Vacation

A few Saturday's ago we headed up to Nisswa, MN to our new favorite resort: Cozy Bay on Lake Edwards. We were enjoyed by 20 other family members for the week. Our vacation started out great. The weather was good, the sun was out, and we were enjoying the company and the lake.

The weather turned to cold and rainy on Tuesday. So the rest of the week we were land locked except for the occasional fishing trip. Nate did catch a nice size Walleye in the rain one day. Our boat ended up tied to the dock for most of the week with the exception of Tuesday night....

Tuesday afternoon a group of us went into Brainerd for a movie and bowling. On our way home we rec'd word that a severe storm was headed our way. We decided that if we got back before the storm we would pull the boat out of the water. We had it all planned out... Nate and Alex were to run and get the boat. Dan and I were to get the trailer ready. As Dan and I were waiting on the launch... The boat got stuck about 50 feet from the trailer. Before I knew it... I was taking off my shoes and pants... and running into the lake. (Normally weeds gross me out, but I drove right into the mucky and weedy part of the launch.) Alex also stripped down to his boxers and we were both pushing and pulling to get the boat to move. (On a side note: Everyone else is watching from the dry windows of the cabin.) We finally get the boat loose and we pulled it out of the water. You know the saying: Hindsight is 20/20: Well it is. I am not sure why I had to take my pants off since they got wet sitting on the ground in the rain. (Sorry no pictures at this time.)

Bowling in our new group shirts. "Bad Girls of Up North!"

The ladies in our bright "Bad Girls of Up North" shirts!

To be honest... I am a little disappointed about our vacation. The weather really put a damper on our usual activities. Good thing we had 20 of us to play cards, go shopping, and visit with while we huddled in our sweatshirts and jeans.

Kaitlyn loved playing with her cousins. They were there until Wednesday and Kaitlyn loved following them around.

Busy Holiday Weekend!

Friday Lake Day!

Friday morning we all slept in until 9am and than got ready for a day on the lake. We invited our friends the Eggiman's to join us. The kids had fun swimming at big island and enjoying the warm weather. It was a little cloudy, but just the right temp. to enjoy some swimming.

Here is Brayden and Kaitlyn doing some floating at Big Island on Lake Minnetonka!

After our day of boating the guys went to the station to wash the fire truck for the parade on Saturday while I got to wash the boat. Steve, Aimee, and the kids came over for some HoBo Dinners on the grill!

Delano 4th of July Parade
Saturday morning we were in the Delano 4th of July Parade. It is suppose to be the biggest 4th of July Parade in Minnesota. We were float #96 of 128.

McNeilly family picture waiting for our turn to go! Aimee and I pulled the kids in wagons while Nate and Steve passed out candy.
Here I am driving the fire truck! Actually it was even running, but I like to pretend.

Here is a picture while we were walking in the parade. Kaitlyn didn't like it when St. Boni fire truck (float behind us) turned on their sirens or blew the air horn.

Saturday evening the Eggimans had us over for some burgers before we were off to Waconia to watch the fireworks. We got there a little early so the kids could play on the cool playground.

Kaitlyn is a little daredevil. Good thing Daddy was there to help her out.

The adults had fun playing on the playground as well!

Kaitlyn having fun on the slide! Bopapa met us in Waconia to watch the fireworks. Kaitlyn loved to sit up high with Bopapa.

Sunday on the Lake

Sunday was a beautiful day so we decided to spend the day on the lake. My sister Anny, her friend Niki, and Nate's friend David joined us. We spent most of the day in Forest Lake bay. It was hot, sunny, and nice to just hang out in the water. I made it onto the raft since I am not a fan of little sunfish nibbling at me.

Kaitlyn thought the water was a little chilly, but had fun relaxing on the raft with mommy!
Kaitlyn taking a little nap during our long day on the lake. She had a long, but fun weekend!

Can I have a Hug and Kiss?

Today is Monday after a great weekend! As we got to Daycare Kaitlyn tried to hide her nuk so she could bring it with her. We only let her bring her blanket and baby to Daycare since we are starting to ween her from THE Nuk! (By the way... she knows how to spell. The 2 times I asked Nate where her N..U...K was... she replied... Nuk?)

Anyway... as I was saying goodbye... I asked Kaitlyn for a hug and kiss since I am visiting a friend tonight and won't be at home for the bedtime routine. She replies... "NO!" and starts closing the door on me. As I walk away... I can her saying "Bye-Bye!" I guess spending 2 days with her parents she was ready for daycare today!

