Junk

ND Graduation

2011-06-07T15:32:00.004-05:00

Easter Activities

2011-04-23T14:22:00.006-05:00

This this is the first year we've ever really done anything with the little one for Easter, other than an Easter basket and a small egg hunt in a hotel room. Last night we decorated eggs and then today we had an Easter egg hunt. There were 5 hunters and 150 eggs. I think we got most of them, but Chad will probably be finding them well into summer in his gardens.

Italia

2011-04-12T20:50:00.010-05:00

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Italy - in reverse chronologically order.

Our final dinner.

Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

View from the top of the Spanish steps

St. Peter's Square

Inside of St. Peter's

Our whole group in front of the entrance to the Vatican

Jon and Alexis in the Colosseum

The "kids" looking over the wall in Orvieto

Duomo in Orvieto

Hotel in Orvieto

Sam and Sarah in Orvieto

Wine from the farm we visited in Orvieto

Boats in the harbor at on the Isle of Capri

Isle of Capri

Pizza by the meter in Amalfi

View from the beach in Positano

Positano

Pompeii with Mt.Vesuvius in the background.

Cousins

2011-03-22T22:39:00.002-05:00

Stats

2011-03-09T08:53:00.004-06:00

Last week we went in for A's 2 year doctor visit. Even though her doctor's office moved, as soon as the medical assistant came out and called her name, she burst into tears. This happened at her last appointment for a flu shot. The same medical assistant has given her every shot since she was born, so I think she is starting to associate her with shots. Thank goodness we didn't to get any shots this time. A grew 3.5 inches since her last visit at 18 months. I suspected this, since we've gone through a lot of pants since then. She is now in the 5oth percentile for height. Maybe she's starting to take after her daddy instead of me. Weight is in the 30th percentile and head is still way up there at 85th.

Newborn

One

Two

Two

2011-02-26T21:31:00.006-06:00

Somebody turned two today. It was snowing, just as it was two years ago. We decided to go low key this year and made our first trip to the Children's Museum. We had lunch at McDonalds and then Mommy spent the afternoon making an Elmo cake. Not sure if she was impressed or not.

Legos! Daddy's favorite.

Face painting. She loved it and kept saying "so pretty, so pretty"

Water tables everywhere! We were a little afraid we wouldn't be able to get her out of there!

Taking a rest on a Metro Bus seat.

Afternoon nap.

Quilt from Grandma and Grandpa

Princess tent

Elmo

La Quebrada

2011-02-12T22:11:00.003-06:00

So we tried out the new Mexican restaurant in Chaska. I've seen at least 4 restaurants in the same space since I've lived here. Unfortunately, this one isn't going to last either unless they get their act together. I read several marginal reviews online, but most were from right around when they opened. We gave them the benefit of the doubt and decided to give them a try.

The entrance is confusing, as it has always been. You enter from the back even though most of the signs are on the front and side. We got there right around 5 (Saturday night) and there were two other tables occupied. The host and waiter were very nice, but somewhat hard to understand, which was made worse by the loud music playing. They seemed pretty kid friendly. They had highchairs and a kids menu, but no crayons. The chips kept our little one busy though. The chips were fine, but would have been better warm. The salsa was extremely disappointing. The mild version tasted a little too sweet and tasted too much like ketchup. The hot was a strange consistency and tasted more like something you would put on a steak, not chips. When my husband inquired about beer on tap they said all they had was Miller Lite, so he got a diet coke. Our waiter said they were having a happy hour margarita special for $4.50, so I got that. It was very good. It came out as $6.50 on the bill though . . .

The menu had a lot of meat entrees, but very few combinations, which is what you would expect at this type of Mexican restaurant. We both ordered a #2 with a tamale, enchilada and flauta with rice and beans. After we ordered our waiter told us that they were out of tamales, so we got tacos instead. The tacos were simple and delicious. They were just ground beef served with cilantro and onions on corn tortillas. I love this type of taco, although I know it's not what most people would expect when they order a taco. It came with a pico de gallo and lettuce on the side. The enchilada was chicken and was pretty good, but the sauce, again, was too sweet. The flauta was delicious, but how do you screw that up? The rice and beans were room temperature instead of hot, which was disappointing. We will probably go there again for the tacos, but they probably won't last long if our experience was typical. They don't have a website and I've seen no marketing other than a mention in the Chaska Herald, which is also a red flag that they may not be around long . . .

