Monday, July 1, 2013

First day of July

Good bye June and hello July!  
How the heck did that happen?

June for us was weird and wild, and I think July will follow in similar suit!

This will be another of those posts that is just a smattering of photos from our month.
Little bits and pieces that I can look back on and remember.

 ~ We took a trip to Como Zoo with my Aunt and Cousins and their children.
It was so great to see them, and have the opportunity to visit while they were home!
 Betsy, you look great and I am so happy we finally were able to hang out, even for a short bit!
At the Sparky show.... kinda under-whelming... :(
Saying hello to the polar bear!  A highlight for the girls!

~On our way out of the zoo, I made a last minute choice to let them ride the Carousel
and was greatly rewarded! They both thought that was the greatest part of the day and
were so proud of themselves for riding alone like big girls!
Big smiles on happy girls made for a very happy Mama!

~Ryan and I were blessed to have ourselves a little mini-vacation this month.
We had a lovely little date weekend and thoroughly enjoyed our adult time!


His sister and her husband were brave enough to take not only their two boys, but our
two girlies with them camping in Wisconsin! 
They had semi-crummy weather, that resulted in lots of mud and mosquito
bites, but the girls thought it was great fun!!!
Kim and Matt, thank you thank you thank you!
The night before they head out camping!
Guess they were all a little wore out?!  ;)

 ~ I made a spur of the moment decision to get myself a new little decoration! 

~We visited friends and the girls got to build a "fort" and watch a movie
after swimming in the pool and their "hot one" (ie hot tub)! Haha!

~The weather finally turned around from rain and clouds every day... 
and we were graced with a little of this...

 ~And because the weather finally got nice, we set up our little pop-up pool on the back patio.
Only to find this the next morning...
wah wah wah.... so sad and shriveled :(
 ~We did try to patch it up, but were unsuccessful, and the girls didnt really seem to mind, so
you better believe they swam in it anyway!  Can you say Red Red Red Red Redneck?! Haha!


~My dear Mother in Law had a birthday, but since we were able to actually see
her that day, we sent her some love via text and phone photos!!!
Happy Birthday Grandma Barb!!! We love you!

~Ryan had to travel for work towards the end of the month, and although I'm never a big fan of him
being gone, we tried to make the  most of it.  
Had lunch outside on the porch
Made a run to Dairy Queen for some chocolate dipped cones!

Spent some time in the sun, enjoying some popcicles!

 ~ I have continued my efforts in working out and back in April decided to add something new 
to the mix... I began running.  Now for those that know me well, I have NEVER been one to 
run anywhere, but I've had a few positive influences and thought, "well, might as well give it a try"
... Turns out, it doesn't always suck as bad as I thought!
Now, that being said,  sometimes it still really does suck (ie, running with a friend and puking twice on the return part of the trip... yep, that sucks)

This was my most recent run... the longest I've gone yet (and to many of you, I realize this is nothing).
  I was damn proud of myself though, it's a big accomplishment for me!

 ~This weekend was spent tackling projects around the house, as we are having company for the 
4th of July weekend!
And even though a large part of the days consisted of chores, it was actually pretty enjoyable!
I mean what's not to enjoy when you get to look at this?!  ;)

Mmmmm......  hard to resist a hard workin man!

One of our "chores" this weekend, was to set up the new pool.
With a house full of guests coming, I just couldn't deal with the shriveled half-pool.
That's a little better!
~And because I like ending on a sweet note, here's just a little more of my sweeties!



My girls are growing up so fast that sometimes I can't remember how
we got here. Things they say or do, pictures they draw, stories they come up with...
they are the most amazing little people.
Lila is still utterly dramatic and everything is a crisis, but she is so smart... and 
caring, and she loves to give and get hugs and kisses.
And she's so pretty, sometimes I can't even stand it.
Elaina is just a naughty little devil! Loves to torment her sister, and will look right
at you as she does something you just told her not to... almost like "whatcha gonna do about it?"
But she's so damn funny, you can't possibly stay mad at her! She gives you that amazing
little grin and one of her perfectly petite, yet wonderful hugs... it'll thaw you right out!
They are my babies, and as often as I wish for them to grow up, and be more mature, 
and more independent... there are just as many times that I think "why are you growing 
up so fast?!"  They make my heart happy!


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Happy 1st Birthday Catherine

Happy 1st Birthday to a very special little girl.
She's the daughter of a dear friend that holds a special place in my heart.





What a wonderful day!
Catherine, you are truly a blessing!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

A Hot day and some Bubbles

Yesterday was one of those hot ones.
Where the sun bakes you and you long to be by/in/on the water.

We, unfortunately, were NOT by/in/on the water, 
but my girls still had a little fun!

