Oh, Thank God!

I've been on a gag order since last weekend and I am finally able to announce to the world, I'm going to be an Auntie again...I hate being gagged, but even worse, I hate that people keep secrets for 3 whole months before they tell me!!!! Yup, Katie did it again, she waited to tell us until just before her 3rd month...Grrrrr...in case you haven't noticed me grrrring on Katie's site and just about everywhere else lately:) We are so excited for Katie, Darin and Big Brother Zack's new arrival! And for the record, NO Josh and I are not pregnant and I won't be waiting 3 months to tell y'all...I can't keep secrets! (That would be why Katie never tells me anything!)

Lunch with the Ladies

Ok, I know not eating meat during Lent is not supposed to be a good thing, but what can be bad about Pancakes? Grandma Linda took us out for lunch with Great Grandma Mary, Great Aunt Pammy and Auntie Jessie to the Original Pancake House in Maple Grove. I'm attaching 3 pics and in one you can see that Riley is totally stuffed to the top with Chocolate Chip Pancakes (she ate almost 3 normal size pancakes!) and Chocolate Milk (Grandma likes to order that for Roo). I think that she might have a little bit of a tummy ache now, but she's napping anyway. She just keeps fidgeting a little and groaning:) Thanks for lunch Linda! It was great seeing everybody!

On another adventure, if any of you read Meg's blog yesterday (Tracking Tredinnicks)...she posted that Office Max had a coupon for a 12-pack of Sharpie markers that normally go for $23 and the coupon made them $2...so of course I had to have them. I have a bit of an obsession with office supplies:) Plus, how can you pass up a $21 savings?!?!? 

So I got the last 2 packs at Maple Grove (there was a 2 pack per customer limit). Meg has been everywhere on her end of town and we even have my in-laws off in Brooklyn Park/Brooklyn Center hunting them down...they are hard to find, let me tell ya! But I got mine:) Guess I'll have to share with Meg for telling me about them, huh? We're using some for prizes for an upcoming event too, so I can't just give her my second pack:( The deal ends tomorrow so if anyone finds them before then, let me know!

Added later: Mission accomplished. Thanks Linda!

Energy Challenge

In case any of you are interested, there was a volunteer fair at our church this weekend (no, I'm not asking you to volunteer at my church!). There's an organization there that does stuff relating to the environment and they were handing out a flyer for the Minnesota Energy Drive which is a challenge to people in MN to "take simple steps to reduce your energy use." Check the link for ways to

• Calculate your energy use and CO2 emissions

• Commit to taking simple steps that will reduce your energy use

• Learn about utility programs and rebates

• Assign your savings to a team - your neighborhood, school, church, business, or other organization 

Maybe we should do this as a team? Post a comment if you're interested in me setting up a team to do this!

More from this week

Here's a few more pictures from Perkins...One of Riley Coloring...did I tell you how I "love" coloring:) And one of Katherine holding A-dee...That's what Riley calls Adrienne.

The other pics are from Wednesday. Riley and I had a play date with my friends Mandy and Jenny and the kids they nanny for. I don't have pics of those kids since I don't know how their parents would feel if I post their kids for the world to see, but here's one of Riley the Tool Girl.

The last one is of our TG girls night dinner. Thanks Toni for taking the picture! And

A-dee was sleeping but she was there too:) From Right to left, it's Riley, Meg, Me, Emily, Vieve (or Jen), and Fred (or the other Meg).

We had a great time at all of our fun stuff this week! Thanks everyone. Now we're gonna sit inside for a few days:) Josh has his crazy work conversion this weekend so we have very little planned:( We do have a breakfast for the AHS walk on Saturday morning. Thanks to all of you who are stepping up to help with our donations. Next weeks update is looking a little better;) Here's the link again for that.

Busy week

Ok, so we had a very busy week this week. I think I'll post two separte posts so I can fit the pics in. We'll call this "FINALLY Dinner with Everyone."

