Trip to New York

This summer the boys and I headed to New York to celebrate my cousin's graduation from high school.  We had just gotten back from Germany a week earlier, so Hans had to stay behind and do pastor stuff.  I'm sure glad the boys are good in the car.

 The boys seem to like being on vacation.

 Hopefully Jimmy will always tolerate a good beat down from the Fiene boys.  They love tackling him.

 My Uncle Tim is so kind and always offers to take the boys for rides on the tractor.  They LOVE driving the tractor.

 John looks so intent and Uncle Tim looks a little worried.  These are completely normal things when it comes to John.

 Although, out of all 3 Fienes, I would be most worried about this one.  Anders is a stinker.

 My aunt always has fun things for the kids to do.  Tractors and bubbles...the boys couldn't be happier.

 The boys loved this outdoor dog kennel.  They played in here for a long time.  I should get one of these at home!

Gus was given a SpongeBob camera for his birthday.  John and Gus had a great time taking picture of each other.

Mother and daughter.

Love these two to pieces.

We had a wonderful weekend.  The boys and I got to see a bunch of family and the boys managed to charm them all. 

Food, Fun and Family

It's officially September and I'm still blogging about events that occurred in July. It was a very busy month filled with lots of picture taking opportunities.

One of the days while in New York, we all headed over to my Uncle Mark and Aunt Anne's house.  For the past few years, every time we are in town my Uncle Mark and Aunt Anne host a dinner for the whole family.  It's nice to get everyone in one place.

Fritz immediately took a liking to my Aunt Anne since she gave him a cheesy-bone.

Hans was probably making fun of Jimmy and Jimmy was giving it right back.  Hans was probably making fun of Jimmy's tall, black "old man" socks and Jimmy was probably reminding Hans that he beat him in Madden football and various other Wii games.

There was also lots of corn to shuck.  I think we had corn on the cob almost every night and I just couldn't get enough.  This is corn from a roadside stand, not the grocery store.  There is a big difference.

Then Fritz met London.  Fritz was excited to meet another dog.

For whatever reason Fritz insists on licking every dog he meets.  This will probably not end up well for him.

And even though Fritz is feisty, he always manages to get pinned by girl dogs and smaller dogs.  Man up, Fritz.

Both of my grandparents love to watch their grandchildren and great grandchildren play.  They feel lucky to be blessed with such a family and we feel lucky to have them.

The food was fantastic.

My Aunt Anne made this bean dip salsa stuff the Anders just loved.  My mom made it for John's party a few weeks later and he went crazy putting handfuls of it in his mouth.

Pool time!  I couldn't find all of my pictures but I was sure I had one with my Aunt Anne blowing this thing up also.

 I think Hans had just as much fun as all of my cousins.

John decided he liked putting his head underwater.

He had no fear.

 At some point my Aunt Anne brought out all of my cousin Ben's old Thomas trains.  All three boys were very content.

A good time was had by all.  There was lots of laughing, screaming, running, eating, swimming, playing and talking.  I look forward to this every year.

Confirmation

I had the privilege of going to New York for my cousin Ericka's confirmation.  We only live about 8-9 hours away.  This may seem like a long way to go with three kids by myself.  But, as John said, "Wow,  it was only one long day and then we are here.  When we see Grandma it is two long days."  The boys actually do very well in the car.  They also know at the end of a long trip they are rewarded by seeing their loved ones.

I packed the kids up on Friday morning and made it to Fredonia, NY by dinner.  We had a very relaxing Saturday and then got to see even more family on Sunday.  The service was great and Ericka did a wonderful job with her statement of faith.  Gus and Anders decided to pick this week to start acting out in church so I spent the service going back and forth between the nursery and the sanctuary.  I wish I could say it was just because we were in a new place and it was a one time deal...but I can't.  Those two have decided to keep up their shenanigans.  Gus is learning it isn't fun to get pulled out of church.  But that is another story.

After the service we went back to the house and had a wonderful lunch.  Have you ever had beef on weck?  It is the best.  It is wonderful roast beef warmed in au jus sauce then put on a special roll topped with salt and caraway seeds.  Then you get to dip your whole sandwich in the sauce.  Heavenly.  Sadly, we can't get the rolls or the sauce here so we just get plain old roast beef.  My Aunt Diane, always the thoughtful one, sent me home with beef, sauce and rolls.  We enjoyed beef on weck for the next few days.

In normal Katie fashion, I forgot my camera.  Seriously.  I was kicking myself.  Along with it being a special weekend for Ericka, this was also the first time my other aunts and uncles saw Anders.  I'm just glad we are all going back in a few weeks.  I'll be sure to snap lots of pictures then.  However, that thoughtful Aunt Diane of mine sent me some of the pictures she took.

 The confirmand

Brother and sister.  They didn't want to stand too close to each other.  I think they are going through that 'I love you but I don't like you' phase.  Mark and I went through that phase for a couple of years.  It passes.

 Anders just loves his Great Grandma.  I'm thinking John just got in trouble and he is thinking about what he did.   I don't remember there being an incident, but that is his 'crap, I'm in trouble' face.

Me and my boys.

Gus had a lot of fun wearing Jimmy's hats.

 Uncle Tim and Jimmy got the tractor out so John and Gus could go for a ride.  It was then I noticed that they had a New Holland and not a John Deere.  I asked John if he was a New Holland boy or a John Deere boy and he said, "John Deere!"  I told him be better say New Holland or Uncle Tim was going to kick him out of the house.  I then asked John if Jimmy was a New Holland boy or a John Deere boy and he said, "he's a homeboy."

Anders didn't care about the tractor.  He just wanted to eat.  He never misses a meal.  Or a snack.  Ever.

Gus did not like the loud noise and kept his distance.  He did not want to ride the tractor and would not go anywhere near it.  Maybe next year.

 John loved the tractor.  He even took Gus' turn.

Gus and Uncle Tim...what a cute picture.

We all had a great time and can't wait to return to New York this summer.  It was good seeing my aunts and uncles.  The boys enjoy spending time with their cousins.  Thank you for hosting us, Aunt Diane and Uncle Tim.  Congratulations Ericka.

So Spoiled

My boys are definitely spoiled, but not by me. They are lucky enough to have grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts and great uncles that spoil them.  I was just thinking the other day when I opened a package that was sent to the boys that I used to do this for Emily and Graysen.

My Aunt Diane, or as John calls her, Diant, was the culprit this time.  She told me to expect a package or two in the mail and I could give it to them whenever I felt it was the right time.  About a week later we got the first package but I was also expecting something else, so without thinking I opened the box.  I got a flap of the box opened and saw part of Thomas the train's face so I quickly shut the box, but it was too late.
"Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, is that for me? Oh thank you Mommy, is it my birthday again?"  I couldn't resist, I had to give it to him.
"No, it isn't your birthday.  This is from Aunt Diane, Uncle Tim, Jimmy and Ericka."  John tore into the box and held the Thomas tent inside its own box for about 15 minutes, aren't kids funny?
"Is it your birthday, Mommy?"
"No, Aunt Diane sent it just because she wanted to"
"Oh Mommy, I love 'just because' presents. (I'm not making this up, he actually said this) Thank you, thank you, thank you, Diant."

He spent the next several hours curled up in his new Thomas tent.

Gus really enjoyed the box.

A couple of days ago we got Gus' package with a musical Octopus.  His reaction was a little more subtle, but I'm sure he likes it just as much.

John liked the octopus too.

Gus seems to be OK with John playing with his toys...for now.

Thank you Great Aunt Diane, Great Uncle Tim, Jimmy and Ericka!!!  They love their new toys.