Here is Kaitlyn wearing the shirt that we got from my college MSUM! She looks so old in this picture. I can't believe my baby girl will be 2 in less than 2 short months!

Maiden Voyage

A few weekends ago we took the boat out for our maiden voyage. It was a little windy, but we found a few calm spots around the lake. Nate took us past the house he is currently working on. It looks great only a few more weeks and he will be onto the next house. Here are a few pictures of Kaitlyn driving the boat with daddy.

She really loved being able to walk around with her life jacket on. Last year she wasn't walking and the life jacket wasn't her favorite part of boating.

It was a little windy and Kaitlyn was either not wanting to listen to us or trying to keep her hair out of her face.

It took several attempts to get Kaitlyn to take a nap. She finally fell asleep on our way back to the boat launch. I guess we have to go fast and it be really wavy for her to fall asleep on the boat.

Kaitlyn has also learned our first names. She has decided that if we don't listen when she says "Mommy, Daddy"... she calls us by our first names. It started on the boat when we were trying to ignore her so she would take a nap. She kept saying "Daddy". After several attempts and daddy not answering she yells "Nate".

Yesterday while I was getting ready I hear Kaitlyn yelling "Kitty" as Thomas was walking by. I explained to Kaitlyn that Thomas doesn't come to "Kitty" since this is not his name... So she finally says one of our pets names... She calls him "Tommy". Not sure if Thomas will come to that name either, but it was still cute.

Just Imagine

Kaitlyn is learning more and more words. She loves to repeat everything we say... so we really need to be careful on what words we choose to say. I made the mistake of saying a bad word the other night. I caught myself after I said it, but just hoped that she would not pick up on it. A few hours later after her bath... she started dancing around in the nude singing "SH**". I looked at Nate and made sure I was hearing correctly... I was! Of course we couldn't help but laugh which just added to the whole situation.

Camping

Memorial weekend we loaded up the truck and headed to South Isle Campground near Isle, MN. The weather was perfect. A little cool on Saturday, but nothing that would keep us from enjoying the day. I still got sun burnt so it could not have been that cold. The campground is perfect for kids. They had train rides, hay wagon rides, ice cream social, fishing contest, dance, and a great playground. Kaitlyn had lots of friends to play with during the weekend. Her cousins Hailey and Darren (Dewey if you ask Kaitlyn), and some family friends grand kids. Here are all the kids waiting for the Train with Grandma... Darren didn't want to sit next to all the girls.

The girls playing in the camper! No we did not plan for them to all be wearing pink!!!
My favorite picture of my nephew. He had to pose for this picture! Kaitlyn finally likes to ride on daddy's shoulders! I think she just likes to pull his hair when she holds on.
Kaitlyn fishing with her new Barbie pole from her Aunt and Uncle. This also was the only time she would wear her sandals. She still is not too sure about them. I hope time will let her appreciate sandals.
Cody just playing along with the kids. He was such a great puppy all weekend!

We have lots more pictures that I will post on my Facebook page, so make sure to check them out.

Why we S.P.E.L.L at our house?

First I would like to thank Diane for this Blog Post idea.

The 2 video's below will show you what happens when I say the word "WALK". I apologize the videos move around a lot, but it is hard to video tape with the commotion around me.

Enjoy!

The BIG 30!!

Well is has been officially one week and I am still alive and kicking! No major aches and pains yet! I do have to say that my memory hasn't been the greatest. For example: One the last day of being in my twenties I decided to stop at Culvers for a yummy butter burger... I decided the drive thru was the way to go... As I "almost" got to the drive thru window... I realized that I forgot to stop and order... oops! So there I was backing up in the drive thru. I think the lady behind me thought I was crazy or just confused. I know you are thinking... Nikki you can't count this story since you weren't thirty yet... Well... on my birthday my sister, mom, and I had our toes done. Before our appt. I stopped at Subway to get a Dr. Pepper. When we were finishing up our pedicures... some subway employee walks in and says "Did someone forget their keys in Subway?" Good thing my sister took the heat and said she did.

Saturday I had the big party. The weather turned out just perfect... It could have been a little warmer, but at least it wasn't raining. It was great to see all my friends and family. Thank you to everyone that came. This birthday wasn't an easy one for me.

I don't have a ton of pictures from the night. Here is me with Katie and Kristin!