Skiing

2011-02-12T22:02:00.002-06:00

It's finally been warm enough to take the little one skiing again. She loves it. When we go down hills she puts her arms out and says "weeee". She is also constantly asking, "where mommy" and "where daddy" if one of us is trailing behind the other. Daddy usually takes her in the backpack, but I decided today that I wanted to try it. Wow, it's hard work. I barely made it around the easiest loop once. Next year she is either going to have to be on her own skis or we'll have to get a sled!

\

Gymnastics

2011-01-13T11:39:00.004-06:00

Sledding

2010-12-09T13:28:00.002-06:00

Blackberry

2010-12-09T13:22:00.001-06:00

Macy's

2010-12-08T12:35:00.000-06:00

Shoveling

2010-12-05T14:26:00.003-06:00

Yes, he really is wearing shorts and snow boots!

Santa

2010-12-04T12:44:00.000-06:00

How is it December already?

2010-12-02T20:08:00.003-06:00

Our sad, sad fake tree.

I think she's going to be a dentist.

Just hanging out with the boys.

Getting some work done

2010-11-29T20:31:00.000-06:00

Hair Cut

2010-11-24T13:10:00.005-06:00

Cookie

2010-11-07T19:47:00.000-06:00

Cleaning

2010-11-07T19:46:00.000-06:00

Cousins

2010-11-03T19:38:00.003-05:00

So serious. Poor Micheal wasn't feeling well.

Audrey and Cooper eating some cake.

So silly.

Halloween

2010-10-31T20:00:00.002-05:00

Leaves

2010-10-30T16:52:00.003-05:00

Fall

2010-10-28T14:33:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure where September and October went. I can't believe Halloween is this weekend and the holidays are just around the corner.

Daddy is a little worried that his daughter is so interested in shoes at this young age.

Playing with daddy

Taking Finley for a walk

Feeding baby

Nap

2010-10-26T21:20:00.000-05:00

Apple

2010-10-09T22:21:00.003-05:00

Audrey insisted on holding the apples in the car on the way home from the store. When we got home, I discovered she had helped herself to one. Her first apple! Later, I found it stashed in a clean bowl in the cupboard.

Zoo. Again!

2010-10-08T13:27:00.003-05:00

Audrey got to go to the zoo again. This time we went with Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Alexis. It was a beautiful day.

Flooding. Again.

2010-09-30T20:17:00.005-05:00

The Minnesota River flooded this spring (see here) because of all the snow we had last winter. This fall we've had a ton of rain and it's flooded again. They closed the bridge downtown again so we went to check it out. Audrey was really excited about all the "waa waa" (water) and loved running all over the closed roads.

Apples

2010-09-25T19:58:00.007-05:00

While the guys were busy building DJ and Julie's deck, we girls decided to take the kids to Deardorff Orchards in Waconia. I can't believe I've never been there before. It was so cute and they had lots of great little places set up for pictures. The kids had lots of fun picking their own apples and running around.

Watching the daddies work on the deck

Ready for a hay ride

Picking apples

Bennett with his ladies

Friends

Horse

Bennett + Pumpkins = so cute

Deardorff Orchards

What happens when someone misses her nap.

Zoo

2010-09-22T16:22:00.004-05:00

Sarah and I crammed all three kids into the car for a trip to the zoo this morning. Carpooling becomes more challenging with kids and car seats, but it's possible! Audrey and Greta had a great time running around checking out the animals. Bennett seemed to enjoy himself as well, even taking a little snooze. Audrey especially enjoyed the "shushies" (fish) and the "ee ees" (monkeys).