For a mere $3.99 each, I purchased two of these fun little
battery opperated bubble guns! 
We've had them in the past and the girls love them!
So, out came the bubbles and they spent a large chunk of the late 
afternoon in the hot sun, running around chasing bubbles!

Not a bad way to spend a summer day!




Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Fathers Day!

So relaxing!
A little time with my family and some snuggles with Daddy tonight!

To my Dad, my StepDad, my Father in Law... We Love You!!!
To all those friends and family of ours who have the privlege of holding the "DAD" title,
we hope you had a wonderful day!

And to the man who shares the greatest adventure of our lives with me... 
Words don't begin to tell you how much I love and adore you! You are an amazing father to our girls
and a blessing to our entire family!
Happy Fathers Day!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Last weekend

Last weekend Ryan and I were able to have our girls stay with Grandma Barb and Grandpa Rich so we could go and help our friends work on their cabin over in Wisconsin!
Plumbing, electrical, and priming their newly installed sheetrock was all on the agenda, 
and I do believe, we got A LOT done! 

Temporary Kitchen Sink!  No more washing dishes in the tub!!! Hooray!

We be Rollin'

Break time.

or nap time?

???
I won't lie and say it was all work and no play!  We had campfires and beverages,
a nice dinner Saturday night, and I even got to play with my camera a little bit!
If it weren't for the hideously uncomfortable air mattress.... things couldn't have been better!
I love these cows


Tried to catch a goose family walking across the road, but caught this instead.

... so pretty...


  
We rushed out Sunday morning, as I was scheduled to have a photo shoot that morning in the cities.
However... Thank you RAIN :( ... we had to cancel.
So we continued on our way home to get our munchkins and about 10 min from my in-laws
we get a text saying Elle has a fever.  Great.
We arrive to find Elle wrapped in a blanket, looking horrible, and Grandma is running the washing machine.  OH NO!
So, our plan to later visit our friends and their brand new baby... not happening either.
We instead spent the day, on the couch and relaxing.  
And of course cleaning up sheets after they were puked on at naptime.
She got pretty good at hitting the bowl
 Since we were all a little bummin about the day... Lila thought she'd draw us a picture to make us happy!  The problem is... this is drawn in pen.  On a wall in our garage.  
" But Mom... it's to make you and Daddy happy!  Its our family and friends!"
How can that not make you smile? Haha!  It's the thought that counts, right?  
Nothing a little white paint won't cover up.  Or maybe I'll just leave it! :)

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Good bye May, Hello June ~ can we please have some sunshine NOW?!

Can I ask you a question?
Is anyone else out there having the feeling that you will simply
NEVER get caught up?

I feel like I have so many things I want and NEED to do, 
and there will never be enough time to do get even half of them done!
Ugh!

I was sorting through a few pictures last night after a photo shoot and
realized I have more than a handful of pictures that I haven't done anything with.
The fact I actually TOOK them, is a step in a positive direction, but they
just sit... untouched and not given a glance... :(

So, here are a few.
No particular order.
Just a smattering of memories from the month of May and this last week!

I'm hoping that June can bring some sunshine and motivation to my house!

I had a date with my hubby!  Redstone on a great night~

French Kiss Martini on said Date night~!
snuggles with Daddy

My mom celebrated a Birthday!!! We love you Mom!
My lilacs bloomed!
Riding our new bikes!
My tough biker ;)
ok, so maybe more goofy than tough... but hey, whatever works for ya!

Ryan and I got tired of our boring bed, so... Ryan decided to build a new one!
Nice huh?!  Headboard coming soon!
A very dear friend of ours celebrated the birth of his first child! Congrats Cory, he's perfect! 
 
Who doesn't love a little Phase 10?
Garbage day is exciting around here!!!
Boone eating a softball - How's that cork taste buddy?!
5 Cousins celebrating a special guys 5th Birthday!  Happy Birthday Chase!
Pink goggles look good on everybody!  Who woulda thunk?!  ;)
Hop-ball racing is a serious event in our house!! 

One of the girls favorite animals at the zoo ~ They are sure gorgeous!
I think she might take the prize though... ;)
The only reason I'm actually getting this post up today is because I'm home with a sick little girl.
Elle is running a fever and can't quite knock it out.  I'll make the most of an unexpected gray day home and tackle some of the hundreds of things on my To-Do list!  
Laundry... here I come!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Preschool Graduation

Last Friday was a special day for our family.

The first graduation, of any kind, we have ever attended for our children.

Small, informal, slightly chaotic... of course.
But adorable, precious, and heart-melting it was also... sigh, sniff, sniff...

Overwhelming sweetness!!!



Lila will attend another year of Preschool, and we have yet to decide where,
but we were very happy with this particular program and those involved in it!