Tuesday night we finally got everyone (except Kristin, but her kiddo was there!) together for dinner at Perkins. By everyone I mean my friend Katherine (whom we've mentioned before) and her family along with my family...just the "girls" and two honorary boys... So here's the run-down: 6 adults and 7 children at "Kids Eat Free" nite at Perkins. Fun stuff for the kiddos! Balloon animals, blue sprite, half-and-half cookies(Half chocolate chip, half sugar cookie) and face painting!

Here's pics of Debbie (Katherine's mom) Katherine, Abby, Kenzie, Aiden (Kristin's boy...Kristin is Katherine's sister), My mom, Meg, Adrienne, Katie, Zack, Riley and I...

AHS Update

Here's the walk update. We're picking up a little speed, but still need to pick up the pace if we want to reach $2000. We are at $455 by my math. If you want to pledge online, here's the link again. (The online pledge tracker only tracks credit card donations, so that's why I'm updating here too!) If you want to write a check or give cash, please send me an e-mail ASAP. Thanks so much!

OK Daniel, Here They Are!

My cousin Dan is getting antsy for more pictures, so here they are, two posts with pictures. I hope this helps ease the pain of having to see "8 straight" blog postings without pictures:) There are two pictures that I'm attaching here. They are random stuff so I'll put them both together. One is just showing that Riley is now big enough to ride her "mony" all by herself (that's what she calls pony). The other is of us at Red Lobster this Friday night checking out the "La-Stir" tank...or to us big people...lobster. 

P.S. She has gotten a hair cut since that "mony" picture...her 4th one!

Daddy Plays Hockey

Some of you may wonder what the link on the side of our site for "Enken Bears" is all about. Josh plays with a bunch of guys who rent ice time every week. And while he would love to play every week, he hasn't been able to get there much since Riley was born. This week they played in Brooklyn Park right up by our house and so we put Riley in her jammies and a jacket and went to watch. Grandpa Mark and Great Uncle Donnie were there too! Riley learned to say Donnie...and called everyone there who wasn't Daddy or Grandpa "Donnie"...The picture is of her telling Donnie "hockey"...If you don't know my in-laws, Mark is the one in the white hat who looks like Kenny Rogers:) Josh is number 4...the guy in white with the word ENKEN on the front.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is a big day! It's Mom's 60th Birthday! My dad has to work though, so it's a very special girls day out...we're leaving the older kids with Josh and my sisters and I (And Adrienne...can't leave Josh with ALL the kiddos!) are spending the day shopping with Mom...YEAH!!! I've been looking forward to this for a long time! We're starting with breakfast at The Good Day Cafe and then shopping in Excelsior and The General Store...I love shopping with the girls:) Happy Birthday Mom!

Worth Repeating

I'm not sure if this is the same link I posted a while back, but it's is worth repeating if I did post it already. If you're looking for ways to reduce the amount of junk mail you get at your home, either because you want to reduce waste and help the environment...or you just can't stand junk mail...you can go to this web site to find out more about how you can get off some of those lists. Thanks Jenny, for sending me this!

Energy Star Light Bulb Recycling

Since I have been trying to do things to be more environmentally friendly, I have started with little things like getting those Energy Star rated light bulbes that use less energy and last longer. What I didn't know is that they contain mercury and have to be disposed of very carefully. Here's a link to how you can recycle your bulbs if you also use these.

Thanks Pammy!

Hey, so I just got back from the dentist a little while ago and I want to thank Josh's aunt Pam for the Spin Brush toothbrush that she gave us. I have never had such a good dentist appointment and my hygenist said I should tell you she loves you even though she's never met you. She says they are the greatest! Thought I should share in case you hate the dentist as much as I do. It's not one of the crazy high-end expensive brushes either, just the normal batery opperated kind you can find at Target I think...love it!!!

St. Jude Children's Hospital

I just want to let you all know that this week is the St. Jude Children's Hospital phone-a-thon on K102. I donate to this cause in memory of Tori and ask that you guys might consider becoming a "Partner in Hope" to help sick kids get treatment and help researchers find a way to cure these diseases! Listen to K102 or click here for details. I make my pledge when they have a corporate sponsor who will match my donation. And there are often incentives that they talk about on air, but whatever gets you interested, I know I beg for a lot of causes...I'm sorry for that, I know it probably gets old, but I am passionate about a few things that are very important to me. Bear with me!

