We are Minnesotans!

The kids and I drove to Minnesota with my mom in early November. We left Spokane early as we heard snow was coming. We hit it that night in Montana. We ended up staying over in Butte. It snowed a half foot overnight so it was slow going through most of Montana. We had to stay an additional night in Bismarck, ND. I haven't been to ND but it was really pretty nice- at least the parts I saw.

Chris finished our final packing of our house yesterday. We are living in a temporary apartment until we take possession of our rental house next week. I am excited to have us and all of our stuff in one place! I have been an emotional wreck this week over our Spokane house. Chris said it was really hard to shut the door this time. We made a lot of great memories in that house. Our babies rooms are there. :( But we must move forward. We have had a lot of activity on the house the last few weeks. Lot of second showings and 2 3rd showings. We are praying it sells this month. We should have the new house unpacked and ready for Christmas. Tyler keeps asking me when we get to put our tree up. I will post pictures when it looks decent. I scored Allie a spot in an infant class with the rec center here. I hope we will meet some little friends for her (and Tyler) soon. Otherwise, our days are consumed with going to the gym, wandering Target and whatever else I can come up with. :)

Bittersweet

Leaves are so fun!
Yum! Rocks!

Where's Booger? I want to pull his fur!

I'm not supposed to be climbing the stairs

Playing in the leaves

Where's Daddy to mow with me?

I went to church today and couldn't help but feel overwhelmed at the thought of moving. Our church has been the center of our activities and friendships here in Spokane. I have met so many great people and the kids have made some really great little friends. Tyler was the greeter this morning. He smiled and hugged all of his buddies that walked into the nursery today. I have been so supported as a mom by my friends there. Being at home with the kids and just being a new mother was a difficult transition for me. The other moms I met at church helped me through that rough patch and are great at giving advice/commiserating.

I came home to my next door neighbor mowing the lawn for me. What a great sight! I HATE lawn work with a passion. We raked some yesterday but that was all I could stomach. Our neighbors here are so wonderful. Mr. Ron, Ms. Gloria, Ms. Kay and Mr. Dennis have adopted us as if we were their own children/grandchildren. Tyler gets way too many "goodies" from all of them. It breaks my heart to know how much Tyler (and the rest of us) are going to miss them. Will we find such a community in MN?

I know the answer to this question is yes. I had the same fears and doubts leaving Colorado. But it doesn't make it any easier to be leaving. We decided the kids and I will drive out to MN Nov. 12th. We will only be back to our house here sporadically. Hopefully it sells before then! I am not sure how I will feel leaving that day. This is the place I brought my babies home to, the place where Smokey died, the place we became a real family...

Here are some pics for Ryan from the weekend. Apparently I don't post/update this often enough. :)

Long time, no blog

Well, our lives are topsy turvy right now. On Chris' first day of work, he was asked to move to Minnesota rather than Chicago. Crazy, right? It will actually work out great because Minneapolis is closer our family. Plus, the taxes are cheaper there. I will continue to stay home with Tyler and Allison full time. Some days I think it would be nice to go back to work. :) But there will be time for that soon enough.

Chris left for training in Chicago at the end of September. I am on my 4th week as a single parent. Wow is it hard! Most days, the kids don't nap at the same time leaving me with no time to myself. I am really cherishing after 8 pm right now. Allie has become Ms. Mobile. She pulls up on everything and can stand alone by herself. She has also become much more demanding. She is able to tell me more often what her needs are. It is great on one hand and much more difficult on the other.

The first week that Chris was gone, we went to the pumpkin patch with Tyler's preschool class. It is very difficult to take pictures while trying to corral the two of them. Chris came home last weekend and we celebrated his birthday. He is going to have more birthday fun this weekend when his good friend Scott joins him in MN. Here are some pics of the pumpkin patch and Chris birthday cake. Tyler picked it out.

Spokane County State Fair

Allie enjoying the fair and showing off her new teeth.

Daddy and Tyler riding the airplanes.

We were fortunate to attend the State Fair before the criminally insane unit had their field trip. :) It was a really nice day but it got very hot as the day wore on. Tyler loved seeing the cows, rabbits, chicken and horses up close. Tyler was tall enough this year to ride a few of the rides. Chris barred me from eating any of the fair food including a funnel cake! Boo!

First Day of School

Tyler had his first day of school on September 11. He was totally thrilled to wear his monkey backpack. He did awesome. He didn't even stop to say goodbye to Mommy. *sniff, sniff* He is Mr. Independent.

Things are crazy!

