July 4th, 2010

We had a nice "5-day weekend" over the fourth of July this year...spending Friday, July 2nd as our get ready and pack day...then July 3rd we travelled to Warrens, Wisconsin...and finally travelled home on Tuesday, July 6th. We stayed at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Warrens and were fortunate enough to be able to rent a cabin with our friends. We chose this location because it is about an hour closer than Wisconsin Dells and had heard that it was a fun place to visit.
The cabin...
The kiddos (Owen ,22 months and Tatum, 19 months) did fantastic while travelling...I think we made 2 or 3 stops on the way there...and only 1 on the way home. Here are some pictures of our playtime.

July Events/Parties!!!

What would July be if it weren’t filled with events and parties?!?!

On July 10th, we celebrated Rachel’s (Jake’s cousin) 21st birthday…of course this included lots of people, lots of delicious food, and lots of FUN!
We celebrated my parent’s 30th wedding anniversary!!! What a better way to celebrate than to have a little cookout…we made them some “Surf and Turf” (Salmon and Steak) along with zucchini (from our garden) and asparagus (not from our garden) on the grill. Owen and the dogs (Jade & Colby) played in the pool while we watched. It was a great day!

On July 17th…My dad’s cousin, Tanya, and her family were visiting Minnesota for a while (they live in Alaska) and had some time to swing by my parent’s house. We were able to visit with them for a couple hours. Always a treat to see them!
Then later in the same day…We celebrated Jake’s Grandma’s birthday…she will be 80 next month. SURPRISE! A celebration was planned a month in advance. Kids, grandkids, and a few others were invited and we all just showed up at her house and brought all the food. Another great day! Owen enjoyed seeing his cousin Nathan…and giving him ‘knuckles.’
Later that evening Jake and I had a "date night" planned...unfortunately it was cut short by bad thunderstorms and tornado warnings. Once we got home we found our gazebo didn't make it this time...such a bummer!
On July 21st, I participated in the Torchlight 5K in Minneapolis. Below is a group picture of my co-workers. I opted to walk the race and finished in 49 minutes. It was quite the night! I am looking forward to next year...and improving my time!

Finally a few other miscellaneous photos from July...

I finally found a hat that Owen likes to wear! Playing at Big Lake beach...

Target Field

I also found these pictures...we went to a Twins game on May 27th...Twins vs. Yankees. We enjoyed getting to experience the new field. Outdoor baseball, weather permitting, is AWESOME! Here are a few pictures from the night.

The view from our seats...we were on the main level, in Row 2!!!

Twins WIN!!! Of course that made a great ending to the night!
Group photo...our wonderful friends that brought us along. (Yes, there is a lack of Twins garb...we will try harder next time!)

June - at the park

I just ran across these pictures and couldn't resist posting them. These are from back in June and we were just having some fun at the park in our neighborhood.
Getting ready to climb up...
And a few moments later...he's almost to the top! An easier way up to the top...(and one that makes mom and dad not so worried!)Whoops...somehow he got turned around in the slide...look out below!!!Feet first...much better...he loves the tall slides!

Ears!

Owen had his 1-year follow up appointment for his ear tube surgery on July 8th. We were very hopeful, since Owen had not experienced much for ear infections and one of the tubes had fallen out a few months back, that this would be our last visit with the ENT. Unfortunately this is not the case...it was not our time to say "Goodbye forever" (as our ENT said). Owen's hearing was not where they want it to be at this time...which could have been related to the fact that he was a bit upset during most of the hearing test. However, this makes them want us to return for another follow up. If Owie's ears stay mostly clear of infection we can wait until December/January to go back...if they begin the infection cycle (I call it a cycle because in the past they seem to clear up while he is on the antibiotics, then just come right back afterward the meds are gone) again we will need to return in October.

At the time I am writing this we have already had another ear infection and were on antibiotics...we are praying this is not the start of the cycle!

In other "ear news," Jake also has gotten the pleasure of visiting with an ENT twice this month. It seems the guys have their own little ear infection club...ha ha! I kid, but I definitely feel bad for them.

As of now, neither of them will require surgery...please let us keep it that way!!!