Organic Face Cream Recipe

When I was out with my grade school girlfriends, we got onto the subject of organic stuff and all the toxins and hormones that are making our bodies sick, making kids bodies mature at younger ages and making our bodies decompose differently than people did years ago. Kinda an off topic, but my friend Danni said she knew someone that said you shouldn't use any shampoo, soap, etc. unless you could eat it, because essentially, that's what your body does with it. My friend Colleen mentioned that she makes her own facial cleanser out of organic stuff and it sounded yummy, so I asked her to share. She says the indredients are a bit "spendy" but I might try this out!

Here is the recipe:
1.5 cups sugar ( I use organic cane suger, smaller granules)
1/4 C oil (apricot kernal oil, organic)
1/4c soap (Peppermint pure-castille soap, Dr. Bonners)

You can get these ingredients at most whole foods markets. Just mix them all together and store in containers!

It's Spring!

Ok, so it's freakin' cold out, but I swear I heard a cardinal singing his mating call...Spring is coming people...it's coming!!!

AHS Walk Goal - $2000

Here's the first Monday update. We're starting off pretty slow! We have $125 pledged...Keep the donations comin', please! We have a long way to go before we get to $2000!

Here's the link if you want to donate!

Hide and Seek

I was blow drying my hair this morning when Josh called me to see this...

Yesterday was a Good Day!

I got to venture out to the outside world...twice! I went to Southdale with my girlfriends, did a little shopping and had lunch at Cheesecake Factory...yummy! Of course I ate too much! I'm now officially on a diet. We went to Jimmy and Erica's place after that and I tried on my strapless dress for their wedding...I know it's supposed to be tight so it doesn't fall down, but YIKES! Thus, the diet:) Oh well, it feels fine once you get it on, but it's just crazy hard to get into! So maybe just a few pounds...and no more cheesecake;) 

Riley had a LOT of fun with Ashley, her little 4-year-old buddy. And she was ready to sleep over when we were leaving. One time about a year ago, we took pictures of Riley and Ashley in bed to pretend they were having a sleepover. Now, every time we go there, Ashley remembers that, and we have to duplicate the picture. It's cute. This time, Riley got into bed with Ashley, grabbed the blanket from one end, walked to the end where the pillows were, laid down and pulled the blanket up over her and said "nite-nite." I think she would have gone to sleep if we had left her there:) I wish I had video! I do have pictures. 

Funny Nicknames for Roo

I'm going out to lunch with my girlfriends from grade school today...yup, I still have a few friends from St. R's. One of whom you've already met, my friend Katherine who has Abby (my God Daughter) and Kenzie. She won't be there today, as I mentioned she lives out of town...Today I'm going out with Mandy, Danni and Colleen...We have only somewhat recently reconnected (maybe in the last 5 years or so? Longer for Mandy, maybe 8 years?) Anyway, they have once again become very good friends and we always have a great time at lunch or dinner. (Side note: my bosses at work call me "Lunch" because I go out to lunch so much!) How does that lead to the title of this post about Riley and nicknames? Danni has a nickname for Riley that love, so here's the short list and who gave her the name:

Roo - I did that one

Sweetie P - Me again (short for Sweetie Pie)

Sweet Feet - Me again (I have a thing for nicknames, can ya tell?)

Little Bug - Guess who (She was a Ladybug for Halloween)

Munchkin - Auntie Katie

Pumpkin Pie - Grandma Linda

The Little Nugget  - Danni (from grade school)

The Marshmallow - Mollie (from Duck Soup)

Added later: Peek-a-Boo Roo - Auntie Meggie claims this one

Honey Bunny - Duh, one of the names I use most!

Green Inspiration...Inspired!

I have to admit something. My big Green Living inspiration is the 13-year-old son of my friend and boss at the Minnesota Score magazine. (He'll be 14 in May, I checked!)

His name is Paul and he has been a big part of getting me to think more Green. He is passionate about making a difference and he has even started an environmental group at his school. He is the one who made me watch "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's documentary about Global Warming, in fact, I borrowed HIS copy of the movie! He's just an amazing kid.

