Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Mud Games (6/08/13)

 The group who participated in the 'Mud Games' with us.
The 'before' picture.
And the 'after' picture.
 
I'm a bit late in getting these photos up from the Mud Games, back in early June. But hey...better late than never, eh? We had such a great time doing this. As I was making the list of our fun summer activities, I forgot to add this one, but it was definitely up there on the list as one of our favorites!
 


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Update on the boys and summer recap

 Quinn - 3 1/2
 Jack - 19 months

The boys are a growing! They are eating, eating and eating some more! They are also taking daily naps, and often times they wake up bigger then when we put them to bed. (I kid you not!) Steve and I are enjoying the summer with our boys! Yet here we are, gearing up for fall activities now.

Quinn is starting Preschool this fall! On September 10, 2013, I will drop him off for his first day! Although I anticipate a few many tears, from him both of us, I know he will do great once he gets into the routine, and is used to his new schedule! It is two days a week, for two hours a day. It is our church's preschool,  right at our church. For this I am grateful, as I love the Christian curriculum and culture that he will be immersed into, and he will be comfortable at the location since we are there at least once a week already, for church. His teacher is so kind, and patient and loving. I know this is the right fit for him!

Jack is already 19 months old, and becoming more and more adventurous, outspoken and comical as ever!  He loves to cruise down our driveway (which is on a small incline), on one of his 'cars.' He will race his daddy or brother, and when he gets to the very bottom he swerves to the side just in time (so he doesn't go into the street!) Good job, Jack! You know the house rules! Jack sees his big brother jumping off everything, everything. So it comes as no surprise here, that my little Jack also tries (and sometimes succeeds if I don't catch him in time), jumping off steps and rocks. He is loud and he is funny. He is mimicking anything we ask him to say. Some of the words and phrases are spot on, and some aren't even close! Yet, he tries to say everything and it's adorable!

It has been a great summer. Highlights have included two trips to the cabin (one last trip is also scheduled - before summer is officially over!), Maddens Resort, a family get together at my sister and brother in law's house, numerous trips to the beach, visits with friends and siblings,The Lifetime Fitness pool, Steve's softball games, Vacation Bible School, Horse Pull, Zoo, Splash pads near home, picnics, library trips, growing a garden and actually getting some delicious produce from it! ...And the list goes on and on.

Finger paints!

 Jack - 19 months old
8/20/2013
He was not afraid to get dirty! I'm so glad he was using washable paints, as he
mistook the table for paper! 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Maddens 2013

 Quinn - (almost) 3 1/2 - Summer 2013
 Jack and Quinn are 1 and 3 this summer!
 Jack - 1 1/2 - Summer 2013
 My Family
~7/29/2013~
 Married almost five years!
 The boys are really getting into t-ball this summer.
I think it helps that they've been to quite a few of Steve's softball games.
 Laurie and Quinn
 Ta-Da! ...of course it's a spider!
 Little brother chose a spider too!
Madden's Resort on Gull Lake (in Brainard, MN) was wonderful this year, again!
 
Lots of fun memories made, fun for the little boys, golf for Steve, catching up amongst family and enjoying one another's company!  Summer is not complete until we've made our annual family trip to Maddens!  Thank you, Grandpa Jerry! 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Family Get Together {Summer edition}

 
 Top Row: Pete, Quinn, Katie, Mandy, Jack and Gretchen
Bottom Row: Tom, Nick, Mom, Dad and Steve
 
8/04/2013
 
 Katie and Tom
 Nick and Amanda
 Cousin Jacob
 Amanda, Katie and Gretchen
 Dad and his three girls
 Mom and Aunt Bev
 A little game of 'Duck, Duck, Goose.'
 My big boy is almost three and a half years old now!
Beautiful Mom.
 
We had a wonderful family get together. Thank you so much for hosting and having us over to your new place, Mandy and Nick. You guys really know how to entertain and host a great get-together.
 
So glad to spend quality time with all the awesome peeps in the pictures above. I thank the Lord for this great family He has given to me!
     
'And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.'
Colossians 3:14 NIV