Adding to the fun!!!

Sorry, still no pictures. BUT, I do have more fun to add onto the weekend fun we had. Right after I posted here yesterday I get a call from Michelle. "I just thought you'd like to know that Quin & I are sitting on the side of 35E waiting for my Dad to pick us up." Yep, truck stalled out on the interstate - yay!!! By the time Dad-in-law gets there he gets the truck started and drives it home. Michelle is now forced to drive the Buick; the only problem is that when she tries to start it the Buick won't start - joy!!! I must say, I never thought I'd would be relieved to hear that the battery was dead but after the truck issue I was OK with a battery. On the plus side, the washer is running again without issue so we can wash clothes again at our own house. And the furnace is running again, it has a water leak coming from somewhere, but it's running! I just wanted to say a big "thanks" to Bruce for all the assistance the last few days with the washer, cars & furnace and to Becky for the use of the washer/dryer and the Quin-watching while repairs are taking place; we are very grateful. So, with the furnace & washer running and the truck being fixed I think today is going to be a better day. By the way, did anybody read the fine-print here yesterday? Maybe you should one more time . . . from the top.

Christmas 2009

So, the last Christmas of the decade was supposed to be fun and exciting, and truly it was, but it was also an adventure and a pain. First, Minnesota officially became the new North Pole on Christmas Eve with all the snow. Driving to my parents' house I felt like I was living out the song, "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go." We had a great time Christmas Eve with my parents, siblings, niece and the cousins Hosch (who were all snowed in with us). Christmas Day started with a quick load of laundry. Then during breakfast, I notice a burning smell which I immediately thought was Michelle's baking. To our surprise, this stink was coming from the basement and smelt of burnt rubber. I discovered that our washing machine had burnt out mid-cycle! Yay!!! What else can happen today? Oh, it's freezing rain and Quin & I can't drive into my Grandma's to see my parents (his grandparents) before they leave for Taiwan; oh well, we had a nice Christmas Day lunch with the Jensen's before departing to Grandma & Grandpa I's to take a long winter's nap until the Iverson Christmas dinner started. After our nap we started our Christmas day/night party with Michelle's family; also a blast much like the evening before it.

After a long day, we headed home to bed and looking forward to a relaxing rest of the weekend. Michelle & I had lunch with Kyle & Ellen on Saturday which Quin hung out with Grandma & Grandpa I. After that, we picked up Quin and headed for Target to pick up some much needed diapers. As we near the end of our shopping, Michelle turns to me and says "we need to leave, I don't feel good." We get home and Michelle gets sick. Within a few hours I'm sick as well. We stay home from church on Sunday feeling miserable. Michelle, still not feeling well, asks me to stay home from work on Monday to watch Quin in case she's still sick; so I plan on it. Monday comes and Michelle is feeling better (well enough to go to her first round of hand therapy) so I'm planning on going to work until we find that for the third time in two weeks our furnace is not running. Joy!!! And now, to top it off I can't pull the pictures from this fun-filled weekend off of Michelle's new memory card. So instead of looking at pictures from this weekend you get to listen to my play-by-play. I hope it has amused you. As soon as I can pictures up, I will. I can only pray that 2010 does not start out the way 2009 is ending - ha-hah!!!

2nd Meeting with Big-Red

Last night we went to a Christmas Party put on by Quin's daycare (thanks, Darcy!!!). And who should show up but Santa himself. Last year Quin had no problems with Santa; this year was a different story. Quin wanted nothing to do with him; in fact while we waited for Quin's turn to see Santa Quin scolded and yelled at Santa for being there. It was hilarious!!! The first picture was his first reaction.

When Quin's name was called, I took him up while Michelle shot pictures. Quin climbed out of my right arm into my left and almost climbed over my shoulder.
Quin did accept a gift from Santa but with some trepidation.

This photo did not go so smoothly - Quin wanted nothing to do with Santa. It was great fun.

Antique Shoes

The shoes Quin is wearing are German shoes brought back to the US by my Grandma's step-brother when he came home from World War II. They're really neat with soles that are tacked in the old-fashioned way. Very neat!

First Trip to the ER

Somebody climbed up on a kitchen chair while his Mom was making dinner and tipped the chair over. For his efforts, he got a nice gash on his eyebrow that required a trip to the ER and a glue job to seal up the gash. He also managed to glue his fingers together in the process of the repair job. Now with a cut and future scar on his eyebrow, he's totally gonna look like Dylan from the original 90210!

