Poolyo Party.

 We have finally had some hot weather here.  We still have no grass in our backyard (don't get me started) but a pool out on the deck has provided hours of entertainment and relief from the heat.  It's a little bit easier and much safer than me lugging all three kids to a public pool by myself.  Landon has been such a trooper about not getting his cast wet.  I feel so bad for him.  It is quite the process and unfortunately never seems to work 100 % so his cast has been getting a little wet anyhow.

 Kenzie loves sitting in the pool and playing with big brother and sister.  How cute are her bum ruffles?

The creator of the word, "poolyo" herself.  Kadence is obsessed with the pool and could play in it all day, everyday.  We love summer!

Loves to Stand.

It is inevitable.  My baby girl is growing up.  She now absolutely loves to stand up and play.  She has pretty good balance and strong little legs.  She is happiest standing and playing with her monkey toy!  I seriously think she will be walking before eating solid food!  Little stinker!

Tough Guy.

Well we made it almost to 5 years before a big bad owie.  I actually am amazed by this due to the nature of our wild and crazy little boy.  We were at the park on July 3rd and Landon did something to his hand/wrist.  We weren't even exactly sure what happened; we just knew it was something on the slide while he was playing with his dad.

He complained of it hurting and wanted to go home.  He was really tired and I was thinking he'd go to sleep and forget about it the next morning.  Unfortunately he woke up on Monday and said it hurt really bad and was not using it at all.  I watched him for awhile and decided to call Ryan (he was at work) to see if he thought I should take him in.  Ryan happened to be doing a case with an orthopedic surgeon and when Ryan asked him about it, he said we should probably have it looked at.  So, I took him to the walk in and the physician splinted it and said we'd have to bring him in to see an orthopedic doctor the next day (since it was a holiday).

Tuesday Ryan took Landon in to see the orthopedic doctor and he saw a small fracture in one of his hand bones.  It wasn't very big but he (like us) was concerned it was still bothering him so much.  So...it was cast time.

Landon picked out a blue cast (he later informed us that there was a pretty pink one if Kadence needed one).  He has been so good about it I can not even believe it.  They casted his two fingers and it just looks so uncomfortable.  It is his right hand and it amazes me how many things he can do totally unaffected by the fact that his dominant hand is worthless.  It breaks my heart that the hottest, most fun part of the summer he will spend in a cast.  He will tentatively get the cast off on July 25th-just a day shy of 3 weeks.  Bummer.  

4th of July Weekend.

We had a pretty low key 4th of July weekend at home in Fargo.  It was Ryan's weekend, so he was on call all weekend (from home) and my parents came to hang out.  The kids always love when Grandpa and Grandma sleep at their house so they were entertained all weekend long. We were blessed with gorgeous weather and aside from my mom not feeling well, we had a great weekend!

We were able to make a couple different trips to the park and the kids had a riot.  There's just something about going to the park that is so fun for the kids.

What a great weekend!  Ryan ended up working most of Monday so I was very glad we had company for the weekend.  My mom, Christina, and I even were able to get a pedicure and we all went out for a yummy supper one night-and Ryan didn't get called in!  No fireworks for us this year though.  Kenzie got a fever Monday and after my parents left and Ryan got called in to work, we had some bad weather which consisted of the kids sleeping downstairs with me and me not sleeping much.  Yikes.

Iowa 2011

Ryan had a week of vacation, so we decided to head to the Frasher's for 6 days.  We had not been to their house since last summer (when the trek was a short 6 hours).  Perhaps we were crazy enduring a 9 hour car ride one way with a 4 1/2, 3, and 7 month old, but it was well worth it.  The kids were actually very good in the car and we were all so very excited to spend some time with the Frasher's, Arin, and Gary and Sue.  I insisted on a cousin picture right before we were leaving Sunday morning.  It actually turned out better than I expected, but with a very sad Kadence.  Next time I should do one the day we get there instead!

 The kids (Uncle Ryan included) got some great pool time in the first full day we were there.  It was a good thing because the weather after that was not great.  It wasn't horrible just a lot of raining on and off.   Aunt Kristy had emptied some water out of the pool before we got there, so it was the perfect height for them to play.  They had so much fun and even Kenzie took a short swim in the pool.

 We spent a lot of time at Jessie's softball and Tyler's baseball games.  Our three young children did very well and had fun playing and watching their cousins.  I didn't get any pictures of the big Varsity stud Tyler playing because it was misting or raining at most of his games.  Bummer.

I love this picture of Jessie painting Kadence's toenails.  She loves polish so much and was so proud that her cousin Jessie had put it on for her.  So sweet.

 The kids even partook in some pig chores.  They did much better this year as last year I think they were both pretty scared.  And might I add that pigs are the smelliest animal EVER.  I don't know how you do it Kristy.

 This was Kenzie's favorite Anamosa toy.  She loved it and spent a lot of time chewing on it!

What a fun-filled relaxing vacation we had in Iowa.  The kids were fully entertained with their cousins and Aunty's and Grandma and Grandpa.  They spent so much time playing with Jessie, she is so good with them it is hard to believe she has no younger siblings.  The trampoline was a hit along with tormenting the poor cats.  We even had a great Anniversary dinner for Gary and Sue (40 years, WOW) along with a campfire.

Thank you so much Frasher's for letting us invade your house and for all the great memories!  Love you all so much!

Kenzie is 7 months!

Where does the time go!  Happy 7 months to our sweet baby girl Kenzie Marie!  She is developing quite the personality these days.  I love watching her grow and learn new things each and every day!  She is finally taking a bottle but still not wanting to eat solids.  One step at a time with this girl.  She doesn't do anything the easy way!  She still spends an abundance of time watching big brother and sister and loves when they play with her.  She is even doing better in our new car with big brother Landon next to her!

There is nothing better than baby and little children giggling.  Love this so much!

Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad!  Being a Dad to three kids 4 and under isn't always an easy task.  It is so neat that Ryan is such a hands on dad with all three of the kids.  I love to watch him play with Landon and see their special father-son relationship grow each day.  I also love watching Ryan and Kadence.  He has had a soft spot for our little blondie since the day she was born.  She can get away with pretty much anything when it comes to her dad.  Ryan is also tremendous with Kenzie, it amazes me every day.  He always finds the best toys for her to chew on (never actual toys) that keep her entertained and happy and she loves him so much.  Just too sweet. 

Love this picture of my sweet guy.  He doesn't love me always taking pictures as you can tell.

Ryan playing some ball with the kids.

I just had to post this video.  Ryan was playing Fairy's with the kids and the giggles were so heartwarming.  It just shows how great of a dad he really is.  It gets a little lengthy, but I have not figured out how to edit videos yet.  Love you so much Ryan!