Top Ten of 2010 (by Brad Budde)

This list could easily be filled with experiences involving our kids. They are too numerous to mention individually. The joys of being a parent arrive continuously - each event extraordinary and special - only to be outdone the next day. So recognize this list as stuff that happened outside of the general laughter, development and amazement of Louis and Mabel.

1. Poached Bald Eagle Library - "What is the origination of the town named Grey Eagle?" We found the answer to that question one summer cabin weekend at the small town's library. The story was more dramatic than one would think. You might fill in some pieces considering our new town name of Poached Bald Eagle.

2. Mexican Breakfast on the Ocean - Cool ocean breezes blew through an open patio while we took breakfast each morning in Playa del Carmen. If one happened to over-enjoy the buffet of fresh fruit, eggs and hot sauce; a harem of colored hammocks were at the ready for a mid-morning nap. If not - we would descend the stairs to our semi-private sandy beach and burn an hour in the sun before a late morning daiquiri.

3. Reusable Idea Launch - I quit my day job to start a new venture. I was blown away by the support of friends and acquaintances and most importantly the support of my family. I love all of you.

4. Reusable Idea on the Shelves - Lunds and Byerly's put my product on their shelves. This moment was the first time during the venture I felt nervous.

5. Rickshaw Racing - During Guys Golf Weekend in Denver we were having some fun in LoDo. They have rickshaws there, pulled by bicycles. We convinced two drivers to race Brad & Jeff vs Brent and Brooks. Rickshaw driver took a shortcut, almost through a man holding a giant plate of glass - reference Wayne's World II for a visual. Rickshaw driver immediately turns to us, still moving fast and screams to us with a huge grin, "can you believe that just happened?" Later he tells us it was the best rickshaw ride of his life. Yep, that happened.

6. Volunteer League at Mother of Mercy - Second Family Volunteer League came to Albany to help elderly play bingo at the nursing home. Evelyn set it all up. She's a saint. We felt rewarded.

7. USA Soccer vs Algeria - Sandwick and I were USA Soccer superfans during the World Cup 2010. It's the largest sporting event in the world you know. We watched games at Brits. I wore the official team jersey. Landon Donovan scores a game winning goal against Algeria in stoppage time to move the team into the knockout round. Pandemonium. Chris and I were in one of those celebration videos on YouTube.

8. Katlyn Budde - Missy's sister Katlyn lived with us all summer. I loved having another person in the house, especially Kate. She was a blessing.

9. Boyz II Men - One typical Friday with Kate, Missy and family eating dinner at Turtles we discussed Boyz II Men being in town for the State Fair. The girls start singing songs word for word. At 6:30 we agreed it would be a hoot to see the concert at 8:00. Drop kids with Andrew, drive fast, see the spectacle of Boyz II Men. This was far and away the most spontaneous event of 2010.

10. Christmas with Kids - Santa Claus through the eyes of a 2 and 3 year old is special. It's difficult to put into words. They loved it. Which means we loved it.

Better watch out

Mabel’s favorite thing right now is to remind everyone that “Santa is watching”.  If Louis is being naughty, she says, “Louis, Santa is watching”.  She will tell Happy, “Happy, Santa is watching”. The first couple of times she said it she would even look outside to check if she could see Sant watching.  One might think that knowing Santa is watching would encourage Mabel to be good, but no, not really.  She doesn’t seem to care that Santa is watching her – just everyone else.



Mabel causing trouble



Winter Wonderland

Along with everyone else, our lives seem defined by the various snow storms that have occurred so far this “winter” (which isn’t even officially here!). It has given us the opportunity to do things we normally might not. The children have loved playing in the snow - Louis more than Mabel, but she is getting there. Louis is getting to the point, like most kids his age, that he doesn’t seem to mind his bare skin touching the snow. Even Happy has had the opportunity to play in the snow, something very out of the ordinary for her.

We had the chance to meet some friends for lunch at the Midtown Market in Minneapolis. We only get there about twice a year, but it is always good to get out to try and buy some new and interesting foods (this particular trip meant quail eggs which made for good deviled eggs later that day). We received 21.5” of snow a few Saturdays ago, and like most were forced to stay indoors all day. The kids had a ton of fun coloring, cuddling on the couch and playing. That afternoon we made lasagna from scratch – homemade sauce and homemade noodles. Louis got the job of turning the crank to flatten and stretch the noodles.


