Bubbles!!!!

From the month or so ago machine comes this sunny day fun when Grandma and Grandpa with the Pony were in town!

 Hailey has a great one going here with an old coat hanger!

Bo's working hard while double-fisting the wands.

Bo hands!!!  (I think)  :)

Geography Day

Today was puzzle day and then a trip across the United States.  It's a good thing we have a boy in the house who likes his cars and trucks and tractor trailers and diggers and fire trucks and dump trucks and garbage trucks and...  Well, any kind of truck for any kind of situation!  :)

Free Babysitter!

We have FINALLY received NEW trees for our front yard!  After waiting 6 or 7 years to have the association replace trees that were never made to be planted in Minnesota...  We had some diggers out front planting 8 new trees.  7 of the 8 were monitored closely by Bo and Pippi.  Thank goodness they all went in straight!  I think there would have been much hollering and yapping had they not done so!

School Experiments

Since the kids have a jar full of straws, we've been trying to talk to them about appropriate times to blow bubbles.  Not during dinner, not during snack.  Most definitely not with milk.  However, now that school has started, one of the first experiments that we did was blowing bubbles with straws!  I'm not going to promise that they learned the appropriate time to blow bubbles, but at least they had some pretty awesome bubble mountains!!  :)

First Day of School

Well, September has crept up on us and we have officially started the school year.  She busted out her favorite clothes and even had little Miss Pippi join in the picture!!  I can't believe how big our girl is getting!!!

The Trifecta

Now with our newest member of the family...  It's now a GREAT day when all three of them are snoozing away!!  :)

Little Tolkien Fan

 I was happy to find out that Bo likes Tolkien!  He's spent some good time flipping through the books.  Now, when can I start to read him the Hobbit?  Can I possibly get it done before the movie comes out in December??  :)

Find the Weasel!

Well, can you?

State Fair Adventures

Well, it was time! Bo finally got to come along on our Minnesota State Fair adventure!  With Darlene running the Women Rock 1/2 Marathon, and this being the last weekend of the fair...  I decided to pack up a lunch and take them both!

Bo got to have his first bus ride too!  This was one of Hailey's favorite things last year when we went too!  What a couple of happy clams!

We ventured through the DNR zone and ran across Smokey the Bear!!

Of course we did rides!  They each got to choose their rides and the airplane one was their favorite!  CHEEESE!

Lastly, with Bo's allergies, I think we hit the only stand that had something Bo COULD have.  Lemonade!!!!  Jumbo sized with two straws on a hot day hit...  the... spot!

Here's my little corn dog and state fair goer!!!  We had such a fun day.  I know things can't always be perfect (Hailey would point out we didn't get to see a horse show) but it was pretty close especially being Bo's first time!

Hired Hand

Bo is quite the little helper.  He's always asking for jobs to do.  We have to take advantage while it lasts!  One of his favorite jobs is to vacuum up the stairs!  He makes it up to the landing and then requests some assistance in switching the cord to be moved to the upstairs outlet.  Then he finishes the top half!  We may have to start renting out his services...  :)

Big Swinger

Here is our big swinger!  We have been working with Hailey on pumping her legs to get herself going on the swing for quite some time.  Now in the last few weeks she's finally got it!  Starting with some good training at Grandma with the Pony's house, she has definitely got it now!  We were at the park for a little over an hour and I bet she was swinging for a little UNDER an hour! :)

Now we might give an occasional under duck, but one more accomplishment for Miss Independent!!

The Muddy Weekend!

We have been quite the busy family. As you can tell, with every passing day work, fun and travels seem to keep the blog quiet. Every time I get some momentum getting back to a true "daily" post, something else comes along! So much appreciation to those checking back and I will continue to post pictures!! :) 

 On August 11th, Mr. Joe and I participated in the MuckRuckus TC Mud Run. It was a 10 kilometer run with quite a few obstacles. This year, Momma, Hailey, Bo and Pippi were all there to watch!! 

After running up and down and all around the mountain, I finally got back to where the spectators were!  Bo was there to greet me going across this mud hole on a rope!

Then up and over this spider/cargo netting one.  It was fun to hear them saying "GO DAD!!!"  It made the last 1/2 mile of the course go so much better hearing their cheering!

