It's Hot, but We're COOL!

The beginning of last week was so Fall-like. Temps in the low 70's during the day and really cooling off at night-perfect 'sleeping with the windows open' weather! I even made chili and homemade bread. Then came the heat at the end of the week. That tease of Fall was great and while I greatly enjoy Summer, I really don't like to be so hot.

The hot days have brought a few cool things...
We celebrated Grandpa Greg's birthday Sunday by spending the day on the river. The kids had a blast and the temperature was perfect!

Stopping at an island for some sand fun!

Driving the boat with Grandpa!

Dane snuggling with Mom...


Today we went into Elk River for some homemade ice cream and a little fountain fun.

Yum. Cookies and cream. I had lemon sorbet. Double yum.

They make my days so fun! But we missed Daddy...

Happy Monday!

We've made a few changes at home--Cash has always been such a great sleeper. Since he was just a few weeks old. A few months ago, he began to get out of his crib in the middle of the night, open his door and come into our room. We tried putting on a safety latch and he broke that. We made his crib into a toddler bed, but he would just cry and beg us to sit in there with him. So, last night we got Cashie a new "big boy bed" (thanks to Great Grandma Danielson). He was so excited about it and him and Dane started snuggling together immediately. He still got out last night, but later than usual. And he asked for nap today. As did Dane. We rearranged Dane's room last night and he thinks it's extra cool-hey we'll go with it!! (pictures to come...)

Just a crazy goonie-bird!

Gladiola bulbs--love them. What a surprise!

I love this picture of Dane and Ross. Dane is just staring at his Dad with such admiration. He really thinks his Daddy is the best (and so do I)!

These next few pictures are so ca-uuute! These guys can bug each other like crazy, but the also love each other like crazy. This was one of those love times and I had to keep clicking...

On Saturday Ross, Dane and myself all participated in a 5k sponsored by Sundance for the Special Olympics. Of course I forgot the camera--so Ross snapped this when we got home. Daner was pooped. He probably ran over half of the race and sat in the jogger the rest of the time.

Happy Monday! Enjoy the cooler weather-it's beautiful...

Beating the Heat!

During this disgusting bout of heat we've been having, we have been busy with mostly indoor activities. We try and get outside for a bit in the morning and evening, but man, it's just been so hot. And our guys don't stop moving. Not even for drink breaks. So we had to find things to do inside.

Cash keeping cool!

Making cookies-aprons and all. (I have a dress on under the apron)!


We also got a new toy--it's an indoor (and outdoor) inflatable bouncer. And so much fun!! I got the idea from a friend of mine and we went with it. The boys (and the neighbor kids) love it. It's been great for this weather and will be awesome in the winter!!

We have some really fantastic neighbors-I mean, great new home and great neighbors?! How'd we get so lucky?? Well, one of our neighbors invited us to use her families pool. We jumped on board and had a great time.

Dane has become a great swimmer. He's all over treading water and kicking around on his back and stomach. It's fun to watch!!

Cash and our neighbor girl Joelle-who has also become a babysitter for our family!

We have been continuing to do projects around the house--still have the best lawn on the block! And we're getting ready for the boys' birthdays at t the end of the month-can't believe summer is almost over. Geesh.

It's the Little Things...

Nothing major going on at home--just hanging out with friends and doing work around here. We have really been enjoying all of the fun having a house with a yard brings. Ross continues to make our lawn look spectacular--it feels and looks like carpet! I've been having a great time with my flowers and have become a planting machine-we are working on a new project in the back and I will post when that's finished (things take a long time when I can only get so much done during the day by myself and then I have only 1 night a week home to work with Ross. But, all good things come in time, right?!)

I am pleased to say that the porch is complete (minus the lattice work on the bottom that I am procrastinating on). Other than that, the boys are great--cute as ever and keeping me on my game! Cash has learned how to drive me nuts and is becoming an expert at time out! Ahhhh LIFE!!

