Company, Company, Company!!

July has been the month of company for us. Shortly after our company from Whitney's Baptism Jenny and James came to visit. While they were here our friend Rhiannon her kids, and her sister Karly came to visit too. It was wonderful having us all together again. We were very busy during their visits.

In the beginning of Jenny's visit Jenny, James, Whitney, and I went to Fargo for a wedding. Grant, Elliot, and Gavin went to Williston to visit family.

Whitney chilling at the reception

Jenny and James

Whitney and James playing together at the hotel

Getting ready for a bike ride. They look happy now, but it sure didn't last long.

When Rhiannon, Karly, and the kids came we went to the Mall of America and to the Children's Museum. The kids loved doing both.

Getting organized outside of the mall. It took a little bit of time getting 5 kids out of carseats and 4 of them into strollers. From left to right and front to back:James Kroetch (Jenny's little boy), Brytta Beery (Rhiannon's little girl), Elliot, and Whitney- Ryley (Rhiannon's little boy) decided he didn't need to be in the picture since he didn't need to be in a stroller.

Elliot and Brytta enjoying Lego Land

Riding the Ferris Wheel at Nickelodeon Universe

Ryley and Whitney waiting patiently

At Underwater World watching the fish

Whitney doing her stretches

Attempting to get a nice photo of the kids and I

Now we are at the Children's Museum. The kids had a blast here. There was so much for them to do.

Elliot watching the fish

Playing at the water table

Brytta enjoying the ant tunnel. Elliot and her had a blast crawling around in here.

Whitney and I in the baby area. Whitney loved all the mirrors.

Whitney enjoying her time in the stroller

Fireworks

Monticello had their annual firework display the night of Whitney's Baptism. So we ended our wonderful day with a beautiful display of fireworks. Our house is in the perfect location for watching the show. Here are some pictures of that evening.

Grant playin catch with the boys

Aidan getting ready to catch the ball

Elliot, Aidan, and Grandpa Sala playing

Whitney's Baptism

Whitney was baptized on July 12th. We had lots of people come for this wonderful event. Both of our parents were here and Scott, Nichole, and Aidan came from Texas. Lots of other relatives from the area also came for the day. After the baptism we had a lunch at our house. It was such a beautiful day!

Whitney with Grant and I and her Godparents, Scott and Nichole

This is not the best family picture, but it was the best we were going to get at that time. At least I am smiling, right??? This was taken at the end of the day and everyone was done. Elliot was very sick that day so he was not up for posing. Gavin just doesn't like getting his picture taken outside because the sun is to bright and Grant just doesn't smile for pictures. Thanks to our wonderful friend Jed for helping prepare the food for us. Grant and I would not have been able to do it with out him!

Whitney and Aunt Lorelei

My dad, Aunt Jayne, and Uncle Jay (my dad's brother)

7 Months Old

4th of July

Our July has been unbelievably busy. We have had lots of company and I have lots of blogging to get caught up on, so stay tuned for more posts of our activities from July. I will start off with a picture of the kids from the 4th.

Trip to Lanesboro

At the end of June we took a weekend trip to Lanesboro, MN with our friends Jed and Becky. Lanesboro is known for their biking trails. So we loaded up the kids and our bikes and away we went. We rode 32 miles in 2 days. The first day we only went 12 miles, but the majority of the trail was up hill riding out of a valley and the second day we rode 20 miles. It was a beautiful ride and something we look forward to doing again. We would love to go in the fall when all the leaves are turning.

The first night of our trip we stayed in Rochester at a hotel so the kids could swim. They had a water slide and Elliot LOVED going down it.

Getting ready for a day of biking

The kids in their Burley's

One of many bridges along the trail

Enjoying lunch at a place on the river in Lanesboro

The kids playing at a park in Lanesboro

Jack's Birthday party

Our friend's (Jed and Becky) little boy turned one on Saturday. His party was at their cabin. You couldn't have asked for a nicer day. The kids had a blast and I got some great pictures.

Jack with his ball cake that his Grandma Marilyn made for him. Jack loves balls!!

The boys and Becky sporting their matching PJ's

Grandma Marilyn with Whitney and Jack

Whitney doing her best at sitting up.

Holding strong, but getting a little tipsy.

And over she goes

Going for a dip in Jack's pool

Whitney and Noelle

In the evening Jed had littls sparkling fireworks for the kids. Whitney was glued. Her eyes were so wide the intire time.

Elliot enjoying the day. This is one of the few pictures we got of him without his life jacket. He is all over the place so we had him wear his life jacket all day to make us feel a little more at ease.

Trying to cut his strawberry with the wrong end of the knife

Elliot and Johnny playing in the pool. Johnny is about 3 weeks older then Elliot.

Gavin enjoying the day

Lounging in he hammock

Hanging out with Noelle on the boat. They had fun jumping off the boat together. They were both chicken at first, but in the end they were doing all sorts of tricks.