Iowa Wedding

This past weekend we headed to Des Moines for Ryan's cousin's wedding.  The kids stayed at my parents house so it was another date weekend :)  We stopped at Great Plains Pizza on our way down -- that pizza is some of the best!  Wish it was closer to home.  The wedding was in a barn which was really cool....cozy and intimate.  It was so fun as all of Ryan's brothers and wives/significant others were there!  We had a great time and were equally as excited to get on the road Sunday morning to see the kids.  The kids had a blast in Otown with Nana & Papa!  Raking leaves, eating donuts, reading books, going to the library and of course lots of treats!  Nothing beats the hugs and kisses from the kids after being away, even for just a night or two!  They are our world and I honestly can't remember or imagine life before those two sweethearts!

Emily and all her girls!
She has been waiting so patiently and it's so fun that there are 5 of us now!!

Raking leaves or in Madelyn's case being buried in leaves!
Such fun!

  

Minnetonka Orchards

This past week Ryan went on the field trip with Madelyn to Minnetonka Orchards.  I was bummed as I couldn't make it on Jack's field trip since it was the day we got back from Chicago....but I was so happy that Ryan could go with Madelyn.  She has been talking about this field trip since last year.  I went last year and she has asked all winter/spring/summer when the apple orchard field trip is and who was going to come with her.  It's fun to be able to experience these things with the kids.  The daddy daughter bond is so special and I can tell through this picture of the two of them that it is only getting stronger!  I love our daycare and am thankful for all the opportunities they give to our kids!

Football game, Bike race and Fire Station

On Friday night we joined our neighbors at the Maple Grove Football game.  Their son is in 2nd grade and he was playing at halftime so we thought it was the perfect time to check out a game.  The kids really enjoyed it and I think it helped having familiar faces there to play with during the game!  I just love our neighbors.....we truly lucked out!!

Joe, Colleen, Jack and Madelyn

Some crazy face from Jack!

Sweet smile from Madelyn!

Then on Saturday morning daddy headed up by Brainerd for a bike race.  I talked about bringing the kids but after we realized we wouldn't be able to see him much at all along the course we decided that he would go by himself and the kids and I would do something fun back home.  The kids and I ended up going to Stillwater to see Katie and her kids.  There was a fire station open house so we went there and there were lots of activities for the kids.  It was the perfect day!  In fact we had so much fun that daddy actually beat us home!  The kids recorded the cutest good luck message for daddy.....on the first try!  Usually we have to do it about 5 times and we still only get about 80% participation.

Madelyn the fire fighter!

Since we missed the face painting activity, Ms Katie painted a flower on M's face!

Chicago!

Ryan and I went to Chicago for a long weekend.  We debated driving or flying but ended up flying.  It's such a quick flight that it's totally worth it.  The only bummer part was after we booked our flights we found out my Grandpa Ray was receiving a Quilt of Valor so unfortunately we missed the ceremony and the family get together.....which included my Uncle Jim who lives in Florida.

Nevertheless, Ryan and I had a great weekend away!  We spent most of the weekend with Eric and Heather (Ryan's brother and our future sister-in-law).  I haven't spent a lot of time with them in the past so it was the perfect weekend.  We went to some amazing restaurants and there were some we missed as we just ran out of time but we'll catch them on our next trip.  Mexican, BBQ, Chicago Style Pizza --yummy!  We stayed on Michigan Ave so we did some shopping.....more like looking but it was really fun.  On Sunday we went to the Bears game.  Originally I wasn't planning on going but it worked out that there was an extra ticket so I was super excited to tag along :)  Such a fun weekend and it makes me even more excited for their wedding next April!!

Tailgating before the Bears game 

My beautiful soon to be sister-in-law!

My sister was sweet enough to send pictures from back in MN.  I always love getting updates while we are away but especially on this special day/occasion that we missed.  Thank you so much Carla....you'll never know how much all of your sweetness and kindness means to me!!!!

Uncle Bob, Grandpa Ray, Dad and Uncle Jim

The Barry Bishop family.....minus Ryan and me

The whole family!

Jack and Uncle Jim
Sounds like Jack had a great time with Uncle Jim! :)