Snuggly brothers!

Finished! Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself!

Another angle!

And just one of my new glorious perennials! I think I'm turning into a green thumb!

(Cannot belive it's August next week. Oh my goodness)...

Weekend at the Cabin!

We made our annual trip to the cabin this past weekend. We had a great time--Grandpa and Grandma Greenwald were there, Great Grandpa Marvin and Great Grandma Iva. And Uncle Bryan even flew in from Chicago. Lots of good people, lots of great food and one nice day of weather. (It rained ALL day Saturday. ALL day).

We were here for almost 5 minutes before they attacked the tractors.

Sweet Cashie picked up a bad cold right before we left to head up north.

Dane was the first to throw his line in and caught a fish immediately. He was making this crazy face because the fish had been flopping around. Right after this, it flopped right out of Ross's hand and whacked Cash in the back. He instantly started screaming. It was hilarious!! I couldn't stop laughing.

Mommy and her Cashie Bear.

Dane and Uncle Bryan taking a ride on the watercraft.

Daddy and his littlest buddy.

Grandpa Greg, Grandma Lynn, Daddy, G-Grandma Iva and G-Grandpa Marvin.

Hanging by the fire.

Awww...cute little family picture.

Daddy and his little buddy.


And the weekend wouldn't be complete without a tubby in the sink. I think this is the last year Dane will be able to do it. Tear.

Our sweet guys.

Dane

In preparation for our trip to the cabin, Dane got a new fishing pole. In years past, you can probably recall that he had a fascination for casting. This has not changed. Still loves it. Still practices. On land or in the boat. Either way, it's all good.

Happy little caster!

Dane is in a sports class this summer and they play "all sorts of sports." The first week was soccer and this past was tee ball. He's a rockstar at hitting pitches so this was a piece of cake for him.
This is a 3-5 year old class and the parents sit on the sidelines and watch. Quite different from anything he's been involved with before. And kind of nice. (except Cash kept saying "my turn mom." Poor kid).

Most of the kids just messed around looking at the clouds. Dane kept asking if he could hit again...

And it's outta here!

The Weekend!

We had a really nice, long weekend--together. Mostly just our little family doing our own thing. I finished staining the porch (I'll take a picture soon)-well, the first coat of everything and the second of the floor. I'm hoping to get the rest of the second coat up by the end of the week. It looks awesome. Ross put in paver stones in the backyard by the walkout. We moved a lot of rock around the house. We planned what's next on the "to do" list. Friday we bbq'd and swam at the Greenwald's. Sunday my parents came by for a bit. The kids were up late--Dane didn't nap all weekend (but took a 3 hour one today) and we just really enjoyed each other's company.

After dinner, we started a campfire. Yes, it was super hot out, but the bugs were bad and the kids wanted marshmallows.

Can you believe it was actually 8:30 at night?!

My parents rode their motorcycle over. Dane thinks it's totally awesome. If you look close, you can see two mosquitos on him. He has bites everywhere. Apparently our bug spray didn't work.

Today we went over to Lake Rebecca. We brought our bikes and the trailer in hopes of a little playtime at the park and a long bike ride for Mom and Dad. Well, we had the playtime, but not so much of a bike ride. Dane rode his bike for awhile, alongside Ross and I, but he quickly became tired so we tossed him into the trailer with Cash. Cash was extremely tired and hot and wanted nothing to do with being stuck next to Dane. He screamed terribly for 5 minutes and I couldn't stand it any longer. So we went back. So much for a nice, enjoyable ride. The park was cool though and Dane informed us that "We need to come here more often, guys." We sure will!

Some of my pictures are out of order...I was looking back at them and old pictures of 2 years ago exactly, came into my mind. I think our boys look so different, but when you see these pictures it's funny how similar they look.

Cash July 2010

Dane July 2008

Cash July 2010

Dane July 2008

Happy Independence Day!!