November 2013 - "Normal" Life...

After the fun and business of the wedding trip the end of October, we (ME) were very happy to return to a more normal schedule... knowing that in 3 short weeks we would have to be ready for our annual Thanksgiving "vacation."  I don't know how other families do it -- but Dirk and I love getting together with family... but we also love taking adventures with our own little family.  Some years the two ideals are harder to balance... In general, we try to do a "summer get-away" to someplace new or different... and over Thanksgiving catch up with the extended Moeller and Morrison families.  We are fortunate that they live relatively close to each other -- and can visit both groups in one week.  Deer hunting (opening) brings most all of the Moeller clan together the weekend before Thanksgiving -- and the end of the week we spend with Dirk's Morrison family.  Then Christmas comes and we STAY HOME! :)  (however, we love company, so our home is always open if anyone wants to get away). 

So I got a few more pictures from the wedding weekend... thought I would share them.  

Chary & Nancy --same color dress?! :)

Jon greeting the guests at the reception.

The beautiful reception hall.

Mark, Abel & Claudio

"should we dance?"  (YES!!) 

The Moeller Boy cousins

Moeller girl (younger) cousins

The normal school - work - music lessons - YMCA - church - and "life" routine returned.  After our long trip away Dirk and I both realized Lars was not ready to give up nap time on a regular basis -- so I adjusted my weekly routine to allow me to be home most afternoons with Lars.  Mornings in town = MOPS, Mom's Coffee, grocery shopping, various errands.... PM = nap time for Lars.  Most days he sleeps 2 hours and I have to wake him up to go.... if left to sleep on his own he sleeps for 3 hours!  Let's just say everyone in the family is much happier when Lars gets a nap!

A friend called me wondering if Lars needed a playmate  -- actually, she wasn't feeling well and needed time to get to a Dr. and maybe even rest a little... so we took her "new" daughter Maggie home to play for a few hours.  (Maggie just arrived in their family via Uganda).  

Maggie LOVED the doll and stroller!

Maggie and Lars are approximately the same age -- Lars is likely a bit older... but she is definitely more mature!! Well, only if you count things like, potty training, sitting and reading books, etc.  :)  Maybe it's just a boy/girl thing??  But they did have fun together... even when there weren't many words spoke between them -- The giggles said all they needed to say!  They loved playing legos together, puzzles -- then "house."  (sort of?)  Maggie loved Liv & Anikas dolls and Barbies -- but did NOT like the dolls hair to be down and loose.  She kept bring the dolls to me making a pony tail with her hands... finally wrapping a strand of hair around the dolls long hair to make a "pony" that actually stayed -- finally I "got it"  -- she wanted to have rubber bands holding the hair "in."  So we sat a wrapped up their hair -- and all was good again.  

Maggie doesn't sit still for pictures much...

A couple of time we "lost" Maggie in the house - but if you know my house, it's not THAT big... so I wasn't too worried.  I asked Lars "Where is Maggie?"  to which he shrugged his shoulders and said "I dunno...??"

 Here is a typical picture of Lars travelling in the car -- iPod in hand.  He taught Maggie a thing or two about using iPods and iPhones... Sorry Mark & Anne :(

 The weather so far in November has been quite nice!  A couple of afternoons we have stopped by a park or gone bike riding in our neighborhood.

 I think Liv wore herself out on the zebra?

The 3rd weekend was busy with baby showers and birthday parties!  Friday night Anika went to a 50's themed birthday bowling party for her friend Bella G. from school.  They had supper at her home then 'Cosmic Bowling' with "black lights" until 10:30 p.m.  Anika had a great outfit for the day --a nd the bowling shoes actually finished it off perfectly.  The cute red glass/frames were a gift from the birthday girl!  So cute!

 All said and done that weekend we had 2 baby showers and 4 birthday parties!  Phew!!

Sunday night our doorbell rang around 9:45 p.m.  Dirk and I were packing getting ready for our Thanksgiving trip... Dirk said --"stay here... I'll get it."  When he got to the door, no one was there... but the front yard was FILLED with white plastic forks sticking up.... He said "come here... what does this mean?"  I had no idea.... so I called Thor... "what does this mean" -- I said... Thor had no idea.... So I googled it.  Turns out it's a friendly prank called "Forking."  HA HA HA HA!

 So the next day after school we got busy pulling the forks out of the grass... and found a few "notes" from the "forkers."  They said "Love God " "God is Love"  "He loves u"  and etc.  We had a couple ideas who it could be.... and after we found the notes, I was pretty convinced we were right.  It was fun for the kids... the next morning Liv said "MOM!  There is something WIERD outside...."  (she wasn't awake when we first saw them the night before)  HAHAHAHAHa... :)

Mall of America- American Girls!!!

