Let's go to the Circus!

We brought Daniel to the Circus for the first time ever last night. We didn't know what to expect from him. Would he be good? Would he be bad?

Here is Daddy and Daniel going to the Ralph Englested Arena....Home of the UND Fighting Sioux Hockey team.

I tried to prepare Daniel for the clowns. I know that sometimes kids are afraid of clowns. We looked up pictures of clowns on the internet. He just giggled and repeated the word "clown".

When we walked into the arena, clowns were there to greet all of the kids. Daniel was very excited and had a kind of frozen smile on his face. He didn't run and hide. He liked them. His bottom jaw shook. But he was brave!

Next, he got to go on a pony ride. His ponys name was Fat Joe.

He enoyed that! While we waited for the show to start I made the mistake of bringing him into the bathroom to change his pull ups. It became about the toilets after that. All the way until the lights went down. Once the show started, Daniel LOVED it! His big, blue eyes sparkled as he watched the show. He cheered and clapped. It was so cute. He got a green, glowing sword and you could tell by the look on his face that he thought he was pretty special as he waved his sword around in the dark.....you know what? He was!

Just a side note. I am enrolled in college at UND. I start with American Government this May. Wish me luck!

Happy Easter! Happy Birthday

We had a fun Easter at our house. Daniel, Grandma Bakke and I went to sunrise service at church. It was a good service! I have found a church I really enjoy. I get so excited about it! In a way its odd because its a Free Lutheran Church. Nothing against the Lutheran church, its just different than what I was used to. But the Free Lutheran Church is like a bridge between the Nazarene and the Lutheran. I really enjoy it and really like the pastors way of thought. Which is also suprising, he is very conservative. :) Daniel got up extra early and was suprised and delighted by his Easter basket that the Easter bunny left him. The night before, he wouldn't go to sleep so I told him that if he would just fall asleep, the Easter bunny would come into our house at night time and leave him candy. Daniel then said, "oooo, I cared" (it means, I am scared.) That made me laugh pretty good.

To join us for Easter and the "hunt' was his cousin Trace from Minneapolis, Uncle Vance and Aunt Kelly. Daniel loved to play with Trace.

The following week was Daniel's THIRD birthday! Wow, time is going to fast! He had a fun and very special birthday. He shares his birthday with two of his cousins, Jesse and Billy. Well, Billy came to our house to celebrate his tenth birthday all the way from Spokane! Along with Billy came Aunt Lisa, cousins Amanda, Sayde and Morgan. Great Grandma and Grandpa came over too! Daniel has taken a special liking to Morgan. Yesterday, we were on our way to Grandma's house and Daniel said "Is Morgan there?" I laughed. That is the most complex sentence Daniel has said yet! Here are some pictures:

Daniels favorite cartoon is Mickey Mouse. So, I found a Mickey Mouse cake. He LOVES cake. He LOVES Mickey Mouse.....He had a good day. He got a Tonka Dump truck, a John Deer Tractor and finger paints. Wish you all could have been there.

Happy Easter, Happy Birthday etc

So, its been a bit since my last blog. I fell from the face of the Earth. Not really, I just got busy. Christmas and New Years have come and gone. We have been dealing with the cold and depressing winter. Winter in North Dakota isn't bad until January, then its sub zero time. Not fun! The extreme weather wouldn't be so bad if it came in shorter bursts. Does it really need to last for TWO months? I guess that it makes Spring that much better. Spring seems to be here. Our weather is finally in the 30's! Its almost feels like summer.

In January I took a week off to fix up my son's room. I had never painted it since we had moved into our house. I determined the theme would be bears and camping. Here are the before picture:

Just a plain and ordinary light blue.

Now look at what I did!

It was fun. I still need to get the new curtain rods and paint a mural of a pine tree underneath his red lantern night light. He likes his tent. Its a lot of fun. He also loves "big bear".

Next came Daddy's birthday. Jason turned 38 this past March fifth.

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I wish I could say I made his cake. It turned out really nice and very fitting.

We had a good time. He got a new watch, broadheads and a release for his bow. All gifts centered around his upcoming Elk hunt in Idaho that he is going to this September.

