Cruising

Good thing mom saved the bikes all these years. They have made a hit with both boys. Gavin has enjoyed riding his bike up and down the driveway and around the yard. Elliot is not quite long enough to reach the peddles on his trike, but enjoys sitting on it and being pushed.

Puddle Play

These are the things that grandma and grandpa's will let kids do that mom's and dad's don't. While we were in Circle it rained a lot and therefore we had lots of puddles. Both Gavin and Elliot had lots of fun playing in them. Gavin's favorite thing to do was ride his bike through the puddles and Elliot's favorite thing to do was to sit in them.

Kid Free Weekend

Last weekend I went to Bozeman, MT for Kristi's wedding. The boys stayed in Circle with grandma and grandpa for the weekend. It is the 2nd summer that the "Five plus Carolyn" have been able to get together. We will need to have another excuse next summer for us all to get together. It was a great weekend of visiting with everyone.

Janet (Jenny's mom), Jenny, and I all dressed up for the wedding.

Kristi and Kevin (Their wedding was about 10 miles out of Bozeman up in the mountains, it was beautiful)

Wyatt (Carolyn's little boy) and I

The Five Plus Carolyn and Wyatt

Grandpa's Birthday

We were lucky enough to be able to help grandpa celebrate his birthday this year. It isn't often that we are together on his birthday. Not only were we happy to be a part of dad's birthday but we also got to enjoy some of the best strawberry pie.

Girls Night Out

The Saturday before I left for MT we had a girls night out. Our friend Shelby was here for the weekend visiting from Oregon. My mom, Lorelei, Shelby, and I went to Uptown and ate at Stella's Fish House to celebrate Shebly's birthday. We were able to eat on the roof at Stella's and enjoyed watching the sun set and the city lights. We also enjoyed the wonderful food.

Paula, Peg, and Lorelei
Shelby and I

Daddy this post is for you

SURPRISE, I got my haircut and boy was it ever fun!!! Just kidding I screamed most of the time. Mom has decided that it is your turn to take me the next time I need a trim. I do look good in my new hair do though and am ready for great grandma's 90th birthday party.

Charolette's Web Play

On July 19th my mom, grandma, Gavin and I went to see the play Charolette's Web at the Old Log Theater in Excelsior, MN. It was a great play that was enjoyed by all. After the play we ate downtown Exclexior at Maynards. Maynards is located on Lake Minnetonka. We were able to sit at a table that was right by the water and Gavin enjoyed watching and feeding all the carp and ducks that swam by. The carp were huge and after lunch we figured out why. I am sure there are lots of kids like Gavin that enjoy giving them some of their sandwich.

After the play all the characters came outside to sign autographs and for pictures. Gavin didn't want to get his picture taken so Grandma Peg got her picture taken with Templeton. Every year my mom reads the book Charolette's Web to her class so she is excited to show her class these pictures.

4th of July Festivities

On he 4th we spent the day out on the boat with Ryan and Lorelei. After a full day of sun we all headed to our house for BBQ and fireworks. One of Gavin and Elliot's favorite things to do on the boat is to drive. I think they were in charge of the steering wheel more then Ryan was. That is a little scary!!!

Elliot also ventured into the lake. This was our 2nd attempted of putting him in the lake. Last summer we tried it out, but it didn't last very long. This picture doesn't look like Elliot enjoyed it any better this year, but he really did. Everytime we took him out of the water he just wanted back in.
Gavin and Aunt Lorelei enjoying the ride.
Elliot and dad. Elliot was a little tuckered out after swimming and took a little snooze for about 5 minutes.

Family Portraits

A friend of mine from work does photography on the side, so she came to Monticello and took pictures of us. She did a great job and we got some wonderful pictures. After a year, we finally have a photo of all 4 of us. Here is a sneak peek of a few of the photos. She took over 70.

Denver

Elliot and I went to Denver, CO last week to see Jenny. Grant and Gavin met us there for the weekend. We had lots of fun and did lots of different things. We threw a baby shower for Jenny and Doug, went to Waterworld, Hammonds Candy Factory, and the Children's Museum. Here are a few pictures from the events.

Baby Shower

Kaylynn (Jenny's niece) helping Jenny open gifts.

Elliot with his new friend Erin. He had lots of fun playing at the park.

Jennie (the other person that helped planned the shower) and I. Jennie is a co-worker of Doug's who wanted to throw a shower for them, so the 2 of us joined together and planned a shower via the internet and phone. It turned out great!!!

Jenny and I after the shower.

Elliot's Favorite Activities from the trip

Hanging out with Doug. Elliot loved Doug.

Playing with Zoey. Elliot also loved Zoey (I am not sure that the feeling was mutual).

After meal times Jenny let Elliot play in the sink to clean him up. Elliot loved the sink!!!

Waterworld

Hammond's Candy Factory

The Children's Museum

At almost every station they had dress up clothes, so of course I made the kids put them on for some good photo op moments!!!