A day at the beach!

How could I forget to blog about this??? I know...because I forgot to bring both my camera and my phone on this fun adventure...and now I finally have a few pictures from the day (thanks to Abby)! Daycare being closed...and mommy taking a vacation day led to a day at the beach! Owen and I met up with a friend of mine (that I haven't seen for about 10 years), Abby and her little boy, Bode. I think the boys were instant friends when we arrived at their house, it was so neat! Bode is just a couple weeks younger than Owen and they seemed to be interested in the same activities. Here are some photos that highlight our day!

Playing trucks, side-by-side...
Owen is enjoying the beach...Enjoying the water...
Both of the boys loved to splash!
Sharing the trucks...

Three months of catching up...

My, my…where does time go? I feel like I ask this question more and more every day. Is this really what I have to look forward to? The rest of my life whizzing by? I think this is why I cherish the days that I don’t have to get out of my pajamas (however rare they are)…I can just enjoy the simple comforts of my own home, I can spend time with my wonderful husband and together we can watch our little boy simply do what little boys do. Play with trucks and blocks, get dirty, play in the water…you get the point. Anyway, enough of my ramblings…I haven’t posted in almost THREE months…I really need to get you caught up to speed!!!
April:
This is where I left off…April was a hard month. I lost a really good friend of mine. She was family and it still brings tears to my eyes today. The final result of Angel’s passing was called a “splenic torsion.” Basically meaning that her spleen twisted or flipped and instantly shut off her blood supply and there was no way to predict or prevent this from happening. We waited approximately a month for these results.
Thankfully, the final week of April brought many cheerful events:
On April 26th, baby Nathan was born! I became an Aunt…Jake became an Uncle…and Owen became a Cousin. The happy parents are Jake’s brother, Bryan, and his wife, Brenda.
On April 27th, friends of ours (Jen & Dave) celebrated their 8th anniversary.
On April 28th, Jake and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary. The three of us celebrated by having dinner at Rockwoods in Otsego.
On April 29th, our friends (Sarah & Steve) celebrated their 4th anniversary. Also, my cousin welcomed her 2nd baby, Andrew.
We also put up the "framework" for our vegetable garden. It only measures 8'x10' but we crammed it full of lot of delicious things! Here is a picture of Owen with the beginnings of our garden.

May:
Well of course in May, we celebrated Mother’s day. We enjoyed breakfast/brunch at the OCB with my family and then later we enjoyed dinner at the Macaroni Grille with Jake’s family. Quite the day with lots of food!
Owen is finally getting enough hair that we can spike it AND you can see it in pictures! So handsome!!!

For the Memorial holiday weekend, we took our annual trip to Akeley on Saturday to visit the cemetery. My grandpa was buried there and also quite a few of my grandma’s relatives. We had a beautiful sunny day and enjoyed our picnic lunch.
On Monday we joined some friends on a boat they rented and brought out to Big Lake. Owen loved riding in the boat and trying to drive…he didn’t like getting in the water or on the tube! Oh well, maybe next summer.

And I think if we let him, Owen would pretty much live outside. He immediately wants to sit on the deck when we get home from work/daycare...and we play outside until it is time for bed. He is not a fan of rainy days!!!

Owen and his friend Beau...a couple of "tough guys!"


June:
On June 2nd I was invited to see a play at the Gutherie Theatre. My friend got some complimentary tickets from work…so we made a night of dinner and the play, Dollhouse. I haven’t seen a play since I was…gosh, I don’t even remember…so a long time ago! It was a fun experience that I would like to repeat!
Then most of June was filled with miscellaneous events; graduation parties, Albertville Friendly City Days, wedding shower, and Big Lake Spudfest to name a few. And of course we celebrated Father’s day on June 20th.
Our vegetable garden is blooming! We are now learning that the directions on the package to space the plants are pretty important! At least if you don’t want over-crowding. Now we know for next time! Here is Owen and our FIRST zucchini!
Owen and Dawson, playing at daycare!
July:
And finally, here we are to the current month. I think I will save July activities for their own posts.
Thanks for reading! Now let's see if I can keep up a bit better again.