The week of March 15th was great. Tuesday after work, since daddy was home, we headed to the park. The weather was beautiful, so the kids had a great time in the swings and sliding down the big slides. Afterwards, we went grocery shopping and had a great family night.

Wednesday, we went to the mall to see the Easter bunny. Of course, I got the kids all matching in Easter colors to sit on the bunny's lap, but they were scared! Bella did give him high five and told him she wanted a Dora table, but Connor kept backing away. We walked around the mall for a bit, since she told us she would be ready to see the Easter bunny pretty soon. We stopped and got a pretzel and headed back to see him, but he was on a break. Oh well, we are having breakfast with Peter Cottontail soon :) We went back home and made a Leprachaun trap while Connor had his nap and daddy grilled hamburgers. After supper, he had to leave to go to work the next day. :(

Friday after work, we headed to meet daddy at Grandma Fran's house. The kids played for a couple hours before we all headed to my parent's house for the night.

The weekend was pretty laid back since Mike had to work. Bella and grammy baked cookies, and Saturday night, I was supposed to have a bachelorette party for my friend, but couldn't find the girls where we were supposed to meet. Sunday I didn't even get dressed. Bella and grammy went to church/Sunday school and made yummy treats to bring. Then, it was nice enough to hang eggs on the tree outside and play in their cars in the driveway before we had to head home

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Tuesday, March 23rd, an order of the kids' summer clothes came from Gap. Bella was quite the fashionista as she tried on and modeled her new outfits. It was just a reminder that my little girl is growing up too fast. :(

It will be an entire week without having my wonderful husband home. I know he is working hard for us, but the kids miss him dearly too. I keep reminding myself that there is only a couple more weeks left of this, and then we will be together every night again!

Friday after work, the kids and I went shopping for more summer clothes. I am happy to have everything bought before we move to wear there is no "real" mall.

Saturday morning, my mom met us at Bella's "Princess for a day" appointment. She got to pick out two colors of nailpolish, and a tutu and tiara to take home. Then the girl did her hair like a princess. Last but not least, she got to walk down the runway after being all dolled up!! We still cannot figure out why she chose a lime green tutu and tiara, considering she is the queen of pink ;)

After that, we went to Culvers for a quick lunch and then to Toys R' Us. Dvd's were buy one/get one free, so she picked a Dora movie (of course) and a Wiggles movie. Then, we stopped at Target and the kids were so tired by the time we got home.

My wonderful co-workers threw me a going away party at Olive Garden later that night. I had a great time, and they did way too much for me. I am gonna miss everyone so much.

Today, the kids dyed eggs. It was hilarious watching Connor plop three eggs in the same cup at once. They had baths, then Bella went out with grammy for a bit before she went back home.

Changes

Things are going really well in this household :) Mike is loving his job and schedule, as well as the time off. It is so nice that he has off one whole week straight each month. We are looking forward to summer and planning fun things with the kids.

I have officially put my notice in at work, and although I am thrilled to move, I am so sad to leave such wonderful co-workers.

We are also continuing to look for a house. We have only started browsing online, but found a few that we will check out. We have started packing and bringing stuff to store at both our parents' houses. I am think the second week of April will be my last day of work, so we are counting down until the big move!

Mike started the job on February 15th and then had part of the week off to drive back and spend the rest of the week with us. The kids and I stayed back for the weekend since he had to work his first night shift. We met my friend Mandy and her kids at the mall and did some summer clothes shopping at Target and Gymboree. Madison and Bella had a great time jumping all over the place and playing ring-around-the-rosie in the Children's Place store. We decided to continue their fun, and we went to Mandy's house afterwards. The girls played dress up and we hung out and had pizza.

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Monday, February 22nd, I was pleasantly surprised when my wonderful husband had beautiful roses delivered to me at work. It is so hard to go days at a time without seeing him. The kids miss him dearly and love to talk to him on the phone.

Bella wanted to pose with the flowers when we got home :) Later, we made pumpkin cookies.

