Trip to STL

We went to St. Louis again on Sept 30th....coincidentally, the date that S and I started dating. This year would mark 11 years together. Woohoo!

One of my favorite pics of the year

There was a festival going on in Columbia, where Grandma and Grandpa live, so we headed into town!

The kids coloring with Dad

Running to the jumper!

Some jumping fun!

M, getting her face painted

N's face paint

Holding a kitty

Holding/squeezing a kitty

Since it was only one week before N's 5th bday, we busted out the birthday hat and celebrated #5!

The kids with their glowsticks

Wanna kiss?

Pucker up!

M, chatting with Grandma's kitties

M has been a little obsessed with moustaches lately, so it was especially funny that Grandma had bought the kids a set of wax lips and a moustache. This picture makes me laugh so hard. When M talks about moustaches, she holds her finger across her upper lip and wiggles it. So funnny!

Our cool fire

N

M

P

S

Grandpa and S

While there, N also got his very first haircut at a salon!

A Perfect Fall Day

I am skipping ahead for the moment. This weekend was one of the first weekends since summer that we haven't had a jam packed schedule. It was wonderful!!!

On Saturday, P got a little painting done on the bedroom, then we headed out to her old boss E's house for a housewarming party. It was fun to se him and his family and got to hang out with some great folks that she used to work with at Mesaba. Then, we went to the M family's house for a delicious dinner and bonfire. M #1's family was there and we just love his family, so fun was had by all! It was great to see all of them again, as we hadn't since the wedding. The kids had a blast together.

Today, Sunday, was perfect! Well, really anytime we have a whole weekend, all together, is perfect in my book. Today, however, was great because not only was the weather fantastic, but it was a great mix of productivity and family time. We all just hung out in the morning, had some good cuddles, a few wrestles. Then I painted while the kids napped. Then we went on a little biking adventure!

There is a restaurant that I have been hearing about all summer and hadn't gotten to, near Minnehaha Falls, called Sea Salt. It is right next to the Falls and you get everything to go and they have tons of outdoor seating. That was our first stop on the adventure and we had some delicious seafood for dinner. Then, we pedaled on up the road for a little dessert at D.Q., followed by the scenic route home.

Yep....perfect day. Gorgeous weather, time with the family. Who could ask for more! N was SO excited to ride on his "half bike" and Miss M loved her ride in the Chariot....she rode in total comfort. Even took her socks and shoes off, little stinker! :)

Me and my babies

Two peas in a pod

Minnehaha Falls

Here's to many more weekends like this!

Love,

P

Miss M

M....just chillin'...in September....with her new winter hat, while she watches tv

Sweet little kiddos

Just a few randoms of the kiddos...

I love how much they love each other...most days. :)

My sweet boy 

Love this face

N and my cousin T...one of my fav pics of the year. I remember T so well when he was a little guy, like N. Also a sweet boy!

N really likes his safety glasses that he got at Dad's work.

It's so hard to give your sister a piggyback ride when she weighs only a few pounds less than you. Didn't stop them from trying though!

St. Helena's Bazaar

We took the kiddos to Helena's Fall Festival this year. It was  little windy, but still fun. S especially had fun cathing up with all kids of people, as he went to grade school there.

Is it just me or does he look really old here?? Not sure how he got so big.

Here we go!

Giggled the whole ride!

Laughed out loud the whole ride! Yep, these are my kids alright!

A whale

I had to travel to Detroit for work and as I came through security, this was right in front of me. The airplane geek in me could not resist a picture!

Summer bonfire!

We had many bonfires this summer, which was a goal of ours as we had not had so many in the past couple years. Here is a pic from one at the M's house.

N and J! He just loves her. :)

Uncle J

This past week, the kid's Uncle J came to visit. They were BEYOND excited, however, Miss M was a bit upset that her Aunt B did not come as well. She shed some tears over this while we were driving one night and I told her we would go visit Aunt B soon in Montana. When I pulled up to the house and tried to take her out of the car, she cried again because she thought we were going right to the aiport to go see her. Glad she loves Aunt B so much. :) Guess we will go visit soon!

While Uncle J was here, he watched the kids one day instead of us sending them to daycare. They had a blast! I even had to wake them up the next morning to go to daycare because they were so exhausted. Thanks for coming J! We all had fun seeing you.

S's Mini-me....chanic?

For months now, N has been begging S to bring him to his work. So, this morning, my two boys headed out for a morning of car fixin'. They didn't get too far(about 6 blocks) before stopping for breakfast. :)  After eating though, they headed out to Westside Volkswagen to change the oil in my van. I got an oil change, wiper fluid(the blue kind, according to N...hehe), and my tires checked out. S described N as a real "happy helperton". He said when they were done with my car, he wanted to go help everyone else work on their cars. Haha. You can see just how much this field trip made his day in the pics below.

Such a happy little boy...this pic just makes me laugh

He even got to bring home his cool safety glasses

A concert!

One of my most favorite, if not my favorite, musician came to Minneapolis in November and played at First Ave. My friends AB and TS went along to keep me company, as S was hunting for deer. It was a fun adult night out!

He even played my favorite song, "Ossining", which only made the evening better!

A Day at the Zoo

We are members of the MN Zoo and do not get there nearly enough, but here is one of the days we spent out there.

Checking out the new penguins

Look at these guys!

Always gotta take a picture with this guy :)

Looking at the coral reef

Crawling around in a big log

Team MSP

In September, I helped to organize a softball tournament for my company. We had four teams, including players from all over the U.S. Sadly, Team MSP was beaten by Team DTW, but I'm sure we'll ghet 'em next year!

My Girl

I don't know what it is about this position, but I just find it so darn cute!

 

Helping Mommy at the grocery store...my kids LOVE these carts at our neighborhood store.