Cousin Piercing Party!

Technically, this took place while Rachel was still here (I summed up the rest of her trip here, here, and here), but I thought this deserved a post of its own!

Miley got her ears pierced!  It was a little bit of a spontaneous decision, but we have been thinking about doing it for some time now.  Miley has been asking for earrings since she was about two (seriously).  Last year, when she was four, I made a deal with her that if she stopped sucking her two fingers, I would let her get her ears pierced.  Much to my surprise, she stopped immediately (I actually remember my parents making the same deal with me when I used to suck my thumb...they probably don't remember that, but I do.  I just wasn't as good as Miley and I didn't do it!  They must have known they would get me on that one... ).  But when I asked her about piercing her ear, she said maybe she would wait till she was older.  I didn't want to push her to do it, so I just let it go.

So, while Rachel was in town, I randomly asked her one day what age she wanted Hailey to be before she pierced her ears.  She didn't really care, and through talking about it some more, we thought it would be fun to ask the girls if they wanted to get it done together while they were in town.  We asked them that day, and gave them a couple of days to think about it, and they really wanted to do it!

On Friday, August 2nd, Cindy was kind enough to come over with a couple of her kids to watch the 3 younger boys while we took the girls to get their ears pierced.  Kayla came with us, which made it a fun, girl cousin outing.  :)  Both girls were a little nervous, but Miley didn't hesitate to be the first one to jump up in the chair.  She had Kayla hold her hand, and didn't shed a tear.

Hailey went next, and also no tears.  The girls were so excited when they were both done.  It was so cute, and we think it is so fun that they were able to do this big thing together.

Since they were so brave, we took them out for cupcakes afterwards.  Such cute girls!

It was a fun way to end a great week with Rachel!

Rachel Came to Party - Part 3

On Wednesday, July 31st, the older kids went to a kids camp that a couple girls from our ward were putting on.  Rachel and I jumped at the opportunity to be able to run around with just our little guys for a couple of hours, plus we knew the older kids would have a great time.  We were able to go to the mall and have lunch with James and Landon.  You forget how easy it is to do those things with 1 kid!

Thursday was another laid back day...gym in the morning, and hanging out at home the rest of the day.  Fortunately Rachel had bought some coloring stuff, and stickers to keep the kids entertained in our "down time."  It was wonderful!

Friday, the kids were able to attend another kids camp (which meant more shopping, and lunch for Rachel and me!).  They LOVED these camps.  It was so nice to have them to give them something to do a couple of the morning they were here!

Spending some quality time with Landon was great.  We are so often running around and doing things for Miley, and I kind of feel bad that he doesn't get to do much right now.  I now that will change in the next year, but I sure love having moments like this with him...

Rachel's last night and morning were spent packing, doing laundry, etc.  We had to take them to the airport on Saturday afternoon, August 3rd.  We were sad to see them go.  My kids sure love having cousins around!  It is a bummer that cousins are spread out all over the country, and we don't get to see them more often, but we really appreciate and love when people make the effort to come see us, and we get to spend some one-on-one time with them!  Thanks Rachel, for braving 8 days and 2 flights solo to come see us!

Rachel Came to Party - Part 2

Monday was a pretty low-key day.  We made it to the gym in the morning, but then with nappers and everything, we kid of just hung out the rest of the day.  The kids had so much fun being together though.  Landon and James were so cute to watch throughout the week.  We did make it to the park that day, but had to cut it short to go home and change Landon's pants.  He was a party pooper....literally.

On Tuesday we hauled the kids to Como Zoo in the morning.  Como is one of the best things about Minnesota.  A free zoo.  Can't beat that.  The kids had a great time looking at the lions, monkeys, giraffes, etc, watching Sparky the Sea Lion put on a show, and just running around and being outside.  It was a great way to spend the morning.

That evening, Cameron earned some major husband/brother-in-law points for watching all 5 kids and putting them to bed while Rachel, Cindy and I went out for pedicures and manicures.  We also went to a new french fry and ice cream place called Honey and Mackies.  Ummmm, could there be a better combo??  It was fun to have some adult girl time and get to sit and chat for a few hours.

The trip was half over at this point, but fortunately we still had 4 days together! 

Rachel Came to Party - Part 1

At the end of July, my (brave) sister-in-law, Rachel, came to visit us with her three kids from Seattle, Washington.  I say brave, because I don't think I would take on three kids on a round trip flight halfway across the country!  I had to give her mad props.  She was here for 8 days, so we were able to squeeze in some fun, but also were able to just relax and enjoy hanging out and letting the cousins play together.

The first full day they were here, Saturday July, 27th, was a grocery shopping day, settling in in kind of day.  We were able to hang out with Don and Cindy and their family, which is always fun.  The whole crew went to Chipotle for dinner, and enjoyed the dog statues outside afterwards.

On Sunday we went to church, then had a big dinner at our house with Don and Cindy again.  It was so fun to have so many cousins (9!!) running around and playing together.

The week of fun was just beginning!

Maple Grove Days

You would think that after living here for 6 years, we would have attended our annual town celebration, Maple Grove Days, more often than we have.  In fact, we only went to the fireworks the very first year we were here, and have not done any of it since.  It seems like we are often gone that time of year, or have something going on, but we just have never really done it.

This year, with Don and Cindy back, and eager to do some of the activities, coupled with the fact that we were actually IN town, we were able to do the parade and the fireworks this year.  Some year, we may do more of the activities, especially since kids are getting older and enjoying it more and more, but we had a great time with those two events this year.

On Thursday evening, July 11th, we went to the parade.  The parade was long, so we only stayed for part of it , as we still had to eat dinner (which we ended up doing at about 9:00 pm!).  The kids loved being with their cousins, getting candy, and watching all the different floats, trucks, and cars go by!

On Saturday, July 13th, we went to see the fireworks with Don and Cindy's family, and our good friends, Parley and Angela.  I have always been a little bugged that Maple Grove doesn't do fireworks on the 4th of July, and does them instead during Maple Grove Days, only a couple weeks later, but it was a pretty great show, so oh well.  It is what it is, right?  We had great seats, right on the lake where they were shooting them off, and again, we all had a great time!  Hopefully Maple Grove Days can become more of a tradition in our future!

Wyoming Vacation - Part 6

On our last day in Wyoming, we unfortunately spent a lot of the day packing up and all of that fun stuff!  We were able to sneak away for a little bit though, with the little girls to let them go get pedicures!

Before we left we were able to go out to a fun Mexican restaurant for dinner with the whole family.  Table for 18???

Then right before we loaded the car we got some pictures of all the grandkids (not the easiest task, but one that you HAVE to do when everyone is together...notice the reflections of all the adults in the door trying to get the kids looking??!!).

It was so sad to leave...especially knowing that my family was all still going to be there for a while!  We had a great time though, and love the time that we got to spend with everyone.  After a loooong drive home (although the kids were REALLY good, so I can't complain!) it definitely felt good to be back in our own beds and *sort of* felt good to get back to the routine.  We just hope it isn't another three years before we see all these guys again!