Boots

2010-09-20T21:09:00.001-05:00

2010-09-07T15:27:00.008-05:00

Audrey and I left daddy (on our 5th anniversary :( at home and flew to Montana to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. Apparently not that many couples make it to 60 because I couldn't find any cards with anniversaries over 50 years. Quite an accomplishment. The party was at my parents house in Helena. There were about 30 people in attendance and all the kids, grandkids and great grandkids were able to make it except for my sister, Beth and her little one, who is doing a rotation for medical school in Salt Lake City. It was a great party and a beautiful day, except for the two little rain showers.

Addison, Makaylee and Noelle watching the rain

Chase and Audrey petting the "puppy"

Original cake topper from 60 years ago

Beautiful cake by Pattie Wacker

Grandma and Grandpa Nash

Grandma and Grandpa with their three daughters: Rosanne, Noreen and Pattie

All the grandkids (minus Beth)

All the great-grandkids (minus Andy)

Audrey with some of the flowers from the cake

Miles and Shannon with Chase and Audrey

Chase and Audrey playing in the drinks bucket

Rosanne, Pat, Grandpa, Grandma and Rusty

Billy, Dave, Shawn and Tim

Audrey getting blown by the wind before it started to rain

Grandma and Grandpa with Audrey

It was also Kathleen's birthday

Audrey with her suitcase and Suzie's play purse from when she was little

Addison, Noelle and Makaylee playing with our old Little People barn and house. They don't make them like that anymore!

Sisters (minus Beth)

Kathleen and my mom

Suzie and I with Sarah and Noelle

Audrey thinks the deer are cows. We're working on saying deer.

Audrey helping grandma clean up

Family and Fair

2010-08-29T20:25:00.006-05:00

Summer is coming to a close and our house is all of a sudden very quiet.

Aunt "Zoozie" Suzie with Andy

Audrey wanted to hold Andy, for about two seconds and then she tried to push him off her lap

Long day at The MN State Fair

Girls at the fair

Best sweet corn ever. It may have something to do with that bucket of butter they dunk it into before they hand it to you . . . .

The only food item Audrey was interested in the fair "mi mi" milk

Grandma "mama" and Grandpa Johnson with the kiddos

Mommy and Audrey's matching shoes

Just being cute

Impromptu retirement party

Close up of the retirement cheesecake

Audrey on the "weeee"

Finley trying to score some grub

Audrey and Grandpa on the slide

Grandpa and and unhappy Andy

Random Photos

2010-08-19T20:45:00.001-05:00

Friends and Family

2010-08-14T21:53:00.004-05:00

Grandma gave Andy the wrong pacifier.

Cousins with Grandma Johnson

Cousins with Grandma Rau

Cucumbers

2010-07-29T20:41:00.000-05:00

Cookies

2010-07-25T12:22:00.001-05:00

Rochester

2010-07-25T10:28:00.004-05:00

Two Audreys and a Katie

Drinking some of Great Grandma's water

Princess tiara

A little scared of the puppy.

Mackenzie and Audrey = fast friends

Purses

Dr. Van Alstine and two little blondies

Fascinated by the slinky

Andy

2010-07-25T10:20:00.004-05:00

Twins Game, etc

2010-07-22T10:14:00.004-05:00

Jon and I were finally able to go to a Twins game (thanks to Rachel and Jim). It was a beautiful, sunny day. The new stadium is amazing and we had so much fun

Navy parachuter dropping in with the American flag.

Andy's cute little feet

Audrey, wearing daddy's watch

Audrey, strengthening her core and reading the funnies.

Showing Andy how the toys on his bouncy seat work.

Cousins

2010-07-15T20:18:00.002-05:00

Garden

2010-07-10T21:07:00.005-05:00

Beautiful front garden, most of the credit goes to Chad Junker on this one.

We have tons of different colors of day lilies, again thanks to Chad Junker.

Some of my herbs and a pepper plant on the back porch.

Cucumber

Veggies

Beans

Tomato

Broccoli

Lettuce

Sometimes Audrey gets her blanket out of her bed and snuggles up on the floor. I think she's trying to tell us it's her bedtime.