On Saturday, my parents took the kids to watch my brother's basketball game tournament. We went to check out a house that we found online. We drove by it but Mike's friends mom is our buyer's agent and told us that the house had sold. We were pretty bummed, and sad that we had missed her call to let us know she was in the area and could show us a few. We drove by a couple other places she let us know about and then went and looked at the pictures online. For supper, we went to his friend's girlfriend's parents house and we made homemade pizza. Five other people showed up, so we are lucky that the dough we make is enough for four pizzas. We spent the night at the in-laws without the kids, and then went back to my parents' house in the morning.
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The next week consisted of more packing and cleaning. Mike came down on Friday, so we were all happy since it had been a long week. I picked up a weekend shift at work, so I worked from 8-1pm on Saturday. My mom got here around 3:30 and we went to Toys R' Us and Kohls with the kids. I found some more super cute summer clothes for the kids, and we got the kids an outdoor playhouse. Mike came home from fishing and we ordered pizza for supper and took pictures of daddy and the kids with the big fish!

Sunday was Nickelodeon Live. Bella looked absolutely adorable in her custom made Dora peasant top. She is Dora's #1 fan :) My mom went with us and she got tears in her eyes as she saw the delight and excitement on Isabella's and Connor's faces. It was just so much fun watching them dance and cheer! Afterwards, we all went out for lunch at Red Lobster. I cannot stand seafood, but my mom and husband love it, so I gave in. We had a wonderful weekend :)

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Monday, March 8th, Mike had to go back in the evening for a meeting on Tuesday, and he took Bella with so that she could spend the day with grandma Fran. Late Tuesday night, they came back and Bella was in such a cheery mood. Grandma got her a new talking Dora doll, so we were up pretty late talking about the fun she had at the park.

The kids and I stayed back again this weekend. We met my parents to hang out at my sister's and do some shopping that my mom needed to do. Then we went back to my sister's and I made lasagna for when she got home from her clinicals for grad school. It was great for us to catch up with her since we hardly see her, since she is so busy with school and working. When the kids and I got back home, they were ready for bed and fell asleep early. It was nice to have a quiet night to myself :) Today is a typical lazy Sunday. I am feeling pretty bad that Bella has been missing Sunday school lately, but we are so busy and have been staying here.

Disney on Ice, Tundra Lodge resort, Valentine's Day,Super Bowl, new job

The week on January 25th was an exciting one! We are leaning closer and closer to a new job :)

Saturday, the kids and I went to meet my mom at my sister's house in the morning. Jenna was baking for her friend's engagement party, and I made a veggie pizza to bring to a birthday party that we had later that afternoon. The kids love spending time with auntie and had fun sitting on her counter top helping with the baking. My mom came with us to Bella's friend Madison's 3rd birthday party later that afternoon. The kids are so close in age and play so well together. Later that night, I had my work Christmas party, so we got ready and headed out to the boat house where it was held. One of the doctors has a band and provided great entertainment, especially for my outgoing, dancing machine husband! He is such a great dancer and everyone loved him. I love my co-workers and will truly miss them. The kids had a great night hanging out with grammy and making Valentine rice krispy treats.

On Sunday, my mom, Bella, and I did some shopping. Bella got some crafty things for making Valentine decorations and grammy bought her and Connor each a new shirt. We picked up my favorite sandwiches for lunch and headed back home.

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Wednesday February 3rd, we started to clean and sort toys to pack up. Then around 5pm, Mike got the official job offer!!!! We couldn't be happier!!!! He will be starting around February 15th, so I will be here with the kids and staying at my job until mid April. We are SO blessed :)

We are going to look for an inexpensive apartment or rental house, and buy a lot of land to build in the next couple of years.

On Saturday, we started our apartment hunting. We dropped the kids off at the in-laws and then we went and checked out a cheap one that was newly remodeled but built into a really old school. The building was awful and the space was too small, so we have decided to look further.

On our way back, we checked out a piece of land that we may be interested in buying.

Sunday, we drove back home fairly early to have our own little Super Bowl party. I made taco dip and deviled eggs, and we just hung out and watched the game while the kids played.

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Tuesday, February 9th, I did my grocery shopping since the kids and I will be alone most of the week while Mike starts his new job. Our friends John and Shanna also became parents to a new baby, Claire.

