Mall of American Waterpark!!

This should have been posted last December, but I forgot.  Going through pictures and saw these, so thought I'd put up now.  Why not I say??  We found a GREAT deal on Groupon for 4 waterpark passes so we got them.  However, by the time they were to expire we were trying to find a time to go and couldn't get a good time with work and Chad's reffing schedule.  So, he thought maybe the girls' and I could go with Jodi?  She was all over it!  So we headed down there on saturday a.m., and got all checked in.  Super nice hotel.  The room had bunks beds in it so the girls' were very excited!  We then headed down to the waterpark which was awesome!  Had a great wavepool and lazy river.  We went round and round that river!  The girls' could touch so they thought it was great.  And the kids area was great.  There were 4 kids waterslides which were really good ones - the girls' didn't need the great big ones to go down; the kids ones were perfectly fine.  We stayed down there all day then headed back to the room.  We got showered and then ordered room service, which the girls' had never done and thought was so cool! We ate and watched movies, and they were all pooped out by 9:00 p.m. and snoozing!  We got up and headed home early Sunday.  It was a really fun day!  Thanks Aunt Jodi for coming and playing with us:) 

"Secret Mission"

We decided last night would be a good "treat" night since the weather is finally looking up.  So after all homework was done, bags packed for the next day and jammies on, we all got in the truck to go to Dairy Queen for a "secret mission".  The girls' thought it was a hoot to go in their pj's.  Allie had shoes on, (Taylor and I only had slippers!) so Allie went in to the DQ with dad...she thought it was so funny to go in somewhere in her pj's!!

BIG weekend!!!

Wow...we had a busy weekend, actually starting last Thursday! I brought the girls' over to Owen and Ashley's for an overnight and then to stay and play on friday.  I called to check in Thursday night and heard a whole bunch of "noise" on the other end.  Apparently, during "Idol" commercials they were doing their own singing and dancing....lucky uncle Mike and aunt Lori!!  Taylor slept in Ashley's room, and Allie slept in Owen's room..which the girls' thought was a blast!  Then on friday, they went to the Golden Valley fieldhouse to play.  The girls' told me they loved it and had so much fun there.  Lots to do!  Dad picked them up after work and I understand the girls' didn't want to come home and Owen and Ashley didn't want the girls' to leave.  As always, they all had a great time..so much fun together!!

Then on saturday, we went bowling for a family get-together but also to celebrate Max's 5th birthday.  Met at the bowling alley at 1 p.m., bowled and then headed over to Mike and Linda's for "eats".  Mike made mexican lasagna and chili, and then everyone brought stuff.  Ended up with about 45 people, which was awesome.  And it was an absolutely gorgeous day!  The kids ran and ran outside and had so much fun playing outdoor games.  My uncle had a fire going in the backyard and lawnchairs all over...in the sun!  It was great.  We didn't leave there until about 9:00 p.m., and Taylor and Allie were pooped out!  Chad went home earlier....I think basketball and a chair were calling his name.  We stayed later while the kids played and they were not happy when it was time to go home.  It was dark out and they LOVE playing outside games in the dark.  Always a fun time when we all get together...love family!!!

Sunday we met Joe at a couple houses, and Taylor, Allie, Sam and Max played and played while we were looking.  The houses were empty, so no harm with them along....LOUD, but no harm:)  We came home and just had an easy afternoon and getting ready for dinner.  A couple weeks ago at grandma and grandpa Voit's, they made ribs for dinner.  Taylor LOVED them and has been asking us to have some just about every day since.  So, that is on the menu for tonight...she will be one happy camper at dinner time!!!

Conferences (4/1/11)

We had conferences on friday for both girls, which were great.  We didn't think it would be anything other than that and it's so fun to go.  We went to Taylor's class and spoke with Ms. Arntson.  She said almost every day when she's starting class, Allie comes blowing in and goes "Hi Ms. Arntson!"  She said she is such a social butterfly.  She knows all the kindergarten, 1st grade and some of 4th and 5th grade teachers!  Plus others..music, gym and lunch ladies.  One teacher came into Taylor's room and said, "ok, who is Allie Voit's sister?"  Taylor raised her hand real timid and said "I am."  Mrs. Jopp was shocked that they were sisters...such different personalities.  The girls' are doing so well, they are having teachers come and pull them out of class each day to take them seperately to do more advanced work with them.  Both teachers said they want them challenged and to not get bored.  The teachers really enjoy the girls' and they girls' them as well.  It will be tough to leave after the year is over.  Allie and Taylor sure make us proud of them and so lucky to be their parents!!!

Hippie, Hippie Shake Dance!

Allie and Taylor's school had their annual school dance, which the theme was "Hippie, Hippie Shake".  Everyone was encouraged to wear 70's clothes or anything that is related to that decade.  They had the cafeteria decorated and were offering food, pretty cheap.  Then in the gym, they had white lights all the way around and made a huge peace sign made out of white lights on the wall.  They were also selling glow sticks, so there were hundreds of those floating around the gym.  The kids were running around mostly, but having a super time.  The DJ played all the favorite songs and they had a lot of audience interaction.  We had our first "lost kids" episode though, which put a big damper on the evening.  The kids were all in a big circle and being picked to go in the middle and do their own "dance".  Both Allie and Taylor got to do it, which was a hoot.  (I will try and load the video)...after, Chad and I went to go have a seat and where we were sitting, someone was now sitting there.  So we moved about 15 chairs down another way.  We were watching for the girls' so we could tell them that we moved, but couldn't find them.  All of a sudden, I see both of them with another mom looking for us and sobbing....the kind of sobbing where you can't catch your breath.  Oh my goodness....I went running up to them and they both grabbed onto me....TIGHT!  They thought dad and I had left because we weren't at the same "check in" spot and then panicked.  Oh gosh, we felt so horrible.  They just wanted to go home then.  Party was over.  We convinced them to stay a little longer, but they didn't leave our side.  What an awful feeling that was.  Hopefully that never happens again.  Otherwise, a great, fun night!!!

