Memorial Weekend

We made some last minute plans and decided to head to Ryan's parents house for Memorial Day.  I was on call for work Friday night, so we headed Saturday morning.  We had some great weather and it was nice to just hang out.  It is nice to be with family over Holiday weekends, why is that?

The kids were able to play at the lake a couple of days which they loved!  I think they loved getting Grandma Sue wet more than anything!

The kiddos even kayaked around the shore with Ry!

These two were very entertained at the farm for the weekend, which makes life a little easier!  We all went golfing which they thought was pretty cool.  Kadence found her new favorite toy-an obnoxious fish-that she carried around with her all weekend.  We spent a lot of time outside, looked at the "tows" as Kadence says, and ate some yummy food.  Did I mention I think Landon pooped out Papa...he doesn't leave him alone always wanting to run around and wrestle!  Another great summer weekend!

Duck, Duck, Goose

We have been blessed with some gorgeous days this week and have spent most of the days outside, at the park, the zoo, and on walks.  We took the kids to Arrowhead Park just east of town.  We had never been there before but thought we would check it out for something to do.  It is a quarry where they feed ducks and geese year around.  So we brought a couple pieces of bread and headed out.

There were a ton of ducks and geese everywhere!  They were pretty used to people and followed us around wanting food.  One goose even came right up to Ryan and ate right out of his hand!  If any of you are familiar with my love of any type of birds you would know that this was perhaps not the most relaxing outing for me.  We have learned that geese don't necessarily like small children and I was pretty nervous and wouldn't let the kiddos get too close.  I am sure I was just being paranoid as these geese seemed to be pretty used to people and kids.

My favorite part of the outing was all the babies!  This is about as close as you could get to these adorable baby geese.  These ones were even still fluffy and yellow!  The kids had a blast and next time we will definitely bring more bread!

Oh boy!

I have been so pleased as my children have started to play together very well.  It is very nice to have them entertain each other instead of looking for entertainment from Mommy all day.  They like to play upstairs in their rooms and usually make a very big mess.  Well, the other day this is what I stumbled upon when I went to check on them...

Now,  how a 3 year old has the strength to move the mattress on his own is beyond me.  What a fun game they had created.  I think it is great how Landon is cheering on his sister here.  Unfortunately, Mommy and Daddy didn't find this too safe and made them stop.  Parents are just no fun are they?

Did I mention I think I am in trouble if they can already get into this kind of trouble at 2 and 3...

It's warming up.

Love this shot of Ryan and the kids.  It has definitely warmed up here!  Sunday when we got back from Fargo it was so nice the kids played in their new Buzz Lightyear sprinkler.  They had such a riot!  Arin got some really good pics with her camera it was hard to choose.

Kadence wasn't so sure about the freezing cold water from the sprinkler at first, but she soon changed her mind.

Landon cracks me up.  Fearless.

I can't believe how grown up my baby girl looks.

They were having so much fun together!!!

Hopefully, the first of many fun water days outside.  Happy Summer!

Fargo Marathon 2010

We ventured back to Fargo last weekend for the festivities.  All of Ryan's family was there and we had a great time.  Almost everyone took part in the weekend running events which was pretty cool.  Landon did the kids 1/2 mile race on Thursday, me, Arin, Jack, Jessie, and Tyler did the Friday night 5k, and Kristy, Holly, and Ryan ran the 1/2 on Saturday.  I was sort of bummed I had to sit out of the 1/2 this year, but actually had so much fun running with the kids and watching the 1/2 (we caught Kristy and Ryan in 5 different spots) that I didn't feel like I missed too much.

Before the Friday night 5k.  It was so fun to see Tyler, Jack, and Jessie running.  They did awesome!

Kristy, Ryan, and Holly after the 1/2.  Doesn't look like any one of them worked too hard...they look so good:)

The kids and Ryan and Papa Gary doing some spectating.

What a great weekend we had.  Kadence was a little cranky since she was recovering from her ear infection, but it was still fun.  Landon had so much fun playing with his older cousins and it was good to see everyone.  What a fun tradition the race weekend has turned into!

My little runner.

Landon ran his first race on Thursday night.  He ran the kids 1/2 mile race with Daddy in Fargo.  It was the marathon weekend and they always have a kids 1/2 and 1 mile race.  It is adorable to watch the little ones!  It was pretty cute, when Landon started out, he was all smiles and was pumping his little arms looking so adorable!

Then on the way back Landon wasn't so sure this is what he signed up for.  He was actually crying in this picture.  Still adorable.