Wednesday was a really fun day. We headed to the Tundra Lodge resort and checked into our whirlpool suite room. We had a fun time playing with the kids in the tub before the waterpark opened up. Then we swam for a little while, went back to the room to get changed, and then headed to Disney on Ice. This year, my friend Mandy and her husband and daughter joined us. We let Bella get a princess light-up spin toy and she and Madison had a great time cheering on the characters. The look on their faces was priceless :) After the show, we went back to our hotel room. Daddy took the kids to the hotel restaurant for breakfast in the morning while i slept in. Then, we checked out and he and Bella drove to my parents, while Connor and I drove back home since I had to work Friday. Bella always has a great time with daddy. He took her to McDonalds for a happy meal and then they went ice fishing. She caught her first fish and brought it back so my mom could get a few pictures.

Friday, Mike went fishing while Bella had a day with grammy all to herself. She made beautiful Valentine cards for all of us and some neat heart wreathes.

Saturday morning, we went to the in-laws. We dropped the kids off and went and checked out another apartment. Again, to our dissapointment, no luck. It was perfect size but filthy and really old. Then we took Bella ice-fishing again. It was a little to dark in the ice shack for her, so daddy pulled her in the sled for a bit and then we warmed up in the truck while waiting for the tip ups to pop up. She was so patient and so excited when she finally got one. She helped daddy pull the line and mommy took pictures of course ;) I also got a really cute video that captures the excitement in both of their faces :) Then we went back and had a nice supper, and then back to my parents for the night.

Sunday, Bella and I slept in. My mom made heart pancakes for breakfast and I cleaned my room at their house. Daddy got Bella some chocolates and then he hung closet doors in my brother's room because my mom's highschool friends are coming to stay the next weekend, and although the house was built ten years ago, there are things that were never finished. The kids decorated cookies and we had a heart-shaped pizza for lunch and then relaxed for the rest of the day. He starts his new job now, so the kids and I headed back home without him :( We will be very happy to see him on Wednesday night.

Blessed

Alot has happened in two weeks :)

Wednesday, January 13th, we went to exchange Connor's new shoes that I had bought for him. I ended up finding some really cute Puma shoes that are easy to put on him. After that, we went to Olive Garden for supper, and then back in time to watch American Idol.

Friday afternoon, we headed to my parents, but my brother and dad were at camp, and Mike went ice fishing with his friends, and my mom and I hung out with the kids.

I have been thinking about going to Disney World for a while, but wasn't sure if it was a good idea bringing the kids next year, since they would only be 4.5 and just about 3.

Saturday morning, they had a Disney show on tv, and Bella was quite intrigued by all of it. It was then that I decided that we would look into going to Florida in April 2011. My mom went and got a big plastic jar and gave her some change to start her fund. It is so funny to see her looking all over the house for quarters! The money fairy even came on Saturday night! We had a great weekend baking cookies and she made a snowman and played outside with grammy and Connor.

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Monday, January 18th, Bella stayed home with daddy and he took her to the Dr. to check out a rash that was developing in her armpit and down her side. We were thinking that it could possibly be strep, but Dr. said it was just from the dry air. Daddy took her to McDonalds for a happy meal and rented a Dora movie, and she had a great day :) The day turned even better when he got a call asking permission to check his references. I worked late that night, but came home to a happy household :)

By Tuesday afternoon, he got another call that his references gave very high recommendations, and that they would like to do a background check next. We spent the night watching American Idol and in happy/hopeful moods :)

Wednesday, we did a very much needed grocery trip, so Bella and I started while Connor and daddy went to Walmart. Somehow Connor lost one of his brand new $30 shoes at Walmart and it is nowhere to be found. Later when Connor was napping, Bella and I ran to the mall for a birthday gift for her friend, Madison's 3rd birthday party next weekend. I also had a couple gymbucks to spend, so we stopped at gymboree for some spring clothes also.

Thursday, Mike ended up going to the chiropractor because his back has been bothering him again. I practiced taking some pictures of the kids with my new lens, and we ordered Olive Garden to go- salad and fondue. yummmmm!

