Nanny Noelle

We have had lots of visitors over the past few weeks! It has been awesome to have so much fun AND so much help. Noelle flew in last Saturday to hang out (ok, help) while Curtis was in China last week. I loved having her here. We laughed at the kids alot. Noelle took a week off school and away from her job as a nanny to 4 kids in UT to come take care of 4 kids in MN. Perfect example: Have you ever met Jonah? Well he has no problem asking very personal questions like: "Hey, what are you doing in there (there meaning the bathroom). Are you done yet? Are you going pee or poop?" It's even better when you're at Costco!

Sofi's hockey game! Sofi and Hogan are great on the ice, so fun to watch them!!

We drove down to pick up Curtis and went to IKEA and Mall of America. Noelle had JK's bottle in her purse and it SPILLED all over Noelle's lap. Now is she not only an ice cream snitcher and a hypochondriac, she's a little bit incontinent!! (and hasn't even had a baby , phht)

I got to go to UnderWater World with Ethan's class on Wednesday. Ethan's teacher, Mr. E. told jokes and stories all the way there and home. It was a riot.

Next post: Grandma and Grandpa Tanner, and Rosie!

Mason's Special Sunday, and a Birthday Party

We went up to Princeton today for Mason's blessing. I prepped:

- the diaper/church bag


-kid's dress clothes


-Sandy's b-day gift


-YW newsletters and b-day card for Jessica


- plates, utensils, and cheesecake toppings


- tried to locate a pack and play which is mysteriously missing

on Saturday night, so we could leave by 8 am. But, I couldn't resist getting a few more winks after my alarm clock went off, so we actually got in the car at 8:25. I have said it before, but Curtis is the one who gets us out the door on time, not me. And he is absent this week. But Noelle is here thank goodness. So Noelle and I tried our darnedist and I drove pretty fast, and we were there before Sacrament Meeting started, hooray.


Mason was wearing a little white suit, with a tiny little bow tie. I got a little teary watching Keith, Ben, Curt, and Mike gather around Mason, and not seeing Curtis up there. And I got a little more teary as Keith blessed his little boy with health, strength, testimony, example, baptism, and temple marriage. It was so simple and sweet, and touching.

We went over to Keith and Kayla's house after church, to celebrate Sandy's Birthday. True to form, Sandy made dinner for everyone on her birthday, and wasn't crabby about it... it's true. It was a beautiful day, sunny and almost 60, so the kids played outside and got muddy and had a blast with Zachary and Garrett Juncker.
I think I might love birthday candles a little too much. I definitely love this picture of Sandy laughing, she has such a great laugh.

When we got home, we went outside and I caught up with our neighbors who we haven't seen for 6 months, and the kids ran around barefoot. Janie Kate ran and ran down the street and got a few rides in a wagon. Spring please stay, melt the ice and snow, and green up my grass!

A typical Tuesday

Jonah watching t.v.


JK trying to get crayons

Lola coloring at the bar

First piggytail buns

The Newest LaClaire- Mason

We have a new cousin around here! His name is Mason and he is the cutest little guy. Eli, Jonah, JK and I had a free morning Wednesday so we drove up north -(like we Minnesotoans do)- and saw him. Eli and Jonah LOVED him, it was really cute. Janie whacked him a few times and then cried when I held him- but in her defense it was nap time.



I think he looks like Keith

Mason slept through all these pictures like a champ

Good job Keith and Kayla, he is just adorable and so sweet. Kayla you look great. Thanks for letting us come and visit!

A fantastic reminder

I'm not sure how I came upon this blog but I loved this post! AND it comes from someone who has 6 boys! Wow!!

March 1 at 5518 105th Ave N.

Today was a really good Monday, the sun was out, I got some things done (paid bills, laundry, etc.). Talked to a few neighbors and had a few kids over, including Lola who convinced Jonah to steal my money and put eyeliner on. I sat in the sun for a few minutes just enjoying the sounds of snow melting- but there is still 2 feet out there to melt! I am not really a winter hater - because in the winter I don't feel guilty for staying in all day and baking! But I am excited for the seasons to change, and to see green grass and to send the kids outside. I love the change, whether it's from winter to spring or summer to fall. I bought some new cushions for the porch that give me a little satisfaction when I drive up and see cheery fabrics on our bench. I am excited to sit on them and watch the kids run around barefoot. Jonah is a little speedy squirt on his scooter. He rode Brooklyn home today, and then back again to take Jake his hat. He is my little happy guy, I am glad he is around with me for another year.

There were a few sad moments tonight when Ethan and Eli got home from school. They have been getting in the bad habit of calling people names, and today they both came home with a little bit of an attitude and called me names. And Eli actually told me he hated me.That is not the first time. I was sad about that. How can you hate someone who loves you so much and takes care of you and kisses your owies. That is a sad thing to hear. But then I started getting mad. That is not ok for a boy to tell his mom. I told them to go to their rooms, that I needed to think of a consequence. I called Curtis who was on his way home, and he came home and thought of one. I thought it was kind of tough but good. So Curtis made Ethan and Eli both a PB sandwich, and that was all. They ate in their room and went to bed. They missed dinner and would have missed Family Night but we will have it Tuesday so they can come. They missed buttermilk pie. It was sad and weird to not have those two around for the night. I went up to check and Eli was asleep already. Ethan was in his bed, and he gave Janie a kiss. I think he is ok. It is hard not knowing what to do, but feeling frustrated that home is not a fun place to be when certain people are there. I hope that consequence will help them learn a few things. And if not, we have tomorrow to do it all over again!