What a difference a day makes!

My van needed some work done, so it was a great excuse to head to Mankato for the day. I was able to get some "mom time" with my mom, "dad time" with my dad, and watch my boys love them up! Then we went to the Golf Club to swim for the afternoon. I ran into a few old friends and had a blast catching up with everyone. It is so nice that the babes are still confined to the "cat pool" and that Sean is such a great swimmer, it totally makes my time at pools enjoyable! Sean was a diving board maniac today! He would give me a thumbs up before his big jump and again when he reached the ladder to get out :) He was so proud of himself! And I watched him from way on the other side! How cool is that?! Isaac and Andrew had a blast walking around, exploring, dunking their heads, and be "rescued" in the little pool. Great day!! I really, really needed that.

On a side note; my friend's dad and brother are both improving! They have a long road ahead of them, but they will make it! God is great!

What a week!

It has been a week of highs and lows for me.

Amy and I were able to babysit Rylan while my parents were away. We split the time, but helped each other out as we hung out at the pool on those hot, hot days. It was fun to have sister and cousin time. We soak that up whenever we can.

I was able to spend some time with old friends, and isn't it awesome how you can just pick up where you left off?! We had so much fun catching up, that the time just slipped away from us. I really can't wait to see you again Kelly, Danny, Kari, and Tanna!! Awesome time!

I am trying...trying to make time for myself to work out. I was able to do it 3 times this week...I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

The twins had their 15 month appointment and are doing great! Isaac is my peanut and in the 1st percentile in height and weight. Andrew is a little bigger and in the 25th percentile. Way to go boys...keep growing, growing, growing! I can already see that they WILL eat me out of house and home, as they are starting to do that now! How quickly I have had to increase my portions when cooking meals :) Isn't life great?!

Sean's soccer game was cancelled due to the heat...Thank goodness! I was going to have him miss it, and it was our turn for treats...I just will not subject my kids to playing in dangerous conditions, let alone sitting on the sidelines watching from a stroller! Looks like it will be cooling down for next week, phew!!

Graham's schedule is INSANE...that is the only word to describe it. We are trying to adjust to him being gone so much more, and we really try to make the best of what little time we get. It is like deja vu for me thinking back on growing up with my dad in school. It is hard...really hard.

A good friend's dad and brother were in a horrific head-on collision on Highway 14, and it is a miracle that they even survived. Her brother is going to be okay with a long recovery , and we are waiting to hear about her dad. He took the brunt of it, as he had to be cut from the car and then flown to Mayo. My heart is broken for her, and I pray that they both will heal quickly, so they can be together once again. I know her mom, an angel in heaven, will give them all the strength they need to pull through.

Lessons for the week;
1. Hug your loved ones. I can't seem to hug and kiss mine enough lately.
2. Call an old friend and reconnect. It really made me less lonely.
3. Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy the time you have with each other.
4. Take some time out for yourself, you deserve it!

4th of July and More...

"Cat Pool"
They love putting toys in the "garage" for me to scoop out.

Bonfire Fun...

Soccer fan club

Sean's first soccer experience.

We have had a fun filled week!

1. It started off with a fun trip down to Freeborn Lake to the Christensen's lake spot. Fun to see family, roast hot dogs, and swim in the lake.
2. Then we headed to my parents house the following day for some family and pool time. We had a blast with our boys in the water, grilled out, and had a bonfire to wrap up the day.
3. Sean was very curious about the fire and wanted to poke it with a long stick. After many warnings about it being extremely hot, his curiosity got the best of him. He touched the gray part thinking that it was not hot anymore as it wasn't red... :( Ouch! Tough lesson learned.
4. The 4th was spent as a quiet day at home. We were even able to watch the fireworks from our deck!
5. Graham started his first rotation on Tuesday. It is going to be an adjustment, as he has already had call and is on call tomorrow night again! Early mornings and late nights...Exciting and stressful all at the same time.
6. I spent the week getting ready for my garage sale...yuck! So much work to set up!
7. Molly, Nick, and Rylan came up on Wednesday, and we met them at the zoo. We had a great time and were able to see a lot of animals. The bear cracked us up, as he kept swimming back and forth in front of the glass :)
8. Ginger came up on Friday to help me with the garage sale and kiddos. I couldn't have done it without her! It was worth the work, but I still have a lot of stuff in my garage...takers...anyone?
9. Sean started soccer! We all had fun watching him learn something new.

10. Pool Time! We have really enjoyed our neighborhood pool and are so glad to see the forecast for the week. I really have little fish for little boys! It seems like we have a private pool most days.

Notice the new picture at the very top...
Isaac is starting to get a top tooth, so he will no longer be our vampire :(
Sean is always laughing and working hard to get his brothers' attention :)
Andrew bumped his head running into a table on my parents' deck last weekend, and we are just praying the bump will go away soon :(

Bunk Bed!!

Last night in "old" bed...Graham building away...

Sean "checking" on his bed in progress...

Finally testing out his "new" bed...

Look at that smile!! What an amazing and exciting experience!

It has been a great week for one little boy...

