PULL- Be Gentle

Today we went to the Busta's to celebrate Tyler and Carter's Birthday and to watch the Vikings game.

Being that the boys are getting older, it's harder to know what to get them.  They are actually pretty easy to buy for but I wanted to do something creative.

I think I accomplished that - thanks to Pinterest

As you pull on the strings $1 bills, scratch off lottery tickets, and a $5 bill come out one by one- almost like Kleenex.  They were all attached together by tape.

It was a hit!  The boys seemed to love it and they actually appreciated the presentation.

Later today, the girls took a break from dancing in their bikinis (while watching the Justin Beiber Dateline Special) to run through the sprinkler.  They were full of ideas but when they actually felt how cold the water was they changed their minds real quick!

A Great Day for a Party

The seven day forecast was calling for temps in the 70's and no chance of rain.

I finally relaxed around 11:00 am when I actually started to believe it.

Brian had started cooking at 5:00 am and the air was filled with a delicious smell of pulled pork. 

Guests started to arrive around 2:30 pm.

Guests included:  Grandpa Dan, Grandma Chris and Tom, Jennie and Tom, Kristin and Bobby, Kim and Joe, Grandma Judy and Grandpa Denny, Grandma and Bob, Jennifer, Tom, Courtney, Justin and Adam, Stacey, Shane, Tyler, Carter, and Maddie, Gretchen, Troy, Lindsay, and Kiley, Joyce and Don, Maisa and Morgan.

The Birthday Girls!
Hannah  -  5      Hailey  -  3

Hailey saying 'Thank You' to Hannah for giving her Justin Beiber jammies

Earlier this week Hannah told me that she wanted to buy Hailey something for her Birthday.  When we talked about what she wanted to buy she had mentioned Justin Beiber PJs.  This morning she was real upset that we never went to the store.  I shared with her that I had tried to get Beiber jammies earlier this week but the store didn't have the right size so I couldn't get them and then tried to assure her that it was going to be fine.  She wasn't convinced- she really wanted to give Hailey a present.

Hannah: "MOM- PLEASE?!"

Me:  "Hannah, no.  I am sorry but we don't have time."

Hannah: (while fighting back tears) "Oh I know!"

she went running into her room and came out carrying a small package that was wrapped in tissue paper

Hannah: "I am going to give Hailey my Justin Beiber jammies"

Me:  "Honey, that is very sweet however, know that when you do this you can't take them back later if you change your mind."

About 10 minutes later

Hannah:  "Mom, I am really nervous about what I did."

Me:  "Huh?  What did you do?     Oh, you mean about the jammies?"

Hannah: "Yeah.  What if I wanna wear them and Hailey won't let me?"

Me:  "Well, you need to decide what you wanna do.  It's ok if you change your mind but you can't do that after you have given them to her."

Hannah:  "I'll be ok.  Can we get a new pair for me someday?"

Psst- SUPER proud of you Bean!  That was a very sweet thing that you did.

I made these cupcakes for the party.  Hannah helped to decorate them.

My mom used to make these Ice Cream cone cupcakes when we were little.

Of course we had to get a sister picture!

Then realized that it's been YEARS since Gretchen, Stacey and I have taken a picture together.  Although it's not my favorite picture today- I am going to cherish this through the years.  Sure do miss those girls and think often about how I wish things were like they used to be.  

The girls were SHOWERED with gifts.  Thanks to everyone for coming out- hope you had fun!  

I know we did!

Gifts included (not limited to):  Games, books, hair things, bulletin boards, clothes, Barbies, Make-up, Nail polish, earrings, boots, play-doh, Hello Kitty headphones, light up journal, purses, baby clothes, Dolls (American Girl-style), shoes

CANNONBALL!

We ordered a bouncer for the girls birthday party (again- their choice).

It was delivered this afternoon and when the girls got home from Jackie's it was all they could talk about.

Hannah had been out jumping around, Brian took Hailey to Menards.

Hannah came running in the house, ran into her bedroom and closed the door.  A few minutes later she came out dressed in a bikini.  "I'm hot" she tells me.

She asked me to take a video of her going down the slide.  I couldn't stop cracking up after she made her way down and then popped up to say 'Hello'.

Don't know what you got 'til it's gone

Isn't it funny how every year we know the leaves are going to change colors but yet every year we are surprised when they do?  

We are amazed at how pretty they are and I don't know about you but every year I start to feel anxious as soon as the colors start to peak.  I start to feel like I'd better hurry and look around or I am going to miss it.

This year I feel more anxious then normal.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the leaves seemed to change earlier than usual.  It seems like once they started they were full speed ahead.

This year I had an urge to head up North.  I have always wanted to drive the North Shore during 'peak' season and for some reason at the beginning of this season I started to feel like this was a 'chance' that I missed out on.   Weird.....especially since I had no plans in place to make this happen. 

Definitely an item for the bucket list. 

I sure am gonna miss the leaves this year once they all have fallen from the trees.

What have you pinned for me lately?

Here are a few of my favorite pins as of late...

Have child draw on parchment paper and then turn into a lantern.

