Happy B-day Britt!

Nate's sister Brittney turned 22 on Sat

Hannah and Grandpa Steve

Guess the headband slipped down on our way to church....Hannah didn't even cry, poor little thing.

April snow/ice storms bring...

Nate graduates in 21 days!! Yep, this soon-to-be Winona State University Alumni is about to privilege the real world with his mad education skills...and I could not be more proud of him! For the last 3 years, Nate has gone to school full-time (Winona is about 45 minutes away), worked full time, fulfilled church callings (one of which was early-morning seminary teacher)and has been a full time husband/dad. He is graduating Magna cum laude and was selected to demonstrate the proper interview technique with an area principal on stage in front of the whole graduating class yesterday! I think any school district would be hard-pressed to find a teacher as talented and passionate as Nate is - we'll let you know who is lucky enough to hire him. What a stud!


In other news, Hannah can sit up now! Not to the point where I can leave her alone on a hard surface, but on a bed/in the crib,etc - no problem. At 5 months/1 week, girlie can hold her own for a good 45 seconds...or until she starts concentrating on playing with a toy...EVERYTHING goes directly into her mouth and I'm pretty sure she ate some magazine yesterday while I was doing my hair. She has also developed a "fake cough," which is quite interesting (I have it on video, but am STILL not having much luck posting). She's having SOO much fun practicing her newly-acquired little skill ALL DAY. AGH - when people tell you they grow SO fast, it's true!




I got a new camera yesterday so hopefully the awful coloring you see in the above picture will be a thing of the past. The Fuji served us well....up until the end when 40% of all my pictures were blurry or bad coloring. Anyway, I told the guy at Best Buy that I wanted a SIMPLE camera that I could just put on an automatic setting that took CLEAR pictures. We got a Panosonic Lumix and I'm so excited to start using it. The below pic, of Hannah busting a move watching Americal Idol, was taken with it.





I am thrilled that Beyonce and Jay-Z finally tied the knot. They are one of my favorite star couples because they are so talented, down-to-earth, and private. Let's hope they make it a lifetime!

All bundled up...

All bundled up for the season's first stroller ride!




Nate was so excited to come home and bounce Hannah RIGHT after she had eaten. I don't know which is funnier: Nate's face, Hannah's face, or the spit-up-on-sweater. Classic.

Bring on the rice cereal

Not too sure about this rice cereal stuff...



Maybe if I extend my wingspan, it will help...



Yep, it DID make life better!!






Broken carseat cover zipper allows Hannah to "peek-a-toe"



Who, me?



Does this towel make my hair look too frizzy?

New haircut

Finally found a great stylist who gave me this cute cut. I don't think I can afford her every 6 weeks but... for now, I'm loving it and hoping spring is just around the corner in MN.




Tuesday Hannah got her 4 mo shots. After the initial "ouch," she did just fine. She has actually slept more than usual on both her shot days so far. That night, watching American Idol, she fell asleep in Nate's arms. Pretty sweet life I lead...

Chef de Hannah...

So, I get home from work Sunday morning at 8am and start getting ready for church, while Nate was getting Hannah ready. I hear him cracking up, and then he comes up the stairs and has THIS to show me...





Everyone at church got the same kick out of the outfit as we did! What a cutie!

Anniversary #3!

I think Nate would agree that we've come a long way in 3 years! For instance, ummm...we have a child now, there's pretty much nothing that embarrasses us about each other, we know what pillow(s) each prefers, etc. It's nice to be at that level of comfort in our marriage. The thing that has surprised me about being married to Nate is how much it has changed me... for the better. I thought you got married and just settled into a rather complacent bliss. Like driving on the interstate in North Dakota - steady, straight,... progressing but no need to stare at the road in front of you. I didn't realize the growth and change that this relationship was to offer me. Three years later, I can honestly say I'm a different person, inwardly. I have to thank Heavenly Father (can you do this through a blog?) for exposing me to an individual who has met my unfolded weaknesses, unexpectedly, with unconditional love and acceptance. To be honest, Nate's humility and kindness have taken me by pleasant surprise.
Okay, enough mush. On Tues, we picked up Nate in Redwing and went out to eat in downtown Minneapolis. You'll see we took Hannah along. Romantic huh? Well, Nate figured since I'd just sit and worry about her and want to go home, we'd just bring her along so we could enjoy ourselves. Even though she behaved perfectly, I think we'll try it sans children next year. What's a trip to the Twin Cities without IKEA? LOVE THAT PLACE! I think it was the best anniversary yet, but I can see myself saying that every year.
And if any of you readers were among the brave attendees to our less-than-tropical February Minnesota wedding, my heart is forever grateful for your efforts to make this day so special for us!! THANK YOU!






Hannah's favorite toy from IKEA. Why does she get the toy on our anniversary?