He did finish the 1/2 mile race with much encouragement from Daddy.  Such a good Daddy.  He got a medal and thought he was pretty special.  The way he talked about the race afterwards, you would never have guessed he cried through half of it!  He was pretty excited.

I was so proud of my little guy.  I hope he grows to love running as much as I do.  This little race brought tears to my eyes, I think I am in trouble.

Yippee for warm weather.

Landon getting a lesson from Daddy on skipping rocks.  Throwing rocks is this little guy's most favorite thing to do.  We have been blessed with some really nice sunny warm days.  The kids and I have spent most of the days outside playing hard.  It is so interesting how just being outside can make a person feel so much better.  When Ryan got home from clinical we headed to Falls Park for a supper picnic and playtime.

She loves to run and she runs a lot!

He loves to run, too.  Unless of course his knee hurts...

We've started to make sand angels.  I am not quite sure where Landon learned this from but I find it hilarious.

Here's how my sweet baby girl posed for her picture.  If only I could get my children to look at the camera.
What a beautiful, perfect day outside.  We are just so happy the warm weather is finally here and can not wait to visit the pools.

May so far.

Let's just say I've been feeling a little under the weather lately and haven't taken many pictures and have gotten quite behind on my blogging.  It isn't that we haven't been doing things that I would like to share, I have just not really had the motivation to do much of anything!

So, in a nutshell, May has been pretty eventful thus far.  The kids and I headed to Omaha the first weekend in May to spend some time with Arin, Kristy, and Jessie.  We had good weather and a great time.  We took the kids to the Omaha Zoo on Saturday morning which was a blast!  It is such a fun zoo to visit and we saw things that we weren't able to see last spring when we went.  Landon's favorite thing was the Sharks!  He would not stop talking about them before or after.  Kadence was a bit challenging and had a rough start but I think enjoyed the trip towards the end.  She was very scared of the Train that ran through the zoo, I think just because it was so loud.  We also spent a lot of time outside visiting the ponds close to Arin's house.  One of the ponds has Koi fish and the other many ducks and geese with their babies.  Landon and Jessie had a riot getting sprayed by both Aunties when they were power washing the deck and were soaking wet by the end of it!  The kids love their older cousins SO SO much.  We had such a great weekend!  Ryan worked all weekend and I was so happy to have some company!

Last Thursday the kids and I headed North to spend some time with my family.  We took a little bit different route and stopped by Albert Lea to pick up Grandma Betty.  We also stopped in Roseville for a visit with Uncle Brad and Aunt Jan.  It was good to see them as it has been a long time!  We made it to town about 5pm on Thursday which was perfect.  Friday it snowed the ENTIRE day.  It didn't really stay on the ground but was a crappy day nonetheless.  The kids and I ventured out and headed to Superior to visit Jackie and baby Rocco.  Baby Rocco turned 1 this weekend so I probably have to stop calling him that...  What a great visit we had and the kids all played well so that Jackie and I could have some adult time!  Saturday we had the ritual family breakfast and then headed over to Aunty Peggy's for Christina's college graduation party.  She finished her Bachelor's degree in 3 years from Concordia-what an accomplishment!  The party was fun and it sure was good to see everyone!

  Sunday morning we went out for Mother's Day brunch at the Cozy.  It was delicious.  If you can believe it we stuck the 4 little ones at their own table and they were really good-AMAZING!  Mom had been sick all weekend and this was her first venture out!  My cousin Amy came with us all too and it was nice to chat with her!  This is such a nice picture of my mom and Grandma Betty.

It isn't very often I catch these two lovely ladies in the same place so I had to take the opportunity for a photo.  This is such a beautiful picture of my two grandmas-Grandma Betty and Grandma June.

After brunch we headed home and all rested for a bit.  I decided I didn't feel like making the drive and stayed another day.  It worked out great and my Dad and I and the kids visited the Duluth Aquarium.  It is a freshwater Aquarium so it's a little different, but very neat.

The kids had a blast looking at all the fish and so did I.  It was great to get out for a little bit and do something!

We had a great weekend as always.  We just felt so bad that Grandma Debbie was sick and had to miss out :(  It was good to spend time with Jill and Curt and the kids as well as the rest of the family.  I had great company on most of my drive and was very happy to have the opportunity to spend so much time with Grandma Betty!  Also, I have to mention that my dad, Emma, and I went for two 2 mile walks!  He is doing so well with his diet and I am SO SO proud of him!

So, I will try and take some pictures and blog like normal in the next couple weeks-no promises though!