I tell you this because I'm really proud to say that now I have been able to give a little something back to his cause...I guess he is reading my blog now and his mother tells me that it has sparked an interest to do even more at school. He read the post about plastic bag recycling, and now he's working to get it set up through his environmental group.

I'm so excited that he's reading my blog (as you know, I get excited when anyone is reading my blog...I'm silly, I know!)...I'm even more excited to know that people care when I get on my Green Soap Box. Sometimes I feel like it might come off kinda preachy or well, soap-boxy...to some people, but I have heard from others of you who also appreciate the info. (If I do get preachy, let me know. That's the last thing I want to do! I really just want to make some sort of impact.)

So whenever I find something, I guess I'll keep sharing it...Maybe I can make a difference in some small way...and Paul, if you're reading this, you ROCK! Keep it up! And thank you!

P.S. Visit KARE11.com for their segments on "Earth KARE" They are pretty interesting and give info on how to reduce your junk mail, what plastic can be recycled and why, and more!

Cute Wake-Up Call

Ok, so after a rough night again sleeping, I really would have loved to sleep in. But how can you be mad when your wake-up call goes something like this (at 7 a.m.)...Maaaammeeee (short pause) Happy Birt-Day! Now, mind you, my birthday was a month ago! But Riley has decided it serves many purposes and since my b-day when she picked it up, it's her favorite phrase.  A few minutes later while I was getting dressed, she added another of her favorite phrases..."Where Riley Go?" My guess is she was playing with her blankie in her crib and that's what she says when she's playing peek-a-boo :)

Riley's a Big Girl

Here's some pics of Riley doing what she does best. She loves to feed herself now...even if sometimes the fork is just there for decoration:)

Happy Valentine's Day

We wanted to wish you all a Happy V-day! Here's some pics we took this morning. One of them is Riely doing her favorite thing...and let me tell you, I'm already JUST a BIT sick of the word "color" :) and one of the pics is from Riley's Valentine, Noah...sorry Jess, but it was just too cute not to post! It came with a note asking Riley to be his Valentine:)

Nothin' too important..

I'm bored. Riley has been sick since last Thursday and I have only left the house twice since then. Once to do taxes at my parents and once to go to work at The Sports Authority - Dedicated to the Dedicated...By the way, what is that for a slogan...DUMB! So I thought about taking a nap this morning since Roo is sleeping, but I am just not a very good napper. I cleaned a little yesterday and I will probably do more today, but that's no fun so I thought I'd post another "Who's out there" post. 

I know people are reading and I love that. In fact, I am listed on a few other people's blogs on their list of other blogs to visit. Check out Kristine in Boston and Matt, Amber & Mr. Simms, as well as my family sites that include Tracking Tredinnicks, The Bartsch Clan and Chicago Cooleys on the side of my blog. 

So if you're out there, e-mail me or post a comment. I want to know that more than my family reads this thing:) I'll have pictures of Roo tomorrow for Valentine's Day:)

Food for a Cause

Today from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at IHOP you can get a free short stack of pancakes...something about National Pancake Day? The catch, they ask that you consider making a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. Why not eat for a good cause?

Quick Riley Update

Riley hasn't had a fever all day again, so that's good, but her nose continues to flow like a river and she's not too happy about us trying to catch it. I think she might have a sore throat too...she's not too fond of eating certain things, but a little "i-keem" seems to work just fine:) So we continue to try to stay in for the most part and beat this cold bug...

But of course today was the coldest day of the week and we did have to venture out to get our taxes done at my mom and dad's (well, Josh and I do our taxes, but we require the assistance of my dad to be smarter than the tax program), but Roo was well taken care of there too. Thanks Mom and Dad for watching her while we swore at the computer...And while I'm thanking people, I should also thank Grandma Linda for bringing over dinner and some treats yesterday too! We are really spoiled rotten...Thanks!

Fair Warning!

