April 16

Everyone knows that your first child changes

your life forever.  But your second child

changes your life in ways you could

never expect.  My second child, Scott Andrew,

was born on April 16 a few years ago and

nothing has been the same in my life since.

I always said that if I'm ever stranded on a desert

island and only get one person with me, I'd choose

Scott....not because he can build a raft, light a

fire or catch a fish.  But it would be entertaining!

I chose this picture because it captures some
fun with Grandpa, my dad, brother Chad
and cousin Jer.  Also, my Grandma Mieska

A Vikings fan even back then...

I didn't take this picture but I always
think it captures Scott perfectly.

Scott and me on his wedding day.  Being his
mother is always (usually) great, but this was one
of the best days.

becoming a father

His family...Everleigh, Ami and Briggs
Happy Birthday, Scott!
Can't wait to see what the new year brings...

No Foolin'

 Briggs, meet Chad & LoriAnn

Chad & LoriAnn, meet Briggs

 some Ketcher kids

 Everleigh and Briggs with Chad & LoriAnn

 New baby Ethan, brother Andrew and Chad & LoriAnn

 This is what you get when you ask 4 boys to

take a random picture.

 Same 4 boys with campfire and smores :)

 Brighton & Nathaniel spent a day with me at

Everleigh & Brigg's so we went to a nearby park.

 Andrew (and Ben) joined us.

 Then we met the next day at the Mn Zoo.

(Brighton is in penguin-pose.)

 A warm April day for an outdoor picnic...nice!

 GAS stopped by and this was our Best attempt

at a group shot.

 Princess (the dog), meet Everleigh

These boys are overtaking me!

A last night around the campfire and the smores.

So when Chad called me last Saturday and asked if

they could come for the boys' spring break, I wasn't

sure if it was "April Fool's" or not.  They were still

in Naples so I wasn't really sure until early Monday

if they were serious or not.  They were!  They only

had the 5 days but we filled it with unplanned stuff...

time at a nearby playground, bonfires at night,

visits to meet new nephews Briggs (born in Oct)

and Ethan (born on Mar 28), spend a day

at Everleigh and Briggs' house, go to the zoo,

spend an evening with GAS and Julie, and a final

supper at my house with Ami and the kids.

Whew!

Andrew has his Ben

When Ben's older brother, Mike and his wife Becky were

expecting their second child a lot of people assumed that

because their first baby is a boy (Alex, pictured above)

that Mike would like to have a little girl when their

second child was born.  I thought it was really sweet

when he said that he'd like a little girl but he'd also 

love for his son Alex to have his own "Ben"...just

like Mike had his little brother, Ben.

Well, now Ben's son Andrew has his own

little brother "Ben" (Ethan). Hope you followed

that logic.  By the way, Mike & Becky

had a little girl the second time around....

Evelyn pictured above with 3 male

Swenson cousins.

Welcome, little one

Changes

 Even though his shirt announces changes to come...

 I don't think this little boy has any idea how his world is about to change...

 So...guess where he is...

 Oh, yes he did...

(and yes, I was right behind him)

I don't think he's ever met a puddle he doesn't like!

Excuse me....am I still in Minnesota?

 ok...It's March in MN....and temps in the 70s and 80s?

Like most Minnesotans I am waiting for

the other shoe to drop.  But in the mean

time, these little ones are loving running, sliding,

swinging, and playing.

 I took these pictures on Thursday morning when it

was merely 65.  It made it all the way to 75

that day and again Friday and Saturday.

Have we entered some alternate universe?

It's the best of worlds...warm breezes,

but too early for bugs or yard work...sweet!

From winter to spring!

Andrew and Everleigh play time

Briggs

 Sometimes they play make believe...

Sometimes they play for real....

A gathering for brunch

And a picture when they are still just 3...

As you may see, we are transitioning from

indoor playtimes to being able to be

outdoors!  Come on, Spring!

(Baby Swenson due March 28!)