Friday, August 28, 2015

You win some, you lose some

 Today was a rainy, gray, windy, and blah kind of day.
The kids wanted to play outside, I wanted to be outside, and the dogs wanted to be outside. 
Although our summer was GRAND, we are ready for a change. We are ready for school, schedules, football games, and all that fall brings. 
 
So, after about the 14th fight, we gathered our baking ingredients and set out to make peanut butter bars....together.
  
 It was messy, took way too long, Brooks cried through half of it because he couldn't be right in the middle of it, the dogs were trying to sneak food from Brooks, Bennett wanted to measure the flour but Marie got to first, Marie wanted to break the eggs but I already did, the frosting started to boil...it wasn't supposed to boil....
 and my kitchen looked like this.

 With Brooks on my hip and Marie & Bennett watching the iPad, I finished the bars which I thought were ruined, and cleaned up my kitchen while grumbling.

I started to feel frustrated long before this point, but I actually held my tongue during the baking.
The kids and I had fun...the type A part of myself was screaming inside, but I didn't let it out. 
We did "math" while measuring, we sang silly songs while trying to keep Brooks happy, and we dipped our fingers in the batter.

It wasn't the perfect day and they aren't the perfect peanut butter bars, but one row is already gone, and my kids claim I am the best peanut butter bar baker around.

Epic Summer Bucket List Review

After Andy graduated from Residency, the whole family sat down at the kitchen table and compiled our summer must-do list. 
It was full of fun ideas - both small and big.
We are happy to say that we completed each and every one!
A few occurred without pictures (gasp!) so you'll just have to trust us.

1. Sleep in a tent
2. Arnold's Park Rides
3. Miniature Golf
4. Golfing
5. Cutty's
6. Make S'mores
7. hike in the woods/find skeletons
8. Spencer Pool
 
 
9. Slip 'n Slide
10. Ride the Queen
11. Water gun fight
12. Watch fireworks
13. play at the school park
14. throw rocks in the lake

15. fishing
16. play at the beach
17. boat
18. bike ride with picnic
19. splash pad
20. See a Twins baseball game
21. play basketball
22. ride bike without training wheels
23. movie night
24. take dogs swimming
25. fly kites
26. Free concert in park
27. Art Center
28. play tether ball
29. play baseball
30. chalk art

As you can see, this has been an amazing, busy, and fun summer full of exploring our new town and enjoying life at the Lakes!

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Brooks - 8 months

This month was a big one for you, Brooksy.
You learned how to sit up on your own!

Now, you love to play with toys. You reach for them and find yourself in some pretty interesting positions as you try to grab them from the sitting position. 
No crawling yet, but you are rolling, reaching, and making some movement.

Sleep is slooowwwly getting better for us (yeah!)
You love sleeping on your side and listening to your music while you rub your head and soothe yourself to sleep. Wet diapers wake you up as well as your teething. 

No teeth have appeared, but you are working so hard on it! Tylenol has been your friend lately. 
You make a new friend everywhere we go. You are held by strangers nearly every day because people are just drawn to your sweet smile and laid back personality. 
 
You have also found your voice this month....and it's loud!
You love to yell, giggle, and blow raspberries.

We have enjoyed a few bike rides with you being pulled in the carrier as well as swimming in the lake. 
Happy 8 months, buddy!

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Weekend in the Water

 On Friday, Grandma Nel brought the Van Beek girls over to Spirit Lake to enjoy some cool fun on a hot day at the splash pad.
 The kids loved running around and soaking it all in!
 





That evening we enjoyed a BBQ at the campground with the rest of the family. 
On Saturday, we all jumped on the boat and enjoyed another hot day in the sun!

 The kids swam and swam and swam!
Our kids are becoming beach bums and have really enjoyed their summer at the lake. 

 Even Brooks enjoyed swimming, but soon needed a nap in a nice shady spot.
 Needless to say we were all exhausted from our summer fun weekend!