Summer Update (finally!)

First off, I have to apologize for my lack of blog posts this summer. To say that we have been busy would be an understatement. To say that I've been busy would be a huge understatement. Still, we have had fun and are truly enjoying our time together. I contemplated putting all of these updates into separate blog posts, but ended up doing the big long one. I hope you don't mind. Just be prepared for the massive amounts of pictures you are about to see. Here goes:

**************Buffalo Days***************

The weekend of June 18th was Buffalo Days. We hit up the carnival and let me tell you, it is the epitome of everything "carny." I'll just leave it at that...you get the picture. Landon's truly loves the rides. No fear for this dude!

Fishing pond:

This little lady got her first taste of mommy's favorite carnival food: mini donuts!

***************ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education)***************

Let me just say that Buffalo has a fabulous ECFE program. This summer has been no exception. The kids and I registered for a Wednesday morning "Mixed Ages" class. It's so fun! We have free play/craft time, followed by circle time (singing, dancing), and then snack time. During snack time the parents sneak out to have "parent education discussion" time while the kids stay with three ECFE teachers for more free play. It's been so fun to see how well Landon and Addison do when I leave the room. There's a one way glass window/mirror for the parents to watch through. They barely even notice that I leave while many of the other children scream for the whole 40 minutes that we are gone. I will attribute that to daycare and that my kids are used to being around other adults.
On most Tuesdays, ECFE sponsors Music In the Park at Sturges Park. They have had some really great musical acts perform this summer. We have packed our lunch and had a picnic after the music. What a great way to spend a morning! Auntie Jess and Auntie Ashley and the cousins have a joined us a few times too!

************Father's Day*************

We had fun celebrating Father's Day with Daddy! He wore a "King for the Day" crown and we got him a fun card with stickers to wear. We went to my mom and dad's house for tacos and then grilled for dinner. Daddy got his new I Phone for his gift this year. I just have to tell you that almost every day since Landon has said to Darren, "Happy Father's Day Daddy!" Darren loves it!

***************Kretschmar Christmas******************

The weekend of June 25th we made our first of many trips this summer up to Darren's family cabin up in Detroit Lakes. We celebrated Darren's extended family Christmas! For the past few years we started doing "Christmas in July" as everyone's schedules are always too busy in December. We had a great weekend! Landon tubed for the very first time and was super brave! By the end of his ride he was even bouncing up and down in the tube. Won't be long and he'll be up on skis.

Yes, Santa did make a stop with presents for the little ones:

Overnight on Saturday, we had storms with downpours. This is Landon playing in the big "puddle" in the back yard! Notice how close this is to Darren's aunt and uncle's tent! Who needs a lake when you've got a puddle to play in?

********4th of July*******

Now, onto July and my favorite month of the year! We celebrated the 4th weekend with LOTS of time at the cabin (Bass Lake just north of Annandale). We stayed there Saturday through Monday. So much fun!!! We got lots of quality time with the Hegle family.

Landon caught his very first fish...with Uncle Chad's help! I think Uncle Chad has a new fishing buddy.

There's nothing better than evenings at the lake...

...or nice calm mornings when everyone is ready for another day! (Notice the new table Landon is sitting at? My Uncle Jerry made that for the grandkids to sit on...it has all five of their names on it. Neat!)

Love the carnival!!! (Grandpa Eddie met up with us for some rides and carnival food!)

A weekend at the lake just wouldn't be complete without some pontoon rides:

The parade was fun as always! Addison looked super cute in her red, white, and blue with matching tutu.

Soaking up some more water and sun before heading home from a loooonnnng weekend of fun. Pretty sure it took us a week to recuperate!

**********Other updates**********

Addison turned 11 months on June 23rd and coming up this Saturday will be ONE YEAR OLD! I serioulsy can't believe how fast this past year went by. Last year at this time Landon and I were hanging out in the a/c waiting for my induction that Friday morning. WOW! I will write a full update about Addi and all her milestones and growth stats after her doctor appointment on August 3rd. She's walking, talking, and quite the little comedian these days. We can't get enough of her little mischevious grin.

On June 15th I finally started my new "Thirty One Gifts" journey. It has been going strong ever since and it's kept me VERY busy. I've had quite a few parties so far and quite a few more on my calendar. The extra commission checks and perks that the company provides are more than I could have ever asked for. As I write this, I am waiting for five packages to be shipped. Two FREE $300 kits, some add-on kits of new fall items that I purchased, and catalogs and business supplies for the fall season. I will probably from time to time post specials and new products on this blog. Please let me know if you are interested in a catalog or more information about "Thirty One." I'm in love. Here's Addi modeling her new 31 Large Utility Tote!

We've started the potty training with Landon and it's going well so far. I ordered him a "potty watch" that you can set to go off every 30, 60, or 90 minutes. He loves it and sprints to the bathroom every time it goes off. After he saw Jackson go potty standing up last week, he has wanted to do the same. It's quite the chuckle every time I watch him get up on his tippy toes to do his business. So proud!!!

Well, I think I'll leave you with that and one last picture from last night's steamy weather...two babies swimming in a bucket!

