O the JOY.

O the JOY... of little newborn babies.

We recently spent an evening with 

some friends of ours in town

and had the chance to meet 

sweet 

little 

Ingrid.

The boys didn't know what to think of her.

They kept looking at her and her little toes.

I think they were wondering if she was really real!

O the JOY...of grandparents!

During their visit we decided to eat at Russell's on the lake

for Luke's & dad's birthdays.

The boys loved riding in their mini van in booster seats.

They were giggling, as if they knew it was illegal!

O the JOY...of spending the 4th with family.

During the 4th of July we didn't have much going on.

We decided to spend the weekend at home

& finish some more outside work.

We also had our first bonfire of the year,

complete with smores!

O the JOY...of smores & staying up past usual bedtime!

Dad was showing Adler how to 

roast marshmallows.

He loved that we got him out of bed

to have some fun while Brockie was sleeping.

O NOT the JOY...of the Annandale parade.

We went to the Annandale parade on the 4th

and we will never be back again!

It was WAY too hot.

AND there was NO candy.

That equals disaster for 2 little boys.

So needless to say, we left.

When we got home we enjoyed the A/C

& some suckers I found them from a previous parade.

Later that night

we enjoyed a spectacular illegal fireworks show

right out our front window.

We hope our neighbors do it every year!

O the JOY...of wanting to poop on the potty!

Brockie recently seemed excited about

doing 'his business' in the BIG bathroom

like Adler.

So I set up shop

(with the bathroom reading books in hand!)

and as Adler used the bathroom

so did Brockie.

Nothing ever fully developed from this moment of interest,

but hopefully in a couple months

he'll be full throttle in this bathroom

learning how to be a big boy like his brother!

O the JOY...of the Y & the lake.

Every morning I load up the boys & we either 

go to the YMCA for some workout classes, splash deck,

pool, kid stuff daycare 

OR

we collectively decide that it is too nice of a day

& we load up the stroller for a walk around the lake.

Equipped with snacks, waters, & bobcats.

They love long walks.

And I love that they love them too!

p.s. Baby Jogger has the BEST double strollers

so many more features than others offer.

Adler has been a great help with chores around the house.

He especially likes to water the plants outside

(so he can secretly spray dad with the hose 

when he's not looking!)

O the JOY of summer events.

Of course we always try to attend any 

hometown festivities 

to get myself & the boys out of the house.

(which by the way we are hometowners to Becker, Big Lake, & Monticello,

since we live right in the middle of all three!)

We recently went to the kick-off to Riverfest in Monti

& had a great time

with two of the greatest babysitters (my younger cousin & her friend).

They had a car and tractor show.

Home depot put on a big building shindig.

They built flower planters, a bird house, & sailboat. 

Brockie informed me that he wanted his picture taken too!

The 'best babysitters' participated in the hula hoop contest

(and almost won!).

Later that week we went to Litchfield for the Watercade festivities.

The parade is always a highlight!

And this year we paraded with lots of family, friends & their kids.

It was wonderful!

The ones who didn't feel the urge to run in the street for candy

took a back row with the beer cooler!

Adler having fun with his buddy Gabe all weekend.

It was so great seeing lots of friends & having some fun 

going out to the bar while the boys spent some time with G & G Johnson!

We missed out seeing a few good friends, but hopefully

we'll catch up soon.

Happy July!