More, Uncle Jason, More!!!

You know the catapult ride at the State Fair? Well, Uncle Jason became a Human Catapult. Quin did not want him to stop; every time Jason would put him down, Quin would grab his blanket and hold it up to Uncle Jason for more.

Big Shoes to Fill

Rockin' Daddy's Shell-toes!

Future Musician

Grandma I gave Quin his very own Guitar Hero guitar on Thanksgiving, but he was more interested in singing along with the music.

Demise of Curls

Does anybody recognize this child after his haircut?

Say "Hi" to Our New Niece!

Evelyn was born on 11/5/2009. Congrats to Mom & Dad (Jason & Aimee)!!!

Testing the New Camera

Michelle saved & saved her money and finally purchased a new camera this weekend. She spent Saturday & Sunday testing it on her favorite subject (I took the last picture!). Enjoy!

Halloween 2009

This was a big year because it's the first time Quin got to go Trick-or-Treating for the first time. He caught on pretty quick; he knew after 2 stops to hold out his candy bucket and how to say "more" when he felt he got jilted. It was a lot of fun.

Our Little Stud

He's just showing off - haha!

Hangin' with the Hosch's

In what's become an annual tradition, we ventured to Fergus to hang out with Steve & the Girls the weekend before Halloween. We had a great time hanging out with them. Michelle, Katie & Amy carved Hosch pumpkins (Uncle Steve even helped out!). I also managed to scare Amy in the middle of the night after watching the movie version of Stephen King's "It." Score!

We also ventured over to see Jenny Mathiesen and wish her a happy birthday. Here's the gals & Quin with Jenny.
As you can see, Jenny was feeling a bit under the weather. Thankfully it wasn't H1N1.

Actually, this has also become a tradition for Michelle, Katie & Amy. The last two years, the Mathiesen's have been in the TC while we've been in the FF. So Michelle, Katie & Amy venture to their house and decorate for Jenny's birthday. This year, working with Tim and his parents, we gained access inside the house for the girls to decorate. Glad you enjoyed it, Jenny!

Finally, here's some random pictures that Katie took of Quin (great eye, Katie!).

Catching Up

We needed to do some photo catch-up, so here's a recap of what's been going on in K-Ville.

We had our first snowfall a couple weeks ago, and even though it wasn't much snow, Michelle & I took the opportunity to let Quin play in the snow for the first time.

He loved it until he fell down and got snow inside his mittens, then it was time to go in.

Mommy with her little-boy (look at those smiles!)

I shouldn't have put him on my shoulders because now when I come home from work that's the first thing he wants to do. First it's hugs for Daddy, kiss for Daddy and then "uppie Daddy."

You've got to look really close just above Quin's right eye; if you do, you can see his very first shiner. He did a face plant on the corner of my Mom & Dad's basement table.

After having a very rough night the night before, this is how I found Quin last night. Kind of reminds me of Grandpa Kenny.

Proof!

When I posted our camping pictures, I didn't have the memory card that had this picture on it. So I give you proof that my big-sister, Kim, did indeed camp . . . outdoors . . . in a tent. I've never been prouder of her - haha!

Sibling Camping Trip - 2009

We packed up the truck last weekend and headed out camping with the Totusheks & the K/E Kvenilds. It was an absolute blast. Unfortunately, Michelle's camera crapped out after just a few shots. I will post those later because they provide proof that my sister, Kim, did ACTUALLY camp. Anyway, thanks to Ellen I have some pics to post on the blog (thanks, Sis!).

Here, Kyle & I are teaching Kathryn & Quin the finer points of playing "Dutch Blitz."

I do believe this is actually what pickup tailgates were made for - they make great benches.
And here my parents thought I'd be the one that would teach their grand kids how to wrestle - nice job teaching Kathryn the chokehold Kim!

I know every parent out there will disagree with me, but there is no cuter kid than this one.

Ellen, you may have just taken our Christmas card picture! Nice!!!

A few of us hung out on the beach of Lake Pepin and Quin got to play with the rocks which is his favorite pastime.

I discovered how hard it is to pull two kids in a bike trailer - but it was still fun.

The cutest part of these two pictures is Quin putting his hand on Kathryn's knee.

Precious!