Kyrie's Date Night

This is Kyrie's bounty from celebrating her date night with Mom and Dad at Hollywood Pizza...

Smile

Karis has a brand new smile on the first day of the new year and is now equal with her older brother Kian in number of teeth lost (5)...

Missing Grand-Pappa

Gus is missing his pal that returned to Norway three days ago...

Bedtime Mischief

After our weekly movie night, the kids were instructed to brush teeth before going to bed. It was the girls' turn first, and after a few minutes they had not yet emerged from the bathroom. After further investigation we found our youngest trying her skills as a makeup artist. Obviously it had to be removed - the stuff never looks the same in the morning...

Grand Pappa is Here!

My father came on Monday to spend a month with us, and has so far survivedthe week for the beginning of the weekend. The whole fam is enjoying the visit and is looking forward to many fun days ahead.

Location:Allen Dr,Grand Rapids,United States

First Day of Kindergarten!

Karis is ready for her very first day of school. She was dressed before anyone else, and is just rearing to go. An exciting day for her, yet a bit unnerving as well. But be that as it may, Karis can't wait for it all to begin...

For One Day Only

Today is the day for selling stuff at our garage sale, a redo of another one done a couple of months ago. The girls have been at it since this morning, and there seems to be a slow but steady stream of people dropping by. It was a good idea to combine it with the time of the fair, but it's only for today...

Sleepover

The girls were having their friends over, and because of all the ginormous amount of fun were not falling asleep for a long time either.

Patience

Kian is awaiting his friend to come pick him up for a sleepover, he has been waiting for hours. If I only had an ounce of his patience.

Forest Lake Christmas Program

Kobe and Kian joined the rest of their Forest Lake "Flyers" in Christmas songs performed this afternoon at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids. They seemed to enjoy singing for a packed crowd. Grandma and Grandpa were there to watch as well. Kyrie was bopping along to the beat, and Karis was just plain mesmerized. I had the privilege of recording them for ICTV, so I was paid to be there. Can't get much better than that. I'm so proud of my boys.





P.S. Notice Kian's tie. He looks adorable. Couldn't tell him no...

Kindergarten Open House

This afternoon Kian had an opportunity to visit his Kindergarten classroom and meet his new teacher. He brought his backpack and all of his school supplies, and started to explore. The eager boy went from table to table doing puzzles, writing his name - discovering the restroom and the smart-board along the way. When the sreen did not interact the way he expected, the five-year-old concluded it was not so smart after all. There was even time for a book. Some of his classmates stopped by as well, and Kian did not shy away from greeting any of them. A big smile stayed on his face throughout. His favorite thing was exploring the art table and creating a new drawing - nothing could distract him from his craft. His brother also tagged along, and watched from the sidelines as Kian moved around the room that had changed quite a bit since he had left it a year and three months ago. I think he was quite proud of his kid-brother. So much new to experience...

Bad Mom Day

Feeling guilty. No one ever tells you the guilt you will feel daily being a parent. Went to the park today and forgot to bring water for them. Well, I didn't forget but we were running late and it was cooler when we got there. It suddenly turned very hot and the kids immediately became parched. Seeing other good mother's with their water bottles, my kids became a dehydrated mess and cried because they were so thirsty. Guilt roared in like an ocean.
Went to buy Kobe's school shoes and saw fall jackets on sale. Bought one for Kobe, Karis and Kyrie. Kian has a new coat that was bought for him for school already so I didn't let him get one. Again, the sad look on his face crushed me.
After a frustrating conversation on the phone, I was short fused and hurried them off to bed.
I've often wanted to go back to the beginning of motherhood and start over with the knowledge I have now. God grant me the serenity...
I can only move forward and pray that God has covered them with His grace...and a little for me too.

Extended Playdate

Trond and I had an unplanned date and it was all due to our friend Heidi! She watched the kids for three hours! What a huge blessing! What a great way to start the week. ; )

Tooth

Kian was going to bed after a fun day with his siblings. As he put his head down on his pillow, Kian wiggled his loose tooth. It was very wiggly. He gently moved it back and forth as it slowly started to detach from his mouth. Before he knew it he was sitting up with a tooth between his index-finger and thumb. His first one. A proud moment for a very big boy.

