Weekends in August

We have been so busy in August.  Every weekend has been filled with fun stuff.  

One weekend we met Grandpa and Grandma in Mankato at Sibley Park.  It was a hot and humid day but for the most part it was cloudy which was nice because once the sun came out it was HOT!  So glad we have found this meeting spot as it's perfect for a day trip.  We had pizza, played at the park and ended with ice cream!  Can't go wrong with any of that :)  The kids can't wait to go back to the farm over Labor Day to spend more time with Grandpa and Grandma!

The following weekend we were invited out to Katie's cabin. We have made this an annual tradition.  I have been going to her cabin since college.  It is the perfect cabin - it's less than 1.5 hours away so we can do a day trip or make a weekend out of it.  This year Katie & I had girls nights on Friday night and then the guys and kids met us at the cabin on Saturday.  This was the first time I had been away from both the kids & Ryan.  I missed them like crazy but it was so fun to get away with Katie.  We spent the evening in downtown Stillwater.....pedis, shopping and dinner.  Then we headed to the cabin and could have talked all night.  It is so peaceful at the cabin.  We woke up on Saturday and went for a walk, relaxed and talked until the rest of the crew got there.  It was the perfect day to be on the lake - hot & humid! We went for a pontoon ride, swam in the middle of the lake, Madelyn went tubing (and loved it!), Ryan & I went skiing (and were very sore the next day!), played on the beach and just enjoyed being together.  We love our time together with the Papkes!

Lyla & Madelyn

The tubers!

The following weekend we were down in Owatonna for the Steele County Free Fair.  It's perfect because it's smaller yet we still get the fair experience with food, animals, tractors and we don't have to fight the hundreds of thousands of people!

Madelyn & Auntie!

These two have so much fun together!

Jack LOVED the John Deere tractors!
 I think he may have stayed all afternoon and evening if we let him!

Everyone loves Papa!

Can't believe this cutie starts KINDERGARTEN next week!
Love you Bishop!!!!

Love my sweet girl!

The last Saturday in August we went to the Twins game.  I got tickets through work so we decided to take the kids.  This was their first Twins game.  Jack was singing "Take me out to the ball game" all week and both kids were excited.  They didn't really know what it was all about but they had fun and were in awe of all the people and everything going on.  We watched the game for almost 3 innings in our seats and then we walked around and ate for 3 innings before heading home.  It was a perfect summer evening!  It has been an amazing summer filled with family, friends, lakes and relaxing!  Can't believe  next weekend is Labor Day...time really does fly!

My latest "new favorite picture" of these two!
Nothing beats those smiles!

Summer Field Trips

Ryan went on the field trip with Madelyn to the Como Zoo in early July.  Madelyn was super excited that daddy was coming!  She kept asking him to sit with her on the bus and she knew she would be in his group.  They had a beautiful day and were able to see a lot of cool things.  Ryan is such a great dad - he is so involved with the kids and doesn't think twice about taking time off to spend the day with Madelyn.

Whitney & Madelyn
Excited for the zoo!

It was mommy's turn to go on a field trip and we went to the MOA Sea Life exhibit.  I promised Madelyn I would take her home with me after the field trip and she was so excited (I was too!).  Mommy/daughter time - we haven't done that so this was something special.  I'm sure Madelyn would have been fine not even going on the field trip as all she wanted to do was not go back to school :)  The field trip was fun - we had a behind the scenes tour and the kids got to touch some fish and see so many cool sea creatures.

I ended up driving separately so we could stay at the MOA.  Madelyn wanted to ride the merry-go-round and then we ate lunch at Johnny Rockets.  She really wanted orange pop.  She had never had pop before so I figured she wouldn't like it but I wanted her to be able to have it.  She took one sip and said "this is spicy, it tickles my tongue".  She then proceeded to drink the pop and water at the same time as that tasted better.  After lunch we stopped by Auntie's house which was fun to see her.  I think Madelyn was missing Bishop & Nora but it was fun to catch up for a bit.....and then we were off to get back to Maple Grove to pick up Jack.

It was such a fun day!  I can't wait to do it again.  Days like this are so special as they don't happen as often as I wish they could.

Natalie Price was in our group - so fun!

Touching the animals 

Love this sweet girl!

First time trying orange pop!

Happy Birthday in Heaven GG Arnie!

Singing Happy Birthday & blowing out candles for GG Arnie!

Even though you are not physically here with us we know you are watching down on us and that is evident in the conversations with have about you.  Madelyn never forgets you are in heaven and as she gets older she continues to ask more thought provoking questions.  It's a hard concept to understand but it warms my heart to hear her thoughts.  She always wants you to be able to come to your birthday celebration and she wonders why we can't come to heaven to be with you.  Oh how I wish you were here to celebrate your birthday too but I know you and GG Marlys are happy and healthy together!  You clearly made a huge impact on your great grand kids in the short time they knew you.  We love you!!!

South Dakota Bound!

The McCormick's invited us to her parent's house for the weekend.  The live on a lake just over the border in South Dakota.  Her parents are so sweet - they opened up their home to us and fed us the entire time we were there.  It's been so fun getting to know them as we see them at church when they are here visiting the McCormick's.  What a fun weekend!  It was special as it was Madelyn's friends and she had so much fun with "her friends".  It's fun to watch the girls play, laugh, giggle and spend time together.

It was a gorgeous weekend to be on the lake.  We went on a pontoon ride, had lunch on the boat which the kids thought was pretty cool, walked on the beach, jumped off the pontoon and swam in the lake and played with toys on their deck.  Then on Sunday we went to Milbank which is about 15 minutes away.  The world truly is a small place.....one of my dear high school friends and basketball teammates went to elementary school with Erin.  They both lived in Milbank so it was fun to tour the town.  The kids loved playing at the park and even got a little skinny dipping in!  We were not prepared for swimming so when the kids started running into the water we thought it was easy enough to just take all their clothes off :)  Another perfect summer weekend in the books!

This is the life!

Madelyn & Teagan

The girls

The girls......and Jack photo bombing!

Skinny Dipping!

  

Happy Birthday Carla!!!

Happy Birthday Carla!  We continued our tradition (2nd annual) of spending the afternoon together to celebrate her birthday.  We had a pedicure and then went to Mill City Kitchen for happy hour.  We could have talked forever!  This is one of my favorite afternoons....our time together is even more special these days since our conversations are usually interrupted by children needing something.  We wouldn't trade our lives for the world but it's so nice to get away and have some special sister one on one time!  

Carla, thank you for being my best friend!  As we get older I realize this isn't always the case so it makes me even more thankful for our close sister relationship that has made us best friends!  You have and are always there for me and knowing that I can come to you is so comforting to me.  You have such a huge heart and are always helping us out no matter what you have going on.  You are an amazing mother and I am so thankful my kids call you Auntie!  We love you so much!!

Carla and the kids came over on Monday night and we celebrated Auntie's birthday!  The kids love celebrating birthdays.  We had ice cream and played outside.  It's always a fun night when the cousins are together.  Summer play dates are the best - outside, running around enjoying the fresh air!

Pedis!

The best we could get - Jack isn't into pictures these days!