summer fun

This summer has been crazy for us. Poor Ellery had to have surgery late in August. Pretty minor in the whole scheme of things, but she still had to have anesthesia. I didn't bring my camera to the hospital so I don't have pictures, but she was so brave the whole day. I am really proud of her. Hopefully when we go back to the surgeon for follow up and she has to have another procedure, she is just as brave.

Here is a picture of her poor chest before surgery.

Here is what it looked like the day it got abscessed and needed to be drained...

Here she is all rashy-reacting to yet another antibiotic. She is just so sensitive!!!

And here she is the day after surgery.

Another day at a park. We met Tonya and Kris and their kids at a park and had a picnic. The kids have so much fun together.

Logan and Caleb being silly.

I had dressed my kids in fallish clothes yesterday because I thought it was a little cooler, but Caleb ended up being hot. He asked to take his shirt off near the end of our playtime so I said okay. Then of course everyone had to do it too. They are just too cute!

(Caleb, Myla, Ellery, Logan)

Our day at the State Fair. My mom went with me and the kids this year. I wanted to go again, but decided it was too expensive. The kids would have been so tired anyway. We had a lot of fun riding some rides and of course EATING!!!!

Their favorite ride of the day.

Caleb working on his "draft". Tim printed him up his own sheet to work on a fantasy football team. It was pretty cute. Tim's really hoping he has a football fan on his hands...

Watching the first preseason game.

Here, she took a nap next to her crib on the floor. I guess whatever way one is comfortable right...

We also got to go to a parade at my best friends house. It runs right in front of her house, so we just play in the driveway until the candy feast begins. I think it might be worse than halloween, but the kids always have so much fun!

Double fistin' it!

Here we are at a local art park. The kids had fun "building" a campfire.

Here's my pretty little goddaughter Aubrey at the art park.More fun at another local park.

That's all for our summer fun. I will be posting pictures from Caleb's first day of preschool and Elle's second day of dance class. I say second because I have to work on the first day so my mom will be taking her and I don't want to make her bring my camera too. I'm pretty sad about not being there, but Ellery won't really even know so I'm sure it will be fine, just sad for me :(

7 years of wedded bliss!!!

8/3/02

Summer 2009

Happy Anniversary to my best friend. I am so happy that I married you on this day 7 years ago. Here's to many more happy years together!

the many faces of Elle

This little girl LOVES to make faces, so I thought I would share them with all of you.

and lastly...the pout! "Uncle Sara" is working on this one with her. Dad isn't too happy about that since she's teaching Ellie to use it on him-Go Sara!!! =)

Late spring/early summer

So, here's our update. I think this time might be the most pictures I've ever posted in one post. Oh well. Caleb finished his first year of preschool. He did pretty well, but I'm sure he won't want to go back. Hopefully it won't be a battle forever...Since school has been out, we've had playdates and spent a lot of time outside enjoying our weather. Caleb has worked on riding his bike. Our neighbor boy is not using training wheels, but Caleb still wants to use his. I told him to let me know when he is ready to try without.


We just came home from a weekend at the cabin. It was a short weekend, but it was so nice up there and I know the kids loved it despite the long drive. They did so well in the car-thank goodness for mommy since daddy stayed at home-his fathers day present! Things got a little hairy when they got tired, but for the most part I'd say it went really well. Caleb enjoyed bonding with his uncles over the fishing pole and some walkie talkies. He told me tonight that he should have taken Uncle Jim's (my uncle) boat and gone off when it was time to leave. I told him that everyone was home now, so that there wouldn't be anyone up there with him and he said he would be okay. He would just eat cereal. I guess it's safe to assume that he wants to go back :0)

Watching for the fish to bite....

Look! We got one...

Here, I can hold it Uncle Jon, I'm not scared...

Okay, you do it, I'll just smile!

Going on "missions" with uncle Ben. Caleb really had a fun time and it was a great way to get him to do us some favors. They went on missions out to the camper to find a blanket and to deliver pillows out there. It was pretty funny. He needs his own walkie talkies.

One of the fish Caleb caught.

digging around in the minnow bucket. Caleb really wasn't afraid to touch much. He dug his hand right in there and said he was going to show Ellie one of the minnows.

With "Uncle Sara" Caleb doesn't call her that anymore, but I still think its funny :)

Our first lightrail ride. I didn't realize how long the ride from the mall to downtown was. At least the kids were entertained.

Goofing off in the stands at the Twins game.

Our first sleepover. My best friend's daughter (and Caleb's best friend) Myla slept over night one night. It was interesting and we tried to have all 3 kids sleep in the same room, but Ellery wouldn't settle down, so she got sent back to her room. It was a fun evening and fun morning for me, but Tim said that after that breakfast, he didn't think he could do 3 kids!

We attended a few graduations. My brother, Jon, graduated from the U of M twin cities. The kids were in attendance for a small ceremony put on by his college and also for the commencement until Jon's name was called. They did so awesome!!! They were really well behaved and I was so happy. I took Ellery to my godson, Ryan's high school graduation and again she did very well. I think they are done with graduation ceremonies for a bit.

It was getting close to time to leave...thankfully Jon's name got announced just after this. We made it through!!!

Fun Outside....

Flying kites. He actually did really well once dad got it up in the air for him. I hadn't ever really flown a kite myself and I did this day and found it to be quite fun!