Colorado vacation

There are so many pictures from our trip so bear with me here. I think I'll just go in chronological order.
Thursday 5/22-Dinosaur Museum and Focus on the Family
We told the boys to act scared...

The Ness Nest

Focus on the Family



Friday 5/23-Denver Zoo

The boys with Ella

Grammy and her grandchildren

Saturday 5/24-Flying W Ranch
This was a ranch that had a cowboy quartet, a ranch style dinner, a train ride and the most beautiful view from the top of it's property. The view is overlooking Colorado Springs.

Inside the train ride cave

what a view

the view from the top. we climbed about 100 stairs hoping to put Samantha in labor...no such luck.

Sunday 5/25-Steven's graduation

Proud sons

Proud grandparents-Steven is their 3rd grandchild to graduate from college.

Steven's really proud mom

REALLY, really proud wifey...but now this means I'm a Pastors WIFE!!!

My brother Marvin and his family came from Utah

to celebrate Steven's graduation.

Steven's sister, Samantha and her family

The NessNest

After the graduation we all went back to Samantha's for a celebration. Ethan and his cousins had a wonderful time playing together.
Here is Caleb, Cassie, Ethan and Abram acting tough.

Boys...

Saying our good byes.


Monday 5/26-RELAX!!! We went to the Castle Rock rec center and swam.

Tuesday 5/27-Hike to Castle Rock

the view of Castle Rock
the boys on top of Castle Rock


And last but not least...
Wednesday 5/28-Noah's birth
Samantha minutes after giving birth. She did such an amazing job throughout the entire process. I feel so blessed to have been apart of the birth!

Proud dad

Me, I was exhausted.

Ethan...he LOVES babies.

Ethan, Abram, Ella and Noah

Proud Uncle Steven

The boys with Noah-they both were beyond excited to hold and see him.

Noah Henry
born 5/28 @ 2:36am, 6lbs 4oz, 20.5" long

We had such a great time on vacation. Thank you to all the people who came to be apart of Steven's graduation and thank you Espinozas for allowing me to be a apart of Noah's birth, it was an amazing experience. Can't wait to see you guys again.

We are home!

and tired! I promise I will update sometime today of our trip.
Samantha, my sister-in-law was induced around 3:30pm on the 27th and had Noah Henry at 2:36am on the 28th. By the time we got home to bed it was 5:30 and we were up at about 7am-ish with the other kiddos and then we left CO at noon on the 28th and arrived back home in MN at 4:30am on the 29th and being the good wife that I am I stayed AWAKE the entire time!!! So needless to say I am BEAT!!!
We had a wonderful trip, did fun things, Steven graduated and I have a new baby nephew that I got to SEE be born. Holy smokes...it's been almost 12 years since I saw my neice be born and after having kids yourself it's a totally different experience, of course I cried like a baby.
Ok, I'll be back later with pictures and full update!

Colorado or bust

Hi everyone. We are headed to Colorado for Steven's graduation. This has been a LONG time coming and let me say I am one happy and proud wife! I will try to update you throughout our trip on baby Noah, graduation and other fun family stuff.
Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels and better health. 3 of the 4 of us have been super sick with a nasty head cold. So not fun to get the days before leaving for vacation. TTYS~

We're off to see the Wizard...

and Ethan as a munchkin and flying monkey in this summers The Wizard of Oz play put on by our theatre in town. On Monday Ethan went to an audition with my sister for the Wizard of Oz and he got a call back for Tuesday. On Tuesday they were taught a dance routine and had to perform it and based on Monday and Tuesday's auditions they would let us know. Well today, at NOON sharp they posted the cast list at the theatre and Ethan made it! He was so very excited but sadden at the same time. His bff Madi also tried out WITH him and she didn't get a part. He moped all day feeling remorse for her. He told me tonight, "Maybe Madi can just have my part..." I know Madi is sad for her but happy for Ethan, she's just that kinda girl and best friend. I can guarantee she'll be there front and center to cheer him on. We love you Madi!!!

Kindergarten Graduation

Ethan graduated from Kindergarten on Tuesday morning. As usual I was a wreck. I cried the entire time, even when his teacher wasn't talking about him. The kids put on a play, Peter Rabbit and Ethan was the big, black pussycat. He did a great job. Then they sang some songs and recited a Bible verse. His teacher then gave each child an attribute, which I forgot what Ethan's was b/c I was so busy drying my tears and *trying* to pull myself together...but we have it on video, I'll watch it when I'm ready to cry again...sheesh I'm such a samp. The principal then dedicated the yearbook to Mrs. Hosch, Ethan's Kindergarten teacher that passed away before she even got to teach the class. I'm sure that had a lot to do with my emotions. It was hard for Mrs. Seland to talk about that as well but she did a great job for not expecting to be there the entire year.
I just can't believe how fast this year went and that my baby is going to be in FIRST grade next year...*crying again*

Ethan as the cat.

Ethan singing songs.

Ethan and his teacher, Mrs. Seland.
He didn't want to hug her b/c girls are yucky he said! LOL

Without my boys...

I wouldn't be a mother. So thanks boys (and Steven) for making me a mother and treating me like a queen. I had an incredible Mothers Day and am so blessed to have you three in my life.

Kuki Laca and Abica

are the names of Ethan and Abram's imaginary friends.
Ethan became friends with Kuki Laca in preschool when he was 3 years old. A picture came home with "Cookie Rocka" on it and when I asked what that meant he told me "It's KUKI LACA mom, my imaginary friend!" Kuki Laca's family lived in Texas until their house burned down and then they lived with us. When they moved out of our house they moved to the "other" Fargo. Kuki Laca was a boy.
Abica is Abram's friend and they just met, this week actually. He kept shouting upstairs and I asked who he was yelling at and he told me ABICA!!! I asked who is she and he told me a child. I said is Abica a boy or a girl? He said, "a girl child, actually she is the granddaughter of Grandmom." She lives with his Grandmom a few blocks over. On Monday he tried to go see her and got a few houses down when I found him, don't worry Ethan was hot on his trail though. Ethan said "He's going to see his imaginary friend mom."
Ethan LOVES the fact that Abica exists because of Kuki Laca. When ever we talk about or bring up Kuki Laca Ethan just tilts his head and smiles like, "Come on you dont really think there is a Kuki Laca do you???"
I just love my boys and their imagination.

Ethan's first tournament

Ethan started Tae Kwon Do about 6 weeks ago and this last Saturday he participated in his first tournament. Our academy, which has several different schools hosted the tournament so the instructors really encouraged him to go. He was very excited about going and so were we. We had no clue what to expect being this was our first experience. It was very well organized and put together and that made it easy for us. Ethan's first event was his free form pattern that he has been practicing. He took 3rd place! We were so excited for him. Next was the board breaking event. Ethan has never broken a board nor has he ever even seen it be done but said he wanted to "try" it. He was the Grand Champion and took FIRST place! He was the only kid in his category that even broke a board and Ethan broke both! Needless to say we were all beaming and proud. When they announced his name we all started cheering and hollering. It was great. So not bad for his first tournament. He was pleased as can be. Last night before bed he wanted to polish his trophies, I said "not tonight son." LOL...
Thanks Grandmom and Grandpop, Grandpa Lloyd and Madi for coming it meant a lot to Ethan...and me :)

Ethan receiving his 3rd place trophie, his first trophie ever.

Ethan and myself

Ethan and Steven

Ethan with one of his instructor, Mr. Doug.

Ethan and his BFF Madi, she was so happy for him.

Ethan and his buddy Jaxon

Ethan and Grandpop

Ethan and Grandpa Lloyd