the park

lake michigan

sorry about the picture overload, too many cute pictures!

{ SMILES }

Last Friday the kids and I decided to venture the 10 hour drive to Iowa to visit some friends. Cannon had been asking for a while to see Ammon and Carter, so before school started and while Steve was away on rotations I figured it would be the perfect time. Our trip started out about 6am with Cannon wondering where in the heck we were going while it was still dark outside. Steve called us before he got to the hospital and told Cannon because he has been such a big help we decided to take him on a trip to see Ammon and Carter. As soon as he heard we were going to Iowa, he was ALL SMILES. He didn't say to much, he just stared out the window with a huge SMILE on his face. The trip went pretty fast. The kids were so good, no problems! We got to Iowa just in time for Ammon to get home from school and that was pretty much the last time I saw Cannon until Sunday morning when we left.

Here are some things we were able to do. (not in chronological order)

Raccoon River

Carter, Cannon & Ammon

Pizza with Megan, Shauni, me and all of the kids

(Cannon, Ammon, Carter, Kaden, Karlee and Austin)

Friday night we got a babysitter while we spent the night on the town.

(Dinner @ Mimi's Cafe and shopping without kids)

Raccoon River

Old stompin ground--Neal Smith Trail--
many mornings along this trail training for the marathon

this time we took the kids for a bike ride since we couldn't go for a run.

Dewey Park for lunch

Abbi and Maddi

first picture I got of Maddi smiling

Karlee, Austin, Cannon, Kaden, Ammon, Beckham, Ashlyn, Oakley, Abbi and Carter

enjoying snacks in the shade

sleepover @ the frost's

notice all of the kids are still smiling without naps, long days, short nights and lots of playin

On Saturday I was also able to visit the Janke's who just had there new baby. He is the cutest little thing. It was fun to chit-chat with them and see there family.

It was so much fun to spend a couple of days in Iowa. I forgot how much fun we used to all have together. The 10 hour drive was worth every minute. I can't wait until November when they get to make the trip to Michigan.

Thanks Shauni, Ammon, Carter and Abbi for all of the fun adventures! We miss you guys!

celebrate......all week

We have been partying all week. Actually I should say, me and the kids have been partyin'. Monday started off with Steve and I celebrating our 8 year anniversary. Steve was away doing a rotation so we celebrated on Friday night. Olson's watched our kids and we were able to eat some great food and catch up.

Man, I love that guy!

Tuesday was Karlee's birthday. My little girl turned 3. I can't believe how grown up she is. She is so much fun and we are constantly laughing at her. My little dark haired baby turned into a blondie!

Karlee woke up to a room full of balloons. She ran to my room and yelled "Happy Birthday Mom! There is balloon all over in my room." She ran to tell Cannon and they spend most of the morning jumping around in her room.

Cannon talked her into coming down stairs so she could open up presents and see her birthday cake. Later that night we took cake and ice cream to mutual and all of the girls sang happy birthday to her.

Thursday Steve took boards, so we made homeade peanut butter oreo's for him. He was only able to stay one day because he had to return to rotations.

Saturday we had a water party outside with Karlee's friends. The weather was not great, but we had lots of fun and the kids still played in the water.

Steve couldn't resist the fun.

all of kids enjoyed the ice cream cone cake.......especially Karlee

To end the week, we went to a friends for another birthday party!

what a fun week!

Maddilyn

1 month

10 lbs 8 oz-----75%

height 21 1/2"-----50%

head 13 1/2"------50%

She loves to eat. For the last 2 weeks she has gained a pound a week!

We found out at her appointment that she has reflux, so we are trying her on a couple of different meds. The doctor thinks she'll probably sleep better instead of eating every 2 hours at night. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Steve likes to buy the kids donuts Saturday night for breakfast on Sunday. They wake up so excited to have pink frosted or sprinkle donuts.

Lets just say the frosting is basically all that gets ate.

{dressin up}

Last week Karlee was invited to a Fancy Nancy birthday party. She was so excited to get dressed up in her fancy clothes and have her hair all curled. I have to admit, it was pretty fun for me also. Girls are so much fun.

I can't believe how grown up she looks. Next thing you know she'll be getting all dressed up for prom. AAAHHHH!

I can't believe how fast time goes after you have a baby.

Maddilyn is 3 weeks old already! She is such a good baby. The kids absolutely love to hold her and watch her every day. First thing in the morning, both kids are in our room wanting to hold and look at baby Maddi. She isn't much of a sleeper, she is up every 2 hours on the dot, ready for her next meal.

Maddi's first doctors appointment after one week, she had already gained 10oz. It will be interesting to see how much she'll weigh next week for her one month.

Karlee new favorite thing is to pretend our "BIG" bathtub is a pool. She will sit in the pool for hours in her Little Mermaid tube and sing. It is so funny to sit in the other room and listen to her sing about random things.