A day at the park and a little Tie-Dye

Today we went to the Puppet Wagon and met Corey and Sophia's daycare friends. They were so excited to see her that they were fighting over who could sit next to her. It was quite funny. After the show, the kids played at the park. It was so great for Sophia to see her friends. She was thrilled to play with them at the park.

Sophia and Jenna going down the slide

Getting hugs from Mason

After the park we went back home and had a tea party together. Then it was time for a nap. She was completely exhausted. When she got up we had a quick dinner and then it was off to work. When I got done teaching my class Sophia got to tie-dye a t-shirt with one of her favorite girls in Kidstuff Ms. Katherine. She just adores her so much. Ms. Katherine helped her put on the rubber bands.

Then she helped her dip the t-shirt into the colors. Sophia picked orange and blue.

The t-shirt turned out adorable! Thanks a bunch Ms. Katherine you made Sophia's day!!

We got back home just in time for Sophia to have a bath. Then it was off to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day. I'm off to Chicago for a long weekend with my best friend Becca. I can barely wait to hang out with her. Until Monday!

A Girls Day In Stillwater

This morning we went to breakfast with my mom at Fresh Fields in Stillwater. It is this wonderful bakery and we loved our breakfast! After eating we went downtown and looked at all of the shops and walked down by the river. Sophia loved picking items up in the stores and saying, "Oh this is cute!" It is quite hilarious to hear how she talks like such a grown-up.

When we got home Sophia wasn't too tired to my surprise, but we did find a surprise....daddy came home sick. We're hoping he will start feeling better soon.

Tonight we went to the Y and Sophia put on this Mickey Mouse Costume. It was about the cutest thing ever. Luckily the Y let us use the camera so I could get a picture of her. I will post it as soon as it gets sent to me.

We're off to Archivers in a bit so that I can get supplies to make baby shower invites for a shower that I'm throwing for a girlfriend from school. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

Tomorrow we're headed to the Puppet Wagon and a picnic with Corey and Sophia's daycare friends. I'm sure it will be a blast.

What a busy weekend

This weekend proved to be one of the busiest in our family, but everyone pulled together and stuck it out until the bitter end on Sunday at 8pm.

Friday morning we got some really bad storms in Woodbury and in MN in general. It hailed quite a bit at our house and looked like someone had dumped a monsoon in our yard. Sophia didn't really enjoy the storm until it started to hail. So I went outside and gathered some up for her so she could put it in a cup, examine it, and shake it around.

Sophia examining the hail in her cup

Holding the cup with the hail
When the stormed died down I was extremely glad because we had so many things to get done before Sophia went down for a nap. We were off and out the door to meet my mom for some errand running. We got some shoes for the wedding, the wedding present, jewelry, and some other items needed from Target.

Later afternoon, I got the laundry done and got dinner ready. Hal's parents came over for dinner that evening and we had a wonderful dinner on the grill. After eating, we went outside and Hal and his dad flew the kites. The weather was perfect and the whole neighborhood was out for the evening. Sophia didn't want to go inside to bed.

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to run the Lumberjack Days race in Stillwater MN. It was a 10 mile race and I finished in 1:38:26. I was quite proud of my time because I don't normally finish a longer race with under 10 minute miles.

My neighbor and I headed home after the race and I got home to find my smiling family waiting for me. They congratulated me on the run and then we played toys/play dough for a while. Sophia had a bath and then my parents came to pick her up.

Hal and I got ready to head to Cottage Grove to a friend's wedding. Congrats Stacy and Matt! The wedding was a really fun time!

Hal and I outside on the deck that overlooked the river

Hanging with Sarah and Nate

Our adorable niece Abby

Sunday we got up and read the paper out on the deck. It was a gorgeous morning. Then we went over to my parents to pick up Sophia. We went to the grocery store and Sophia and I went to the park when we got home. After lunch we got ready to head back over to my parents for our family picnic. My dad's side of the family all came over. It's quite fun with all 16 of us together.

