Trip to Hettinger and Random Niece and Nephew Pics

For Thanksgiving 2009, Jon and I packed up with Kim, Dustin, Tyler and Isaac and made the treck across North Dakota to go visit the town with Jon, Kim and Chris grew up - Hettinger, ND. Jon's brother and his family live out there still and after being married for 2.5 years, I had never been out there before. Chris and his wife Ronda are expecting their fifth child in February, so this was our opportunity to get out there before both their baby and ours are born.

Tyler and Isaac did amazing on the 9 hour drive to Hettinger... really much more than I thought you could ask of a 3.5 year old and a 4 month old!

Isaac - just hanging out with the bottles ready to go.

Tyler getting super excited that the DVD is changing to something new.

While we were in town - we got to spend lots of time with not only Tyler and Isaac (who we are spoiled enough to see lots and lots in the cities) but also Chris and Ronda's kids Kaden, Katy, Kelly and Kayla. Nothing made us laugh more than just watching these 6 kids run around!

Visiting the NDSU Research Station

Jon grew up in Hettinger, where his brother Chris and his family - Ronda, Kaden, Katy, Kelly and Kayla live. Chris runs the NDSU satelittle research facility where the goal is to find the optimum nitrogen consumption for sheep and cattle that will create muscle the fastest and make more profitable products. (Hopefully we got that right... thats a mouthful!) It was great to finally see the town I have heard so much about. Chris and Kaden gave Jon and I a very thorough tour!

Here is the house they live in - it's over 100 years old and has always been the research facilities home. Lots of history here.

Outside the house is a lot of the research facility, although it really is spreadout quite a bit.

Here is one example of the buildings on the property.

Here is the old barn that was original with the facility. It actually has been moved miles down the road where Chris now keeps his own flock of sheep.

There was lots of sheep - and they always seemed to be eating... just in different ways. Here a lamb is nursing...

Here the NDSU lambs are feeding from the troph...

Apparently they would eat anything or anywhere except for corn out of my hand... who knew sheep were so skiddish.

After all that eating - it was time for a nap.

But every once and awhile, a lamb would escape... doesn't he just look like he is begging for help getting back in?!

Christmas Over Thanksgiving - Schauer's

We made sure to spend time having Christmas Part I with Chris, Ronda, Kaden, Katy, Kelly and Kayla since we won't be able to see them all again before the holidays. Seems like the kids really enjoyed their new toys. Kaden disappeared after he opened his Star Wars Lego set so he could set it up and the girls were very busy playing dress-up.

Kayla

 Katy

Kelly

Kaden

Babysitting Isaac.

It was a short day with him - but fun. He slept like a dream, ate his bottom lip, and intrigued Kedzie.

Mexico Bound!!! Baby Moon 2010!

Well - it's official! We are going to Mexico the second week in January. I will be 30 weeks pregnant, so here is to hoping Baby Schauer doesn't like Mexico too much in utero to decide he wants to take a peek for himself. We are off to Playa Del Carmen for a wonderful 7 day all inclusive trip. So while it is -20 in MN, we will be on the beach, Jon drinking Mai Thais and I will be having Shirley Temples.

Baby Schauer - 21 Weeks

Wait a second... if the baby weighs less than one pound... why have I gained over 10?!? What's in there??

We had a great looking 20 week ultrasound confirming our little guy is ... well... definetly a little boy! I am 21 weeks along, the baby is about 6.5 inches from head to butt and weighs less than a pound.

Megan and Casey's Wedding!

Megan and Casey tied the knot on November 7th... from the looks of it, everyone had a great time! Congrats, guys!

Trip to Afton Apple Orchard

After a snowy start to October, we were able to salvage a beautiful day and take the dog to the apple orchard. As you can tell... he liked eating all the apples that fell on the floor... and maybe there was an enabler...

Preparing for Baby

AFTER

 

BEFORE

After living here for over 2 years - finding out we were expecting got us in gear on home improvements. We have moved upstairs after painting and carpeting two bedrooms and the stairwell. One room is wide open and waiting for Baby Schauer.

Welcome to Our Blog!

So we are taking the lead from lots of our friends who have set up their own blogs. With Baby Schauer on the way, we thought this was as good of a time as any to get going and share a little piece of our lives with friends and family; those who we don't get to see too often... and of course, those we do who have helped us make Minneapolis a wonderful home. Enjoy and thanks for sharing this with us!