This weekend we have Addison's big ladybug birthday party...stay tuned for pictures next week. I've been working my tail off late nights and nap times trying to get ready for it. Anything for my kids!!!

I Promise...

...there will be an update soon! I'm in over my head this summer with all that I have going on. My goal is to have an updated blog of all that has happened recently (Kretschmar Christmas, Father's Day, 4th of July, Addison walking, Landon's potty training adventures, my Thirty One gig, and more)! Stay tuned...

1st Dentist Visit

Landon had his first dentist appointment yesterday, and in all my nervousness about how it was going to go and whether he would cooperate or not, I totally forgot my camera! No pictures of the first dentist visit! Oh well. I guess I shouldn't have worried so much because he did FANTASTIC! They even took x-rays and cleaned and put fluoride on his teeth...wasn't expecting all that! He laid right back in the chair and it took a little coaxing to open wide. We tell him that we need to check for "sugar bugs." Works like a charm! He got a little antsy and uncooperative from time to time, but just needed to squeeze Mommy's hands and all was good. He got a new toothbrush and a prize (bubbles). Afterward we walked across the street to the dollar store where he picked out a toy motorcycle and some candy...dentist would love that! Great job Buddy!

Look at These Toes!

How stinkin' cute are these toes with their first pedicure ever???

Water Fun

We had a fun and busy weekend! On Saturday, Nate and Charlene and the kids all came down from Fargo for a day of fun at the Maple Grove Community Center! We had never been there, but will for sure have to go back. I was very impressed! We had a blast playing in the outdoor water park, and then went to the indoor water park for more fun after the outdoor pool closed. We had a pizza party for supper and then everyone went to bed. Landon had Isaac as a roommate and did surprisingly well.

On Sunday, we had Rachel Ramsey's graduation party in Minnetonka and enjoyed the beautiful weather we had this weekend. I wish every summer day was like the past two days have been!

One more day of school, one workshop day, and then off for the summer! Woo hoo!

Mother's Day and Misc.

You know it's time to update your blog when the last post is all about how Addison just turned 9 months...

Well, yesterday she turned 10 months...time for an update!

We had a great Mother's Day! The kids made me an adorable dish towel at Jenny's that has their cute little handprints and names on it. LOOOOVE this! (If you can't quite read it, it says "Best Mom Ever, Hands Down!") From Darren and the kids, I got my vegetable garden. We ended up opting for the raised garden bed from Home Depot. That will be the topic of my next post I'm sure as we are working to get it in the ground and planted this week. Can't wait! We spent Mother's Day at Jess and Chad's house with the whole fam. Can't get enough pictures of Blake and Addison together. These two are going to be trouble with a capital T! My Grandma Dolores was there that day and after watching Addison for quite some time she said to me, "That one there...she has mischief in her eyes." Oh brother..

Other news...this little gal is (well has been for about two months now) climbing up the stairs in our house. The baby gate is finally back into position from taking a short hiatus in the closet.

Addison's latest...carrying around anything in her mouth. She especially loves anything soft...socks, her lamby...you name it..

Landon's newest toy...his new water table. After cleaning the office last weekend I came across a gift card he had received at his birthday party from my grandma. We walked the aisles of Walmart for quite some time and he finally decided he wanted this fun little water table. The kids had quite a blast with it last Sunday! A change of clothes is required each time they go near the thing. It will be so much fun this summer!

I also can't forget to announce that Landon filled up his first "potty chart" over the weekend.! We have been working on this since right around his birthday in February. He didn't take too much interest in it right away. It wasn't until we started offering M & M's and Jenny starting to work on it at daycare that he showed some interest again. He will go if we put him on the potty, but so far hasn't figured out to let us know when he needs to go. We're not rushing anything and we'll wait until he's ready to let us know. Until then, more diapers,

M & M's and stickers for the potty chart!

And last but not least, this little chica turned 10 months old yesterday! Better get working on the big birthday party! She is standing on her own for quite some time now...up to 30 seconds. I have a feeling it won't be long and she will be walking up a storm!

That's all for now. Stay tuned for before and after pictures of the vegetable garden hopefully over the weekend. :)

Our little lady is 9 months old! Crazy.

Her 9 month well-child visit stats:

height.....30 inches.....98th percentile

weight.....20 lbs. 14 oz.....80th percentile

head.....46.4 cm.....96th percentile

Milestones:

We can't keep this girl in one place! She's quite the monkey these days and giving me new gray hairs every day. Her latest? Climbing up the stairs, crawling on all fours, walking along the furniture, and standing alone for up to 5 seconds. She is super daring and will climb on anything! She digs in cupboards and drawers and pulls everything out. She loves to babble, squeal, yell, and sing. She has started to try to take things away from Landon which makes for little fights between the kids. Already. We have to pin her down with our legs to change her diaper or get her dressed. Bathtime has become virtually impossible as she wants to stand up all the time. I'm sure walking is right around the corner. Help us. All kidding aside, she is super fun and has developed quite the personality. I'm pretty sure 9 months is one of my favorite ages! She loves to cuddle and give kisses and hugs...love love love her cute little smile and dimples.