He took Connor home early on Friday since we need two cars and he would have to stay back in town to schedule a physical for the job. Bella and I got to my parents, had pizza hut, and hung out with the family. She is practicing tracing letters and doing a wonderful job. We are so proud of her.

Saturday, grammy and Bella made a "Dora Lunch." It was apple empanadas, arroz con leche, and cowboy cookies from her "Dora's sharing day" book. I sampled it but wasn't a fan, especially since Mike and I met friends out for supper later that night. We had a great time visiting with friends that we don't see too often. The weather isn't too nice today, so Bella and I left early.

We hope he is offered a position soon. We are counting our blessings :)

New year

Well, we went one full year of Mike not having a job. 2009 has been good to us in other ways. We had alot of fun events to look back on, and of course, tons of pictures. Our family is happy and healthy, and that is what I can thank God for. We have big hope and dreams for 2010 :)

We drove to my parents' on new years eve, quickly changed and got ready, and headed out for dinner with our friends, Brent and Krista. Brent's brother and sister-in-law joined us and we had a great time visiting and eating yummy food. We stopped at their house to hang out before heading back after midnight. The kids had a blast hanging out and playing with their new Christmas presents with grammy and popps.

On Friday afternoon, my mom's highschool friend and her husband drove over for the night. Mike and his friend Jeremy worked on building their ice shack all day, and then we went to his parents' for the night.

Saturday morning, we went back to my parents' house and visited with our company before the left. We had a nice and relaxing weekend, despite poor Connor having a very high fever on Saturday and Sunday.
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Monday, January 4th, after work, I spent the night folding and catching up on laundry while watching the Bachelor premiere! I noticed that the kids' fish wasn't moving. She kind of got trapped under the rock the night before, and we didn't put the special stuff in the water when we changed it and fixed the rock. Needless to say, I think we killed her :(

By Wednesday, Connor's fever has gone away and he had his 15 month well child visit. I brought him to his appointment because Bella and daddy had a movie date planned, but she fell asleep.

Thursday, after he dropped Bella off at daycare, he went and got a new fish, with the hopes that she wouldn't be able to tell the difference. We are happy that she has no idea that this is a new "Perchy."

We spent Friday night with my parents and then Saturday night with the in-laws. We ordered pizza and then when the kids went to bed, we went to the movies and saw "Brothers."

Connor stayed with them on Sunday, since Mike had his interview in town. We are praying that he will get this job and we will be back with our family!

Christmas 2009

Wow! what an amazingly fun and spoiled Christmas we had!

Tuesday after work, I spent the night packing for the rest of the week before we headed up north Wednesday morning. Wednesday night, Mike and I made his wonderful homemade pizza recipe for my family. My whole family loves those pizzas!

Thursday morning was the start of a big snowstorm and unfortunately, my dad had to go to work to call people in for snow removal. My sister came up in the morning and then shortly after we saw her quickly, we headed to the in-laws. Bella loves her cousins, Ellie and Jake, so she was very excited. I love having family together all at once during the holidays :) The kids started getting pink eye in the morning, but with a prescription called to the pharmacy just in time, they were perfect in church on Christmas eve. Bella is quite fascinated with baby Jesus and just loved the children's play that they put on. After church, we headed back to eat Christmas eve homemade raviolis. My church service was at 8:30pm so we quickly drove back to my mom and dad's and the kids opened their Christmas jammies. Connor was too tired to make it to church for the second time, so he stayed home with daddy. When we got home really late, we got Santa's cookies ready and took a few pictures. Bella and grammy's tradition is to sleep by the tree on Christmas eve and wait for Santa. The tired little girl was sound asleep by 11pm and so Santa went to work ;)

cousins ready for church

We woke up early to go back to grandma Fran's and have Christmas there with everyone in the morning. The kids saw their chairs that Santa had left and got so excited :)

We don't take turns opening presents one by one at the Pickett's, and I have to admit that it kind of bothers me, although I understand that with seven grandchildren and a house full of people, it would take quite some time. I am glad that we open them one by one with my family because I like seeing what everyone got and everyone will receive the proper hugs and thank you's. Bella got her stash of presents and started tearing them open! She was so happy and she got some great gifts! She got some great movies, a Wii type thing for kids and some games with it, some cute outfits, a Dora and Dora horse, a baby doll, some cute pj's, and more. Connor wasn't too interested in his presents since he wasn't feeling too great, but he got a really neat truck that moves and makes sounds, a bunch of outfits, pj's, tool bench, puppy that barks, some books, a swimming Nemo, and a bunch of other toys. I got a blu-ray player, the cutest pj's, bath and body works stuff, and comfy slippers. Mike got a spear for spearing fish, from his brother, new hunting boots, fly-fishing shirt, movies, and more. We had a great time and then had lunch. Poor Connor couldn't even stay awake, so he face planted right in his plate.

