Summer Pictures and Update

I have acquired more pictures

of our MN trip.

My favorites:

She went to MN/WI

and returned a big girl.

She is using her "big girl" words

instead of crying.

She is no longer as afraid

of anything and everything.

She especially enjoys

water fights

with her big neighbor-bro Mason.

Now that Anna is walking,

Sara is testing her boundaries.

She tends to be a little rough with her

and Anna lets her know.

Sara loves to make Anna laugh.

It's fun to watch them giggle together.

 

We are making the most of our pool

during these hot summer weekends.

Anna loves playing in the big pool.

Sara loves using the water guns.

Sara is getting really good

at drawing people

(and not stick figures).

She gets her artsy side

from her Nana.

She got a shiner at school

by accidentally head-butting

her friend.

She didn't shed one tear!

She didn't even tell the teacher.

The teacher noticed her shiner

and asked her what happened.

Tough girl!

Sara can pick up a book

and after reading it once or twice

can read it back to you

word for word.

She is amazing.

So smart.

So beautiful.

So funny.

So sweet.

With just enough sass.

She loves:

Books

Her leap pad

My Little Pony

Minnie Mouse

Coloring

Stickers

Sweets

Church and Pastor Punt

Her sister

Neighbor and school friends

Her MN/WI family

Her latest interview:

What's your favorite food?  Ice cream

What's your favorite song?  ABC song

What's your favorite movie?  Frozen

What's your favorite color?  Green

What's your favorite number?  1

What's your favorite letter?  A

Who's your favorite friend?  Mason

Who's your favorite puppy?  Lucy

Who's your favorite sister?  Baby Anna

Anna is no longer a baby.

She is a full blown toddler.

I think this happened overnight.

She is so sweet.

I get the biggest hugs and smiles

after I get her back from school.

She has moved to room 3.

The same room Sara started in

at Stepping Stones.

This means:

sippy cups instead of bottles

toddler toys

big kid meals

ONE mid-day nap

She's adjusted quite well it it all.

She is our explorer.

Constantly searching the house

for new things to get into.

Baby proofing wasn't necessary with Sara.

Anna - it is a requirement.

She is not only walking

but running.

She is a water baby.

Loves it.

Could sit in a pool or a lake

ALL. DAY. LONG.

Wisconsin / Minnesota Trip

Once Nana got the a-OK from her doctor

she flew down to NC to make the big road trip

to Wisconsin/Minnesota!

Sara discovered we have a TV

in the Buick

to play movies.

She was in seventh heaven.

I think she could have spent

another week on the road

without complaining.

Anna,

on the other hand,

was not as happy

about being stuck to a car seat.

She had a few spells

where she was just MAD.

But... we made it!

 

We stopped at a rest stop

between Bloomington and Rockford IL

to stretch our legs and play.

Anna tried her first root beer float

at the same A&W where Sara had her first float!

She liked it but was not as excited

as Sara had been.

We spent our first week in Hudson, WI.

The girls played with Nana, Papa,

Cousin Blake, Auntie Jessica, and Uncle Alex.

Mommy went to work,

worked out at two different Crossfit boxes

Crossfit 1080 and Crossfit St. Croix.

She also met up with Auntie Kate

for dinner to catch up.

We then drove out to Lake Minnebelle.

We had a pit stop in Prior Lake

to meet Baby Brody!

He is such a sweet little baby.

Congrats Brooke & Eric!

We had a wonderful 4th of July

with everyone.

Gpa, Uncle Mike, Uncle Alex, Auntie Jessica

Cousin Blake, Nana, Papa

Sara got to stay up late

to watch the fireworks around the lake.

.

We took a few kayak rides

to cousin Bolls and turtle lagoon.

We saw three turtles

and Sara played with her cousins.

We enjoyed boat rides and swimming too.

Anna tried mommy's favorite,

Golden double stuff Oreos.

She cried when I wouldn't let her

eat the entire package.

We traveled into Litchfield for lunch

with some of mommy's high school friends

and their kiddos.

I'm so happy we all have kids

around the same age.

I hope they always have this much fun

every time we come back to Minnesota!

We had a blast over Watercade!

We went to the beach party at Lake Ripley

and met up with Cousin Esmae

for some fun at the park.

Uncle Brent, Auntie Kate, and Cousin Mason

were able to come out and spend the night.

Cousins Dena & Denise and their families

also were in Litchfield for the festivities.

We all went swimming

and went into the parade together.

 

Cousin Josh found clams to break open

and feed the fishes.

The fishes went into a frenzy for the clam meat!

The girls were much more interested

in the candy and cheetos

than what was in the parade.

I can't blame them - that's my favorite too!

The kids from left to right:

Sara, Graham, Dylan, Gavin, and McKenna

On Sunday, 

Jeanne came out to join the fun.

Nana and Papa came back to the lake too!

Uncle Mike came back

to read a story to the girls.

Papa took Sara fishing for the first time!

She had great success off the dock.

She loved it until

a fish accidentally touched her. 

We also experienced our first tornado.

We played in the basement

while the sirens went off.

My friend sent me pictures

of the damage.

It touched down

right in front of her house!

 

 

Sara helped Nana with her therapy

for her broken ankle.

Daddy flew to Minnesota

to drive back to NC with us!

He flew in a little early

to enjoy a couple windy days

at the lake.

I got to see some girlfriends while I was back.

We had a night out at the Red Goat

and a seperate Mexican cooking class!

I also was registered to run Lake Ripley

for Watercade with cousin Denise.

I ended up getting sick

and couldn't do it.

Denise ran without me and did great!

I made up my run later in the week.

I was so happy I could still do it!

We spent our last night

at Uncle Alex and Auntie Jessica's

new house!

We celebrated Daddy and Blake's birthdays

with ice cream cake!

The ride home was uneventful,

which is how we like it.

The girls did great and were happy to be home.

Thank you, everyone

for a wonderful vacation!

Until next time, Minnesota!