4th of July, etc

2010-07-07T19:19:00.004-05:00

Watching the big kids play with sparklers

Playing with Dakota

Auntie Roommate

Helping Daddy put his socks on

Even though she doesn't fit sideways anymore, that's how she likes to sleep.

Andy's Favorite Shirt

2010-06-30T20:57:00.001-05:00

Kiddie Pool

2010-06-27T20:26:00.000-05:00

Fathers Day, etc

2010-06-25T21:19:00.003-05:00

I'm getting pretty good with this spoon thing.

Oops.

Blueberry pancake face

Let me help you with that

So much news.

Andy

2010-06-20T07:30:00.002-05:00

Baking

2010-06-16T23:01:00.002-05:00

Eating with the Big Kids

2010-06-16T23:00:00.001-05:00

Random

2010-06-07T20:30:00.003-05:00

Wearing my poncho that Shannon made for me.

Catching up on my blog.

Patriotic baby.

Enjoying the Chaska Memorial Day parade with Daddy.

Why does Mommy's water taste better?

North Shore

2010-05-30T22:13:00.005-05:00

Bismarck

2010-05-30T21:40:00.005-05:00

Baby

2010-05-20T19:30:00.001-05:00

Last Home Game

2010-05-14T18:28:00.002-05:00

Catching Up

2010-04-25T21:18:00.004-05:00

Audrey enjoying her new playhouse.

Story time.

Does Finley want a story too?

Coach Audrey.

Fried Rice

More Easter Pictures

2010-04-10T08:08:00.002-05:00

Check out Beth and Mike's blog for more Easter pictures:

http://www.goteli.com/1/post/2010/04/easter-splash.html

Easter Weekend

2010-04-04T20:23:00.004-05:00

Checking out her Easter basket

Silly bunny ears

Auntie Beth hid some Easter eggs for Audrey. As she found each one she put it into the hotel dresser drawer.

2010-03-24T21:18:00.003-05:00

The thing to do these days in Chaska is to go downtown and check out the river. We decided to have dinner at the new restaurant in the Best Western, Tommy's Malt Shop and check out the flooding for ourselves. The malt shop was great. Good burgers, excellent malts and good service. The prices were really reasonable too. I think this is at least the 4th restaurant in that space since I moved here 6 years ago. I think this one might actually last if they can make money with those low prices anyway.

Baseball Fields

Trees

The walking path along the levy now looks like a boat launch.

Audrey telling us something about the water. She has a lot to say these days, but the only things we understand are mum-mum (mom), dah (dad, duck or dog) and eye (hi or bye).

Stairs go straight down into the water.

Bridge over 41

You can see the top of the bench/sign along the walking path here in the distance.

Another view of the bridge.

Aunt Suzie

2010-03-20T22:08:00.002-05:00

Tired baby

New sunglasses. She prefers chewing on them to wearing them, but we managed to get this picture.

Silly girls

Could we be related? Check out those eyes!

Zoo

2010-03-16T20:29:00.000-05:00

BFFs

2010-03-06T09:47:00.004-06:00

Well, Audrey thinks they are best friends, but I'm not sure Finley shares her sentiments. He likes the food she drops on the floor, but I don't think he appreciates all the poking and pulling she does to him.

Here are a few more pictures from when my parents were here and some pictures of Audrey with her new baby doll from Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike. She likes to hug her and rock her back and forth. We aren't sure where she learned that from.

1st Birthday

2010-02-28T11:07:00.007-06:00

Duck soup! This was our solution to covering the cake overnight. Pretty creative on Jon's part, I thought.

The duck cake I made.

I also made these little candies for the cupcakes.

Audrey with her Grandpas.

Eating some lunch.

Checking out the cake.

She wasn't sure what to do with the cupcake at first.

She really liked the chocolate duck. She almost choked on it too. Oops.

So many presents.

All the grandparents.

Wearing the new hat Grandma Junker made.

Walking around with Grandma Johnson.

Skiing!

