Since being home...The Dog Days of Summer (The rest of summer pretty much)

It has been a busy couple of weeks and now school starts Monday and I send my oldest off to Kindergarten (not ready!) and my littlest also turns 1 on Monday (a little more ready for that one!).  So, now I need to get caught up so I can focus on those big moments we have coming up.

To beat the heat, we have headed to the local bowling alley a few times.  The kids love it and Harrison is getting pretty good!

 Eating buckeyes!

 Staying cool...I love the little diaper baby :)

 Getting the stomach flu (not one of the more fun things, but something that kept us down for 6 days!)

 Blowing bubbles.

 Building Legos.

 Playing with the dog.  She is now allowed in our kitchen, sometimes!

 Relaxing on the couch with some shows.

 And a lot of dress up.

 And learning to walk...I can't believe we have a walker :)

 And playing.

 And lots of treats!

 and dancing :)

 We have also been at the pool a lot, but with 2 kids who can't swim, my hands are pretty full so I don't have any pictures.  Safety first!  Maybe next year will be a little easier!  We have really had a great summer and now it is time to get into some sort of routine for the school year.  And hopefully it will cool off sometime soon, or by October please!!

11 months

Well, since we are just days away from the big 1 birthday, I better get the 11 month pictures up.  Bode continues to be a dream.  She sleeps, she eats and she plays well.  She is curious and gets into everything.  She climbs, pulls and will put anything in her mouth.  She has a lot of spunk, but is also great about rolling with life.  If we have stuff to do, she is along for the ride regardless of whether or not it is her nap time.  Poor girl puts up with a lot of "abuse" from her older siblings, but is now dishing a little too.  She and Raegan are about the same size, so Bode loves to drive Raegan crazy.  Bode is also learning some great tackle and ninja moves from her big brother.  This little girl is a fun ball of fire and we couldn't love her more.

Oh and at 11 months she was just about walking.  Gotta keep up with the big kids!

Dill's Baby Shower

Part of the reason I headed to Chicago was to help my mom host a baby shower for Dillan and her sweet baby girl, Quinn.  In order for most of the sister's to be there (at Dillan's request), the shower took place after Quinn was born. It was different and we couldn't play a lot of the normal shower games (oh darn!), but it was still a fun party!

I got to see a lot of my extended family including my cousin (who was the maid of honor at my wedding) and her cute baby Lana.  She is only 6 months old, but she and Bode enjoyed being held by their mom's while we talked and caught up.  It had been a long time!

The boys who were banished from the party until all the women left!  Pictured though is my Grandpa, my dad and then 3 of his grandsons.  So we skipped a generation, but that should be about 4 generations.

Baby Quinn chilling with Daddy in the other room during the party.

There was a lot of talking and a lot of presents.

And a lot of sugar.  But that was the theme for this "sweet" little one!

I think everyone had a great time and I know Dillan will be able to dress that sweet baby really well during her first year of life!

Lake trip to WI (in the middle of the Chicago trip)

My Grandparents own a cabin in Wisconsin and I spent a lot of time there as a kid.  Until I got married, I don't think there was a summer that I didn't go up there at least once.  I haven't been able to go much since moving away, but we made it this time.  It was Harrison's second time and the girls first.  I love it up there and I think they all love it too!

There is sand.

Water.

Toys.

Boats.

This girl loved the boat.  We couldn't get her off it most days!  I think this picture captures her face and feelings well!

Fish.

Tubing.

Ninja stick fighting.

Cousins.

Car trips to the cheese factory, which had the best cheese curds I have ever had in my life.  Man I love some squeaky cheese.

We had such an awesome 3 days.  There is no phone and you get no service and it is a great place to unwind and relax.  Deana said it was a good trial run for Africa...no technology, minimal electricity and one very small bathroom (and everyone smelling like lake water!).  We also ate a lot of ice cream and s'mores (but I guess I didn't take any pictures of that)!  It was just a fun time with the cousins and spending Deana's last few days up there.  Great times!