Jake & Maddie's wedding took us to Minneapolis area -- and I immediately started planning a trip to the American Girl store at the MOA -- knowing this could likely be a once-in-a-lifetime event while the girls are young enough to fully immerse in the fun of American Girls!  They each have their own doll -- so we made plans of what outfits to have along (big girls and dolls) to wear at the store.  This isn't just a "store" -- it's more like a mini-disney land -- especially if you have followed AG for a while, and know the stories of each girl/character -- read the books -- watched the movies -- read the catalogs -- and play on the websites.  

Step One:  The Salon  We arrived at AG just as the store opened... and took a few moments to peruse the store, but made our way to the Salon early in hopes of getting the dolls hair done before our lunch reservations (yes, in the AG cafe). Liv chose the "fancy up-do" (thinking it might match her own hair a bit the next day for the wedding:)  And Anika chose the side braid.  It took about 20 minutes the the dolls looked practically new with their beautiful hair-do!!  

These photos were on the mail floor in the "Girls of the Year" area -- a "photo op" with Saige.

Our favorite areas were the historical characters/dolls -- and Liv even found a case with the doll Emily (from the 1940's era story of Molly) -- who had the very same dress Liv had chosen for her doll to wear that day :)

Liv's new outfit choice

The girls had saved money to be able to each purchase a new outfit or item for their dolls.  Let me tell you what -- it was HARD to choose!  Between the bitty baby area, historical dolls, "just like me" dolls and tons of accessories....  Anika chose the holiday dress in cream and golds -- not coincidentally just the same as the dress Anika has for Christmas herself.   Liv chose a black and grey "cheetah" print dress.

anika's new outfit choice

 Next came lunch in the cafe.  I couldn't help but take a TON of pictures during lunch... partially because we could finally sit still and have our hands free (not as easy when you are actively shopping!!) -- but also because the cafe area was SO adorable!  If you are not a fan of pink... the whole store would probably put you on edge.  Thankfully, we are all "pink" girls... so it seemed exactly perfect to us!

The chandelier above our banquet was AMAZING!!  a huge pink flower with dangling lights!!  :)  Bethany was able to join us for lunch... so it was a perfect "girls luncheon."

Not that most people will even wonder -- but Dirk, Thor, Lars and Chris were in the building with us -- but just not in the AG store/cafe.  They had headed out to the Nickelodian Universe quite quickly after we arrived ... and spent some time in the Lego World area as well.  Thor has some great pics of that -- so I will share them in another blog post later.  :)  

The lunch menu was a "one price for all" with each diner getting to chose a "starter" and a "main entree"  -- which added up to quite a MEAL!  We were all pretty hungry, and the options were all very appealing... we just tried to all pick something different so we could pick and share a bit as the meal went on. :)  The food was very good (my expectations were not very high) in both quality and taste... I should have known... and for what we got, we all felt the price was totally reasonable ($15/per).  The service was exceptional -- but not exactly speedy -- perhaps on purpose -- so we took plenty of time sipping our tea, and chatting... even using the "discussion box" on our table for some "girly chat time questions."

 We ended the meal with the "warm cookies and milk" front he dessert menu -- and split each plate.  I LOVED the serving pieces and wanted to take a set of each home to keep!!

After 3 hours of shopping and "tea/luncheon" it was finally time to say goodbye -- slightly bittersweet -- but honestly, we were all completely pleased with our AG adventure!  Absolutely worth every moment!! :)

Moeller Wedding Extravaganza!!!

 Maddie and Jake tied the knot in Stillwater, MN October 26th!! I should wait to post this after I get some more (nicer) pictures... but I just can't wait!!

We've been working, planning and packing for days -- maybe months (well not as much as the Bride, of course)... but looking forward to the Moeller Wedding of the decade!!!  (shouldn't make time limits too soon.. you never know -- there are 4 "Moeller family" boys in their 20's!)

moeller cousins

Mom & Dad Moeller travelled to Stillwater with us -- 8 warm bodies in our well-packed Suburban -- 629 miles -- 12 hours (with potty and lunch breaks) -- and even arrived with our sanity and joyous attitudes intact!