We are going through a lot of changes here in the Heine household. We finally got our house on the market yesterday. It is such a relief to have it listed. Now on to finding a buyer. I know it is going to be challenging keeping it show ready with two kids. I definitely ready though!

Allison has decided it is time to start pulling up. YIKES! Here is a picture of her climbing onto the fireplace step. Tyler was a bit of meatloaf when it came to walking and pulling up. He wasn't interested in any of that until 12 months. Allie seems intent on getting on her feet as soon as possible.
We are in the throws of potty training Tyler. Let me tell you, it is not easy. I think I am going to be kicked out of the gym daycare. Whether I put him in a pull up or underwear, he always ends up taking it off. Then he runs around the gym daycare pantsless. Today I got to carry him out in wet underwear. Serenity now!! Here is how he prefers to wear his underwear.

Thank goodness of me, he starts preschool tomorrow. What a big boy! I think he is going to love his class and his teacher. I am so happy they are letting me keep him in the class until we move. I will post pics of his first day tomorrow.

Back to School BBQ

Looking for his name on a grape.

Cooking in the play kitchen

Checking out his desk

We went to Tyler's first school BBQ on Monday night. He is going to be in the 2 1/2 class at Southside until we leave for Chicago. He was so thrilled. He met his teacher Mrs. Hoiland. She seems great and I am so excited for him to start. He didn't want to leave when it was time to go. It was great fun seeing some of our friends from church who also have kids that attend Southside. We are going to miss that family feel we have here. Tyler wishes his buddy Trenton were going to be in his class but he is a few years older.

Like Mother, Like Son

Tyler's had a rough few days. He must be going through a growth spurt. He is running into everything. Unfortunately, he has inherited my klutzyness. We were at REI over the weekend and he took a big spill while running. He has major road rash on his face. Poor little guy.

He also ran into the couch with his face on the right side. Today it looks like a black eye. He totally looks like we beat him up.

BIG NEWS

Chris finally heard from Honda and he was offered a DRM position with them in the Chicago suburbs. I am thrilled because it will afford me the opportunity to stay home the kids for a few more years. I think the area will give us lots to do and explore. We have spent the last few days decluttering the house and moving some of our junk to storage. It is amazing how many things you accure in just 6 years of marriage. We are trying to ditch a lot of our baby items too. We are hoping to get the house on the market by early next week. Then the waiting begins. Who knows how long it will take our house to sell in this economy. Chris will be heading our on Oct. 1.

As always, a move is bittersweet. We have met so many great people here and I am sad to be leaving them. Tyler is starting preschool for as long as we are here. He is going to be so sad to leave! He already told me he didn't want to move. Talk about breaking mommy's heart! I just have to keep sight of the idea that this is what is best for our family even if it doesn't seem like it at times. That is all for now.

Allison is 9 months today.

My thought was to upload a photo of her today. However, my camera battery needs to be recharged and I didn't get to it today. I am just having a hard time believing that she is already that old and so close to 1. It seems like I was waiting with anticipation for each new stage with Tyler. They sneak up on me with Allie. My poor sweet second child.

She is army crawling her way around very proficiently. She loves to worm over to the toy bins and check out what is in there. She loves to play with big brother's toys. He doesn't appreciate it much. I getting a glimpse of my future with "Mommy, she's playing with my toys" being screamed all day long. Tyler is trying to learn to share. He at least gives her a new toy when he snags the one she was playing with. :) She also started clapping her hands when she hears music. CUTEST. THING. EVER.

It is so great having a daughter. She is super sweet and easygoing. Luckily, she isn't shy like I thought she might be. Tyler is so outgoing that I though for sure she would be my clingy child. But she loves meeting people and tags along happily to all of Tyler's big boy activities. I am so lucky to be the mom of such great kiddos (if I do say so myself).

Oh how I love you Costco!

Today we had a family fun day of going to Costco and house cleaning. Yes folks, this is as fun as it gets when you have two kids under the age of 3. Tyler, Allie and I go to Costco usually once a week. Today I walked out after spending 200 bucks. On what you ask? The giant bag of protein powder, giant box of oatmeal and assorted veggies and fruit drove up the price this time. Oh- and the 2 pk of flannel pants Chris had to have even though it is August. WTF?

Tomorrow starts Operation Mommy De-Frump. I have become the ultimate mom-hag over the last few months. I don my uniform of khaki shorts, flip flops and t-shirt daily. I rarely buy clothes for myself- opting to spend the cash on the kids clothes instead. My hair isn't too bad but I really need to work on losing the last few pounds from being pregnant with Tyler. I am still running quite a bit my diet is all out of whack. With the help of my giant bag of Costco protein powder, I am beginning my weight loss journey. I'll update you on my awesome progress (hopefully).

