Pictures from the trip...I will write more tomorrow...

Here we are in Duluth...We are having such a great time. The kids love the water and all the slides. Carson even likes the slides. There are 2 four story tall slides. One you go on your butt and the other you go down on a tube. Austin is the only one of the kids that is big enough to go down the butt one. Austin, Belle, and Carson all love the tube slide. Phil and I are getting worn out carrying the tube up the four flights of stairs over and over and over again. Nessa is even enjoying herself. She loves to just splash and kick. When she gets tired of swimming she is content to sit in the stroller and watch all of the kids.

When we got to town yesterday we went right down to Canal Park. We made it just in time to see the ship come in. Belle and Carson were amazed at how big it was. There was another ship anchored out in the lake that they were also able to see. We walked out to see the light house and even got some people to take a picture of all of us. We then walked around and went through the shops that are all down by the lake. Belle and Carson both bought themselves a t-shirt with money that grandma and grandpa gave them. Austin got a sports water bottle with his money.

In the 2 years that we lived up here we never went in any of those shops, so it was kind of neat to see all of the over priced souvineers. We got here by about 10:30 yesterday and by 1:30 we had been through all of the shops that we dared to take kids in, watched two boats come in, drove up the hill to see what has changed(not much), had lunch, then Phil and I looked at each other and said Now what???We did the sight seeing and stuff...We still havent figured out what people do when they come to Duluth. We were done in 3 hours. So we drove up to UMD and past Austin's old nursery school then it was about time to check in the motel. And here we have been ever since...It is actually really cool at the motel. They have mini golf, and a inflatable castle, outdoor pool and hot tub, and of course the water park...I am not sure that we will be ready to leave tomorrow...THis has been more relaxed and enjoyable than I ever imagined. Maybe next time we take a vacation it can be a few days longer.

Better go, Days is on and Nessa is going to wake up soon...I will add more when we get home.

I can't believe that a whole week has gone by since I last posted! (sorry) Life has been busy. We had Easter last weekend. We went to Wisconsin on Saturday. The kids went to the Mondovi egg hunt, then we hung out with Grandma Mary until midafternoon when we were off to the Sessions gathering for supper. It was a georgous day we all wore shorts and t-shirts and were comfortable until the wind picked up in the early evening. Let me tell you it is so nice to have 3 kids that don't need constant supervision. Phil and I were able to relax and visit without having to chase one of the kids down. I know next year and the year after are going to suck, because Nessa will be in that stage, maybe if we are lucky Austin will be big enough to do some of the chasing:) Sunday morning the kids hunted for their Easter baskets and we had a hot breakfast. It was a really relaxing morning. We were able to take our time getting ready for church. Then we went to church and came home to grab our stuff then we headed out to Gergens. We spent most of the day out there, however, it was not as nice of a day. The wind was really strong and it rained off and on. We were pretty much stuck in the house.

Austin went to a basketball camp this week. It ran for an hour each night after school. He loved it. When he got home he was EXTREMELY crabby and tired. He was sad tonight when I told him that it was over. He is turning into quite athletic competitor. Over the summer he is going to play soccer and baseball, so we will be running after him two nights a week.

Yesterday afternoon we had a playgroup out at the park at the lake. The group seems to grow every week. It is so nice to let the kids go and play and the moms get a chance to sit and visit. I can't tell you how much I need the adult conversation!!! The constant whining and begging and endless chatter is enough to drive me nutts! So, the preschool moms get the kids together usually once a week. Once a month we go out on a friday evening and have a couple of drinks and just enjoy time away!

Last night I got a flat tire, we went to feed the ducks and when I got out of the van the tire was pretty low. By the time we got back after feeding the ducks I had a total flat. I called my dad to come and help me change it. Who knew that in order to get the spare out from under the van there was a bolt inside of the van that unscrewed and lowered it to the ground...We found that out by reading the directions that were with the jack:) Otherwise if I wouldn't have had four kids either crying or running around I could have changed it myself. So, last night we went to Wal-mart and bought 2 new front tires. The ones on the van were really bald. I thought it would be best to have new, good tires on the van before our trip to Duluth this weekend. So, I had a guy that I have worked with up at the school put the rims on the new tires then I got them balanced. I PUT THEM BACK ON THE VAN MYSELF!!!!! It was raining and by the time I was done it was soaked and covered in dirt and mud from the driveway, but at least now I can say that I can change a tire!!!