Fire Truck Ride

On Sunday - Mayer Fire Department had their semi-annual fish fry. It was a huge success. They had over 800 people come through. (I think this was one of their best turnouts.) Nate spent the day squeezing fish! They also offered fire truck rides. My dad, Nate, Kaitlyn, our friends the Eggimans all went on a fire truck ride around town. Here are a few pictures.

Kaitlyn loved the fire truck ride even though she was really tired since it was past her nap time.

Kaitlyn and Daddy after the fire truck ride.

Full Weekend

A Quick Trip to Fargo/Moorhead

Friday night Nate volunteered to go to Moorhead, MN to help with the Red River Flooding. He and a few other Mayer Fire Department firefighters drove the 3 hours. They ended up being staged at the Moorhead High School for the night and went and helped a few homeowners in the morning. They watched pumps while the homeowners got some much needed sleep.

We are praying for all the families effected in the Red River Valley. Here are a few pictures of some flooded streets in Moorhead.

Fireman's Banquet

Saturday morning while Nate was on his way back from Moorhead. I met Nate's parents in Elk River. Kaitlyn was spending the night in Mora for her Auntie's Surprise Party while Nate and I went to the Fireman's Banquet.

Nate rec'd his new helmet for completing both the Fire Fighter I and II. All the wives of the new Firefighters got to place their new helmets on their husbands... and than do the Chicken Dance in front of everyone. I am sorry to say that I don't possess any pictures for this part of the night.

Here are a few pictures of Kaitlyn trying on Daddy's new helmet. At first she was not so sure about it, but than she didn't want to stop wearing it!

Here is Kaitlyn trying to escape from having the helmet on! It was kind of heavy.

How about I just hold it Daddy?

It's not that bad!

I am a Daddy's Girl!

Dancing Queen

Kaitlyn has been very entertaining these past few weeks. She loves to laugh... even for no reason... Maybe she is laughing at how funny her parents really are. This past weekend we made a last minute trip to visit Grandma, Grandpa, Aunty Mandi, Hailey and Darren. (I don't want to forget that Uncle Sam and Dereke came over for a visit too.)I am not sure what Kaitlyn is laughing at, but she sure thought Grandma and Mommy were funny while taking this picture.

Is a very cute picture of my Niece Haily and Nephew Darren.
Sunday evening Neighbor Hailey came over to play with Kaitlyn. We had to take a picture of our new hair cuts.

Kaitlyn loves to dance. Usually when we ask her to dance she shuffles her feet, but this time she decided to show off some new moves. She also loves eating Graham Crackers. Some of her very first meltdowns have come from not getting any more crackers.

18 Months Already!!!!

Our little girl is 18 months. She amazes us everyday with the things that she can do. She has started to have mini-meltdowns when she wants to snack all day and we don't let her. She is talking more and more. Her favorite words to say are: Daddy, Mommy, Kitty, Puppy, Bobpa, Teeny (TT), and Hailey. We have been working on colors and animal sounds. She likes to copy me when I make all the sounds. She knows where most of her body parts are and where mommy's are. She loves to point out people in pictures on our fridge. We are also working on saying Please (Peasss) and Thank you (Tan ku).

We had her 18 month wellness check yesterday. Here are her stats:
Height: 30 3/4" - 25% (She is getting taller.)
Weight: 21.2 lbs - 9%

The other good news is that her ears are looking pretty good. She had an ear infection last week in her right ear, but it is clearing nicely. I am so glad that we did not do tubes. I am keeping my fingers crossed that her ear infections are far and few between!

Here is a little video I took last night of her talking. She really didn't want to copy me, but it is still cute.

Picky Eater

The most challenging part of parenting right now is Kaitlyn's picky eating habits. I find it very stressful to figure out what to make for lunch and dinner. I am trying very hard not to cater to her wants, but want to make sure she is eating something. She loves breakfast foods with the exception of eggs. Lunch and dinner are a different story. She won't eat any vegetables. Sometimes she will eat broccoli. Green beans, peas, and carrots are a no go. I have tried hiding it in other things, but she always finds a way to get them out of her mouth before eating.

Last night her dinner consisted of her favorite foods: Bread and butter, fruit, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Dessert - of course Graham crackers. She knows where we have them in the cupboard so she will stand in the kitchen pointing at the cupboard and will grunt until she gets one. She also loves Cheerios.

Kaitlyn loves to each Cottage Cheese with her hands. She also loves to touch her hair. Here is what happens if you mention "Hair" while eating.

