Olympics!

We've been talking about the Olympics to our kids since earlier this summer.  We have been so excited to cheer on Team USA in all the fun summer events.  Tonight it was finally time for the opening ceremonies.  We planned a little party (pizza and ice cream - how American!) and invited Mollie and Aubrey to join us.  The kids were so excited!  Bennett almost missed out when he fell asleep before dinner, but we were able to rouse him - phew.  

The kids donned their USA colors and Eden showed off her Olympic Tummy Time skills!  

Gold medal for her!

Logan was totally into the opening ceremonies, which got a little intense at times.  He was clearly understanding the big picture of the whole world coming together.  We explained about all the countries having their people represented to work together and compete.  I think its such a great lesson to have our kids see so many countries and people together.

Bennett loved his "torch-like" ice cream cone.  Yum!

PS - Amy and Andrew are actually AT the Olympics after a 10 day tour around Europe.  We couldn't help but think of them on their awesome trip while we watched the opening ceremonies.  In fact, Bennett could understand that A & A are there, so he thought we should go to.  He got his shoes on and said "I'm ready.  Let's go to the 'Lympics, Mom!"  Sadly, I had to explain that London is across the ocean and we wouldn't be at the 'Lympics this year.  I'm sure we'll get some great stories from Amy and Andrew, though!

Playset Done!

We now have our own little playground in the backyard!  It arrived from Lowe's via a big truck several weeks ago and after LOTS of hours of John (with some starting help from his dad).  It was no small feat to get this playset all put together and leveled out on our slightly-sloped lawn.  John did an awesome job and it looks even better than we imagined!  Our lucky little boys got this playset as a joint birthday gift from all the grandparents.  What a great gift for our family - we love it!

Logan's Procedure

Cheers to 9 Years!

We celebrated 9 years of marriage today...its hard to believe all that we've experienced and how we've grown in those years.  God has really blessed us and changed us and challenged us.  We are so thankful for all of it!  Two cities, three houses, three beautiful children, and lots of jobs later, we are reminded of how great it is to just have each other to walk through it all together.  

Its been such a crazy week that we were thankful for just a few minutes together on the couch at the end of the night before we both just fell asleep!  We hope to do something a little more celebratory in the coming weeks.  Happy Anni #9, babe.

Baby Story Time

Our library has such great story times with the new children's center.  I can't always remember which ages are on which days and today we hit baby story time which was perfect.  It was about time for us to do something special for Eden.  :)

Under the parachute.

Logan was such the proud big brother, very interactive and engaged.

There was a little play time after so we stayed for a bit.

Happy Baby!

Just Us for Justice

Tonight was so amazing!  It snuck up on us, but it was the Chippewa Valley "Just Us for Justice" run which benefits the International Justice Mission.  John trained while away last week so that he could breeze through the 5 mile.  When we told the boys there was a kids' race, you know they couldn't resist!  This race has grown exponentially in the last three years - this year hosted by three churches (Jacob's Well being one), the race raised over $21,000!  Pretty awesome!  So many of our friends from around the community were there, it was a great family event.

Logan was SO excited to have his own number.  He has been waiting for this day!

Bennett was excited for the race, too.  His number was another story...on again - off again.

Eden just took in the sights and sounds.  :)

ijm.org

 Woohoo!  My two favorite little runners!

 There's blurry John in the orange, holding Bennett who wasn't so sure about running in the rain!

There goes blurry Logan, running with the BRIGHT shoes!  He did awesome, running all by himself: 1/2 mile.

And Benny and Daddy ended up running together.  :)  Way to go boys!

By this time, Eden was in the Moby and it was super rainy, so I was sad not to be at the finish line, but we watched from the gazebo.

What a bunch...looks at those faces!

Next year, we'll all run - yes, even mom, but Eden can ride in the stroller.  :)

Kids' Vacay - Day 5

We started off Day 5 in the best possible way: Papa Famous Pancakes!  My dad was working from home on Friday, so he was whipping them up before we headed out for another playdate with my friend Sarah and her kids.

Sarah lives in Minneapolis, near Minnehaha Academy where John and I spent so much time for the first 4 years of our marriage.  It was fun to drive back and tell the boys that I used to work at that school.  They were confused, I think.  :)  So far, I haven't even taken my big camera out of the case on this trip, so why start now?  I took some photos with my iPhone again, but they didn't turn out too great with the morning light.

Here you can see Grace showing off her tricks and Bennett trying to keep up.  Both of these kiddos are 3.  Benny was pretty excited to play with Grace and while he was a little shy, he warmed up by the end.

William (almost 5, just like Logan) shared his cool Vikings helmet with Bennett!

Little Kate is still little!  She is sweet and smiley.  What a cutie!

The baby girls (just about 12 days apart) hung out in their seat while the moms made lunch.  The kids all did really well together.

Grace wanted a photo with her sister.  :)  

And, of course, there was hockey!

It was a fast paced morning with 6 kids and 2 moms!  Thanks to the Careys for hosting us - we had a great time!

When we got home, Papa and Nana were ready for some time with the kids after our morning away to visit friends.  Eden was wide awake and having fun with Papa.

She sure does like to stand on her chubby little legs!

It turned out to be a rainy afternoon and Papa and Bennett had a special trip to the movies while the rest of us ran a few errands and rested.  It was such a great week - many many thanks to my parents.  I know it was tiring and super busy!  Tomorrow we meet Dad back at home!  Yay!  We have lots of fun stories from our adventures.