Easter 2014

The Park Family after church service.

Brody & Mara, coordinating nicely.

The Park Family at the farm ready for lunch and Easter egg hunts.

Brody & Mav

Mav: 22 months

Brody: 4 years

Brody was on the lookout for blue eggs.

Big crocodile tears for Mav. He wasn't feeling the best this day, but luckily he had lots of love.

The MN Mieska 9 all sitting in one spot together.

Too cool for school.

Busted! But boy was he content there right up until I realized he was shoveling candy into his mouth quietly.

Growing Up

Out with the high chair and on with the regular seating for this little boy.

His chin doesn't reach the table, but he wants to be a big boy anyway.

My tough boy falls a lot and rarely cries or gets upset about it. He got hit in the nose with a snow shovel this winter and I wonder if the pink divot will remain a scar. Not that he'd ever care!

Picture those big blue eyes saying and signing "please"...it's difficult to say no sometimes.

While packing and sorting out garage sale items, Barry found this old gem from his childhood. Time to introduce Brody to science.

The boys were fascinated.

Even I'd have trouble getting it back together, but Brody was all about learning and helping.

With moving comes sorting through an entire house, deciding what to sell and keep, and stumbling across old gems that have been tucked away for years. During this process, we decided to take down the crib, move Mav into a regular bed and Brody into the top bunk. We've ditched the high chair to sell it and moved Mav to the regular part of the table. It'll nice to have these and other transitions complete before moving so there is that much less to adjust to during the move. Now if only Mav was remotely close to potty training.

Sleepy Time

Snuggling on the couch with daddy.

Reading books in bed in the morning with Kelly.

Mav spends a lot of time sleeping in my arms. It's hard to resist taking pictures of a peaceful Mav.

The boys are in bunkbeds now!

Children's Museum

Mav, Brody & Mara had fun in the water area.

The little aprons were so cute.

The two little ones had a lot of fun splashing. They were soaking wet by the end.

He loved the bubbles!

They got to race boats down the water.

They all stopped at the car and the little two got to drive.

Maverick painting his own face in case you couldn't tell.

Fossil dig.

It wouldn't be complete without sitting on the dinosaur.

Who knew that the Children's Museum was loaded with tons of fun stuff perfect for their age? I wish I would've known earlier and that it wasn't in St. Paul, the exact place I do not want to travel to on weekends. I will say that it's clear at their age that having a 1:1 adult:child ratio is essential. It was way too much without that, but still worth it.

Cousin Love

Claire & Max came for Friday pizza/movie night.

Mara stopped by and enjoyed some animal crackers and a quick snuggle with Mav.

I'm not sure what was so appealing about the Lego bin, but Mara spent a lot of time in it!

Family Traditions

My little helper isn't afraid to get his hands dirty while making krub (blood dumplings).

Since he didn't care for adding the raw side pork that helps hold the dumpling shape, he got the salt and pepper job, adding just the "right" amount to each dumpling.

This is the mixing process: equal parts grated potatoes and blood, then lots and lots of flour. Note Mav in the background being held.

Mav & Omi - That boy can find a lap to sit in anywhere.

And Papa is always willing to hold Mav. Brody was this age when he first helped make krub. Mav was more interested in playing or hanging out on laps and trying to get homemade cookies.

We went to my Grandma and Grandpa Docken's a week ago to help make krub, a family tradition. It's worth all of the prep and waiting, because the end result of krub and side pork is delicious. I think I'm getting closer and closer to having the process memorized.

My Birthday

The boys wait patiently for cake.

Candle time.

Multi-colored cake and bright blue frosting, yum!

I could tell you a great story about that cake the next day, but I'll spare you. Blue frosting in kids should come with a warning though.

My friend, Kelly has a birthday the same week as I do. She's watched the boys for us a lot and they love playing with her! Even Mav can say "Kelly".