Grandma Pudge

Chuck's mom, Pudge, has 12 other grandchildren besides these recent two. We still manage to get her over for dinner once in awhile. She keeps busy with her water aerobics classes and going out with her girlfriends. She recently moved to an apartment and lives about Fabulous Ferns in St.Paul. Lots of action around there. Aunts Marlene and Pat visited in July and Marlene came again in January. It's always a treat to have them around--with all the people they need to visit while here we always make sure we set a date for them to come over for dinner too. Chuck, Mitch and I went out East to visit them and Uncle Jack in October before Maria was born--we won't be flying again until the kids are much older!

Walking!

Maria has started taking a few steps. Her first couple were to Grandma, and then after practicing for a week she had to show off to Grandpa as soon as we got to their house! Once she gets going we'll have to really watch out!

March Madness

Mitch and Maria grow more every day. Mitch likes to be just like Daddy! He gets so excited when he sits in Dad's spot on the couch! He'll lay back and cross his legs and look at Chuck and say, "I took your spot!" It's a good way to get him settled down at night too, we just tell him to go sit in Daddy's spot!

Spring Break?!

The kids and I have been fighting a terrible cold. Our dear daycare lady, Mary, took the kids overnight last night so we could get some sleep. Her four kids are on spring break too and begging her to have Mitch & Maria stay over night--who am I to argue? I actually got to sleep 6 hours in a row! Kids are so resilient. Mitch plays just as hard and Maria keeps smiling!

Uncle Brent and Aunt Wendy

These two cool cats are my brother, Brent, and his wife, Wendy. They were married on August 13th, 2005, in a beautiful ceremony which included a unity rocket in their backyard. They have a blog: www.scoutandnavigator.blogspot.com that you should check out when you have a chance--it is very entertaining and they are both great writers! Brent has started writing a bi-weekly column in the Cannon Falls Beacon.

Words

Mitch learns new words every day! This morning as we were trying to get ready to leave for daycare he came running out of his room and said, "Mom, where is my best friend, Maria?" Then he ran to his room and opened the door and said, "Surprise!" and there was Maria sitting in his room! I dropped him off at daycare and he asked me to come back to give him a hug and kiss, and I told him I loved him and he yelled, "I love you too, Mom!" It was a great start to my day!

Snow Day!

I actually got to enjoy a snow day on Friday with the kids. We went to Cannon Falls on Saturday and while Maria took a nap Mitch Gramma and Grandpa and I helped shovel off the deck. Mitch and I took a break on the swing. It was an incredible day out in the country! Every once in a while we would hear the buzz of the snowmobiles go by, but mostly we could just hear the snow! Mitch didn't want to come inside, but once he did he cuddled up under a few big blankets to get warm! Aunt Wendy called and Mitch was so excited to talk to Uncle Brent on the phone! They stopped in later and Maria even gave Aunt Wendy a big hug, and she was teasing Uncle Brent with the TV remote!