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Wednesday, September 28, 2016

pumpkin patch

So, clearly I've been on a blog hiatus.  When we moved, something went wrong with my phone and computer and I was unable to upload all my pictures from my phone.  Since 99% of the pictures I take now are on my phone, this put blogging on hold until I could figure out the problem.  I am certainly no techie, but I think I finally figured out an alternative option.  

So, even though it's January, let's back up and relive the fall, shall we?

Even though we now live farther away from our favorite pumpkin patch, it is still worth the drive to visit.  So one gorgeous fall afternoon we met our friends for a day on the farm!
The first place the kids usually want to go is the jumping pillow or corn pool.  My friend Angie hates the corn pool so we started here!  Ha.
Andrew was getting some serious air time!
They were just having a blast jumping and "falling!"
This girl cracks.me.up. #buried
So apparently you aren't supposed to do flips and cartwheels.  Try telling that to this little gymnast.  She was rocking the moves!  
They loved holding hands and all jumping together.  I could not get them to stay long enough for a picture!  We ran into some other friends and the girls were all so excited to see each other!

Kerigan and her friend Morgan.  They were in swimming lessons together and have friends in common and got to be good friends last year!
Next we headed to the giant slides.
Races!
Seriously.  She's full of personality.
#cheese
This was funny.  Craig somehow ended up sitting with baby Parker and Andrew, who was in time out.  Ha!  Yes, I still put my kids in time out in public.  #imsomean
The kids finally begged Angie enough to agree to head over to the huge corn pool.  I have to comment here that Piper is wearing Kerigan's dress!  I love passing her clothes on to good friends and getting to see them being worn again when they don't fit her anymore.  I adored that little dress!
Oh how these two melt my heart and make me crazy at the same time!
Ready for a big jump!
Sweet girls
Of course we had to see the Pumpkin Princess!

And ring the old schoolhouse bell
They always like to play in the one room schoolhouse
Sweet friends
In the farmyard where all the animals are they have different fairy tale character cut outs and such that you can explore and act out the stories.  The kids love it!
They have a mad hatter tea party area set up.  Sometimes Alice actually comes to meet the kids, but we missed her this time.
The three four billy goats on their bridge (and Andrew the troll!)
The little pigs running from the big bad wolf!  Ha!
Where's Goldilocks?
This girl got brave and finally decided she can feed the goats while keeping all her fingers intact.
Piper was cracking me up how she climbed on up there and was determined to "milk" this cow!
She roped the steer- she loves doing this with her daddy.
I think I have a picture of them doing this almost every year.  She loves this view- and this guy pretty much has her heart. #daddysgirl
We found Snoopy roaming around!  They were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown- so fun!
All the fun things to do and they like to end on the pedal tractors!
I love these sweet people of mine!  I hope we will continue coming here for many more years!

Now that I have my pictures figured out, I'm hoping to update more often!  It might take forever, but it's on my New Years resolution list, so I'm determined to catch up!

Monday, September 26, 2016

40 years

So I celebrated 40 years in September.  Looking back to my younger self, if you would've asked me what I'd be doing when I was 40, this is it.  This is my dream.  Married to an awesome guy, with two of the best kids anyone could ask for.  

Craig had a nice idea on my actual birthday evening, which landed during the week, to walk around the pedestrian mall and find a quaint little restaurant on the square downtown.
Then this happened.  Pouring.rain.
So we had to move to plan B.
I love the Olive Garden!  Italian margarita for the 40 year old!  #cheers
Nothing would've made me happier than Scratch cupcakes!  #yesplease
The next day was Friday and after school the kids and I headed to Ga Ga and Papa's where mom had a special evening planned for me!
I had always wanted to see the High Trestle bridge all lit up at night.  We have ridden bikes there before but never at night.  So we drove and ate at a yummy restaurant they have there and headed out on the trail!
And it was spectacular.
The kids did so good on their bikes in the dark!  We brought flashlights and reflectors and they just loved it!
What a beautiful evening!
Then Papa thought it would be fun to make me a cake with 40 candles!
This is me, trying to light them all!  Ha!
The kids were scared there was going to be a fire!  Ha ha.
We spent the night and woke up the next morning for our annual trip to Minneapolis!
We have loved doing this the past few years on my birthday and it is so fun!  Minneapolis has always been one of my favorite places so I consider it a great place to celebrate!
I enjoy watching my kids have fun!
#purejoy
Being 4 1/2 years apart the kids don't like to ride the same things anymore so we split up for a while!
Kerigan was thrilled to see the Bubble Guppies!

And one of our favorite places- American Girl!
She decided she wants her next birthday here and this is what she wants as her gift.  Not surprising, a gymnastics doll!
She just loves playing with everything in the store!
This pretty much sums up Andrew's feelings about it!  Ha ha.
But he sure perked up when we saw this!  He tells me its Rock Steady from Ninja Turtles.  #iwouldntknow
On the Bubble Guppies ride!
"Mommy take my picture with Dora!"
They did ride the Diego bus together!
And the merry go round!
I asked Andrew why he picked the pig and he said it was because his butt looked funny!  Ha ha.  #priorities
Then this happened.  My girl was finally tall enough to conquer the Pepsi coaster!  She was beyond excited and wanted to go 100 more times!  And Andrew was big enough to ride by himself too!
My sweet kids and I
They wanted to eat at Bubba Gump even though none of us like seafood!  Ha!  It's just a fun place!  Andrew loves to run so this was so appropriate!
Shopping queen.
Then we ran into a children's museum and they had to test it out!
They had lots of Curious George things!
Back at the hotel we ate Scratch cupcakes in bed!
Late night swim with Ga Ga!
We had a great time!
The next morning at breakfast the only way we could get her to eat waffles was with whipped cream on top!  Andrew's face #priceless
Then I introduced my girl to the important things in life.  Ha!  #coach 
I got myself a birthday purse from my hubby!
When we drove back home we stopped at our favorite Minnesota rest stop and discovered the weather had changed overnight!  It was freezing!
So of course, we warmed our hands by the fire!  Ha!  #onlyinminnesota

I laugh because I can remember the day my mom turned 40 (her words that day should probably remain between us! Ha!)  But let's just say she was a little bummed to be 40 because she didn't like the idea of being old.  Many days I FEEL old, when I see some of my old students growing up and graduating from high school and college... or when I see pictures of my wedding day, or my babies.  But as I reflect on the last 40 years and my life, I have to say I am proud and grateful.  I have many memories to cherish, and an amazing family to do this life with.  Life just keeps getting better and better with age!

So bring it on!