Fathers Day

Father's Day wasn't the best this year.  I am not 100% sure why, but Mike was crabby.  I was crabby.  We didn't do a whole lot.  The kids had their first fun run of the season, which was a lot of fun.

I wasn't sure what to get Mike for a gift this year, so I decided that we would make our gifts.  I found a few photo ideas on pinterest and thought since one of my goals is to improve my photography, it would be fun to try.

The kids were not very cooperative.  They weren't terrible, but I had to use a lot of bribes.  They didn't want to look at the camera at the same time.  I am slow with making adjustments.  Regardless of all of the things that went "wrong", these pictures still make me smile.

Happy Father's Day to Mike!  He is such a good Daddy.  I love that he is always so involved with the kids.  I am lucky to have such a hands on husband and they are lucky to have such a fun and playful daddy!  

First Fun Run of the Summer

Tonight was the first fun run of the year.  There was supposed to be one a few weeks ago, but it was rained out.  The kids have been talking about this for a really long time, so it was kind of a big deal.  Leah had her mind made up that she would run with Daddy and no one else.  I offered to run with Ryan, but he wanted to do it on his own.

Running "bib" on and ready to go.  

My favorite runners on Fathers Day.  

Stretching before the big race.  

We recruited a few friends to join us.  

Her first run, I am so proud!

Fist pump!  He did it.  All by himself!!  So proud!!

Leah's ribbon.  She was so happy!

Running buddies.  

After race snack. 

This is one of my favorite things about living in here.  This is such a fun event and the kids love it.  I think they might even like it even if there weren't Dilly Bars at the finish...

Day Out with Thomas

Today was Day Out with Thomas.  We have been looking forward to this for a long time now.   We had gone once before and enjoyed it, and Ryan wasn't really even into Thomas at that point.  I figured that this might be the last year he would be interested, so we bought tickets.   Both kids faces lit up when they saw Thomas.  We rode on the double decker car and were able to sit on the top.  I felt bad because we went with the Boyce's and there wasn't room on top for all of us.  The ride was good, but a little slow.  Ryan kept asking why it was going so slow!  I know he enjoyed the ride though, he asked to go again several times.

I had to buy Leah a pink Thomas shirt when we got there.  It was pink.  It was cute.  She was so happy and proud of her shirt.  It was worth the $16.99 and annoying Mike.

Waiting in line with THOMAS shirts on!  

Aww!

No one wanted to cooperate to get their pictures taken with Thomas.  

Fun on the inflatables.  

Ryan on a "really old train".  He loved exploring.  

This girl can never have too many tattoos.  She chose Rosie.

When we were done with Thomas we went to the Wildlife Sanctuary.  It was awesome.  The kids were able to feed ducks and geese and they even pet a deer. 

Random

The kids do and say so many random things.  I try to write them all down so I don't forget.  They are hilarious, innocent and a little crazy.  Here are a few of the most recent conversations.

After last week's soccer game Ryan showed me this gatorade and said "This isn't just any gatorade, Parker gave it to me."  It was so sweet.  He seemed so proud of that drink.  He put it in the downstairs fridge for safe keeping.

After breakfast one morning, Ryan said "How many teeth do you have Leah" and Leah said "Probably a ton" to which Ryan replied "just like a shark?!".  I love their conversations.  

After I got done tucking Leah into bed she looked at me very seriously and said, "Moo-ma, can you peek out the window and make sure a giant isn't eating our house and that the puddles are still there?"  I checked.  No giant eating the house.  