Louis, Mabel and their friend Henry at the Midtown Market



Test run of the noodle maker



Mabel cuddling with Happy

We also decorated for Christmas. We have two trees this year and the children helped decorate both. Both are incredibly excited for the upcoming Christmas week.

Papa the Sherpa

Hooked on Phonics

Mabel: Look mommy, Sammy Sammy!
Louis: no, Mabel - it's Handy Manny.
Mabel:  Sammy Sammy!
Louis:  Mabel, say "hand" (pause).  Now say "e" (pause).  Now say "man" (pause) and now "e".  Okay Mabel?  Handy Manny.

Look at me, look at me

We have had a very busy but great fall.  I can't believe that Thanksgiving is only a week away!  Both kids fully enjoyed Halloween.  They didn't do much trick or treating but between a halloween party with grandpa and nana, a party at school and a party at the Edina Kemper's - there was plenty of time to wear costumes.  Louis went as Captain America (his superhero obsession continues) and Mabel went as a fairy princess (if you ask her, she was a princess, but I was insistent that she wasnt a princess so I compromised and called her a fairy princess).  To me, she was a pretty darn cute Tinkerbell!!

On the way to the party

climbing a "giant" hill

The day after halloween, Mabel was home sick with a fever.  I tried to work while I stayed home with her, but she was literally crawling all over me and asking me, "Mommy, what are doing?" "Are you working mommy?" "Can I press the letters?".  So I decided to put my computer down and enjoy the day with my daughter.  We eventually decided to go pick up Louis early from daycare.  It was a beautiful day and I knew that soon enough it would be getting darker earlier and this might be the last chance to hit the play park until spring (I also intended to take some pictures of them for the christmas cards).  We had a great time playing and taking pictures.  It was like they also realized  that it might be awhile before we get to do this again.  As we were leaving, I asked Louis and Mabel to hug each other and look at the camera - and they did, but then they fell to the ground as they lost their balance.  I was worried there would be tears but instead they both broke out laughing and said, "let's do it again".  So they did, they kept hugging and then falling to the ground on top of each other.  They did they 10-12 times.  Each time they fell harder and laughed harder.  It broke my heart to tell them it was time to go home, but it means so much to see them being silly together doing something completely organic, and just the two of them.

Before the fall.

After the fall





Marshmallow Clouds

Scene - driving home from school on a beautiful, sunny fall day
Louis: Mom, look at those clouds way up high!
Mom:  Wow, those are pretty.  They look like marshmallows.
Louis: Yeah, we should get one and get crackers and chocolate.  Then we can sit by a fire and cook them and then we can eat them.  They would be good.
Mom:  You are right Louis that would be good.
(pause for a beat and a thought...)
Louis: Yeah, we're gonnna need a tall ladder.

Happy Birthday Mabel!

Happy 2nd birthday Mabel
You have grown so much in the past year!  You talk like you own the world.  You are more mobile than ever and you always want to explore more!  Here are the things that matter to you at 2:

• Your babies.  You need them to fall asleep.  The baby needs a blanket just like you.  You love to feed them, push them in stroller and pat them on the back.
• fairies, Dora, princesses - everything girly
• Laughing with your brother.  You two love giggling and making mischief.
• Teasing your brother.  You have been known to purposely skip numbers when you count - just to bug Louis
• Singing songs: You love it when you and Louis get to sing together and even more when papa brings out his guitar.  Your favorite songs: ABC's, twinkle twinkle, baa baa black sheep, and the GaGa song
• Having your way.  You don't always get it, but you want it.  In fact today in church when it was quiet, you said out loud: "Grandma, is it over?  I want to go home."
• You love breakfast food, yogurt, chocolate milk and mac-n-cheese (actually you just like to order it and you rarely eat it)
• Happy.  You probably give more attention to her than anyone else in the house.  Someday she will like you too!

Mabel, we are all so lucky to have you in our lives.  You have a smile like an angel and you melt our hearts with your sweetness.  You are smart, and strong and funny. Thank you for the smiles, the songs and your love.