2010-02-20T19:42:00.000-06:00

We took the little one skiing for the first time today at the Arboretum. She didn't seem to mind it. She slept almost the whole time. It was a beautiful day. We saw more people at the Arboretum skiing than we'd seen before. Usually we have the trails all to ourselves. I guess everyone wanted to enjoy the sunny day.

Hearts

2010-02-20T19:37:00.001-06:00

A Few More One Year Pictures

2010-02-18T09:19:00.002-06:00

Karen posted a few more pictures on her blog. Love them.

http://karenfederphotography.com/blog/?p=1305

One Year Pictures - Preview

2010-02-15T09:00:00.003-06:00

This weekend we had Karen Feder take Audrey's one year pictures. Here is a little preview from her blog. Click on the link below and scroll down a little past the wedding photos.

Karen Feder Photography

Valentines Day

2010-02-14T20:19:00.003-06:00

Audrey eating her dinner - turkey dogs, yum.

Our dinner - Fresh from the farm T-bone steaks, green beans, seafood risotto and homemade bread. Audrey had turkey dogs and cheese, but she liked the scallops in the risotto and the bread but not so much the green beans.

Close up.

Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day deliciousness.

Audrey using my head as a step stool to get to the couch.

Audrey loves to do this all day. It makes mommy and daddy's backs hurt.

Busy Weekend

2010-02-07T17:02:00.004-06:00

We didn't have much planned for the weekend, but it sure flew by anyway. We went cross country skiing without Audrey. We are still trying to figure out how to take her with us. Jon's parents are so nice to watch her for us, but it adds on a lot of time to take her and drop her off.

Jon finished his dad's birthday present - a plant stand.

Audrey did some relaxing in her Adirondack chair.

Audrey played with her flower from her friend Alex, which matches her outfit. So cute.

Audrey really likes to crawl around with stuff in her mouth these days. I guess that's what you have to do if you are using all your limbs to get yourself around.

I made this cake for Chad's birthday. It was super easy. Devils food cake mix, with three eggs and a can of cherry pie filling. The top is melted chocolate and some more pie filling for decoration. It was pretty delicious and looked pretty too.

Silly Pictures

2010-01-30T20:10:00.003-06:00

Little Fans

2010-01-25T21:25:00.000-06:00

Little Chef

2010-01-25T21:22:00.000-06:00

Feeling Better

2010-01-21T21:47:00.000-06:00

RSV

2010-01-17T15:09:00.003-06:00

This week was super stressful for us. On Saturday night Audrey started to get sick. By Tuesday we started to get worried and took her in to the open clinic at her pediatrician's office. The doctor said she probably had RSV because it's been going around and also an ear infection. We got some antibiotics for the ear infection, but on Wednesday night she was having trouble breathing so we ended up in the Children's Hospital ER and she was admitted. She spent three nights there and we finally got to come home yesterday afternoon. Here is a picture of Audrey in the hospital after she started to feel better and was finally sitting up and playing a little. Thank goodness for the wonderful hospital, grandparents and understanding employers.

Birthday

2010-01-10T15:14:00.000-06:00

A Couple More Vacation Photos

2010-01-08T21:35:00.002-06:00

Ribbit!

Somebody made a mess.

Audrey in disguise

Valley Forge

2010-01-04T16:29:00.005-06:00

Today we visited Valley Forge. As you will notice there are no pictures of Audrey at any of the historic sites. It was so cold that we took turns getting out to look at stuff and left her in the car most of the time. Chad, Miriam and Jonathon had already been to VF but it was my trip. It was pretty neat. It would have been nice if we could have done some more walking around, but it was just too cold. Both the park gift shop and the private gift shop nearby were closed for inventory. Note to self: don't visit next time on the first business day of the new year.

Audrey as a solider.

Reproduction of a soldier's hut. Even though they aren't original, the park ranger said some of them are 100 years old. It's hard to believe, but there were at least 12 soliders living in one of these little huts.

National Memorial Arch. Note the flag blowing.

Underside of the arch

Stable at the Potts House.

Potts House, where George Washington and his staff wintered at Valley Forge. He actually paid rent. I figured the army just took residence where ever they pleased, but not GW. I loved the brick on these houses. Too cool. The interior reminded me of our Binsfeld farmhouse in Germany - very similar.