Sophia floating in the pool with Hal

Hanging with the kids

Will, Thomas, and Elizabeth
Once we got home last night everyone completely crashed. We were all in bed at 8! It was a wonderful weekend, but I think I might need the week to recover. Today we have lunch with Jayne, Abby, and Sarah and then dance this evening. Hopefully the weather will be beautiful this week!

I love the beach!

Today I took Sophia to the beach for the first time ever. We had a great time playing in the water and the sand. We also ran into our neighbors at the beach so it couldn't have gotten any better. They have a little girl who is almost 3. Sophia had a wonderful time playing and being silly with Emmerson.

The girls being silly together wearing the goggles


When it got cloudy outside and began to ran, it didn't stop us. We got under the big umbrella and ate lunch and made sticky wet sandcastles. Sophia was such a trooper. I don't think she even realized that it was raining.


Then the weather got nice and sunny outside and we were able to play in the water more.

When it was time to go Sophia was very upset. She said goodbye to the beach at least 3 times. She was just covered in sand, but has the best time. I can't wait to take her back now knowing she loved it.

I had to teach at the Y tonight and of course it stormed just as we had to get there. The weather passed quickly which was nice and Sophia wanted to play outside again when we got home.

Tomorrow we will head up to the pool if the weather is nice during the day. In the evening we're meeting our friends the Gutts at Marketfest in White Bear Lake. Should be a great time!

Teddy Bear Park

I'm so happy to have the sun back! Getting up to the rays shining in my window this morning at 7:30 was a welcome sight. When I got Sophia up I gave her two choices of what we could do today......choice #1 go to Lake Calhoun to see the boat races/sand castle contest for the Aquatennial.....choice #2 go to the Teddy Bear Park and bring a picnic lunch. Can you guess which one she picked? Of course it was the Teddy Bear Park.

We spent the majority of the day at the park hanging out and playing. I could hardly believe that when I looked at my watch, we had spent over 4 hours playing/eating lunch.

Sophia made a couple of friends throughout the day. It was pretty cute. I also chatted with a mom from White Bear Lake. We swapped advice on baby/kids stuff. It was fun!

When we got home we played for a bit outside in the yard and then it was time for Sophia to take a nap. I read my book and relaxed. Hal came home from the cabin and it was so good to see him.

After Sophia woke up we played and then she ate a very huge and very long dinner out on the deck. Sitting on the deck was phenomenal. I gave Sophia a bath and we put her to bed. Then Hal and I headed back out to the deck to watch the Twins game.

What a great day! Tomorrow we will head to the Y and the library. Sophia has dance too, so I'm sure it will be another busy day. Hopefully the weather will hold this week.

Productive Day

Sophia and I slept until 9 today and I wasn't sure if it would be a very productive day. To my surprise, I was fooled! We got up and ate breakfast. Then we played toys for a while before heading to the gym. I got a 7 mile run in. After the gym, we went to the grocery and got a couple of things to tide us over.

Then we came home to have lunch and make cookies. After Sophia went down for a nap, I cleaned up dishes, baked the cookies (4 dozen), and got the mail. It was a great relaxing nap time for me.

When she woke up, we played PlayDough and Sophia had dinner. Then we went to Best Buy and Target. After all of the errands today, we were both worn out.

Watching a movie tonight was a great way to end the day. I'm off to read now. Tomorrow Hal comes home, but will be gone some of the week so it will be nice to see him at least for a little bit.

Not a day of rest

Even though we arrived home from Utah last night around 11pm, we did not have a day of rest today. Sophia got up bright and early at 7:30. I rocked her back to sleep and she slept for a bit longer. I was shocked as she went to bed at about 11:30 last night. She had a short sleep!

After getting up, Hal and I sat with Sophia while she ate some breakfast. Then Hal went out to mow the lawn. Sophia and I got ready for the day and then we went to the Coin Carnival at Ojibwe Park in Woodbury. Despite the cold weather and a bit of rain, we both had a great time.

Sophia played lots of different games like duck pond, basketball toss, sucker pull, and bean bag toss. She also went in the jumper and got a Dora tattoo which she proceeded to show everyone for the rest of the day (even the server at dinner tonight!) We also got to watch the Puppet Wagon with my friend Nikki and her two kids Elle and Cayden. Elle is just two months older than Sophia is. Nikki and I have been friends since we worked together at Awadas after high school. It was fun to see them and Sophia just loved seeing Elle.