After lunch, we went back to my parent's for our Christmas and another dinner. Connor was cheerful by then and had a ton of fun playing with his new chair. Like I said, we open them one by one and each year someone plays "Santa" and passes out the presents randomly. My parents and family just spoil the kids rotten and love it :) Bella, once again, tore right into her presents and then posed for the camera each time.

Spoiled much?! ;)

Once again, the kids got great stuff! Santa brought the chairs embroidered with each of their names, Bella got a mixer, Dora movies and books, crayola glow board, camera, tag reader stuff, magnetic alphabet board, swimsuit, princess blow-up bed, playdoh maker, a make-up vanity from auntie, and tons more. Connor got a crayola music board, tool bench, books, a interactive puppy, racetrack, mr. potato head, swimsuit, Micky trainset, and more. One of my favorite moments was when my mom opened the gift from my brother, sister, and I. We had gotten professional pictures done of the three of us, considering the last time they were done, we were about 8 years old. We knew she would cry, but her face was priceless. We are so blessed to have the most wonderful and loving parents. I was thrilled to see that Santa got me a new Nikon lens and remote for my camera as well as other neat stuff! My nice husband got me a beautiful diamond necklace. He was pretty spoiled too and we had a wonderful time and have wonderful Christmas memories :) Unfortunately, after supper, my dad had to go to work because of the nasty weather, but he came back after a few hours.

Saturday morning, we checked the weather and then made sure it was safe to drive three hours for Christmas in Wisconsin Rapids with my dad's side. I would have been so sad if we wouldn't have been able to make it because we only see most of them at Christmas each year. We have our get-together at a hotel and the kids can swim if they would like. I didn't take too many pictures, but we had a nice time visiting and doing the gift exchange. Sunday morning, Bella and daddy swam for a bit and then we went back home and unpacked and relaxed. Christmas 2009 was wonderful and happy for our family :)

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

....and we are so very excited!!! Last Monday after work, we ordered pizzas and my brother and sister came over. We had a picture appointment to get pictures of the three of us together for my parents for Christmas. They turned out beautiful and I think my mom will probably cry! It ended up being a rough night with my princess puking a few times.

Needless to say, she stayed home with daddy on Tuesday and got to have chicken noodle soup, popsicles, and play memory and candyland. She put another rough night in on Tuesday night, but was better in the morning.

We had family Christmas card pictures Wednesday afternoon and I absolutely love our card and family photos, but unfortunately, we didn't get any decent ones of the kids together. (Connor cried and fussed during the whole session)

Mike had a test for a potential job up north in our hometown on Thursday, so he took Connor with him to his parents' house after we had pictures done. I pray to God that he gets called for an interview very soon. He is a math genius, so hopefully his skills will help him get the job.

Friday after work, Bel and I drove to meet him and Connor at his parents' house. My mother-in-law and I did some last minute shopping and I ended up finding a few more books and a Dora movie.

Saturday, we went to my mom's and baked lots of cookies again. At work on Monday, we are having a Christmas potluck, so my mom made a nice little tray for me to bring with all the stuff we made. Later that night, we wrapped presents for hours. Bella liked pressing the tape down, putting the gift tags on, and putting the presents under the tree. She sure is my little helper!

Today was her Christmas program at Church. She was an angel and a sheep. We promised her a barbie and to go to lunch at pizza hut if she did a good job and cooperated. She did an amazing job and didn't want it to be over :) There was even a little donkey costume for Connor, so he liked to stand in the middle of the church and look cute ;) I am so glad that I got some cute pictures of this great experience.