Train station constructed in the early 20th century to bring tourists from Philadelphia. It was rendered obsolete by the personal automobile, but it was recently restored.

Bethlehem

2010-01-03T20:31:00.003-06:00

Bethlehem or as the locals call it - Beth-lem - was beatiful. It's too bad it was so cold. I would have liked to walk around and look at more of the historical places. Tomorrow we are going to Valley Forge.

Ben and Kate's Wedding

2010-01-03T19:26:00.006-06:00

Ben and Kate's wedding was on Saturday and it was beautiful. The wedding was held in the old chapel at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA.

View of the church from our hotel across the street

Inside the Old Chapel

Outside the Old Chapel

Mr and Mrs Kathryn and Benjamin Lamberton

Audrey checking out the program

Chad, Jon, Audrey & Miriam in the hotel lobby

Audrey and Momma in our dress coats

Audrey checking out one of the Christmas trees at the reception

Audrey and Grandma Junker. Grandma Junker made her outfit especially for the wedding.

Our little family

The table centerpiece. We each got to take a candlestick home. We'll see if they make it back to MN in one piece!

Beautiful Saucon Valley Country Club. I wonder if the chef would give me their recipe for Cream of Crab soup. It was too delicious.

Junkers, Hagens, Lambertons and Behrs.

Newlyweds dancing

After the wedding we got to meet Ainsley and Sue's baby Owen. What a sweet little guy.

It was a long day for a little one

Ainsley and Owen.

Sue introducing Owen to Audrey. She was very curious about him.

Rehearsal Dinner

2010-01-02T20:57:00.003-06:00

Longwood Gardens

2010-01-01T20:56:00.003-06:00

We spent New Years Eve at Longwood Gardens. Originally owned by Pierre DuPont, it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The pictures don't even close to do it justice. The Christmas display was amazing.

In the Conservatory

Audrey looking at one of the fountains in the Children's Garden.

More fountains.

Stars over the outdoor theater

Philly

2010-01-01T15:16:00.008-06:00

The view from our hotel room in Philly - The Christ Church Burial Ground. Benjamin Franklin is buried there. Jon also has relatives buried there. You can see Franklin's grave from the street, but we couldn't check out the relatives because it was closed due to the snow. Highly recommend the Holiday Inn Historic District.

Jonathon, Katie and Audrey with the Liberty Bell. We were surprised how much security there is. We had to have our bags searched our coats opened and I also had to take a sip out of my Nalgene. I guess that was to prove it was water and not a chemical bomb?

Chad and Miriam with the Liberty Bell

Baby Liberty

Jon and Audrey in Independence Hall

Under the arches at Independence Hall.

Independence Hall

Independence Hall

Ok, just one more - Chad and Miriam in front of Independence Hall

Tired tourist.

Christmas Eve

2009-12-25T10:19:00.001-06:00

Lefse

2009-12-25T10:17:00.000-06:00

Girls

2009-12-23T21:44:00.000-06:00

Fun with Friends

2009-12-20T14:33:00.000-06:00

Tree

2009-12-20T14:32:00.000-06:00

Graduation

2009-12-18T22:15:00.000-06:00

Helping

2009-12-13T15:26:00.000-06:00

Swinging

2009-11-28T20:48:00.003-06:00

Gobbles

2009-11-26T22:10:00.000-06:00

Still working on crawling . . . .

2009-11-22T22:12:00.000-06:00

Duck

2009-11-06T20:03:00.000-06:00

Halloween

2009-11-01T10:59:00.005-06:00

Socks

2009-11-01T10:58:00.000-06:00

Hi Daddy

2009-10-28T19:22:00.000-05:00

Puffs

2009-10-26T19:43:00.000-05:00

Ready to Go

2009-10-25T22:27:00.002-05:00

Audrey is getting pretty good at tummy time. One of these days she's just going to take off . . . .

Another picture with Great Grandma. We had a lot of fun with her while she was here.