I cool little lady!

It's Spring...maybe.

I used to try to mail/email a family update about 4 times a year to our family and friends. Now that we have a blog, I thought this would work, especially since I can attach pictures.

It was great to read about and/or see pictures of so many people at Christmas. I admit that I love email, but it’s still fun to receive cards via snail mail.

We spent Thanksgiving at my parents with my sister’s family. It was a nice time and we were able to stay in their new house. There are 3 bedrooms in the basement, so we all got our own rooms. Megan did well sleeping in the pack n’ play considering this was her first trip since China. We were also able to see my grandparents, uncle and aunt and cousin Brittnay. Christmas was busy with baking, decorating, wrapping, and school and church programs. It always goes so fast.

Snow came early to ND. Since we’ve lived here, we usually don’t get snow that sticks until after Thanksgiving, but this year was different. We had plenty since then too, but not compared to Fargo. I’m sure many of you experienced the New Year’s storm. Now the flooding is starting, especially in the south. We’ll be fine though since our dikes are completed, but Fargo is still figuring out to what kind of flood protection they want and so theirs are not done yet.

We spent Christmas with Brian’s family. It’s always good to be together with all the cousins. The girls had a blast (and got very little sleep). Megan surprised us by sleeping all night for 3 nights in a row. Too bad we can’t transfer Grandma Marsha’s crib and bedroom wherever we need it. After 3 days at home to do laundry and regroup, we headed back to SD on Wed. to avoid the storm. We actually spent New Year’s in Sioux Falls with my parents and sister’s family. The girls had lots of fun swimming. This was Megan’s first experience with swimming and she loved it! Next year will be even better when she can actually stand by herself in a baby pool. We headed back to ND on Sunday as soon as I-29 opened after the storm. I really would have liked another couple days off.

Unfortunately, we have lost a couple of grandparents since Christmas. Grandma Weiss died the week after Thanksgiving and Grandpa Hofer died the last week of March. Thankfully we were also able to see both of them over Thanksgiving to introduce them to Megan. It was good to see extended family again.

We figured that Megan would be practically running by the time she was 1 yr. old since she was crawling and pulling up on things at 8 months, but she was in no hurry to walk. However, climbing is another thing. We’ve found her on top of the dining room table and the 3rd rung of Miranda’s bunk bed ladder. She also flipped herself out of the crib. I think this summer play grounds will be her best friend. Unfortunately, I’m nervous about how many trips to the doctor we will be making. On Jan. 11, she took a few steps by herself and has slowly kept going. At mealtime she can sign please and more and is working on eating with a spoon. She knows what the cow, dog, and sheep say and goes to her coat when I tell her “get your coat, we’re going bye-bye”.

On Feb. 13, we had Megan dedicated. Megan wore a qipao (traditional Chinese dress). It was a very cute on her. We bought it when we were in China. It’s a good thing we had her dedicated now because she will outgrow it soon. When we were on the stage, she was more interested in “talking” to the audience, looking at the other babies, walking around and trying to walk down the steps. Oh well. That’s what happens when you have a 1 yr. old on stage vs. a 6 month old. Our parents came up and we had a few friends eat lunch with us at the church.

Riverside did not have a band teacher this fall, but they were able to find one for the spring semester. Miranda has decided to play percussion. She is learning to play the snare drum and bells (like a small xylophone). Band and lessons are once a week and sectionals are once every 3 weeks. She really seems to be enjoying it. At least we didn’t have to endure the squeaks of a woodwind or brass instrument. In March, she was named “Band Student of the Month”.

I took Miranda and Mikayla to their first music concert on Feb. 17. We saw Anthem Lights, the Afters, Matt Maher, Thousand Foot Krutch, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me. I forgot how loud concerts are! The girls didn’t like the “loud” either, but they said they enjoyed the concert. Mikayla took ice skating lessons again this winter, but unfortunately she was sick for the ice show and wasn’t able to perform. All 3 girls actually got sick with a fever and headache. Just when we thought everyone was well again, Megan got the stomach flu. Then she passed it on to Brian. Somehow I managed to miss all the illnesses (thank goodness!). One advantage to Megan getting sick was that we weaned the bottle without any difficulty.

Speaking of Brian, he travelled to Montana again in mid-March. The school board keeps him busy and he is also going to Bible study on Wednesday night. He also took Miranda and Mikayla to “Knight for a Princess” again this year. I am still co-AWANA secretary at church and working 1-2 days/week at the rehab. Keeping track of the girls keeps me plenty busy. Well, that’s what has been keeping us busy.

Hope you all have a happy spring!

Addendum: I think the river has crested at 49.9ft. This is the highest we've seen it since we've lived here. Gotta love the dikes! However, they predict 3-6" of snow by Sat.!