Big Boy Bed

Sam figured out how to get out if his crib so he's now in a big boy bed. It's been a fairly painless transition. 

Wedding Weekend

Sam's first slow dance. If you're dance partner is sucking on a pacifier, you're way too young for love.

Sam wondering how to keep up with the big kids.

Laura and Liz rocking out.

Laura & Sam's second cousins had pizza with us on Saturday night. The kids were thrilled to have playmates.

Uncle Adrian performed a rap song for Aunt Emily. Mark Rose, Liz's boyfriend, played the guitar. Am I apart of the Von Trapp family?

 

We had a wonderful time at Aunt Emily's wedding. The "research" we conducted before going paid off as Laura rocked the role of flower girl! As she walked down the aisle smiling and posing for pictures, I felt so proud of her and I could tell she loved every second of it.

Laura and I made a wedding alphabet book for Aunt Emily. It was a lot of fun to make and Aunt Emily was touched by the gesture. Here is a link to Laura reading the book.
http://voicethread.com/share/2788682/

Little House on the Prairie

And so it begins...

Happy Father's Day!

 

 

My daddy is 5 years old.

His hair is black.

His eyes are brown.

His favorite color is purple.

He loves to cook sandwiches.

His favorite store is Hy-Vee.

My daddy always says hi.

Daddy loves to play with me.

When daddy shops he likes to buy fish sticks.

I really loved it when Daddy fixed my bike.

I know Daddy loves me because he fixes everything.

 

Love,

Laura

Age 3

 

Our Hidden Gem

We've found a hidden gem. Okay I know that's a little misleading because it's just a campground, but to a three year old and 19 month old it might as well be Dollywood. I start off telling the kids we're going on an adventure. I pack sunscreen, lunches, and extra diapers and underwear and I put the kids in the jogging stroller. On the 3 mile trek there, Laura tells me that it's taking forever. As I huff and puff up the steep winding hills, I tell her that it's all going to be worth it once we get there. She believes me. We arrive at the Saylorville Lake Campground and I have convinced the kids it's the best place on earth.
Here is my supporting evidence:
1. During the week, there aren't many campers so the playground equipment is all ours.
2. There are flushable toliets and even showers if we need them.
3. There are plenty of empty tables to have our picnic at.
4. There's a lake to throw rocks into.
5. There's gooshey sand to play with.
6. The campers that are there are all old and have dogs to admire.
7. Mom gets a work-out in and the kids get nice and wore out for their naps once we get home.

Everyone wins.

Cheddar Sun Chips wins everytime.

Sam was just standing with his hands beind his back watching the water like an old man.

I should have gone into sales...

Long Grove

We went to Long Grove for Laura's first race in the Long Grove Strawberry Festival. It was a success. Laura ran with GG because she said she was just a little bit scared. I held wrestled with Sam at the first corner of the 1/4 mile race. When Laura rounded the first corner, the look on her face was priceless. It was a combination of determination, concentration, and exhaustion. Although she was the second 3 year old to finish the race, she was in the bracket of 3-4 year olds. Laura asked GG why she didn't get a trophy and GG tried her best to sugar coat the answer. Eventually Cole turned around and bluntly said, "Because you didn't run fast enough." Sometimes the truth just has to be said.

Sam loved being on the farm. There are so many things to push and pull around and he just loves his Papa Green. He's definitely a country boy through and through.

This morning Laura said, "GG and Papa's house is so much fun. We should go back there very soon."


2013 Strawberry Festival

Laura and Gracie on the farm.

Sam mowing Tim's lawn.

This totally cracks me up!

Carrots

Aunt Liz, Grandma, & Grandpa Schulz visited this weekend so Aunt Liz, Grandpa, Eric, & I could run Dam to Dam. While preparing for their visit the kids and I went grocery shopping and while in the produce aisle I said, "We better get the big bag of carrots for Grandpa." This must have stuck in Laura's head because the minute Grandpa walked in the door on Friday evening Laura excitedly asked, "Do you want some carrots, Grandpa? We got the big bag for you." 

The race was on Saturday morning and Grandma stayed behind to watch the children while the three of us ran the race. It was a beautiful morning and everyone did well. Considering this was Grandpa and Liz's longest run, they did exceptionally well. When we got back to the house, Laura again offered Grandpa more carrots. 

It was a fun weekend of family dance parties, kite flying, beer drinking, wedding talking, chalk drawing, park playing, carrot eating, and laughing. Can't top that!

Laura tried on her flower girl dress... Sam approved. 

5:10am Ready to run.