Then we decided to head to the grocery as we were out of tickets and cold! Here are a couple of pictures from today:

We picked up the needed supplies for lunch and then went back home to see Hal before he left for the weekend. Hal was headed to Nate's (brother-in-law) cabin for the weekend. Sophia and I got lunch ready and then my parents along with my aunt from Chicago came over to join us.

Lunch was really fun and it was so great to see my Aunt Danna!! I haven't seen her in a couple of years. She loved our house and had so much fun seeing Sophia. She even brought her a new baby doll. Sophia loves that she can change the clothes on her.

We tried our best to take a picture together, but Sophia was calling it quits for the day. She was ready for a nap.

Sophia napped and I finished laundry/dishes from lunch. Then we went to the Y so I could run. She had a great time playing with Ms. Amanda her favorite teacher in Kidstuff. After the Y, we went home to quick change and meet my dad for dinner.

5..8..Club was delicious! Sophia had so much fun showing off her Dora and eating with us. When we finished eating it was time to head home. I put Sophia in bed and cleaned up dishes.

Tomorrow we will have another busy day I'm sure. Who knows what the day will bring!

The last hooray/dance

Yesterday we had the last family hooray along with Sophia having dance. Uncle Ryan leaves us today and we are quite sad. I can barely wait to see him again and neither can Sophia when we go to Disney in March.

4th of July Weekend

Friday we spent the day as a family. We started off our holiday by heading to White Bear Lake to check out the Farmer's Market. After not finding much we went and walked around the lake. I was hoping to go to the beach, but it was closed. Oh well, we spent most of the morning at the park and had a wonderful time. The weather couldn't have been more perfect.

Friday evening, we met my parents and my brother in Hudson for dinner at Pier 500. We had a wonderful dinner out on the patio. Then we headed over to the rides and the games. Hal tried to win Sophia a goldfish.

No such luck. So we tried a ride to make up for it. Sophia picked the carousel of course. She just loves the horsies as she calls them.

After dinner we went home to watch the Twins game and the fireworks out on the deck. With a perfect end to the evening I couldn't wait for more tomorrow.

Saturday Sophia and I went to the store to get all of the food we needed for the rest of the weekend. She insisted on wearing her princess dress and her crown.

It was quite the sight to see this little one in Cub celebrating the 4th and starting it off the right way!

We spent the rest of the day playing outside and playing at the park. Sophia went down for her nap and I went on a run. Little did I know I was going to get caught in a storm. It rained so hard that it actually created a flood. It was crazy!

When Sophia got up from her nap we went out to the party. It was really fun to have the party right across the street. We didn't have to travel far. The food was great and so was the company. The kids all ran around and it was great to chat with my neighbors.

When it got dark outside the kids all got to light sparklers. They had about 30 boxes. They just kept coming and coming. Sophia just loved holding them and watching the lights. When it was time for the big fireworks, I could hardly believe how incredible they were. We are so lucky to have neighbors who love to see fireworks as much as we do. We stayed out late partying it up with the neighbors and started a new day on Sunday.

Sunday we spent the day outside finger painting with Sophia and drawing chalk. Then we went over to my parents for a bbq and swimming. Sophia had a wonderful time playing with Uncle Ryan.

We will be sad for him to go tomorrow. This week will be short as we head to Utah on Thursday. I can't wait for vacation!

4th of July came early

Yesterday Sophia made a 4th of July crown at the Y. It was so cute and she wanted to wear it for the remainder of the day. Happy early 4th!

Uncle Ryan is Home!

Yesterday my brother came home to visit. He will be home for a week. Is is so nice to have him here. We haven't seen him since October. He also hadn't seen our house yet, so it was fun to have him over.

We had a wonderful mexican dinner last night. Hal made homemade tortillas and we had tacos. They were delicious. After dinner we sat around and talked. I miss him so much. Sophia loved the fact that Uncle Ryan plays tons of games with her. She had a blast showing him all of her toys and running around with him.