An Unexpected Date

Monday took a different turn when I was sent home from work early today due to an extensive power-outage. Well, what is a family to do? Can't let an opportunity go to waste. The kids were scheduled for a play-date with the Wrights, and they were not wanting to miss it. To my surprise Heidi offered to watch the bundles of joy by herself so Rebecca and I could have a late lunch date.
Fun for the whole fam. El Potro for us - splendid! A chance to enjoy each other for a few precious moments uninterrupted. Once we had finished the grand Mexican eats, we were called by our realtor. Our date was expanded to a meeting in his office to discuss strategies and sign some more papers - A very positive experience planted with some seeds of hope. I felt we gained some traction - and I got to spend some quality time with my wife. All by the time I should still have been at work. Not bad for a Monday...

Sitting on the Sidelines

Because Karis was too little to go on the inner-tube like her big brothers, she had to stay on the dock and watch. After a few rounds of watching, she decided to have her own fun! She went


exploring to find treasures in the wilds of the lakeshore and even ended up (fully clothed) in the water for a little refreshment herself! All in all she had a good time despite being left on the sidelines.

Inner-Tube Fun

What a blast!! You could see the delight in their eyes and the adventure in their heart as the boys took off for the first time being pulled behind Uncle Jay's boat in an inner-tube. They watched their older cousins go first and decided that it looked like too much fun to not try it!! Each boy received 8 rides total between Sat. and Sun. Kian


asked when we would be getting a boat so they could do this all the time!! The great thing was they were so tired from all that that they fell asleep as soon as heads hit the pillow! ; )

Rebecca the Cheerleader

As the boys were having fun on the lake with their aunt, uncle and cousins - Rebecca took a seat at the dock watching every minute cheering them on at every turn. She was truly their greatest fan. Karis chimed in too, but she was more interested in enjoying the lake herself by being in it. The water was cool. Grandpa later came down to check out what the commotion was all about.

A Visit from a Friend

Summer has been long for our furry family member. Snoopy has been an inside dog until we moved out of our house in May, from then on he has stayed by the lake with Larry and Carol (where we are now also) outside most of the time except for at night when he sleeps in the garage - To say the least, the amount of attention has decreased a bit because of it. But this weekend he was visited by a friend; Newton - Rebecca's brother's family dog. The two were doing what dogs do best; sniffing in inappropriate places, playing tag, and taking turns watching the road for strangers. Snoopy also took on the bark of his little buddy - something he seldom does. N
ever a dull moment.

Wet Dog

After supper and some bike-maintenance, our ankle-biter needed some attention from his family after an afternoon of mild neglect (or at least minimal attention).
It was perhaps too late for a walk, so a creative alternative had to be worked out -Not to mention a bit of fun for the ball of energy with teeth. Hmm... We are at a lake in the woods; Yep, throwing sticks in the water for our golden to retrieve. Only one obstacle; he is slightly hydrophobic. The boys and I would take turns standing on top of the bluff overlooking the lake, throwing sticks in the water just beyond the dock. Our pooch would have to go to the outer edge of his comfort-zone, just where his feet would lose touch with the bottom where he was forced to swim. If a stick would go too far he would watch it float by without grabbing it, barely pawing at it. When he caught his prey, he would run up the hill dodging our hands. It was his. If I caught him I had to pry it out if his jaw before throwing it back. Thirty minutes of canine fun - and one soaked dog.

Playdate

Another fun playdate ensued as the kids played tigers, warriors, and the favorite-chalk drawings!

The best part? They get to do it all again tomorrow for another playdate!!

Riding Two-Wheels

After just a couple tries, Kian was well on his way to getting rid of his training wheels. He practiced at a friend's house and then later in the evening became a pro. Now, he can keep up with his big brother and pedal as fast as he can!! Go Kian!

