Week 43

After the Vikings game this afternoon, we decided to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful fall day.  We headed to Henry's Woods, a nearby forest that Derek "discovered" a few years ago.  Our family calls it the "Gruffalo Forest" because when we first started going there the kids really liked the book and movie, The Gruffalo.  What a beautiful day!

I knew the kids were not really willing to pose for pictures today and I have learned not to push it.  The photos don't really turn out when they are whining/crying anyway.  Luckily, they forgot I had my camera and after playing tag with Derek, they were happy to be on our family adventure.  If only they had matching shoes, combed hair and no dirt stained clothes.  That's just the way it is these days, so oh well!

Week 42

Punky had a few days off of school this week for MEA, but we didn't have big plans.  On Thursday, we made puppy chow (it was gone on Friday).  Buddy's preschool was canceled too, so we were able to sign him up for one nature school class that he loved going to last year.  I had to work on Friday, but we stopped for donuts on our way to daycare.  Always a good day to start the day!  On Friday night, we went to Grandma Trudi and Grandpa Scott's.

There was a baby shower to celebrate Baby B who was born in July.  A lot of friends and family were there, so it was a fun morning!

All the great grandkids

Grandpa raked a big piles of leaves for the kids to jump in!

I'm kicking myself for not checking the exposure on this one!  I have one with Punky in focus and another shot with Buddy in focus- now I just need to learn Photoshop!

It was a beautiful fall weekend- I hope not the last warm weather of the year!

Believe it or not- bunny ears and a tongue sticking out was the best shot!

Week 41

I sound like a broken record... But man we had another crazy week!  

Monday we were still trying to catch up from being gone the week prior.  

Tuesday, Buddy had preschool and Taekwondo.  He is improving!  And learning so much!  I am so proud of him!  He was able to give the meaning of respect and recite "Focus your eyes.  Focus your mind.  Focus your body."  He earned a stripe on his belt for doing so.  

On Wednesday, Punky had ice skating.  She didn't pass her level but was so close!  Just two more boxes to check (and one of them she showed me she could do during her practice session).  

Buddy had his first preschool field trip on Thursday.  We went to a farm that had a hayride, corn maze and petting zoo.

Thursday was also our actual anniversary and Taekwondo was canceled so Punky skipped choir so we could all go out to dinner.  

There was a BBQ at school on Friday.  It was fun to see Punky eat lunch and play at recess with all her friends!

On Saturday, we went to SD for my cousin's wedding.  It was a beautiful day!  The reception was outside and the kids had a lot of fun dancing on the lawn in the dark.  

It's tradition to have a drink at The Ice House and break your beer bottle under the dock.  When the kids saw this, they just had to participate!

Today we played at the farm in the morning- my parents got new kitties!  

And then we drove home with two exhausted kids.  Back to the grind again tomorrow!  Hope you all had a good week!

Week 40

There isn't much to report about Punky and Buddy this week because Derek and I were gone all week celebrating our upcoming 10th anniversary!!!

We went to San Diego and had a great trip with equal parts relaxing and doing fun stuff.  

We took our time getting ready each morning (me more than Derek).  Then each day we did 1 or 2 things.  We spent the rest of the day walking on the beach, eating yummy food and tasting many different beers.  We made it back to our VRBO early enough every night to get some real sleep- turns out we are old and exhausted by the early flight and time change.

Day 1- In n Out Burger (meh), walk on the beach, Mexican food at Old Town (blah)

Day 2- More walks on the beach, California Burritos at Lucha Libre (fries inside!), Balboa Park, Ballast Point Brewery

Day 3- La Jolla, hike at Torrey Pines, quick stop at Lost Abbey/Port Brewing before dinner and tour at Stone Brewing

Day 4- Cabrillo National Monument, Coronado Island, back to Ballast Point

My parents watched the kids while we were gone and I think it's safe to say they all had fun!  They were plenty busy shuffling the kids to school, preschool, birthday parties and activities.  I was worried the kids would miss us or be scared and there was none of that!

Grandpa had talked about having an activity with a rope for Buddy every day.  We weren't so sure what exactly he had in mind, so it was fun to get picture texts each day.  I am sure they got some silly looks from the neighbors, but I also know they made some great memories!

Grandma and Grandpa had nothing but good things to say about the kids behavior when we got home.  They had lots of cute stories to tell about the kids.  And the kids said they had a good week with Grandma and Grandpa too.  

It was a great week for Derek and I to reconnect and celebrate 10 years.  I think it was also a great week for the kids to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa and create a special bond with them.  We are all so lucky!