The Animal Humane Society e-mails have gone out! If you didn't get one, I got some bounced back so maybe I don't have the right e-mail address, or maybe you're avoiding me:) Please check back for more details about the walk and a weekly update of our fundraising. We are walking in memory of Nala this year, some of you may not know, we lost our puppy rather suddenly in June. It's going to be a strange walk without her!

Our goal this year is $2000, I'll attach pictures from a few years back! This year's event is May 3, 9-2. Food and Entertainment are free, BRING THE FAMILY!!!

On the Mend!

Ok last night was much better. She was still up in the night and around 3:30 a.m. still had a temp around 101 or just a little less. (Josh uses the ear thermometer and I use the "other" one so they are a bit different. The ear one tends to read a bit high and that's what he used this morning), But a little Pedialite and some Tylenol at that point and by 8:30 this morning she's reading 98.6!!! Yeah Pedialite:) 8:30 is also considered sleeping in for Roo! Of course "Mom" and "Dad" now have sleep deprivation and headaches:) Goes with the territory, I guess! Thanks for checking in on her, I'm happy to report we're on the mend!

Oy, what a night!

Riley has come down with a nasty cold and spiked a temp last night. She didn't sleep more than an hour at a time and that wasn't until about 5 a.m. What a night! We're snuggled in for the day and and probably again tomorrow...we're both going to try to take some naps!

Play Date with the Greats!

Here's pics from our play date with the Great Granparents. Katie wasn't able to go because she's got a bug, so my mom and dad brought Zack over so all three kiddos could be there. We had pizza and played and they loved it! Riley was asleep before we left their block!

Duke Blue Devils 89- UNC Tarheels 78

Go Duke!

Request for Prayers x2

Two things this week that I'd like you to keep in your prayers if you are so inclined. First I got a call from my mom this morning and Deb, whom we just spent Saturday with, had a heart attack yesterday and is in ICU right now recovering from some pretty scarry heart problems. I don't want to go into too much detail, but just be thinking of them this week.

Also, this coming Saturday would have been Tori's birthday and I know Fred and Will and their families will be having a hard week. Please keep them in your thoughts. I think it would have been Tori's 4th birthday if I remember correctly? Also, they are expecting in June so prayers for a healthy pregnancy and baby would also be appreciated.

19 and Oh No!

Ok, so I promised pics of the awful game last night:( I was obviously cheering for Brady and his boys so I was disappointed for them! What a bummer way to end the season. But I must say as Super Bowl games go, this one was exciting to watch. Better than the commercials! So the first pic is me taking a pic of my parent's TV the rest of are the kiddos who didn't pay attention to the game at all. Except for a few "touchdown" cheers in random places, having nothing to do with actual touchdowns:) Riley was ready for "night-night" around 7:30, but she was a good sport and made it until the end of the game and even stayed awake until after we got home! In the pic where she's laying on the floor with my mom, she's "shhhh-ing" Zack who just left the picture. The people you might not recognize in the pics are Katie's friends the "Not-Westphals" Ok, their last name is Rosneau, but I am not sure I spell that right ever...plus I knew Michelle before I knew Doug so I just call them the "Not-Westphals!" Colin is their little guy, and is Katie's and Darin's Godchild. My friends don't love me enough to come to parties anymore:)

Play Date/Story Time at the Cooleys

This weekend is busy for us. I will post pictures of the Super Bowl party later, but yesterday we spent at my parents house with the DuRoche family (minus Brien...we missed you!). Scott and Danielle have a little girl, Ava, who is so funny! She didn't know what to think of Zack and Riley to start with, but they were all buddies by the end of the night. Chasing and running all around the house! It was so much fun...a little chaotic at times, but so fun! It's weird watching all of our kids run around and thinking, we used to be those kids. We've known the D's since grade school! It looks like we had a lot of story time at this play date!!!

Fun with DuRoches

More from the play date with our friends the DuRoches: Here's some pics of Deb and Zack and Ava playing Ring-Around-The-Rosie, Scott with Riley, and Deb with Riley, and one of Riley saying hi to "Frosty". Not in the right order, sorry.

Crafting with Mommy

I mentioned that I'm getting into sewing. I bought this carrier for my stuff and it came via UPS last week. Riley wanted to try it out!