School Shopping

Today I (Rebecca) took my sons shopping for their school supplies. It was a bittersweet moment for me because it meant summer is ending and not only was I losing one boy but two. My Kian is joining the tradition of going to Kindergarten. Will he be alright? Will he make new friends? What if he is scared and needs me? These were all questions that plagued me when my Kobe went to Kindergarten. I was so sure I would get a call from his teacher that he wanted me to come get him. The call never came, and Kobe had a great year. Kian has the same teacher as Kobe did, and is so excited to be in the same classroom as his big brother. Kian is very outgoing and will do just fine. It will be me that will miss him terribly! Kobe is entering second grade and a whole new chapter in his


schooling. Buying school supplies was somewhat of an oddessey. Kobe needs folders and notebooks, highlighters and pencils as well as crayons, markers, etc. I love shopping for these supplies but much seemed to be picked over. It was fun, nevertheless, and Kian had a great new memory to add to his mind. Kobe even found a folder with his name on it! ; )

Four Wheelin'

During a recent playdate, I was distracted with my chatting to my friend and did not see my two darling daughters climb onto the kid's four wheeler! To my surprise, they seemed like pros as they drove around the driveway with infectious giggles and smiles as wide as an ocean. What delight to my heart to see them fun and fancy free without a care in the world...just as childhood should be.

Identity Crisis

I'm going to bed a little later than my wife because I was finishing my latest blog post. She is sound a sleep. I set the alarm and turn out the lights. Suddenly she turns to me (still sleeping) and asks me: "What's my name?"
"Why do you ask, my dearest?"
"I'm Coco Judge..."
She then turnes over on her side and is silent.

Number 4 Goes Number 2

Potentially a great Sunday for
one of the Knudegaard kids. Our youngest daughter Kyrie decided to depart (momentarily) of her diaper and proceeded to tell us that something was going on in the Southern region. We grabbed her and put her on the nearest toilet - just in time. A moment of pure joy came over her face as she realized she had just accomplished what only her siblings have done before her; number 2. She was treated to a piece of candy.

Family Fun Day

Today was family Fun Day at church. It's kind of the last "hurrah" of summer which can be happy or sad depending on your favorite season. I prefer Fall myself and am looking forward to the season of apples, pumpkins, cool, crisp air and colorful leaves. But alas, I digress.


Family Fun Day was a splendid example of all that is fun for children. Hotdogs and corn on the cob for lunch, games, prizes, cotton candy, popcorn and slushies following after. The weather was just as summer wants us to remember it- hot and sunny!


Fun was had by all and we were even treated to a performance by the Durocher family. I felt as though it was a giant family gathering! To top off the day, Kyrie's name was chosen for two prizes and Karis won the Grand Prize of a new girl's bike!


She was beaming from ear to ear so much that her cheeks got sore! It will be another day to put in our memory bank until next year. As for now, I am starting to dream of pumpkin pie. ; )

A Summer Swim

A warm Saturday afternoon - it was time for the kids to cool down. After a wild morning where the younger crowd were infected with a severe case of cabin fever, being outside in the August sun sounded like a real treat. Likely other families would have the same idea, so picking a non-overpopulated beach could be a challenge. Pokegama Golf Beach. Hardly a soul except for us. The kidlets had loads of fun bopping in and out of the water in their swim-wings, floaters and rings. Along the way the boys picked up a new hobby treasure hunting for lost golfballs. They discovered quite a few they could add to their collection. The girls enjoyed the sandy beach, and Kyrie would stuff the golf balls into her swim-wear to boost the size of her front torso. We didn't think this was a toddler phenomenon, but maybe we're not quite with it.

Fair 2010

Friday the fam visited the annual Itasca County Fair. The threat of rain loomed, so it seemed like most locals stayed away for the time being. We took a major risk, not because of the weather - we did not bring a stroller for Kyrie. It worked - she was content walking. Vendors were lined up in their booths offering samples and smiles, and most wanting to strike up a conversation. The kids enjoyed cotton candy, minidinuts and the occasional fry, dodging overeager carnies pushing overpriced games. As always thepetting zoo left the biggest impression with geese, chicks, bunnies, highlanders, alpacas, kittens and $1200 miniature bulldogs. We glanced over the crafts and art, greeted a few political candidates before heading back with tummies and minds filled with that sweet fair experience.

Waiting

For three months now [for this house, about six months all together] we have been waiting for an answer. God's answer. We had found our home that we thought was the place we'd raise our precious family. We were sent away. We found another beautiful house to buy but discovered that we had to give more than it is worth. And we went away. Finally, we returned to a house seen on an earlier occasion and could feel just by walking near it that we had finally found our home. Our earthly home that we loved and wanted to raise our precious family in, and grow old in. Summer has come and after living in a cabin and with family, we still do not have a home, our home. We still are waiting for an answer. God's answer. When will we hear? When will my children have their security back? We are practicing patience. We are patient. We will wait, until we hear God's answer.