Gearing Up for Camping

This year Tom was able to join us on our annual camping trip to Lake Owen with Meema and Papa Tim. I was super excited to have Sam experience Lake Owen for the first time. I know I have said it before, but Two Lakes Campground is my most favorite place on earth. There are so many wonderful family memories connected to it. I am so appreciative that it has remained open, so we can continue to create many more memories. This year's trip was no exception!


A few days before we were scheduled to leave, Jack finally was able to pedal his trike. Papa Tim was the most proud of him, and super excited that the time he and Jack can go on a bike ride together is getting much closer. Jack was just beaming due to Papa's reaction when he called to tell the great news. (Our backs are so thankful...it gets to be a bit much, hunched over your child assisting them with bike riding!)


I swear Jack's hair can really make you laugh in the morning. We're still wondering if Sam will ever be able to sport some of the do's that Jack does. (C'mon hair grow!)


They sure know how to turn on the charm and melt your heart!


When we arrived in Eau Claire Jack was excited to show everyone his new rain gear. Thank goodness there was rain in the forecast, otherwise we would be walking around with a 2 year old sweating to death in his rubber boots and raincoat.


Singing in the rain!


We arrived at Lake Owen safe and sound. Jack and Papa couldn't wait to get the kayak in the water. This year they discovered that Jack fit perfectly in the "gear hole." No it is not a double kayak.

Chug-puff-chug-puff

It was a pretty low-key week for us. We were able to get to the zoo with the Sokols. A trip to the zoo isn't complete without a train ride in the summer!


Sam, Natalie and I on the train.


"Big" Jack, "Baby" Jack, Kari, and Natalie on the train.


Sam is now rated for puffs. He wasn't sure what to do with them at first, but with a little help from Jack, he figured it out.


Seriously, I DON'T need your help!

8 Months!

I know I say this every month, but I can't believe how old Sam is getting! He continues to be a happy-go-lucky guy.


Where am I!?!?!?!


Awwww...so cute!

This too shall pass...

What a week! This for sure will go down as one of those weeks in life that you will never forget!


We started the week started off with Tom and I celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary. It is so hard to believe that four years have passed since that magical day, one that we let our memories revisit often. We feel so blessed to have grown together, and welcomed our two beautiful little boys. Each and every day is filled with so much love and laughter.

Obviously we celebrated, so much that we had to dig into our reserve Captain!


So what landed Jack in front of the x-ray machine?


The story goes like this...
We were on our way home from the Y, and as I was basking in pride for just finishing my first spin class in a loooooong time I hear Jack's voice from the backseat.
Jack-"Mommy, me swallow money."
Me-"What!?!?!?!"
Jack-"Me eat money."
Me-"Are you serious?!?!?!"
Jack-"No Mommy, I just teasing."
Me-"Jack, this isn't something to tease about. You need to tell me...did you eat money?"
Jack-"Yes, yes I eat money."

The conversation continued on with me attempting to figure out what kind of money he ate. Jack tuned into my concern, and kept giving me different answers. I called Tom, and we decided it would be best for me to call Dr. Kessen. I called her office and within 2 minutes she called me back, asking me to bring him in. Off we went to her office.

Dr. Kessen was most concerned that if he had in fact swallowed a coin or two, we needed to make sure that it had made it into his stomach. I guess there is a risk of the item coming back up and blocking the airway.

Onto the x-ray lab...


After the films were developed we found out that Jack wasn't teasing, and he did in fact "eat money." Thankfully the coin had made it to his stomach. Dr. Kessen said that it would be best for it to pass, and if it didn't in a few days she wanted to see him again.


The coin, a penny, eventually passed naturally...whew!

You had better believe that these photos will come back to haunt him in the future!


We headed down to the lakefront to enjoy all of the carts from the Circus Parade. Unfortunately we had plans to be out of town for the actual parade, but we still had fun taking in all the sights. We will definitely be putting it on our calendars as a must see next year.


Our plans for the weekend took us to Eau Claire to visit with Grandma, Papa Tom, Auntie Annie, and James. We had a GREAT time playing in the yard!


Sam and Grandma taking a break inside.


Been farming long?


Catching bugs!


Thanks for making the long trip from Montana to visit us! We miss you and love you soooo much!

Happy 4th of July

We started out our 4th of July celebration with a trip to Cool Waters. Although it was an overcast day we still had a good time cooling our toes in the water.


Surf's up dude!


