Happy Birthday Kate

Happy 2nd Birthday miss Kate. Hope you have a wonderful day. Welcome to the two's. Here is a little video from your cousin Lauren sorry Colin didn't want to be in your video. Enjoy!!

Promotion Sunday

Lauren is finally moving up Sunday school classes. Our church isn't huge and I started Lauren in Sunday school before she was three so she has been in her current class for almost four years. Her teacher wasn't here today so my dad did the presentation.

Lauren had done a wonderful job learning lots of Bible verses but when asked to recite one she was nervous so she had Papa help her.

Her teacher got her these very cool markers that mix and make other colors and some stickers. Colin has this teacher now and we love Mrs. Amy.

Lauren's long ride

We headed out on our first "long" bike ride. We parked at a middle spot. We headed one direction and then turned around to come back for lunch.

Getting ready. We parked at Aaron's work, which worked perfect.

At the first turn around place. We rode to our local college football stadium. It's a mile each direction.

Getting ready for lunch. We ate by daddy's work.


On our way back.

After lunch we headed out going the other direction from daddy's work. We rode to a park and stopped to play for a bit. Then headed a little farther down the path. We live in a city that has amazing bike paths. Lauren was starting to get a little tired so it was time to go back. We figured we rode 4 1/2 mile which wasn't far for the adults but that's a lot for Lauren's little legs.

Forgetful Tooth Fairy

Lauren has lost her second tooth. She was thrilled. I wouldn't normally do a layout for the second tooth but I wanted to document the story behind it so here it is.

Some Layouts

It still amazes me that since I started doing my scrapbooking layouts the digital way that I feel behind if I haven't finished layouts from less then a month ago. When I did it the paper way I was doing good if I got to them within 6 months. Oh how things have changed. I finally finished my layout from the coast trip with Aaron and the kids.

We went on the lake the day after the wedding. It was such a nice relaxing day and so needed by all.

Our Weekend

Aaron has been working crazy long hours this week so it worked out well to have an activity to do on Saturday. David and Lindsey moved into their new house on Saturday. We started around 9:30 and I left at 5:00. Lindsey had got me two girls to watch my kids and they were amazing. They went to the park twice and kept the kids entertained the entire day. We were able to get the kitchen set up and the living room and dining room clean. Thankfully they didn't have a ton of furniture but a ton of other stuff.

This is Barb, David's mom, standing in the kitchen. We weren't done yet.

Mom, Lindsey, and David taking a little break. They just got this furniture for a smoking deal.

Sunday was the first day Aaron had been home all day in more days then I can count. He made some pesto with the kids help.

Using the Cuisinart makes the process very easy.

Adding the oil is the last thing.

Then a little taste. My kids love pesto.

So pretty.

This morning Colin wanted to be spiky so he fixed his own hair. Then he added the shades and I had to take a picture. He was very proud of himself.

Scandi Fest

We have been going to the Scandinavian Festival since we moved here 15 years ago and love it. I use to love looking at everything but most stuff doesn't change that much so now I'm all about the food. This year the kids and I ate dinner before so we could enjoy the desserts.

Lauren and Colin had a snow cone.

Aaron had a frozen cheese cake dipped in chocolate and then topped with toffee.

Colin decided that was way better then ice with a little flavor and kept asking for just one more bite.

My mom had some cabbage thing. Not what I would choose but she loves it. My dad did eat but was done by the time I thought to get my camera out.

We found these cute wooden cutouts that the kids like to have their picture taken with.

Then they thought it was so silly for Colin to stand in the girl and Lauren stand in the boy.

This is some of the walking crew from our church. My parents had my kids while I was running. Lauren and Colin both said the loved it. Thanks again Mom and Dad.

After the run/walk we walked around a bit and I got another fri-jo, which is my favorite thing, and then me and the kids wondered over to the stage. There was story telling going on. Lauren enjoyed that but Colin was having more fun climbing on the rock thing and finding rocks to put in it. Such different kids.

My First 10k

Jen and I ran in a 10k run today. My goal was to run the entire thing and finish. We did run it all and it took us 1 hour 12 minutes. We won't be winning any medals but at least I can say I did it. My parents took the kids on the 4.4 mile walk that went with the run. They did great. We walked around the Scandinavian festival for a bit and I got another fri-jo. I decided that it was a second breakfast. Have more pictures to post from last night. Should get to that later since Aaron is working all day today.

A busy few days

We have had a very busy week. After getting home from the wedding we headed to the lake on Sunday with Cheryl, Lonnie, Mark and Michelle and families. They got a boat a few weeks ago. We met at a lake about half way between them and us. It was a beautiful day and so much fun.

Lauren loved riding on the boat.

Colin and Aaron went on the inner tube together. Colin loved it but it wasn't very comfortable for Aaron.

Colin was very tired and almost fell asleep a few times but he sure loved riding on the boat.

Lauren went on the inner tube twice and loved it.


All six kids playing in the water. It was a great lake.

On Monday my parents had Aubrey and Alyssa. They also had the day off so we headed to a local wave pool. Colin wasn't very happy in this picture but he had been very happy and then a big wave got him.

All the girls in the wave pool.

Colin and I going down the slide.

We have been continuing swim lessons and the kids have been doing great.

Lauren has been learning so much and is now moving to the next level. Such a difference from last summer.

Then on Tuesday we did more swimming at Harlow and Wednesday the kids went to Aaron's parents for a spend the night. This was the first time the kids went somewhere for just fun. Aaron and I went to dinner and a movie. It was so nice.

The Day After

Yesterday was the big day. I feel like I have been living this wedding for the past four months so it was nice to have the day here. We had so much help from all our friends which may the day perfect. I had prayed for sun and no rain but God knew we didn't need the sun just no rain. In the end I was thankful for the weather because I did LOTS of running all over the garden. The day was perfect and even given time to reflect and talk I can't think of a thing we would change.

My little sister was a beautiful bride.

Papa Pat and the kids having fun.

Colin did great all things considering. He stood in our pictures but wouldn't smile until almost the end when he was with David holding his stick he found.

Alyssa, Lauren, and Aubrey were great little flower girls. We had no melt downs and no tears. Success!!

Let's get this show on the road. My friend Jen ran the show on the wedding day and it went great and started on time. The kids did such a great job walking up the isle and then standing nicely.

Here comes the bride. Lindsey was glowing!!

Husband and wife and the kiss.

YEAH!! We are married.

I need to say a special thank you to Michelle's daughter Emma who took all the pictures for me during the ceremony. I was in the wedding and Aaron was in the kitchen getting all the food ready for the reception so I didn't have anyone to take pictures. Emma did a great job and I have a ton of amazing pictures.

One Day to Go!!

We are heading up north today to start the wedding festivities. Tomorrow is the big day. It will be wonderful and we are so happy for David and Lindsey. We are praying for sun and no rain. More posting when we come home.