After work I decided to buy some baby food again. This time I bought sweet potato and squash. So, we gave her sweet potato baby food last night and she ate the whole jar. Maybe she isn't a fan of whole veggies. My action plan right now is to just give her baby food vegetables with her whole veggies. I hope this works. It bothers me that she isn't eating veggies.

Here are some pictures of Kaitlyn a few nights ago. She loves to sit in her car and play.

She also loves having her picture taken. When you hold a camera most of the time she will smile and say "Cheese".

It's Been Awhile

Hello fellow Blog Readers... I have had several requests that I need to update my blog. I am not sure if I just had writers block or if I was procrastinating. Maybe a little of both. One thing is for sure... We sure have been busy so far this year.

Official!

Nate has officially become a firefighter. He passed his test with flying colors. The last two Saturdays he has taken the State Certification tests for Fire Fighter 1 and Fire Fighter 2. He passed all the practicals, but we will have to wait a month to find out about the written part. The next big step is taking the one month First Responder class in February.

Snap Shots so far this January

Kaitlyn got a new sled from her Aunt and Uncle and Cousins for Christmas. I took her for a ride down the street and she loved it.

"Mom - I lost my glove in this big snow pile..."

A few weekends ago we met Nate's family at MOA. Grandma took Kaitlyn on the Merry-Go-Round.

My Grandma passed away on January 3rd. Last Thursday was her birthday so my sister, dad, Nate, Kaitlyn and I drove to Perham to attend the first of 2 memorial services. We felt that we needed to celebrate her life and birthday. Here is a picture of me and my sister at my Grandma's memorial service. It was a wonderful service where we shared stories of my Grandma.

Here is a picture of the outside temperature on my way to work last week.

Kaitlyn the Daredevil

Disclaimer for the video below: We don't encourage Kaitlyn on this activity. This was the best video I could get. It does look like it was an accident, but in reality she does this for fun. We have caught her in the act several times.

Christmas

Wow, I can't believe that Christmas is over and it is now time to say goodbye to 2008 and Hello 2009. We stayed around home this Christmas. Christmas Eve we went to my dad's house to have some ham and enjoy a movie or two. We have also decided that my dad will be called "Bobpa" instead of Grandpa. We mixed my dad's name Bob with Papa (What Anne and I call our dad). I would like to thank my Aunt Sandy for this name.

Christmas Day we went to my sister's boyfriend's parents house. We spent the day enjoying some yummy food and great company. Kaitlyn loved their stairs.

This is an older picture from when my mom was here. It is a great picture of all of us girls.

I can't believe how much changes in a year. Kaitlyn is learning more and more each day. She now knows where her feet, belly button, nose, and ears are. She says Mama and Mommy a lot more, but I still think she prefers to say Dada or Daddy. Her new things are climbing and loves to repeat us when we say - "Get Down or Sit Down". She loves to sign a few words too.

Nate now has been a stay at home daddy for a month now. It is fun to come home to a smiling face at the top of the stairs when I walk in the door.

Sneaky

Last Friday as Nate and I were packing up for our trip to Mora, Kaitlyn surprised us again. Nate was busy loading up the truck while I was in the kitchen wrapping a few last gifts. Kaitlyn was near the gate on the top of stairs. As I was in the kitchen I heard the gate move. (Sometimes it doesn't close all the way.)

I called for Kaitlyn to come see me and only heard silence. (Which is never a good sign. That means she is up to something.) As I turned the corner... there she was half way down the stairs. She was holding onto the railing and carefully taking walking down the stairs with Cody right next to her. I can't believe it. She knows how to carefully go down stairs. What? Everytime I have seen her... she just wants to walk right off the top stair.

When Nate got back inside I explained what happened and we tried to replay the episode, but with me holding onto Kaitlyn's hand... Guess what? She just tried to step off the top stair. I guess she knows what to do without me.

She sure does surprise me everyday.

A Visit with Nana!

This past weekend my mom came to visit from Texas. We had a very eventful weekend. Kaitlyn of course entertained us. Here are some pictures from her visit.

Here is Kaitlyn on her new four wheeler. She has learned how to push the button to make it go.

We went to the Macy's 8th Floor Display on Friday. Kaitlyn loved looking at all the elves.
After we walked through the Macy's Display we went to watch Hollidazzle Parade. We didn't make it all the way through because it was below zero wind chills.

Here is a picture of Kaitlyn and Nana!

Kaitlyn getting ready to go outside for the Hollidazzle. It took some work, but she can sure get around with all her winter gear on.
Here is Daddy feeding Kaitlyn to the Dinosaurs. She thought it was funny!