Jack is in Preschool!

Jack transitioned to preschool this week.  I honestly can't believe that our baby is old enough to be in preschool.  He is in Ms. Kari's class.  We love Madelyn's teacher but we knew they wouldn't be in the same class so this will be a new experience for all of us.

He has done well and really likes the preschool room.  He went a couple hours each day and as the week went on he would spend more and more time in preschool.  The teachers said he was very sad when he had to go back to the Toddler room.  Next week he will be in preschool full time.  He's ready......all except for the fact that he's not potty trained but we will get there.  I'm trying to be patient :)

One of his last days in the toddler room they were doing some Montessori work and Jack decided to put the eggs on his ears!  His teacher captured this adorable picture.  I just love his smile....since we don't get it on camera much these days!

Apple Jack's & 80th Birthday Celebration

On Saturday we went to Apple Jack's apple orchard and met Carla and the kids.  It was the perfect fall day!  The last couple years we seem to go on days when it's cool/cold and windy but not this year.  It was much more enjoyable when we weren't all bundled up.  The kids always have a blast and it's always fun to go with Bishop & Nora!  The kids can't get enough of their cousins - melts my heart to know they love them so much!

Nora, Madelyn & Jack
I think Bishop was off exploring!

The annual picture.....
Bishop & Madelyn have been taking this picture since we started going to the apple orchard together!

Pure joy....warms my heart!

Picking raspberries is.....

.....so fun!

The best family picture we could get
Maybe we should try more towards the beginning

The big kids.....and they look so grown up!
These two have so much fun together!

Jack loving his apple!

Then on Sunday we went to the Pizza Ranch in Lakeville for a surprise 80th birthday party for Great Grandma Darlene.  She had no idea and was so thrilled when she realized we were all there for her!

Papa & Jack

Most of the great grandkids with the birthday girl!
We love you Great Grandma Darlene!

Madelyn's last 1st day of Preschool!

It's hard to believe but next year at this time Madelyn will be going to Kindergarten!  Thankfully (at least for me!) we have one more year of preschool.....I just wasn't ready to have a kindergartener yet!  

Farm Fun!

The kids got to spend another weekend on the farm.....and they couldn't get there fast enough!  Grandpa & Grandma came to Maple Grove on Tuesday night and they went back to the farm on Wed.  Ryan and I went down on Sunday morning so it felt like forever since we had seen them.  Of course they had a great time.....so many fun things to do and the kids are spoiled which is awesome -- 4 wheeler rides, trips to see the cows, the pigs, helping Grandma in her garden, petting Milton......the list goes on and on!  Memories they will have forever!

Jack was finally brave enough to ride in the tractor - so proud of himself!

Love this one of Madelyn and Milton!
I can totally see myself in Madelyn.....except I probably wouldn't be hugging a dog like that! :)

The tractors that Daddy and his brothers used to ride!

Selfie!!

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!!!