Relaxing.....

After last week's family visits and travels to and from SW Minnesota, it is nice to be home and relaxing. The girls haven't felt well the last few days, so we are taking it easy. We are taking the girls two year pictures on Friday morning with Matt Addington in Sogn Valley. It will be fun, cross your fingers that no major cuts, bumps or bruises happen between now and then. I will post some of the pictures as soon as I can. Here is a picture of the cousins- Annika, Brayden, Brooke and Kate.

Swimming Fun

This week we went and bought a new little pool for the girls. With the new pool, we can just pull it out from the shed instead of having to inflate one everyday. It's quick and easy and SO MUCH FUN!!! The girls enjoyed splashing and spraying Jason and I. Giggles galore!

Cousins!

Kate and Annika got to meet their cousins Brayden and Brooke this weekend. Jason's brother Nathan and his wife Jen came for a visit from Arizona. The kids had fun playing and getting to know each other while we were out on Great Grandma's farm in SW Minnesota. Here are some pictures to enjoy. And also, Annika went on her first pony ride at the Horkey farm (Aunt Jenny's parents). She had a great time! She is a brave little girl.....

Summer Vacation!

We kicked off summer vacation with a trip to the Minnesota Zoo today. The new exhibit opened this past weekend and it has brown bears, sea otters, wild boars, and leopards. You can see the grizzly bears up close and personal, which the girls thought was SO cool! We got there right when it opened, before the crazy crowds and almost all of the animals were still sleeping. The girls were both saying, "Shhhh, animals sleepin..."So much fun! The girls are getting so smart- they can remember what animals are at the zoo and then they ask to go see them. Today Annika wanted to see the buffalo and the camels. Kate requested the fishies. We also got to see one of the new dolphins- our first time.

This past Saturday Jason and his brother Chad ran the Heart of the City Half-Marathon in Burnsville, MN. It was Chad's first big race and he did GREAT! He ran faster than he thought he would because we didn't get to see him cross the finish- but we did hear his name announced as Jenny, her sister Pam, Pam's two daughters, Kate, Annika and I all "ran" down the road to see the finish. Way to go Chad!!

Kate the Gardener

Kate is such a great helper in the garden. She loves to use the hose and water everything all by herself! She does a really good job- occasionally the rocks get a little more water than the plants, but that's okay. It's the thought that counts.

Happy Birthday!

Ginger turned 6 years old today! She gots lots of extra loving from Annika and Kate. Lots of hugs and a nice pat on the head. They even tried to say, "Happy Birthday Ginger!" you can probably guess what it sounded like- we understood the word Ginger for sure. Tomorrow is the last student day and Friday is a work day. Starting Saturday it is summer vacation! Yippee!

Sprinkler Fun

The last two days it has been BEAUTIFUL! Warm and sunny! Annika and Kate got to spend time with Uncle Chad and Aunt Jenny yesterday. We dropped them off in New Prague and they got to spend the whole evening playing. The girls made Uncle Chad go down the big twisty slide with them- what fun! Today Annika asked to go see the animals- so we headed to the Minnesota Zoo for a couple of hours. Then after naps we dug out the Elmo sprinkler. The girls had so much fun running through the water and getting their heads soaking wet. It was quite refreshing- ahhhh summer! Only four more student days left (not that I am counting!) Happy June 1st!