Too Much Fun in Denver

Here are the photos from our night out in Denver. We went to a bar named Baker St. in the DTC. They had a great band playing covers from the 80s and 90s. I obviously had too much fun. Picture 1 is at the beginning of the night. Photo 2 is after I decided to switch to drinking Cosmos. Whoops. I really enjoyed the band.

Tyler and the Boys go to the Rockies Game

Tyler, Chris, Uncle Ryan and Grandpa went to the Rockies game on Sunday. I think Tyler was more interested in the choo-choo (aka Light Rail) ride rather than the game. Tyler sported his Tulowitski t-shirt courtesy of Uncle Ryan. Chris wasn't feeling too great that day and neither was I. The grandparents watched the kids for us so we could go out with Uncle Ryan on Saturday night. I remember why I haven't had too much to drink since I have had kids. Hangover plus kids equals torture. I will post pics of that another time if Ryan sends them to me.

Anyway, the Rockies played the Cubs. There were tons of Cubbies staying in our hotel. I totally want one of their shirts. So cute! That will be one of my first purchases if/when we move out to Chicago.

Trip to Denver- Part One

We just returned from a summer trip to Denver. We had loads of fun but the trip was LONG. 16 1/2 hours in a car is just a little too long. But we all made it in one piece and the kids did suprisingly well. I was able to read two whole books on our ride out there. I read Firefly Lane and The Time Traveler's Wife. I really enjoyed both of them. Tyler watched lots of movies and Allie mostly slept or babbled.

We stayed at Ryan's on Thursday night and checked in to our hotel on Friday. Chris and Ryan went golfing on Friday morning. This gave the kids and I a chance to go to the Children's Museum. Tyler loved it! It had a great firetruck on display and he loved pretending to drive it. He also painted a picture for Grandma and Grandpa, shopped for groceries and played a little Bball. I think he is ready to be recruited by the Jayhawks.

Monday is here!

Whew! Last week was quite a week. I am not used to being away from the kids so much at one time. I am happy to be spending a few quiet days with them before we leave for Denver. We are visiting my BIL Ryan and my inlaws at the end the of the week. Tyler is going to his first Rockies game. Allie, Grandma and I are going to get in some quality shopping time.

Allie exhausted after Day 3 of VBS:

Allie modeling a new fall outfit- a gift from Nana.

I need to upload my new pics of T. He is uncooperative with pictures these days.

Chris and I also celebrated our 6th anniversary yesterday. I really can't believe we have been married 6 years already! Although, our lives are much different than we thought they would be. We never planned to leave Kansas and here we are twice moved already. Who would have thought both my children would be born in Spokane, WA? I definitely would have bet money against that. But it has made for an exciting, fun and most of all loving 6 years. Here's to another 6!

VBS- Day 2

Okay, so I thought I would be able to post pics of VBS yesterday but I was too tired. It was so fun but it totally wore me out!! This week is HOT. I think Day 1 and 2 were a success. We added about 10 kids to our enrollment and everything went smoothly. Allie and Tyler were so active in the nursery that they both came home and slept for 3 hours...at the same time. That is an amazing thing.

We also got an update on Chris' job interview situation with Honda. He is still being considered but they still don't have a definite answer for us. They also told him it would be in Minneapolis rather than Chicago. Both are about the same distance from our parents so that doesn't make too much difference. So we are still in limbo. My planning ways are really being tested right now!

First Blog

Hmm, I have been inspired by my brother in law's blog to start one of my own. I think it will be a good way for my parents, inlaws and family to keep up with what is happening with Chris and I and our cute kiddos. :)

I have been preparing all week for Vacation Bible School. This is my third year coordinating it for my church. I was first inspired to coordinate VBS during my son's baptism. Why? I have no idea. I had just quit my full time job. I had been a volunteer coordinator for a few years and figured this would be no problem. Little did I know it involved singing and dancing to choregraphy (thank God I was a cheerleader) and generally teaching bible stories/verses to kids. Yikes! Quite a bit out of my comfort zone. I guess it went okay because they have let me keep the position for the last two years.

So I am fully prepared for Crocodile Dock to start tomorrow. Tyler loves dancing and singing the songs. Super cute if I do say so myself. Big Als doesn't seem as excited about it- probably because she will be spending 3 hours in the nursery tomorrow morning. I'll post pics tomorrow. So here are a few pics of my cuties ready for bed. I am heading there now.