Our Rapid City branch of the family tree arrived Thursday night, spending the evening at the pool and letting off some steam from the cooped-up-carride.  Friday morning was our "extra-curricular" day -- a side trip planned to the Mall of America with Bethany and Chris -- to be finished in time to get Liv & Theo to wedding "practice" at the church at 4:00 p.m.  I was happy to find Stillwater to be a rather "small town" on the outskirts of the Twin Cities and easy travel between hotel, restaurants, the church the reception venue.  Of course, iMaps on the iPhone didn't hurt either :)

(I will detail our trip to the Mall in a later blog post).

Friday and Saturday between responsibilities -- the Moeller cousins had a great time swimming and hanging out together...  seems to always work out that everyone has a "buddy-cousin" about the same age.  

Liv & Theo were flower girl and ring bearer -- and were quite prepared to be proper attendants for Maddie and Jake!  Of course, it does help that the last few years Jake has been with Maddie at family events... Liv probably doesn't even remember a family gathering without Jake.... So he is loved and cherished as a "moeller" already!

While at the practice, Theo heard the Pastor (Jake's uncle) ask who would give him the rings during the ceremony -- to which Maddie replied the Best Man and Maid of Honor would have them.  Theo sat straight up and declared rather disappointed "But I'm supposed to have the rings?!"  So it didn't come as a surprise when Holli reminded us that Theo was also disappointed he wasn't going to get to KEEP the tux.  Maybe that is kind of unfair -- considering Liv gets to keep her dress??  hhmm....

Jake, Liv & Mark

Theo was totally adorable in his tux -- and exact match to Jake's attire.... and Liv's dress was very similar to the lines in Maddie's dress too -- especially the bodice/neckline.  

The wedding time arrived -- and the kiddos did their jobs perfectly -- just as we expected.  The ceremony was lovely, personal and cozy -- and centered on God and the beautiful covenant of marriage.  Unbeknownst to our side of the family, Oct 26th was also Jake's parents 28th wedding anniversary, AND Jake's grandparents __ (60-somthing) wedding anniversary!!!  How cool is that!  What a great honor to be connected to another family of like-minded faith and values!!  

While the Moeller family re-connected, we also were introduced to some new "significant others" -- Mark's girlfriend Megan was there to join in the fun... and Abel's girlfriend Karyn who was not there -- but saw photos via Facebook (she is also in the Army).  (See what I mean about future weddings being possible .... but we are certainly not rushing anyone! ;)

The evening ended at one of the country clubs in town - dinner, dessert, music and dancing!  Maddie had made the cutest table number "signs"  -- one for each of the 17 guest tables.  Table #1 had a photo from when Maddie and Jake were 1 year old... #2, 2 years and so on...  They met when they were 14 -- so the "infamous" photo of one of their first "outings" together was at table 14.

With all the young cousins from the Moeller, Messing and Miller families -- not to mention friends of the Bride and Groom -- the dance floor was pretty rockin' right from the start.  Liv and Lars weren't sure what to make of it all -- even Theo took a few songs to get warmed up... but before long pretty much everyone was out moving' and grovin' (Uncle Layne and Betsy took Grandpa Alan and Cleo home just as the music was starting.... they were all ready for some peace and quiet :)

Sunday we made the trip home with one quick stop outside of Sioux Falls for a "long lunch" with Annette & Carrie... nice to be able to connect with them for even a short time since we were so close.

Lars is 3! Happy Birthday baby-man!!

September 30, 2010 (yes, 3 years ago...)

Dad and Lars look pretty good.  We won't show pics from mom on this day.  These two look much better :)  He hasn't been one to hold back his feelings - even from day one I guess...  But he has been a joy and a blessing!  Now I understand why youngest children grow up to the "clown" in the family...  we all just wait to see what silly/funny thing he will do next.




Here he is on September 30, 2013!!  (sorry for the delay, the snowstorm took all my good intentions as far away as our green grass.... )  The little 3 year old man.  Birthday supper was pizza hut CHEESE PIZZA with stuffed crust (oohhh... stuffed crust.... ) -- salad -- and carrot cake cupcakes (thanks to Grandpa Alan).

Lars loved his "Cars" themed candle... but still wasn't quite sure what to do with a birthday candle.  This year at least he knew what to do with a cupcake! :) Special guests included Grandp's Moeller, (cousin) Tante Holli and Theo (Abby and Anna were at gymnastics).  Birthday gifts were:  hot wheels car holder, a "Cars" drag racetrack and two "Cars" cars, two books and a puzzle from Grandma Annette & Gpa Justin, $ from Grandp's Moeller, and a CAT Service truck (model size) from dad.  So far the Service Truck is by far the most loved... and abused... I keep finding little service truck accessories all over the house... especially in my bare feet while walking in the dark :(