Jack's fear of water seems to have subsided, but now he has no interest in water slides. It took a great deal of coaxing to get him to go down the kid-sized one.


After going down the small water slide Jack informed us that he wanted to go down the big one with daddy. They marched all the way to the top and just as they were about to sit down in the tube Jack chickened out. Poor Tom had to do the walk of shame and walk back down the stairs with his petrified two year old. Maybe next year?


Papa Tom and Grandma came down to Milwaukee to celebrate the 4th with us. We had a great time taking in the parade, playing bags in the backyard, cooking out, and watching the fireworks.


The marching bands at the parade didn't seem to bother Sam.


On our walk back to our house we ran into our next door neighbors. Dayon, who is 6'9" (and yes he did play professional basketball, but has since retired to become a police officer) had a blast walking back with Jack and his daughter Tatijuana and showing them how to safely cross the street.


Mmmmm, a popsicle with Grandma. I don't know who ended up stickier!


Jack had a different idea of how to play bags.


One of Sam's favorite toys is a balloon. I am seriously considering getting rid of all of his other toys and replacing them with balloons.

Summer is HERE!

What a FUN, yet CRAZY week. Meema was still in Milwaukee hanging out with us when we received a phone call asking if we would be interested in meeting some friends at the zoo. We were SUPER excited for her to come along and meet some of the friends that she always hears so much about!


We patiently waited in "Gathering Place" for Marisa and her daughter Evelyn, along with Jen and Brooklyn. While we were waiting Jack decided he would occupy himself....


This is the only close up I took of Jack and Evelyn together. They are about 6 months apart, and I am sad to say that this is the first time they have met. We sure hope that we can make time to meet up some more!


Attempt #1 of trying to get a photo with everyone. (Thanks Meema for being our photographer!)


Attempt #2


Attempt #3 After the yogurt drink spilled we thought it would be best if we gave up!


It was one of the hottest days we have had so far, so we thought we would cool off by taking a dip in our pool. Even myself and Meema joined in the fun, don't worry I'll spare you the photos of the bathing beauties!


Sam really enjoyed floating around in the boat.


What a sweetie pie!

We had a BUSY weekend in Eau Claire planned so Tom took Friday off and we headed up for all of the festivities on Thursday evening. Both boys did a great job with the drive, but I'd be lying if I said Tom and I didn't discuss getting a dvd player for the van, to help ease the "pain" of the long drive.


What is she doing? For some reason Meema thinks it is super funny to play her harmonica for the boys...hopefully this isn't the only memory they keep of her!


As soon as Jack learned how to walk Papa Tim has been begging us to let him get a tag-along. Tom and I were doubtful that Jack would even get on the bike, but as Dave, from "Papa's bike shop" said, "Don't you know kids will do ANYTHING for their grandparents?!?!" Well guess what?!?!?! Dave was right! Jack blew us away and hopped right on the back all set to go for a ride. At that very moment I realized just how much he has grown. My sappy mom moment was over when I heard Jack say, "Papa I like my new bike!" My dad turned to me and had look on his face like "now what are YOU going to do?!?!" My response was, "don't look at me, I'm not the one that wanted to put him on the thing!" Needless to say Dave ended up working out a deal with my dad and now Jack has his "big bike" (complete with helmet) at Papa and Meema's house.


Yes, even I took Jack for a spin on the tag-along in my pj's.


After the bike shop episode we headed over the Grandma and Papa Tom's to pick them up for an adventure to Minnesota. Tom's goddaughter, Alex, graduated from high school and was throwing a party to celebrate. Before we could leave we had to feed the fish of course!


Somehow Jack got a hold of the camera and snapped this lovely shot.


I think Jack had at least three pieces of cake while we were at the party. Every time I went to check on him he was coaxing someone into getting him another piece! Congratulations Alex!


My cousin, Joy, was married in January in California, to her WONDERFUL husband Rob. We were so excited to celebrate at their reception back in Eau Claire. What a CUTE couple...CONGRATULATIONS!


What a rare opportunity to get all of us (minus Marc, plus our dear friend Adam) in a photo together.


Jack was super excited to play with his cousins. (Let's just say that I learned my lesson about dressing a two year old in light colored clothes and then letting him play with his cousins on a golf course!)


I am very proud to say that I was able to get pine sap out of his hair and shirt, along with the strawberry stain on his pants. Something tells me that this will not be the first time my stain removing abilities are put to the test!


Jack and Ethan had so much fun playing together.


Sam was content to just hang out with me for the evening.