June 2015

Ahhh! It's already June and almost time to start summer vacation. Where did this school year go? Jack is already done with preschool and is excited to start kindergarten in the fall. Sophie has less than a week left of school and is looking forward to summer camps & playing outside. Parker is growing quickly and is a great baby. Pretty laid back and happy. He's our happy and smiley baby and laughs and giggles, especially when we wipe down his hands every evening before bed. What a goofball!

Here's a picture from a few months ago. Enjoying a nice sunny spring day and taking a walk to nearby Parkers Lake Park.

One of my favorite bonding times with my babies.

Here are the kids, all dressed up for Easter. They enjoyed hunting for eggs in the yard and then going over to Grandma's house for brunch.

Every year, we hit up Ben & Jerry's in Wayzata for their free cone day. Luckily, it's usually warm and sunny enough to enjoy the ice cream outside.

I took the kids to the mall to find some new clothes for their uncle's wedding reception. They picked out their own snazzy outfits. Here's a sneak peek.

Parks and his chubby cheeks and pale complexion.

There was a photographer at an event I brought the kids to, so we got this photo taken. I didn't plan very well, because if I did, I wouldn't have put Parker in a beer onesie.

The loves of my life, all on one couch.

Babylegs are so handy (and trendy).

Took the kids out for breakfast at Perkins.

Hey, Parks.

Brothers forever.

Happy Parks at the park.

Welcome baby Parker!

Sweet baby Parker was born on January 13, 2015 at Maple Grove Hospital. He was 6 lb 15 oz and 19 inches long. Parker arrived a few days prior to my scheduled c-section and I'm so grateful that he "picked his own birthday". Big sister Sophie and big brother Jack are so proud of their new little brother. Parker is a good sleeper and eater.

Happy Holidays!

Fall 2014

It's been a fun and exciting Fall. Here's a catch up picture of us from Split Rock Lighthouse.

We visited Sever's Corn Maze for the first time on a chilly day and enjoyed the corn pit and other activities.

Jack ended his t-ball season and had a fun time playing and learning the game with the other kids.

Here are some pictures from the first day of school. Sophie is now in 1st grade and Jack just started his second year of preschool.

Sophie's school photo.

We just got home from a fabulous trip to Disneyland! We met Elsa and Anna from Frozen.

We went to Disneyland and to Disney California Adventure.

  

Here we are, all ready to get the high score at Toy Story Mania.

We attended Mickey's Halloween Party and had so much fun trick or treating and taking advantage of the short ride lines.

Sophie was Snow White, Jack was a construction worker, Bryan dressed up as Mr. Incredible and I was Maleficent. It was great to spend time with my sister Michelle and her boyfriend Daryl.

Do I look like Maleficent? :)

Jack and I on Dumbo! 

The kids enjoyed many, many treats during our trip. 

Cars Land at Disney California Adventure is amazing! It felt like we were really in Radiator Springs. 

The kids enjoyed meeting Tigger...

... and Winnie the Pooh.

No one wanted to go home. We had so much fun!

Summer 2014

What a fun and busy summer it has been! We've been enjoying every single day of it. In early June, the kids went to day camp at Camp Christmas Tree. Sophie and Jack spent every single minute of their time at camp outdoors, enjoying the swimming, archery, arts & crafts, singing and playing. They can't wait to go back to camp next year!

My mom arrived a week after and stayed with us for a couple of months. My dad was also here for a while. It was nice to have them visit.

We went to two Minnesota Twins baseball games this summer and lucked out with good weather. The kids even ran the bases after the game.

Bryan and I did the Color Run with our friend Greg. It was messy, but lots of fun. A very well organized 5k.

Sophie turned 6 in July and celebrated with a birthday party in the rain. The kids still had fun and she enjoyed seeing her school friends after a month hiatus.

Jack now weighs a little more than Sophie. Here's a picture of them from the Mill City Museum.

Sophie got her ears pierced! She says it makes her feel "older" and she didn't even cry.

Bryan did his very first triathlon this summer. He's been training hard and has another tri this weekend.

To celebrate the end of summer, we took a long weekend trip to Duluth. We visited Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls and Canal Park. The kids enjoyed the water park at the hotel where we stayed.

It's been a very fun Summer and we're looking forward to the Fall!

Walgreens Diapers review

This is a review for the Well Beginnings brand of diapers, available at Walgreens. I received a package of Size 4 (22-37 lbs) 31 count diapers. My son recently turned 4 and potty trained about a year ago, but he doesn't consistently stay dry at night, so we like to keep a diaper on him overnight.

The diaper was consistent with the other brands of  disposable diapers we have used in the past-- Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, Target and more. I was not able to smell any scents/fragrances. The diaper was sized appropriately and fit my son well. Even when he didn't stay dry at night, his pajamas and sheets were still dry in the morning. This isn't the case with all diaper brands! I don't do my regular shopping at Walgreens, but if I needed to get diapers in a pinch, I would definitely stop at Walgreens and pick up their Well Beginnings store brand diapers.

Here's a picture of the front and the back of the diaper. Cute elephant designs!

Here's a picture of the Walgreens size 4 diaper on the left, compared to Target brand size 5 diaper. 

Notice how they are almost the exact same size. 

 

Picture of the Walgreens diaper open.

Disclaimer: I was selected by Green Moms Meet to receive a free sample of Walgreens brand diapers to try and review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Paris- July 2014

One of the highlights of my summer has been my trip to Paris in July. I traveled there with Jennie and met up with Swany, YC, Sam and Gwen from high school. We had an amazing time!

Sightseeing during our 4 days in Paris:

• Musee d’Orsay
• Musee du Louvre
• Arc de Triomphe
• The Panthéon
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Palace of Versailles
• Went up to the top of the Eiffel Tower
• Saw the Centre Georges-Pompidou
• Saw the Palais Garnier
• Went shopping in the Marais district
• Notre Dame de Paris
• Montmartre/Basilica of the Sacré Cœur
• Shopping on Champs-Élysées 

Food :)

• Ladurée  on Champs-Élysées (famous for their macarons)- had breakfast there and it was one of my favorite meals. Still dreaming about their French toast. They also have the best bread I tasted in Paris.
• Le Comptoir du Relais- famous for French cuisine, waited a long line for a table and menu was entirely in French, but it was a cool experience.
• Le Perchoir- not sure if you enjoy tasting menus, but this is one of the best I've ever had. Might be a nice evening out for you and your wife. They have an amazing rooftop bar with great service and views of Paris, including Montmartre/Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.
• Le Garde Robe- hole-in-the-wall wine and cheese bar located near the Louvre. They will recommend wines based on your preference and I really liked their charcuterie and cheese plate.