Kids' Vacay - Day 4

We packed up on Thursday for another fun outing that Logan had done with Nana, but I'm sure Bennett did not know what he was in for!  We headed to the Mall of America for a day at Nickelodeon Universe!  It was great!  The boys got wristbands so they could ride all day and a chaperone could ride along.  That was me.  :)  I'm not much for rides and let me tell you: the Blues Clues ride about did me in!

Eden all packed up and ready to go!

Bennett wasn't so sure at first, but it didn't take him long to warm up!  Logan was ALL in right away...full speed ahead!

It is so fun to watch the kids have such a blast doing crazy stuff!  Love it!

The Barnyard Hayride was a favorite.

It was so hilarious: the boys would put their hands up and scream when we dipped and went around the corner!  This was not as tame of a roller coaster as you would think!  They loved it!

Eden was not as enthusiastic as the boys, but she was oh-so-cute, as always.

My little snacker.  This boy needs his snacks - and not a minute late.

Bennett's all time favorite was the semi trucks.  We went on these about 10 times in a row.  By the end, I didn't have to go with...he loved it so much!

The boys tried the mini bumper cars and I was soooo nervous.  I thought for sure they would get stuck, or bumped too hard, or just be scared.  Nope.  They LOVED it!  They rode together in a car and Logan was like the best little driver out there!  He drove around, avoiding the other cars - like he had done it before or something.  I couldn't believe it!  They preceded to go on the bumper cars like 20 times.  Clearly, there were no lines or waiting - they would just walk right up and get on the ride again!

Nana got lots of snuggle time with Nana while I was busy with the boys.

 Logan was cautious and smart - such a first born.

As they got more comfortable, Logan would sometimes bump into another car and then they would laugh, of course.

 By the end of the day, Bennett drove his own car a couple times, too.

I was really proud of them for trying something new and not being too sheepish. 

 After LOTS of rides - around probably 1:30, we decided we had to take a break for lunch.  So, we went to my favorite place: Nordstrom.  I love the store and I also love their little cafe.  They serve a great casual, pretty quick lunch and have good kids' meals.  Of course, since the Anniversary Pre-Sale was happening, we had to look around.  The boys got new kicks.  So.Cool.  And, of course, they insisted on wearing them!

I'm so happy for the boys that they have each other.  They had such a good time together.

We also had to stop by Legoland where we found this awesome Woody.  Bennett wondered "where could Buzz be? maybe next time he will be here, mom".

Again, Eden was snoozing away after her own late lunch.  What a trooper.  Best baby ever.

This family kinda cracked me up.  I mean neon hues are stylish right now, but really?!  Clearly, it was their "i-know-who-my-family-is-because-we're-all-wearing-neon" strategy, but it was worth a photo.

Then it was back to the rides, if you can believe it?!  The boys re-did some of the rides they had already done and even tried some new ones.

This FlyBoat was so so so funny!  I couldn't believe they liked it!  They went up and then bounced their way down to the bottom and up again.  I was just glad I didn't have to go with!

This was a seriously fun day!  And a long one!  It was exhausting for the kids and for my mom and I, too.  Thanks to my mom for a wonderful day and for all her help!

Kids' Vacay - Day 3

Today we arranged to meet my dear friend Kim, and her two cuties Avery and Drew at Teddy Bear Park.  We had a great time in the heat!  It was seriously hot!  The kids loved playing and we had a long morning to enjoy the park before we had our picnic together.

Both of the boys really love Avery (she is just 6 weeks younger than Benny and fast approaching her bday!) 

 I guess I missed out on any pics of the babies, but Drew is an awesome little guy.  He is so cute and cuddly.  He was super tired but didn't even make a peep the whole time - despite missing his nap.  Kim and I had so much fun watching the kids play and getting so much time to catch up.

 Those are some sweaty kids!  Playing is hard work.  :)

Back at Nana and Papa's that night, the boys had so much fun goofing around with Papa in the yard.  It was such a lovely day!  Thanks to Kim and fam for meeting up with us in Stillwater!

Kids' Vacay - Day 2

Often when we spend time in the Twin Cities these day, we rush into town for something and don't have much time for the activities we want to do.  I knew I wanted this week to be all about the kids.  There was really nothing on my own agenda (often I like to run errands, take advantage of some kid-free moments, but not this time) so that's why I called it our Kid Vacation!

Today we ventured to the Children's Museum in St. Paul.  The boys loved that we got to walk the skyway on our way from the parking garage!

In the Curious George room Bennett mastered mini-golf.

Logan flew the rocket...

It was super fun!

CG is one of our favorites.

The exploring was great.  Logan had visited the museum with my mom a couple weeks ago when he had his few days with Nana.  Bennett loved it, too!

I loved this quote.  Sometimes John and I need to remind ourselves of this when we have our "over-parenting" moments.

Eden was a super trooper!  We were there from 11am-3pm with almost no down time.  I think we sat down for a short snack, but that was it!

Benny wasn't so sure of the big CG, but it was pretty cool!

There were so many babies and pregnant people at the museum...it was fun to enjoy it with Eden!  There was so much to look at and so much activity with all the kids running around.

The little town was a favorite.  Logan crossed the crosswalk when the "walk" sign turned green...like 100 times!  He is such a rule follower.  It was definitely his favorite thing!  So hilarious!

Bennett's favorite was driving the city bus!  It was awesome!

And our last stop before we totally pooped out was the water works exhibit.  The kids loved racing boats down the ramps.

Eden right before she nodded off for her afternoon nap...which was also shortly followed by Bennett nodding off.  He almost couldn't walk anymore he was so tired when we left.  The boys just couldn't stop playing - and Logan could have spent another couple hours there, I am sure!

All napped-up and home with Papa!  What a great day!

Kids' Vacay - Day 1

While John is off on a TeenServe trip with kids from Jacob's Well, the kids and I are off on a mini vacation to the Twin Cities!  Summer has flown by and I'm looking forward to lots of fun activities for the kids this week.  Leaving our duties at home behind and imposing on my parents for the week (thanks for having us, Mom and Dad!) will be relaxing and a welcome change from a crazy summer so far!

Our first order of business was a trip to the park for story time and play time.  The boys enjoyed Washington Square while Eden took a snooze!

John and I were trying to remember the last time he was gone for a week without us.  It was nearly 18 months ago - before he changed jobs.  We feel like he used to be gone all the time - for 5-10 days.  The kids never even used to ask about it because it was normal for him to be gone.  This time around, in this new life, we had to explain to the boys that Dad was going for a week and why...what a difference 18 months can make.  :)  Thank goodness!

Princess

I just love her chubby legs and wide blue eyes.  That's all.  :)

4 Months...

How can it be?!  Just four months ago we welcomed this precious baby into our world...and she is a champion baby!  This is a wonderful age, but everyday with Eden has been wonderful.  She is so loved  (so are the big kids, of course!).

She weighs 15 lbs and measures 24.5 inches!  

74 percebtile for weight and 61 percentile for height

head circumference is 92 percentile!

John calls her "a ray of sunshine"...perfect.

Eden likes to talk, play, grasp objects, roll over, suck on her hands, eat and read books.  She loves sitting up and she likes to have dance parties with the boys!

Seriously, mom?  Enough photos!

Who are those funny boys?

Your brothers love you to pieces Eden...you are special.

Happy 4th!

We were lucky today to beat the heat at our friends' pool!  It was the perfect way to spend a mid-week holiday.  Happy birthday USA!

Yummy treats made by Logan :)

All the kiddos the their red, white & blue

One more treat after bathtime to celebrate a fun day...

and to cool us down before bed.