Some of Taylor's friends....groovy!!

Dance, dance, dance.....

We signed Allie and Taylor up for dance class...ballet and tap.  Allie wasn't too sure, but then decided she would like to go to.  Which we figured...if she didn't, she would be sad when she saw Taylor doing it so glad she decided the other way.  The class was for 3 yr olds to 5 yr olds, which wasn't ideal.  It's kind of a big age range, but it was what they had.  At the end of the class, they had a dance recital.  They did a song with tap dancing and one with ballet.  It was so cute!  Grandma Julie, Grandma and Grandpa Voit, Donna, Aunt Lori and Ashley and us were there.  The girls' had a good fan club to come and watch them.  It was really cute...all the kids did a great job.  We all even got a few giggles out of it....:)
(Trying to load the video, but not working.  Check back and hopefully I can get it!!)

1st "Real" Christmas Tree

We decided to make a new tradition in our family and get a real Christmas tree.  I used to do this when I was young and it was always so fun.  The girls' were very excited, even though I am not sure they really understood what we were going to do.  We went on a beautiful day out to a tree farm in Big Lake and found the type of tree we wanted.  The girls' picked out a perfect tree and dad started cutting.  Then you bring to the main area and they "shake and bale" the trees.  Get all the loose stuff off and wrap it so it's easy to get in the house.  They had a little petting zoo, and Santa there too.  We saw the animals and sat with Santa.  Then we went on a horse drawn carriage ride, and people actually sang christmas carols!  It was a hoot.  We were there about 2 hours, then came home and put up our tree.  The girls' kept saying over and over, "mom, dad...we have a REAL tree in our house...I can't believe it."

Dad cutting down our tree!!

Lights on...now for the "fun" stuff!!

Christmas 2010 -

We went to grandma and grandpa Voit's for Christmas celebration.  Of course the kids wanted to open presents right away...even the "big" kids!  I maintain, no matter how old you are EVERYONE likes to open presents!!  Grandma, grandpa and aunt Lisa planned ahead for summer which is great.  The girls' got a lot of summer stuff which will be perfect.  With birthdays and Christmas so close, we never think about the summer stuff.  So it is great to have all kinds of new, fun summer stuff if the warm weather ever gets here.  They are very lucky girls' and had a great time.  After gifts we packed up and went sledding, which was a blast!  Ashley has no fear of the hills and just took right off.  She was a hoot to watch go screaming down the hill...grandma too!  What a sport she is:)

New swim stuff!!

The "little ladies" heading down......

Great Grandma Voit

Grandpa, Taylor, Allie and myself went to go visit Great Grandma after Christmas as we hadn't seen her in a while.  Grandpa came and picked us up and we headed out.  We got to the nursing home and went to her room, which was really nice.  We sat and visited for a while and she shared all the "goodies" she had in her room.  We stayed for about an hour and a half, and then leftt as she was getting kind of tired out.  We left there and headed out to the farm, to visit Arlys, if she was home.  The girls' had never seen where grandpa grew up so it was fun to show them.  Arlys was home, so we visited with her for a while and then headed back.  We stopped at McDonald's for lunch and grandpa treated us!!  It was a fun day:)

Veterans Day at Twin Lakes Elementary

The girls' school does a big celebration every year on Veteran's Day.  The kids make posters to fill the school, and have refreshments in the morning.  Then everyone goes outside to the flag, and the honor guard from the police department come and play Taps, raise the flag and have a bagpipe being played as well.  Then everyone went into the gym, and the kids wore shirts in red, white and blue.  K-1 wore red, 2-3rd grade wore white, and 4-5th grade wore blue.  They all sat in the gym in this way.  The rest of us sat all around the gym and EVERY SINGLE PERSON who served or is serving in the armed forces got up and announced their name, rank, what they did and for how long.  The kids then all sang a couple songs as well.  It was really a wonderful tribute and we've never seen anything like that.  Grandpa Steve was in Vietnam, so the girls' asked him to come.  Random people would come up to hm and shake his hand and say "thank you", or "thanks for your service".  It was really touching and a great thing to be a part of. 

Taylor, Grandpa Steve and Allie

Bagpipe

Girls were way over to the other side, so didn't get a good picture of them

Taylor's Teeth

Taylor lost "2" teeth one in July, one in December, and she was so excited.  Allie had lost two of hers and got money and of course, Taylor wanted money too...which would only happen if she lost teeth.  She wiggled and wiggled those teeth.  She came in from outside and told me she had a loose tooth.  It was wiggly, but wasn't coming out yet.  So, we started eating supper and she laughed at something, and I noticed a big hole.  She lost the tooth!  She didn't even realize it.  Bummer was she swallowed the tooth:(  She just started sobbing, poor thing.  She wanted that tooth so bad.  She asked if when she went to the bathroom if I would look for it.  Ummm...nope!  There are some things you just have to let go, and that is one.  I will NOT be digging through "stuff" to look for a tooth.  In December, she lost another one.  THIS one we got!  And, because the tooth fairy is so nice, she left money for both teeth...even one we didn't have!  (I have pictures of the 1st lost tooth, but they are on my phone and haven't figured out how to get the pics off of it.)

Taylor's "big" space of missing teeth!


 





Holding the tooth we saved