Weekend in Minneapolis

We spent Memorial Day weekend in the cities and stayed with our buddies, the Goin family.  Although we were only there for 2 days, we experienced 2 different seasons.  Day 1 it was like fall - windy, rainy, and chilly (65 degrees).  Day 2 is was summer - hot, humid and 94 degrees.

We spent day 1 indoors at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. 

Gus and Gabby are adrenaline junkies and would ride every ride if they could. Their biggest adventure was the Log Flume (not pictured). They loved it.  Here we are enjoying a slower pace on the balloon ride.

On day 2 the girls got up early and yucked it up with each other over breakfast.

By 10am, it was already nearly 80 degrees.  Mike set up the water slide and the kids went crazy.

Nora had more fun playing soccer by herself in the trampoline. (Doesn't she look so big in this
picture?  She's definitely not a baby anymore.)

We love our quick trips back to MN!

Allergic

Nora broke out into hives, and after 24 hours of watching it get gradually worse, I took her into the walk-in clinic.  She's been on amoxicillian for an ear infection and it turns out she is allergic to it.  Poor kid! 

Her hands and feet were puffy and swollen, too. 

After three days and four doses of Benedryl, she was back in tip top shape. 

The Preschool Graduate

Gus graduated from his 3-day per week preschool class this week.  As part of their graduation ceremony, they had a school program.  Gma Vickie and Gpa Dave were in town for the program, so on the way there, we snapped a few family pics.

Gus did a great job of walking in with his partner (for the grand entrance), singing, and reciting all of the bible verses they had been practicing for the past few months.

They called his name and he marched right up and grabbed his diploma.

After the ceremony, the kids got all sugared up on cookies and juice.  YAYWHO! Celebrate!

Immediately after the program, Gma Vickie and Gpa Dave headed back to Minot.  Gus thanked them with some high fives and hugs.

Although he completed 3-day preschool this year, Gus won't start kindergarten until 2013.  Next up: 5-day preschool!  He's ready. 

Nora's dancing debut

Nora had her final day of gymnastics class this week, and decided for her last hurrah, she really wanted to nail the dance portion of the class.  She didn't care, however, about stretching.  We'll work on that for next session.

No more training wheels

Ross took the training wheels off Gus' bike tonight, gave him a little push, and away he went!



Go Gus!

Best friends

Now that Nora is almost 2, she's paying attention to many things that she didn't much care about last summer.  For example, our darling neighbor Peyton.

They hang out nearly every evening after dinner while their brothers (Gus and Caleb) act like crazy people, running up and down the street and playing hockey.

 The girls have a much slower pace (thankfully).  They like to walk up and down the sidewalks with their mowers.

Peyton had her 2nd birthday party this weekend. Even at the party, the girls were attached the whole time.  It's pretty darn cute. (Fast forward 16 years to a prom picture when someone yells, "ok scoot together and cuddle up!"  This will be them. I'm proud that they already know how to do the girl pose.)

 Hurry up and put the new play cottage together!

Nora, you're cool, and a good friend. 

Happy 2nd birthday, Will

Our nephew, Will, turned 2 on May 5, 2012.  His mom and dad, Christy and Josh, hosted an awesome outdoor party with a ton of games and play options for the kiddos.  Everyone loved it!

Here's Will.

Gus dug into the bubbles right away.

And what's a party without party heads-on-a-stick with hats?

 

The big hit of the day was the Fishing Pond game.  The kids l-o-v-e-d it!  Grandma Debi helped Nora catch a big prize.

Behind the scenes at the Pond with Uncle Josh.

It was a beautiful day for a fun party.
Happy 2nd b-day Will-man!

Great-Grandma Ethel even joined in on the fun!