Today, we colored Easter eggs. Wow! Daniel loved it. You always know if Daniel had done something he has enjoyed. Afterwards, when he walks, he will throw in what I call a random "scissor" kick. Its hilarious! He is very proud of his eggs and is insisting on carrying them all around the house with him.

Daniel also loves to go to church. Usually around Wednesday, he is asking to go to "Chich" as he calls it. Next Sunday, he will wear a new suit I bought him. I am more excited than he is.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy New Year!

I have never been one to "celebrate" New Year's. I am usually found at home, in bed....long before midnight. My big celebration is Christmas! All of the presents, all of the food....its all soooo good. By the time New Years gets here, I am burned out. I want it all back to normal.

I must confess. I do reflect on events of the past year.

I quit smoking 11 months ago. I feel great. Now, I will work on the weight. I want my feet and my knees to not hurt anymore.

My son is another year older. He has grown so much. He is changing all of the time. He loves to read books, play with toys, have mommy or daddy chase him, have his picture taken, play in the snow, help with laundry and help with cooking. He is able to potty on the toilet with no help. He is growing up. He won't give "kissies" anymore. When you ask for one, he gives you his cheek!

Jason has found his artistic outlet in taxidermy. He does amazing mounts for himself and for others. One of my favorite things to do is to watch him at work, while I am on my computer. From where I sit, I can see into his studio. Its fun to watch him do something he enjoys so much. Its something that he has found that he really enjoys. He of course also busies himself with hunting, fishing and anything outdoors. He has become very passionate about bow hunting. He loves the challenge.

We have finished a great deal of our downstairs. The house we bought was unfinished in the downstairs. We put down carpet, bought new doors, drywalled, textured, painted, and have almost finished our bathroom. Upstairs, we pulled out our carpet and replaced the flooring with laminate. It looks great!

My Christmas trees are down, everything is put away, the funiture is rearranged. I am ready for the new year. I can't wait to see what it brings.

Oh Christmas Tree!!!

Christmas season is here...since I have been married I am loving each Christmas more and more. I have a new love.....baking. I love it! I bought my first cookie press and made Spritz cookies for two days! I still want to make more....but my freezer is full! Daniel, my son, loves to help. Its a way that he and I can really spend some good time. I get everything ready, he stands on his chair and adds the ingredients as I tell him too.

I made an Italian Creme cake....not Christmasy but never the less....my favorite kind of cake.

It was good....but I know that there must be a better recipie out there.

I forgot to take a picture before we ate it, and then Daniel rubbed his fingers in the frosting....but it looked pretty.

Then we set up out Christmas tree down stairs....so far, Daniel is leaving it alone.

Then Jason decided that we should have another Christmas tree upstairs....so he went and bought one. I loved the idea....it was what I had already thought I would do.

Then I had to go buy more decorations....shucks!

I guess that is all I have for you today. I have to get supper on the table.

Hunting Season is here!!!!

The Bakke Family Fun season is here! It was started off right....Jason got a buck during archery season. Not just a buck.....but a big buck! His deer scored a 130 (pope and young)....he was excited and proud. Not an easy thing to do.

Next came rifle season. I got my buck on Sunday evening an half and hour into the hunt. Its a nice little four by four.

Jason got his rifle buck today. His is about the same size as mine. He was happy.

We have three doe tags to fill between us plus I have an elk tag. That one in this state is a once in a lifetime hunt. If I get it, great....if not, too bad....my chance will be gone.

Our freezer will be packed full of meat this winter. I love our family tradition. I think that Daniel will love it too. He looks at the deer hanging in our garage and says "Buck" then rubs its fur.

I will keep everyone posted on the Elk hunt.....its coming at the end of November or in December. It will be in the western part of the state near my favorite vacation spot, Medora.

Talk to you again soon!

Happy Halloween

I had a great time last night. I got to bring my big, courageous Lion out for trick or treating. The evening went like this. I would bring him to a door, he would knock and enter without waiting for anyone to get the door, say, "treat" and start looking for the bathroom. (The toilet has been a long standing couriosity). Good thing we only went to family this year! Here is a picture of my Lion and daddy.