The best part about this year was there was a kids mud area to play in too!  Hailey got muddy!!!  She had fun, but at this point, the coldness of being wet and muddy was starting to take over.

This part with the hoses didn't help her coldness, but it sure helped the muddiness!  After the rinsing, we got a change of clothes and headed home.

All in all a great weekend to be outside helping to raise money for a great cause!  The event this year had a few less people, but we still raised over 500 thousand dollars for supporting MS families get access to the care and programs they need as well as MS Research!

Breakfast Chef

Someone sweet made breakfast this morning!!  Hailey wrote out a menu, took everyone's order, and made breakfast this morning. 

You can tell she was very proud!!  We were every bit as proud, and thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast. 

Ice Cream Queen

We opened up a tub of ice cream so it has become the new inspiration to finish our dinner.  Hailey gave her dinner to Momma and took her plate inside.  She then came storming back out talking about how she really wanted to eat her dinner.  We asked her what changed her mind and she said, "Well, I was just thinking I didn't want to be hungry."

After a few more questions, she finally said, "Because I wanted some ice cream and I can't have any unless I finish my dinner!"

Darlene and I both said, "There it is!"  :)

Pippi Power

Pippi has definitely been growing in leaps and bounds.  She's doing more and more all the time.  She is forgetting she needs to go potty outside, which we thought we had it made when she did so well that first week!  Either way, she's still a cutie!  :)

Pippi!!!

Good Morning Readers

How is this for a sight first thing in the morning...  Early risers, early readers!

A Day at the Zoo

We had some free time on Saturday morning so we gave the kiddos a few options. With all the ones we had, it was the Minnesota Zoo that won out! I think it was because of the proposition of the camel rides!!!  (see below)

Before we could make it around to the camels, we had to stop and see the sea otters...  Bo and Hailey both wanted seats to watch, so they worked together to find a spot where they both could see and watched for a bit!

Alas!  We did find the camels!  But where is Bo?  Yeah...  We paid 5 bucks for him to ride and then he decided to bail.  So Haileys made her rounds and was quite pleased.  I was pleased that the guy gave me the 5 back!  :)

Now if this doesn't make Grandma and Uncle Steph proud...  At one of the parks, there is a boat to ride in.  What did Hailey do when she hopped in???  She went to the back and was practicing her fishing!!  Cast...  Real...  I GOT ONE!!!  :)

Minocqua 2012 - The Finale

Well, the camping trip had to end sometime...  And the greatest part about knowing that there was a puppy waiting at home was seeing Hailey a little sad about leaving the dog troop that we had the whole week.  Ebony already left, but Hailey wouldn't have left without pictures with these two!

 Hailey and Gretchen!

Hailey and Noodles (a.k.a. Farrah)

And now we end the camping trip story...  There might be some more pictures if we can get a few from the other camera holders!  The ones of the group didn't turn out well, so hopefully I can get another out there soon.  Thanks for staying tuned!!

Minocqua 2012 - The Speed Boat

It was the first year Uncle Earl brought his big boat up camping.  In previous years, it most likely wouldn't have been altogether fun due to the temperatures we normally see (a bit cooler) but this year...  It was warm and sunny and made for perfect weather for long bumpy boat rides with big waves!!!

 I suppose even with all the sun and warmth, the "cooler" folk can still be found!  :)

 Hailey and Daddy getting ready to ride the tube together.  Let 'er rip Uncle Earl!!

 Hailey, Grandma and Uncle Will took their turn.  Hailey took a moment to show some things that she learned while riding with Dad!  Atta girl!!!

After all of the tubing, Hailey got to help drive while Cousin Mason did some wake boarding as you can see in the background.  Hailey said that next year SHE was going to try skiing!  We'll have to see what the future holds!

Minocqua 2012 - The New Stuff

One of the biggest highlights for us this camping trip was Hailey throwing off her training wheels!  In preparation for the event, I mentioned to her that we could try to ride without them during the camping trip and then surprise Momma when we get back!

Hailey is definitely my girl and one to NEVER turn down a challenge!

 

Look Mom!  No training wheels!

 

 

After lots of practice...

 

And MORE practice...

