduating and getting a job, God has some amazing things planned for her and I'm so excited to see what they are!

And my other sister, Sammy, graduates from high school next year, oh my word, crazy!  Her nickname from my friends when she was little was naked baby...because she was a toddler running around naked when they came over:)  So, she'll always be naked baby, ha!

I have the most beautiful sisters, seriously!

And then while we were there, I decided to have my talented cousin, Megan, chop 8 inches of my "not been cut for 8 months hair" off!

I'm not usually too picky about my hair, but to be honest, it's a little short and I miss it.  However, it was donated for a good cause, and it will grow back, so it's all good.

A good friend of mine, Sara, also got her hair chopped and it looked adorable, but I completely forgot to get a pic.

Then we went to one of the last home games of Der's cousin, Zach, who played for NDSU.  It was hot and sunny, perfect baseball weather and they won!

Our trip ended at a high school watching some of my sister, Sammy's, last volleyball games.

Here's a four generation picture of my g'ma Mae, my mom, me and Adeline, fun!

Mandatory Mother's Day pic...always a challenge:)

  

This cracked me up, my g'ma playing on the Kindle Fire with Hakan, too funny!

Taco in a bag, a ND staple for all HS sporting events.  Yum:)

It was our usual busy ND weekend.  We love seeing all our family and friends when we're home!

First Time at the Ocean

 It was our babies first time at the ocean, they loved it...for the most part:)  

Adeline ate a lot of sand and Hakan played in the waves.

It was cloudy, but it didn't matter, I just adore watching my family, I might be biased, but I think they're beautiful.

Part of me wants my babies to stay little forever.  To need me to hold them, to wipe their tears, to do puzzles with, to take cuddled naps with, to protect them, to just need me.  But I will enjoy and cherish this short time with them and know that they will grow up with parents and a God that loves and protects them.

I love you family!

Enjoy all the pictures:)

This reminds me of our honeymoon on a beach 7 years ago, love you babe!

Little Fish

I could really get used to having access to our own infinity pool and hot tub:)

Hakan LOVES it and Adeline is slowly warming up to it:)

We'll be off to the beach tomorrow, so excited!

30 Things I Learned on Day One of our First Family "Vacation"

1.  Wake up earlier then you think you should.
2.  Pack, remove half of what you’ve packed and pack again, you will have a washer and dryer.

3.  Being informed and prepared for the airport made us rock stars at checking in, going through security and getting to our gate…having kids gets you bumped to the front of the security line, bonus!

4.  Even if you booked your tickets together, you don’t necessarily get seats together…Hakan was seated somewhere else, which I had called about earlier and they moved him, but not Derek.

5.  No matter what, always get Derek by me when flying with two little ones!
6.  Never assume that if you ask someone to switch seats with your husband so he can sit next to you during the 3+ hour flight to help with your babies she’ll say “yes”…her excuse was she had knee surgery so she had to sit in the aisle, then proceeded to cross her legs the entire flight (I was a little angry).

7.  Also don’t assume that the two other ladies you ask will say “yes” either, they will say “no” before you can even finish.
8.  Hakan’s excitement when we were taking off just melted my heart and made me feel like a kid again.
9.  Adeline Halvorson does not sit on laps well.

10.  She also doesn’t nap unless it’s her crib…dark…with a sound machine…and her blanket…laying down…with her glow sea horse.

11.  No matter what you do, both kids are going to poop in the middle of the flight and one or both of them will start to leak…probably on you.

12.  When Hakan wakes up from a nap at home in a hysterical crying fit, no problem.  When he wakes up on the plane in a hysterical crying fit…problems, like clawing to get off the plane, resulting in both kids crying.

13.  Hakan can figure out how to erase everything on your kindle fire within minutes of playing with it on the flight.

14.  Getting four new molars does not make for a happy baby traveler.

15.  Three hours is a really long time in such a small space.
16.  The three large checked bags, five carry-on bags, two car seats and one stroller, and two kids are not easy to bring to check-in,  pick up at baggage claim, load onto rental car shuttle, carry into rental car place, bring upstairs, and then bring to minivan (thank goodness they upgraded us for free!), unload at condo, bring up to 46^th floor, really really wear you out.
17.  Going to a delicious restaurant with candles all over the floor, white cushions and breakables throughout, with an almost three year old…not a good idea.  But so awesomely yummy! 

Looking lovely after a very long day.

 

Hakan's fancy chicken strips and french fries.

And she's happy!

18.  With your second child, you are SO much more slack…Adeline ate French fries at dinner, don’t judge, she loved them!

19.  That hair dryer and curling iron you brought?  Pointless.  It’s not going to do a thing on your frizzy curly hair in 84% humidity.

20.  People in Miami like to honk their horn.

21.  We’re not on the beach, but have a SPECTACULAR view of the water from our condo!

22.  Our bathroom is the size of our whole upstairs!

23.  The pool is 100 meters (Olympic size), and the hot tub is the size of a large pool, this is where we’ll be spending most of our days.  Poor Derek who has to work, we’ll miss him during the day:(

24.  I could never live in a condo on the 46^th floor in a crazy busy down town…but I am  going to enjoy every single second this week!

25.  A crazy nap less day equals a crazy sleepless night.

26.  All four of us can sleep in a king size bed.

27.  I don’t sleep well with four people in a king size bed.

28.  I really love coffee.

29.  The ocean is magnificent, no matter how many times you see it.

30.  Today is a new day and I am so ready for a little florida sunshine with my family…even with a few clouds!