pink palooza

My amazing Aunt Fawn has been breast cancer free for four years now!!!  That is defiantly something to celebrate...so every year they do with their annual Pink Palooza party!  Unfortunately, we haven't been able to attend but that doesn't stop us from celebrating.  We all wear pink in celebration of Aunt Fawn winning her battle against cancer, in honor of those who weren't as fortunate, and for those who are currently fighting.  Here are a few photos of our Pink Palooza day:

.katherine.

making valentines

Matt and I love making art projects with the kids!  I think it is so important for them to be exposed to creativity and art but it also helps with their fine motor and decision making skills...plus what ever else we can throw in (shapes, colors, etc).  This year for Valentine's Day we made felt hearts for the great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and ourselves.  The kids had a great time playing with the materials and putting them onto the hearts.
I found all the materials at Hobby Lobby...felt hearts, felt words (that I glued on before the kids started),  felt stickers (robots, frogs, owls, and hearts), foam letter stickers, and fuzzy balls.   It was such a fun and simple project that the recipients all loved!

Here are photos of the progress: 

And the finished products:

We hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!
.katherine. 

saying "see you later"

While you wouldn't be able to notice based on the weather today, there are only four weeks until spring.  While this is very exciting, it also means moving season is upon us.  We are "patiently" waiting for our own orders but also not looking forward to saying goodbye to our friends.  I grew up a military brat so I know what it is like to move and have your friends leave.  However, it doesn't get any easier as I get older!

Two weeks ago great friends of ours started the process of their move.  The Ehn family will be reporting to their new base in May but Abbey and the boys moved already to give Eric some time to finish and sell the house here.  It was hard to see them leave but we are also happy for the opportunities that await them at their next assignment.  We have been friends with the Ehns for about three years...before any of us had kids!!!  It has been great to see our families grow.  Here are a few photos over those three plus years:  

The first time we all hung out...carving pumpkins for Halloween of 2009.

 Our book club group in January of 2011.

Abbey meeting the twins for the first time in September of 2011.

Meeting Theodor in January 2012.

The first photo of the kids all together in March 2012.


The night before Abbey and the boys left we got to have dinner with the Ehn, Dirks, and Bennett families.  The four families have gotten close over the past several years and it is always a good time when we get together.  

While it is never goodbye, just "see you later," it is never easy to leave good friends and it will continue to be difficult as we say our good-byes this summer.  We have truly been blessed with great friends here in Minot.
.katherine.

challenge quilt

My mom is doing a new quilt challenge and I decided to participate.  (You can find out more on her website: www.marywkerr.com)

The challenge is "Dare to Dance: An Artist's Interpretation of Joy".  I titled my quilt "I have family" and am really pleased with how it turned out.  Below are the quilt and my statement about the quilt.  Enjoy!!!

Artist's Statement:

My definition of joy is my family.  They inspire me, make me laugh, and fill my heart with infinite happiness.  My quilt, “I have family,” was created to pay tribute to fact that no matter what we go through we will live each day to the fullest and we always have each other.   

Over the last two years we have been faced with many obstacles.  On June 15, 2011 I gave birth to twins thirteen weeks prematurely, on June 26, 2011 our town and home were flooded, and on April 12, 2012 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis!  Through it all we have stuck together, taken each situation as it arose, and remained joyful.  We have each other, our health, and a strong support system; what more could we ask for?

Most of the material used in this quilt comes from those three events: maternity shirts, preemie clothes, baby blankets, MS walk shirts, flood support shirts, and even jeans I wore when rebuilding our home.  I also included all the important numbers in the quilting around the edges.  It is wonderful to see all of this is a creative work of art and know that we made it through all of those challenges together.

.katherine.

snowfall

Winter days in North Dakota and usually all similar - snow on the ground, cold temperatures, and playing inside.  However, rarely we get this amazing light, fluffy snow and you can actually see the individual snowflakes.  It is BEAUTIFUL!  Every year since we have been here I have set out to try to photograph it but due to the sun it doesn't last very long.

Last week we had this snowfall in the middle of the day and I set out during nap time to our backyard.  I was able to capture several photographs of these perfect snowflakes.  Winters in North Dakota can really be beautiful! 

.katherine.