Our 3 sons.

Adler...

likes to make me laugh & pulls pranks on me like putting a snake in my bed

loves playing with his brothers

enjoys preschool & is really learning his letters, makings words with letters, & numbers

participates in singing now at preschool & Sunday school (big accomplishment for him!)

is still shy when he's in a new environment

likes to follow rules, have things in order, and structure to his day

tells his brother how to play & what to do

loves his Cars blankie from G. Grandma Elois

remembers everything & reminds me of things from years ago

is tall & skinny

loves swimming lessons & is proud he can swim by himself (with his new goggles)

ohh yeah...and this kid loves candy, just like his dad!

Adler's telling Brock how to vacuum correctly!

(see what I mean about making sure things are done right)

p.s. and Brock doesn't care!

Vance...

is growing so fast

crawls everywhere

wants to do whatever it is his brothers are doing

loves to smile

does not love taking a morning nap

loves going to kids stuff, but does not like babysitters

kisses & slobbers on everyone

pulls at Olivia's collar

will not eat if someone is feeding him, but will feed himself just fine

pulls himself up to standing position

makes squealing noises & talks all day
puts everything in his mouth
loves baths
is a great sleeper
loves his bottle & to be cuddled at naptime & bedtime
enjoys having 2 older brothers

playing with the big boys.

Brock...

is so so sweet

cuddles, kisses & hugs 

listens to his older brother

carefree & goes with the flow

loves a afternoon nap, but is still sweet without one

is our big boy (he'll tell you, "i'm a big tid")

is still trying to figure out Vance

loves Sesame Street & Daniel Tigers Neighborhood

has the cutest little mole on his nose & ear

can dress himself

never wants to be left out if big brother is doing something

loves to wrestle with dad & Adler

loves food & sings "you got to try new foods cuz they might taste good"

says the prayer at mealtime

loves sleeping with Olivia & covers her with his blankets

is excited to start preschool this fall

loves his blue blankie

wears just his undies all day 

My birthday.

I had a wonderful birthday this year.

When I woke up Luke & the boys gave me their homemade cards

with lots of hugs & kisses.

But I really loved the part in Luke's card that said, "I took the day off to spend with you."

So the morning started with swimming lessons.

The boys are so excited to have dad finally come watch,

because he has not seen them swim without float belts before!

(and I think Luke realized how hectic my mornings can be,

even with something as simple as going to swimming lessons!)

O so happy that dad's along! 

Luke also got me a surprise massage

(it was just too bad that when I showed up she has it booked for the next day).

I had about an hour of silence & as soon as the boys woke up from their naps

we decided we were going to Maple Grove.

We stopped by my favorite store to snatch up the latest clearance deals

& did we walk out of there with lots of good stuff for our new living room!

(momma was having a good day!) 

 After some shopping we went to my favorite sweet spot.

Nadia cupcake shop!

It's cute, it's sweet, & it's my birthday....so cupcakes it was. 

The boys also got some new summer pj's

& had to put them on as soon as we got home! 

Happy Birthday to Me!

I loved my day.

(it sure helped that the boys were well behaved all day too).

Hanging out.

Gabe stopped by for a visit & we had ice cream sundaes

with the fixin's of course.

The boys got their first set of boxer briefs

& ohh do they love them! 

At least they're not so exposed when they wear their undies all day!

They're probably going to wear these around the yard in the summer thinking they're shorts.

Entertaining Vance when we're all piled on our bed in the morning.

And this is what our bed looks like in the morning! 

Grandma Yvonne stopped over to spend the night 

so Luke & I could make a trip to BMO for more materials for the addition. 

On Sunday my parents & Gabe came over to celebrate my birthday early.

Here's the 3 stooges! 

Wisconsin Dells.

 We took our first-ever trip to Wisconsin Dells a couple weeks ago.

And the best part about the whole thing is we didn't have to pay for anything!

Luke went for continuing education for work 

& the rest of us tagged along!

We are so lucky.

We stayed at Wilderness Territory Glacier Canyon Lodge.

It was SPECTACULAR to say to least.

It was a 2-bedroom apartment with the works.

The works meaning...dishwasher, 2 bathrooms, living room w/fireplace,

full kitchen, bunk beds, master bedroom (and more).

It took us 4 hours to get to the Dells (all interstate)

& when we arrived we got to check in early & get our swimsuits on.

Here we are in all our glory running through the skyway to get to the first of many waterparks. 

In the skyway we looked down to see horse-drawn wagon rides.

(which we learned later that they were FREE!) 

Here's how Vance rolled around.  

The double stroller came in handy & we all got a good workout to & from the parks. 

The boys were so excited to have their own big bed

& Kylie (their older cousin came along to help with the boys & she got the top bunk). 

This is how they ended up....exhausted after the first day!

Our living area was so nice.

We loved every minute! 

The Dells had tons of stuff to do for whole family.

Now that we've been there, we will probably go every year.

It was just amazing.

BIG BIG BIG play areas for the kids to run around & burn off some energy

& they took full use of it! 

High ropes where you get harnessed up & you balance across ropes high in the air.

It was so darn funny.  Kylie was afraid of heights, but we made her do it anyway.

That is, until she hugged a pole & wouldn't move & the guide person had to come rescue her!!!

Here's Kylie making a great attempt to overcome her fear of heights. 

Kylie & I rope walking. 

 Then Adler wanted to try it (I couldn't believe it)

& he did a great job with dad.

He's like 30 ft in the air! 

Relaxing poolside with my little bud. 

We also made sure to attend as many kid freebie events as possible.

One afternoon we ventured into playing bingo in the Kids Zone.

And we all won!  I even won the grand prize (a Wild Pass!).

p.s. we loved having Kylie along.  She's absolutely the sweetest niece & the boys adore her. 

We heard about this restaurant, Buffalo Phil's, that brings your food out on a train.

We knew the boys would love it so we had to go.

And did they ever love it!

While we waited for our food to arrive via train,

the staff would put toys & bubbles & fun little things on the train to keep the boys busy.

Best invention I've seen in a restaurant. 

Buffalo Phil's is conveniently attached to the largest arcade.

And if you eat at Phil's you get a free family train ride.

We couldn't resist!

The boys found Woody & needed a picture.

I went on a ride with Adler, thinking the 'Tornado' would be fun.

Then I felt sick! 

The boys walked away from vacation with 

a lot of fun memories with their cousin Kylie,

a lot of candy from the Gum Drop store,

& a pop gun (their prize possession).

They are quite excited to get those bullets loaded & shoot some bears in the woods at home!

Right before we left we took part in the ducky races & the boys won duck calls!

What a happy vacation.  We'll be back Wisconsin Dells!

Except next time we're going to stay in the Wyndham Presidential Suites (which are even more amazing!)

Spring!

Well Spring sprung last year.

I don't think it's even going to come this year.

AHHHHH

So here's a funny picture to lighten the load of snow on the ground.

(Every time I stumble across this picture I can't stop laughing.)

Adler looks like he's taking in everything the world has to offer on the beautiful summer day,

Brock is wearing a pink bike helmet & not looking too thrilled, 

& Ms. Personality (Adella) is having a blast attempting to push the boys in her fancy wagon.

I don't know if she actually got those lugs rolling, 

but it doesn't matter.

The fact that these 3 came up with this idea in the first place is just comical!

Happy Spring!