Family Scrabble Art artwork

Love this idea- take 12 envelopes and fill each of them with a 'date night'.  Date night would include not only the idea but the gift certficates (already pre-paid) to take care of the evening.

Love this idea for a picture wall. 

What a cute way to decorate a pumpkin!

Adorable idea for a Halloween party!

Last but not least- a headband holder.  Glue an oatmeal container to a candlestick holder.  Cover with scrapbook paper and Voila!  Adorable!

Homemade Easter Basket

Hannah wanted to do artwork.

She went off into her room, came out carrying a pile of supplies and headed to the table.

A few minutes later I was presented with this guy.

I was informed that this is my Easter Basket- that person hanging out is apparently me.

I love the way she draws people.

It makes me super anxious and excited to see what Hailey's people drawings will look like in the future.

My Pinspiration Project

I've been wanting to start a family calendar for a while now.

I've talked about it a lot and thought about it more.

A few weeks ago I finally took a step and purchased a frame.

Today I finally put this little project together.

It's hanging in the kitchen.  Now the hard part.....to actually use it.

5, 6, pick up sticks

We were supposed to go to the Busta's today to watch the Vikings game.

We knew we weren't going to make it 3 minutes after the girls were awake.  Such a bummer.

It's been nice to hang out with our friends lately and I was looking forward to another afternoon with them.

The girls haven't been feeling good and last night while at grandma's they had fevers.

This morning they woke up with runny noses and coughs.  We had a busy weekend and figured that the best thing to do today would be stay home and take it easy.

After the game the girls were starting to feel better and by tonight after dinner they seemed to be on the mend.   Fevers were gone.  Coughs were still lingering and the noses were under better control.

During dinner Hannah made a statement that she needed to hurry and eat so she can get outside and finish her job.

I found her outside a little while later picking up the sticks in the yard.

Dad told her he'd pay her $1 to pick them up.

She looked so small to me today while I was standing on the deck watching her in the yard.

I hope she never loses her willingness to help.

Family Day

A few months ago Grandma found a Living Social deal for The Minnetonka Apple Orchard.

It was a deal for admission and lunch, the only catch was that it could only be used on a certain weekend.  We decided on the 22nd (which is today).

Lucky for us it was a good day for it, a little chilly and windy but at least it wasn't raining (or snowing).

As soon as we entered the kids went running to the haystack.

They climbed to the top and within minutes were jumping from it.

I love this picture of my little sassy pants!

Adam

Justin

Super Hannah!

We made our way through the Corn Maze and then the kids took a ride on the Apple Express.

We had lunch, played on the swings and slides and then took a hayride to the Apple Barn where we enjoyed  some donuts.  Wow- they were delicious!

Hailey wasn't in the mood for pictures today so it was extra difficult getting them in one place to snap a few.

Kids with Grandma and Grandpa.

Hannah:  "Guys come here!  I want to take our picture."

Love this- it is so 'her'!

The kids also got their faces painted.

It was a great day!

I love days like this.  Hanging out with the family- having fun.

Earlier this week Brian and Bobby were texting and came up with the idea of going to the Gopher game this weekend.  We haven't been to TCF Bank Stadium, it was suppose to be nice and the Gophers are 3-0 so there wasn't one reason that we could come up with that made this a bad idea.

Grandma Chris and Tom watched the girls for us and we headed to Chili's for dinner (and 2 for 1's).

It was a chilly night but thanks to Kristin, her handwarmers, Kim's hat and Bobby's gloves I was toasty warm.  The Gophers won!  It was a fun night.  The only thing that could have made this night better was if Jennie and Tom would have been able to join us.

Hopefully next time.

There will be a next time....I hope.

GOOD times!

Happy Birthday Hailey Renee!

Today our little Hailey Monster turns 3!

Where in the world did the time go?!

It started this morning with balloons on the door.

I went downstairs and knocked on her door trying to get her to come out.

Me:  "Happy Birthday!"

Hailey:  "Come in."

(knock knock) Me:  "Happy Birthday!"

Hailey:  "Come in. Me broken."

Me:  "Come out here buddy"

Hailey:  "You carry me.  Come in."

I pushed the door open lightly.

Next thing I hear is the pitter patter of little feet excited to run through the balloon curtain.

After she got dressed we headed downstairs for our first picture taken as a three year old.

(fitting that she gave me her 'Amy Duncan' pose)

When we were on our way to the car we noticed the sunrise.

It was gorgeous today- blue, pink, purple.

Hailey:  "Wook it Hannah!"

Hannah:  "Oh cool.  Mom, how did it do that?"

Hailey:  "It's for me birthday."

Hailey really wanted a rainbow cake for her birthday.

This was the cake that I made for her.

I should have let the candy sit out and get a little hard- the rainbows were soft and ended up falling.

Hailey sporting her Justin Beiber shirt.

She was REAL excited about her new shirt- much more excited then she was about her new camera.

Here was the inside of the rainbow cake.  

Hailey has grown up so much this year.  It's amazing to think of all things that she will learn this year and how much more grown up she will be at this time next year.

We love you little one!  Hope you enjoyed your Birthday!