Other July Activities...

Leah is a certified 2 wheel bike rider. She is so excited to show off her skills to anyone who will watch her ride!!
We helped surprise our good friend Jaclyn for her birthday.

We celebrated Joe's Aunt Karen's 60th birthday. Although we know that Amber has a love for "puppy" when she sees them in a book, on t.v., or on a walk in her stroller...we found out that she is a bit afraid of the real life puppy that can walk right up to her!

Isanti County Fair 7/24/11

We made it to the Isanti County Fair last Sunday. Leah had a blast on the rides - particularly the Fun Slide and Fun house. Amber had fun watching, and she was able to go on the carousel with mommy and Leah. Both girls also rode real pony's. Leah was a bit afraid at first (after saying she wanted to go on them even before we went to the fair- she rode them last year). With some encouragement, and Daddy standing by her side, she got on and enjoyed the ride. Amber was a bit timid at first and holding onto mommy at first, but by the end, she wanted to be on her own! Leah had fun at the petting zoo - she pet a baby deer and a rabbit. Joe and Leah had fun playing fair games - Leah won a real goldfish and Joe won Leah a large Care Bear and Amber a large Husky puppy. Leah was very excited to go see the horses and the cows, but became scared and needed encouragement when one of the horses was out of her stall! Amber looked at all the animals in pure amazement - calling anything with 4 legs "puppy!" Mommy forgot the sunscreen...so Mommy and Amber also left with matching sunburns :(. Leah and Daddy left with nice tans! I think that Amber's sunburn hurt me more than her as she does not seem bothered by it.

Cabin 7/16-7/20

We were finally able to get up to the cabin for a few days (we haven't been up since Memorial Weekend - well, except for Leah who has been up with Nonna and Grandpa). Crazy how busy the summer gets, and how fast the time goes. We headed up early Saturday morning and came home Wednesday afternoon.

Leah just loves the cabin. It was raining a good portion of Tuesday, but when question if she wanted to go home, she said no. She is becoming more brave in the lake. She is jumping off the end of the dock with a life jacket on, or without one if someone is there to catch her. She still doesn't like putting her head in the water when she is swimming. Apparently, this is because of the fish! She had a lot of fun interacting with Amber in the water as well. It is fun to watch her confidence grow. She is definitely more confident in a pool versus the lake, but she is getting better in the lake. She still is not up for trying tubing. She told me..."I will do that when I am 7." She is really into fishing. She got to go fishing in the pontoon with grandpa and with daddy. She also fished a bit off of the dock. She caught about 7 fish when she was out with grandpa! That was super exciting for her.

Amber also enjoyed time at the lake. We definitely wore the poor girl out. She loved being in the lake. She loved "jumping" (okay sitting and leaning into the arms of the person catching her) off of the side of the dock. She had no cares about water being dumped over her head, or even when I would swoosh her underwater - in fact, she would just laugh! At one point she was shivering, but she still did not want to get out of the water. She played in her little "hippo" for almost an hour one day. She loved it when Leah would play with her. It looks like we have another fish in the family! Amber liked being on the boat as well, but she does not seem to be a big fan of her life jacket. Oh, and she is not a fan of walking on sand. She did keep me busy by running up and down the dock - this made me very nervous!!

Joe and I were even able to get out to a movie one of the nights. Thanks Mom and Dad! I can't remember the last movie that we saw in the theater! We got to see "Horrible Bosses." Good movie.

Because it was soo hot, we only did a bonfire 1 time. Leah gobbled up her smore and Amber gobbled up the chocolate and marshmallows! Oh, Amber definitely has my sweet tooth - but at least she will also eat her veggies. She had about 2 cups of peas at dinner one of the nights.

We had such a nice relaxing time...so good to get away from it all every now and then...especially when the weather cooperates (okay, Joe maybe thought it was too hot).

Go Leah!

Leah has been practicing for a few days now. She seems to be getting the idea. I think she will be a certified 2 wheeler quite soon. Here is some video I took last night while we practiced (and showed off for Grandpa and Nonna). Note she is wearing fleece pants and a long sleeve shirt with the temp in the 90s. Yep, she was sweating.

4th of July 2011

Leah spent the weekend (Thursday through Tuesday) with my parents and Dan's family up at the lake. It sounds like they had a great time...well, most did. Unfortunately, my mom spent the weekend sick. Leah, Thea and Delila had a great time together and playing with the neighbors. Great weather except they were stormed out of fireworks.

Joe, Amber and I stayed home because I had to work on Saturday and Sunday. We had a nice dinner at our friend's/neighbors, Sara and Mike and Michael. Amber was too tired, so we did not make it to fireworks.

Leah played T-ball

Leah played T-ball 2 nights a week in May and June. She was always excited to go, but she did not always pay much attention while she was there. I helped my friend, Sara, coach the team. So, Leah's good buddy, Michael, was also on her team. I think that was good for her, but she definitely did not want mommy to be "coaching" her, but she did like that I was out on the field with her - as long as I did not try to help her! I am glad that we tried this, but not sure if she will try again. Leah told Grama Mary that she was not going to do it again next year, but she has not mentioned this to us. So, I guess we will see. She is back in swimming now which she just loves. Next, she says she wants to try soccer. Maybe in the fall, but then again...she wants to do dance and gymnastics again. Too much for a 6 year old!

Beth's Wedding 6/26/11

Yup, I am behind again. But, I still need to record this special day. I was so happy for my great friend Beth who married a fabulous guy, Rob. I am so excited for them to begin their journey. They had a great start with a beautiful outdoor wedding.

Joe and I headed to Eau Claire, WI on Saturday for the rehearsal. This would mark the longest time away from Amber since she was born (Saturday to Monday). I also got to have my nails done along with all the other lovely ladies prior to the rehearsal. We even convinced Beth to get a french manicure (she NEVER does her nails, so this was a big step). The rehearsal dinner was a grill out at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls. A few sprinkles, but not enough to ruin the evening. The rehearsal followed the dinner at the same park. This park is such a beautiful setting for a wedding.

On Sunday, the girls got all pretty. We headed to the park in the Limo bus for the special day. The boys had already had pictures taken and were hiding so that the groom did not get a peak at the bride while the girls took pictures. The wedding was just perfect, well, except it was too windy to light the unity candle. No biggie, they just lit it at the reception instead. More pictures were taken after the wedding. Then the wedding party (and spouses) headed off in the limo bus for various picture destinations. My mom and Leah also made it to the wedding. Leah just loved being at the wedding. She loves being dressed up and anything girly!

Back at the hotel, sister Suzy had a surprise. She had Uncle Jimmy go get Beth's beloved Mustang. She had made a key to said Mustang. They got off the limo bus to see Beth's mustang with signs reading "Rob's Commuter Car" and "Today begins 50/50." Suzy then presented Rob with the key to the Mustang, and he even took it for a spin with the bride in the passenger seat!!
We had a great time at the reception. Leah danced her heart away (or just ran around the dance floor). She was also quite in awe of Beth and her lovely dress.

Congrats Beth and Rob!!