Preston's 8th Birthday!

Preston wanted to play baseball for his birthday party.  I was all in as it was August 5th.  I was largely pregnant and already dilated.  I figured if I was in the hospital the grandparents and Brad should be able to handle it.  Plus, I wouldn't have a mess of boys running around the house.  We served traditional ball park fare with hotdogs.  And for birthday favors I gave each a water bottle to put water or gatorade in and bubble gum.  They all brought their gloves and we had balls and bats.  I love summer birthdays!

Braeden brought his buddy Jacob along to help keep him company.

Preston and his friend and classmate Blaise.

We gave Preston a much needed new baseball glove and a brand new bat!

Laken amongst all the boys.

Preston's new bat!

We even had MN Twins cupcakes.

Preston's sweet shirt from Uncle Mike.  Uncle Mike always finds the coolest shirts!

Clara loved it as she could play at the park adjacent to the baseball field.  She took off like a flash (as she always does) right for it.  Check out her cute little lady bug dress Gammy made (Clara loves ladybugs).

Maternity

I cherish all of these pictures.

Crazy Days part 2

During Crazy Days McDonalds was celebrating their 10th Anniversary with 1950s pricing.  Guess were we went for lunch.  The kids played like crazy in the playland.  I do not want to know what is in those tunnels. Clara particularly loved the face painting station they had, too.  She probably would have gotten her entire self painted if I would have allowed it.  She loved the hamburgler and bird costume characters, too!

Crazy Days

 Laken's Dance studio marched in the crazy days parade.  At first she nervous that she would not know anyone that was marching.  But, her friend Ava from Preschool was there and so were many of the girls she danced with last spring.  They marched to Central Park and they had Popsicles and bounced in a bounce castle.  Then it was shopping for clothes for Brad and Shoes for Clara :)

Guess what I made...

I made my 1st diaper cake for my Cousin Jared's little boy Asher.  It was a baseball theme and I had so much fun getting all the goodies.  I even found Twins bath soaps.  I ended up adding chipboard letters in Red on the top ribbon to spell Asher, but didn't take a final pic.  Inside were little baseball themed outfits, too.   It was for Mel and Jared's baby shower.  The adopted Asher at birth in April.

Rochester Honkers Game

 Our Financial advisor, Nick Lewis with Thrivent, treated us to a Chartered Bus trip to the Rochester Honkers baseball game.  Beforehand he even at burgers, hotdogs, chips, pop and ice cream at his office.  Then, we boarded the bus and headed to Roch.  Clara was a bit scared to be aboard sans carseat.

 Laken insisted on bringing her blankie and backpack of "things" to do at the game.  She was excited for the bus trip.
The boys had a blast and enjoyed the game the most!

 After awhile, Clara settled in and thought it was fun.  She even yelled, "McDonalds!" when she spotted one in Byron.

 Once at the field, we were excited to learn that our seats would be on the party deck.  That meant that all the food, soda and beer were free.  Also, Nick treated the kids to souvenirs. 

Clara loved running around and the balloons.  I didn't bring a stroller, because I didn't know how much room there would be on the bus.  Thankfully, Nick's wife did.  Clara needed by the end of the game :)

Cousin Camp Talent Show

The videos below are of the children performing at the Annual Cousins Camp out talent show.  Enjoy!

032

015

Braeden campout harmonica.AVI

039

Sodastream

 This summer our children and their cousins toured Spring Grove Soda in Spring Grove, MN and learned about the process of making and bottling soda.  They purchased several bottles and fell in love with soda making.  Once the bottles were empty, they decided to create their own sodas using different mixtures of juices and carbonated water.  They had a blast!  It ended with a taste testing and we all got to vote for our favorite.

DailyBzz-Madden 12

As many of you know I am a BzzAgent for BzzAgent.com. I participate in W.O.W, word of mouth advertising. This in essence means I receive a product in exchange for my honest feedback and opinion on the product. Today Preston is hoping to catch BzzAgent Jono's attention in order to receive a chance for our family to review the Madden 12 video game. BzzAgent Jono pick our Pudge Budge and I know his 11 year old Brother, Braeden, will thank you, too :)

The Cousins Invasion

I am way behind in blogging as many of you know.  We were delighted to have Riley and Calia spend a portion of their summer with us.  We so wish they lived ever so closer to us.  We all love spending time with them!  The arrived on the 4th the July.  One of the traditions we have with them that started the summer Preston was born is the annual Cousins camp out.  This year the camper has been parked at the Hinckley "Farm". 

It featured baseball

Sandbox play and eating sand for some.

Hairstyling...man I would pay Calia to style my girls hair everyday.

More sand fun...

The militia which featured home guns.

Beer drinking for some.

Entertaining Great Grandparent...just how lucky are my kids :)

A talent show featuring a rockstar.

A Harmonica.

A yo-yo master.

A singing ladybug.

Of course some Gaga.

Toddler chasing.

And more sandbox fun :0

Later in the week activities including swimming at the Americinn, because every time we tried to swim outdoors the weather did not cooperate.

Nama and Grandpa also took the 4 oldest grand kids on an excursion to Spring Grove Soda Pop factory.  Yummy soda to say the least.  That trip inspired them to make their own soda.  We all taste tested the 4 varieties and voted on the one we liked the best. 

We did some slip and slide.  Some sans suits :0

The gaga talent portion.

Finally, one of the days there was even a spa in my basement complete with massages, drinks and an employee of the day.

Daily Bzz-Bodum

Can't think of a better way to drink River Baron Vodka then paired with these fabulous looking Bodum double wall glasses.  What a great combination the two would be. Pick us BzzAgent.