Family Date Night...

As most of you know, going out to eat is not really in the Medical School family budget these days. We do treat ourselves out on special occasions. Last night was one of those!

I got flowers and a night off from cooking! We took the kids to BW3s...a family favorite. It is loud and kid friendly making it the perfect place to relax and enjoy some time out. Cold beer and hot wings, doesn't get much better than that! We ended our night with a movie we have had on our DVR for the last few weeks...The Last Three Days...great movie with an awesome cast.

This was much needed for us. Our kids were awesome and fun, and it was nice to escape for the night. Now we can look forward to the next time...down the road :)

Growing Up...

My babies are growing up too fast :(

Sean can ride his big bike with no training wheels! He has done awesome and loves the speed and tricks that his dad has shown him...he has only fallen twice. Once was when we were first teaching him, and the second was when he was attempting to ride up the driveway bump...I got it all on video...gains speed, jumps the bump, and slams into my van. Somehow Graham made it "cool" so he recovered pretty quick. We have a tough boy! He thoroughly enjoys his little brothers and can't wait to begin preschool next month!! Where has the time gone?! :(

Isaac has nine lives! This kid is a climber, tries to balance on everything, and a dare-devil...if he isn't standing on his Zebra Jumpy thing, he is trying to balance on top of my plastic bowls that he pulled out of the cupboard (which are baby-proofed...Ahhh!!!). He cannot be left alone at any moment of the day right now. He is still my smiley boy who loves to engulf you in the biggest hug. Love those, but can't wait for the daring stage to be over...I pray he will get over it...I hope it is soon!

Andrew is my thinker and figures out how to do things by watching others. Last night, he climbed up on the couch to sit by me. This morning as I was quickly making my bed, my bedroom door opens (it was completely shut) and in walks Andrew...Now I need to really inspect all the closed off rooms to make sure they are baby-proofed and ready for my little explorers/investigators...He loves to snuggle and sit on your lap. This little man loves to talk, and I can't wait to figure out what he is really saying! So sweet and lovable!

Times are changing at the King House! Hope you are enjoying your summer. Someone at the pool told me today that we only have 3 weeks left until the pool is closed...3 weeks!! Where has the summer gone?! I haven't gotten to do everything I thought I would've. I still have the "back to school nerves" although I am not going back this year. This time of year always make me really miss getting my classroom ready, meeting my students, and seeing my old teaching friends...I am with you in spirit! Miss you all and can't wait to visit!

Fun Week!

Isaac
Andrew

Rocket Arm Sean!!

The Crew at Camp

The 3 little ones

It has been a fun week at our house :)

Sunday - Ginger came to visit and stayed over, because she had an early interview. Sean loves when we have overnight visitors, as then he has a "roommate" in the basement with him.

Monday - Our friends, the Fellings, moved down from Duluth!! We have been waiting and waiting...Poor things had to deal with bad storms all day long...It sure made unloading their truck interesting. Ginger came back after her interview so I could go and help. Then Graham went later in the evening to help with the bigger things. It is nice to have them so close!

Tuesday - We had surprise visitors from Mankato! Amy and the kids came up for a visit, and she was able to pull off a great surprise for Sean. He loves his cousins and had so much fun playing, swimming, and playing so more! Sean also blocked 3 goals at his soccer game tonight!! Super cool to watch him! Cracked me up to see most of his team wanting to be goalie...it was a little hot and they were all so tired at the end. We also had Ginger over night again, aren't we lucky :)

Wednesday - My mom invited us to go to the Vikings Training Camp with her, the Ottos, and the Burgers. It was so much fun! We got up and on the road early, as we wanted to get there when it opened before the crowds got too big. They had so much for the kids to do! They just kept getting back in line over and over again. We even watched the Vikings practice for a little bit ;) Then the pool was calling our names, so we headed back to mom's for lunch, swimming, and naps. Great day! We even beat Graham home, not hard to do these days ;)

Thursday - Had a great talk with an old Duluth neighbor! I sure miss my old stomping ground. We really had it good up there. Sean has been working so hard at riding his bike without training wheels. We have only been practicing on the weekends, but today I was able to get him out to practice this afternoon. He is rockin' it!! I am so proud of him! He isn't so scared, can start by himself, and is gaining confidence. This afternoon some of our other friends from Duluth, the Quinns, came for awhile. We always have such a great time with them. The boys all play hard and have such great imaginations. Graham is oncall, so I should be getting things done but am feeling a little lazy tonight...

Tomorrow - We have a playdate with the Fellings and can't wait! I will also get all those things done on my list...or start too ;)

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...