Like I said we are going to Duluth...We are going to leave on Sunday morning and come back Tuesday night. It will be short and sweet. I really think that we will have a ton of fun...stay tuned:)

Nessa has refused to sleep the last two nights so Phil and I are both short on sleep, and not a whole lot of fun to be around, so pray for us to have patience and the kids to behave themselves so that they don't get on our nerves too much.

Tonight I cut like 3 inches off of Belles hair...it sounds like a lot but you really can't notice. It feels so much softer and hopefully I can do more stuff with it. Once it gets to the point that it is so long it is hard to make anything look decent.

Belle is not naked in the picture above she insisted on wearing only underwear to bed that night. Austin always does that, but he at least puts on a robe. Belle hasn't figured that part of it out yet!

Now that I have chatted on endlessly, I better go, I need to relax for a bit before bed. I will post again when we get back home.

I am so glad that summer is quickly approaching, we have spent every waking moment (that it is nice) outside. It has been fantastic. My house isn't nearly as messy, and the kids are so much happier, plus they are able to entertain themselves better outside. Nessa even likes being out, unless it is really windy, even then she wants to be out there. I have pulled Belle's summer box out and gotten it washed, now only have 3 other kids stuff to do:) I am taking one kid at a time, it makes less laundry that way.

Well for the weekend we are going to Wisconsin on Saturday, the kids will go to the Easter egg hunt in Mondovi, then we will be able to visit with Grandma Mary for awhile, our day will end at my cousin's house with dinner. Then we will head back to town, and sleep so that the Easter Bunny can come. Sunday, Phil is going to cook breakfast and we will go to church. Then it is out to the Gergen house for Dinner. Hopefully we will be able to get naps in sometime so their mommy and daddy don't go insane!!!!

We colored easter eggs this morning with the kids, Mom and Reas came over and we had great fun! Our eggs are all very unique and beautiful!

One last thing...I need to brag a bit about myself. I was totally stressed all week about a project that I had due in my photography class this past Wednesday. Anyway, I tried to get good photos all week and just couldn't get any that I was proud enough with to hand in. So, last minute Wednesday I got a couple of more shots taken, I was ok with them, but they were still not what I wanted. I handed them in anyway, ran out of time to take any more photos. I got my grade back today and got 98% on it. I was thrilled. However I do know that I could do better. I was ecstatic to say the least. I love this class and am learning more and more about my camera everyday it is so exciting. I have signed up for the 2nd photo class in the fall, it is the first time they are offering the class, Once I get my teaching license and all the kids are in school I would love to do photography on the side...All in due time.

I didn't realize that I had rambled on for so long, I better go and get some sleep...7:00 comes way too fast for me.

Hey all, it has been kind of boring around here lately so I haven't posted. Anyway, Nessa's first tooth broke through yesterday morning. She is working on the second one. We got the fourth round of the stomach flu the other day. Belle woke up in the middle of the night, and had puked all over her pillow. My helpful husband got up with her since I was feeding Nessa. Anyway he just moved her to the floor and didn't clean it up. So when I got up in the morning there was her bed covered in puke for me to clean up.
On to more exciting news, my kitchen floor is suppose to get laid this weekend. It was suppose to be done before christmas, so as you can imagine I am more than excited to be closer to done. Phil and Dad cut it last night so it is ready to go. It will look so good once it is finally done.
It has been so nice here lately, I love it!!!! We have been outside for most of the afternoon the last few days. The kids are so much happier, they have new stuff to do. Plus it wears them out and they have been sleeping better. Nessa even likes it. The picture is of her in her swing. She likes to go fast! Especially when Carson is pushing her and dancing around in front of her.
Mom and I took the kids to feed the ducks the other night after supper. The duck pond is under construction so the ducks were just in the river. They got to get right up close to feed them. They had a blast. I have included pictures of that.
I better run I have laundry and dishes to do, then after Austin gets home from school we are going shopping. Have a good day.