Happy 7th Anniversary!

We drove down back to Las Vegas two days before we flew back to Minnesota. Our last day of vacation was our anniversary. Happy 7 years to my sweetheart.  We didn't go fancy for dinner, but something memorable. When we were both at BYU for undergrad, we loved to eat at Cafe Rio. It is our favorite Mexican American place by far. So we had to go there, yes, even for our anniversary. We ate way more than our bellies could handle, but it was so delicious. 

We didn't have a lot of time, but we toured the Bellagio and enjoyed all the lights of the strip of Las Vegas. It is so fun to see! It isn't some place I'd take my kids (a little too much skin there!) 

We ended the night by watching the water fountain shows right outside the Bellagio. It was a great evening. Love you, Vance! Let's do 7 million more!

July 2015- Part 2

In July we had a reunion in southern Utah. Here are a few of the cousins (and younger aunts and uncles) 

Kenzi with Lauren. Kenzi was so sweet to carry Lauren on the end of a hike. 

Keyana and Kate 

Cousins Finn and Isla

Lincoln and I were mini golfing. I remember him swinging and feeling a huge sudden pain in my head. I think his swing was a little too agressive for mini golf, and I was standing way too close. There is no urgent care nearby, so we headed 45 minutes away to the Kanab, UT ER! 3 beds in one room, with two dividers. Only 5 stitches and a cut under the eye, with a black eye for a few days. All is well now.

Zion National Park

Lincoln was a little cranky that this photo was taken.

Cousins Brynn and Lyndee, and Aunt Karissa and Aunt Keyana

Jenna, Lyndee, Keyana, Jessica, and Vance

Tanner is the man!

Lincoln is the fairest of them all:) Actually, I told the kids to dry off for a couple of minutes before we went back to the car.

This was the day after the first mini golfing date. We had only gotten to hole 5 the first time, and we had to finish!

Aunt Becky, CJ, Karissa, and Lauren at the rodeo

Jumping on a trampoline outside in the middle of July in Las Vegas. It was SO HOT! We were only outside for about 5 minutes.

Bounce U in Las Vegas

Lincoln and Ethan

The laundry needs to be started, the dishwasher needs to be unloaded, floors swept, but I try to enjoy moments with my sleeping baby. 

Picnic at the park

July 2015- Part 1

Lauren and I went on a much needed date. We painted at a park (in her Minnie Mouse coloring book) and then got vanilla ice cream cones at McDonald's. With adding a wonderful, and third child, it has been stressful. Lauren has been a trooper. She has been lately saying "I'm just like you, Mom" or "Mom, play with me!" and "Mom, we're twins." I've realized I need to spend more time with her and make sure she feels loved. 

First zucchini of the season. They both wanted to hold it. So far we've already made about 6 loaves of zucchini bread, and 2 loaves of Death by Chocolate zucchini bread (which is basically cake)

Ok, I absolutely love gardening. I bought these Strawberry Candy daylilies a year or so ago. They are all right next to my beautiful purple Russian Sage plants (I've got like 7-8). It is looking absolutely stunning this year. I have another daylily like this with lots of Russian Sage. It is my favorite side of the house right now!!!

Lincoln is constantly writing notes, making plans, drawing pictures, maps, etc. He gave me this puzzle in a plastic sandwich bag this month. It says  I love you Mom soo much. 

New hair cut for this gal. Her hair was getting so long! But it was attracting lots of peanut butter, syrup, etc. which was no fun...

Caught these boys talking one night on the front porch.

Beach day with neighbor Matt. We took him with us. It was a little chilly that day. 

After our vacation to Utah (and trying to save money by taking red eye flights with three kids both ways) meant tired kids for days. Here Lincoln is after a grocery trip with me! By the way, these kids did AMAZING on the flights. They all fell asleep for the trip. I was prepared for the worst, but it turned out to be much better.

June 2015- Part 2

Happy Father's Day to a great man. It was a low key Sunday. We made paper awards with reasons we love and appreciate you. This was something we did for my mother on Mother's Day growing up, and now it has become a tradition in our family for Father's Day. Vance is especially forgiving and patient. I am lucky to have him!

Lauren decorating a pot for art time.

Sometimes at the end of a stressful day, we just take a break and swing in the yard. One thing we love about our backyard is the space. When we moved in, we had a big fence. We took it down after a year, and it has made a great sledding hill and playing field:)

Enjoying Lick's ice cream in Excelsior at the Farmer's market. We usually go a few times each summer. Last summer, during one of our visits, Lauren fell in the 15 foot deep lake off this dock. She started sinking, and I jumped in after her and was able to get her above water. It was and still is a nightmare that I relive. It was a scary day. But anyway, this time she didn't fall in!

Sleeping Kate. Love those luscious cheeks and lips.

July- Murray reunion and random pics

Bath time for Kate

After I had Kate, I was in the worst shape ever. I made a goal to run a 10K this summer. On July 4th, I ran one in 56 minutes. It was at a 9 minute pace, so not super fast, but respectable! Was not ready for those hills!

We went to a family reunion on the Murray side of the family. Here are some group pics. Not all could make it, we missed you!

Hiking in Zion National Park

Vance, Lincoln, and Lauren went to a Twins game this July. The Twins played the Atlanta Braves. They ended up losing 0-2, but still had fun! Vance said that more than the game, they enjoyed the mini donuts!

We celebrated my mom's birthday when family came to MN for Kate's blessing

Both of our kids got to go on the four wheeler with Dad

Vance went golfing with his dad and brothers