She made it all the way down to the dock!  My favorite story I had to tell Hailey about riding her bike is how I learned to ride my bike without training wheels.  I had a big grassy field to ride around in.  And falling down in the grass was way better than the road.  Then when I was feeling up to a ride down the pavement, I subsequently crashed into our mailbox!  She thought that was pretty funny!  :)

When we got home on Saturday, after the Pippi puppy surprise, we had Bo, Momma and Pippi wait out front.  Hailey and I got her all ready and she went riding around the sidewalk to show off her new skills!  Everyone was impressed!!!  :)

Minocqua 2012 - The Essentials

Every year it seems we have more and more new things happening. With all of the kids getting older things are definitely going to change. But alas, some of the things we've come to enjoy while we're camping always seem to be there every year!  The first part of the posts this year is just that.  All the same, yet altogether essential to getting me through the work-year before next year's adventures!

Fishing, fishing, fishing!  Heading out on one of the first days with Earl and Steph!

Rooms with views!  Sunrises and sunsets are always an enjoyable bookend to our day!

Grandma Jane and her camping smile!

Me and a couple of keepers!

Now that you have that, please check in again tomorrow!  Now that Hailey is 5 going on 6 this fall, she has had some rather enjoyable/exciting changes at camping this year!!  :-)  (Insert suspense here!)

Minocqua 2012

We have returned from the northwoods after another very successful outing!  However, I do have to interrupt this update with the following update to our family roster!

 

Meet Pippi!  (originated from Pipsqueak if you were wondering).  Last Saturday, Darlene had found the puppy at the farmers market in Neillsville.  One of our concerns about adding a furry member to the family was that Bo, the more allergic of the two, would react to the dander and we'd have to turn the little cutie away.

Well, with Hailey and I out camping, there was a week to find out if Bo could handle it and he did!  So we had kept it a secret with Hailey during the week.  So it was fun for me to ask Hailey if she'd ever WANT a dog (she said she'd rather have a horse), or if she had a black and white dog, what would she name it (Sarah since she JUST got a black and white stuffed animal and named it)...

The time came and the plot thickens.  During our time away, Momma and Bo were going to write a book about everything they did.  The first page of the book was about the fact they went and bought a puppy.  Hailey read it and processed it.  Then she thought, we bought a puppy...  Then her eyes lightened up and asked, did you buy a puppy?  Which we responded with YES!  She's in the house, would you like to go meet her????  Here is the look she had!

(Insert a big inhale with this smile)  :)

Hailey officially loves Pippi too.  She was laying in bed proclaiming with a sigh, "I love Pippi!"  :)  Tomorrow will commence the camping photos from Hailey and Daddy's week in Minocqua!!

Dress Up Day!

The things we run across while trying on clothes....

 Kangaroos and Princesses...

Fancy dresses and high heeled shoes next to froofy froofy dress with Lightning McQueen rain boots!  :)

What have we been up to?

Well, needless to say, this summer has been busy! Work, travelling, company, concerts and much much more it seems! So I do apologize as it seems in the evenings, my pillow is casting an unbreakable spell over me before I can pull out the camera and computer. So now let's get to our 4th of July fun!! 

We were very thankful on Tuesday night to have Joe, Meghan and Toby save us seats at the fireworks in Plymouth.  Although it was a hike all the way across the city, the pre-fireworks entertainment included music, an orchestra and fire dancer type people.  Hailey LOVED the orchestra and we had to move down in front to get some good looks at the band.

While we were at the fireworks, Uncle Will and Maggie were also on their way up.  Due to the heat, we ended up spending time at the Mall of America.  We rode rides and shopped.  The kids got to enjoy a lot of rides!!  Bumper cars was, I'm fairly certain, Bo's favorite!

Riding in cars!

Last but not least, the carousel!  Hailey took the pony and Bo rode the bench.  Just when you think he'd bust out of his shell and ride a chicken or giraffe, he decides he just wants the bench.  Although, maybe it was because it was almost 2 p.m. and nobody had eaten yet...  Woopsie!

Well, I have to get back to the action here and hope to post again soon!  Sorry for the wait and we'll be back soon!

My Two Ladies

My favorite two girls chilling out front for a picnic this weekend.  Boy is the weather hot!!  We have to pick and choose our strategy, but we still were able to make it to the garden and the beach over the weekend!  I hope you are able to enjoy it just the same!