Sean and his daddy built his new bunk bed from scratch! Graham went and purchased the lumber on Monday night. Then surprised Sean with his very own Tool Box on Tuesday morning before the building began :) They both worked hard and long days...measuring, cutting, building, taking it apart (Sean was devastated!), sanding, staining, varnishing, moving it inside, and building again. Awesome job, King Men!! This bunk bed rocks and is super special :) Memories were made that will never be forgotten...

Wow! Time flies!

We have been busy these last two weeks! Here is a quick "catch up" from the King household:

1. Graham spent last week painting the entire inside of our new home, so the boys and I spent a few days at my mom and dads staying out of the way :) Looks beautiful!!

2. Sean took swim lessons with his Auntie Alli while we were there, and he has literally turned into a fish!! He now swims in the deep end, and he can even get things off the bottom of the deep end, too!! Wow!

3. We came home on the 16th to celebrate Graham's birthday. We took him out to his favorite restaurant, BW3s, for some wings and beer. What a fun night out with our family!

4. Friday was spent hanging up our pictures on our newly painted walls. It is amazing how that really turns a house into a home in an instant.

5. We finally got all the remaining things out of the "Peterson Storage" on Saturday. It is soooo nice having our bed back! We have been sleeping on an old mattress for two years, because there was no way our bed was going to fit up the stairs in Duluth! We had to get creative with the one we had ;)

6. Ginger came home from Texas, so we spent Saturday night out on the farm catching up. Fun night and great food!

7. Father's Day!! Early Tee time in Mankato and a beautiful, warm, sunny pool day made it great!

8. Monday had Graham ripping up the old floors and laying tile. Wow! Another awesome change! We got creative with blocking off areas from the kids while he busted his hump all week. Isaac is one determined little man...sneaky, too! I think he is going to be a Navy Seal when he grows up! It is finally done tonight and we are moving things back into place.

9. Twins both have double ear infections :( They seemed "off" yesterday, then Andrew woke up during the night...that is his clue of pain. So I took them in today, and we tried the St. Peter Clinic. It was fabulous and quick! I will do that again for sure :)

10. We met Amy and her kids at the St. Peter McDonald's Play Place for lunch. They all had fun, and we brought Braeden home with us.

11. I am sitting here while they are watching a movie before going to bed. I am thankful for the few minutes to update my blog. :) We are hoping the weather starts to improve tomorrow. We need a warm summer day soon!

12. Some Medical School friends are moving down this weekend, and we are super excited to see them and have them close again! Our other friends will be moving down August 1st and that date can't come fast enough, either! It is amazing how close you become with your friends going through the same life experiences you are. I am so lucky to have them!

Sorry for the "book!" Hope you are all doing well :)

Quality Time

Sean the Shark

Vampire Isaac
Sleepy Andrew

1. Graham survived his test, and that is all he can say about it. It was tough and long, and he is exhausted! We are glad to have him home and not "worrying" about studying for a few weeks.

2. We went to the Minnesota Zoo yesterday. We got there just in time to be ushered into the main building due to an animal escaping! They were pretty mum about where, what, and how. We later found out it was a wolf! Cool story, that is until we got home and watched the news...they had to shoot the poor wolf as they were worried about public safety. :(

3. House projects begin today!!! Paint, tile, lights, door handles, deck, and cement slab...ahhh...it is going to be a busy few weeks.

4. We tried out our neighborhood pool on Monday with Mandy, Noelle, and their boys. What a blast!

5. As Sean was talking to Graham on Monday night about the day at the pool, he told him, "they even have a CAT pool!" As I sat there listening to this...I started to giggle..."kitty" pool...."kiddie" pool...same difference, right?! So funny!!

6. Isaac loves to play the chase game, as he loves to be chased!! At my parents' last week, I had just picked up the Tupperware for the millionth time and Isaac would head right back to play. He would get as far as taking the top bowl out before I would see him, and he would take off running! His little laugh made this little game so much fun!

7. Andrew loves to wrap himself into Sean's comfy blankets, and I found him falling asleep in the living room recently. Too cute for words...

8. Finally got a picture of the Vampire ;)

9. Graham fed a homeless man last week...While walking to school from the "free lot" (about a 15 minute walk), he dropped his lunch bag along the way. He was all the way to school by the time he noticed it, so he started to retrace his steps. No luck, until he got back to campus and noticed a homeless man with his lunch sack hanging from his bike. He talked to the man who was hungry and enjoyed every bite of food. It was interesting because he returned his lunch bag, but had thrown all the Tupperware and silverware away...

10. The Ottos got moved into their new old home. We are excited for them and can't wait to see it!

Enjoy the pictures!

Test...

Wishing my hubby lots of Good Luck on his big Board Test, not that he needs it ;) It is an 8 hour timed test...ugh!!! He tells me that he gets about 90 seconds per question, on average...now if only it didn't take 60 seconds to just read the question...yikes!! Can't imagine! He has been studying so hard and has sacrificed so much, and we can't wait to enjoy the time he will have off before it all starts again :) I am so proud of you, honey!! Love you!