Out of the blue the other day Ryan said, "mommy, I have a good idea. I'm going to share my money with you so we can go on more vacations. I have $28.44, and you have even more than that. We can go to Mexico, that is my favorite. You can think about that."  It was so incredibly sweet.  He asked me how he could make more money so we could go on more vacations.  He wants to go on a vacation so bad.  I love vacations too and I love spending time together.  I hope we can go somewhere next year.  I'm saving and so is he!, 

Lastly, Ryan had his first cavity filled today.  He wasn't looking forward to it and admitted that he was a little nervous, but I think I was more nervous than him.  The dentist said it was a really small one, so no numbing was needed.  He also said that he was most likely "destined" to have a cavity, he has been saying that for years.  He said that the tooth was most likely weakened due to having a fever when the tooth was being formed...he basically told us it wasn't our fault.  It made me feel a little better, but I was still sad.  Anyway, on the way in the door Leah asked Ryan if he was getting a shot.  He said, "NO!  This is the dentist, not the doctor!!"  I was so glad when he didn't need a shot to numb his mouth.  He sat in the chair and was so brave. They tried to force xrays.  Seriously, force.  I almost stepped in.  They just tried 2 weeks ago.  It didn't work then, not sure why they thought it would today.  That was probably the worst part of the visit.  Brave kid.  He was happy to get his prize.  He picked a Packer pencil and Leah picked a pair of princess sunglasses  that make hills.   Here's to no more cavities!!  

Fun Weekend

Today is only June 1st, but I feel like summer is in full swing.  We are busy.  We are outside most of the day.  It is hot outside. We are having fun.  It's all good, because I love summer!

Friday morning was hectic.  Mike forgot his wallet at home and we had to run it to work.  The kids were excited, they always love going there.  I was less excited.  I had a lot to do (it all worked out though, because my vacuum broke and I had to stop at the Kirby store by him anyway).  On the way up there Leah said "why does it smell like toots in here".  I did my best to explain it was from the paper mill, not someone in the car :)  After we stopped by the silos (the highlight of Mike's work), we went to drop the vacuum off,  drove to Oshkosh to take pictures of a landscaping job, stopped at Lowe's to buy some herbs and then went to Menominee Park to meet Sarah and Payton.

Oshkosh Zoo!  We actually saw the otters.  

Cheese

After lunch at the zoo and then a trip to the playground we went home, watched a tv show then went to the Jones' to swim.  That is right -- swim!  It is finally warm enough.  It was 80.  It felt hot.  The kids were so excited to be able to play in the pool.

They played boys against girls.  No one cared that it was 4 girls and 1 boy.

Pure joy. 

Summer.

Saturday morning was Ryan's last flag football game.  I missed it :(  Tammy and I left early for a trip to Ikea.  I missed the game of the year.  Ryan had a 30+ yard run.  He was excited.  Mike said that his coach was really happy for him too.  I so wish I would have been there.  I am so proud of him.  He has grown so much and keeps improving.  He is always happy, enjoys playing and never gives up.  So proud!

A pic of Leah and I before I left.  Matching pink tank tops.

My trip to Ikea was fun.  6 hours in the car.  6 hours of shopping.   On the way home we stopped at an Oasis to pick up some food.  I was so excited.  This is something I have always wanted to do.  Seriously, ask anyone.  To top everything off, I got Taco Bell (I love that place and never get to go)!  

First Oasis stop.

Everything I had imagined.  I can't wait to take the kids.

Mt Dew Sangria....whaaat?!  It was pretty good!

When Tammy pulled into the driveway to drop me off, both kids were waving in the window.  It was adorable and made me smile.  They were as excited to see me as I was to see them!

Today was a little more relaxing.  Mike and Ryan went to a T Rat game with Liam and his dad to celebrate his 4th birthday.  Both boys had fun and were talking about going back to another game.  

The boys at the game.  Ryan's first T Rat game. 

Mike put together one of my Ikea purchases.  A loft bed for Ryan.  I think it will work out great for us.  It really opens up his room and he thinks it is super cool.  I hope it goes well!

Extreme big boy bed.

The only bummer of the weekend was that the first fun run was cancelled because of thunder storms.  The kis were so looking forward to it, especially Leah.  She has been talking about wanting to run with Mike for months now.  I guess we will have to wait two more weeks.