Summer Weekend Warriors 7/25: Another Wedding!

This weekend we celebrated Round 2 of July weddings, with Adam and Whitney (Adam is my cousin). The festivities were held near Alexandria, MN, about two hours away. Lucy didn't feel much like dancing at this reception, but she had fun goofing around with some of our extended family.

Bubbles in the country.

SHELBY!

Grandpa is supportive of Lucy's artistic endeavors.

Her new best friend, Victor (my cousin's son).
They did some late-night drinking and peanut-eating. :)

Veggie Time!

Starting to see the fruits (vegetables) of our labor. Peas, (tiny) carrots, and green beans. Yum!

Summer Weekend Warriors 7/19: Wedding Time!

Woo-hoo! Saturday was the wedding of Casey (Husband's cousin) and Gina. To prepare, Lucy and I got pedicures - her first.

Yes, my five-year-old got a pedicure. It's really quite ridiculous when I think about it. Yet, she was tickled pink and I am a sucker. I've learned to just accept it (though this is definitely a special treat thing...I don't even get them very often myself!)

Then on to the wedding for a good 'ol time with the whole family.

Notice anything different about Husband?

Siblings.

Grandpa Lee and Miss H.

I got to meet this sweet babe, Rayen, and had the privilege of holding her when she actually had her eyes open.
Just a total little pumpkin. Got my baby fix. :)

Sunday we were so tired we stayed in most of the day playing Legos and dressing the dog in a tutu. Who am I kidding, that's practically a regular day around here.

Lucy's Lens: The Peanuts Gang

My parents gave Lucy a digital camera for her birthday, and she often brings it with her when we go places. It's fun to see her perspective, hope you enjoy it too!

I love this one!

Summer Weekend Warriors 7/12: All-Star/Campfire Sandwich

Did that title grab ya?

Friday evening, Mama got some "me" time and went to a happy hour for a friend of mine who is switching jobs. She also happens to have a side gig at KFAN, the local radio station that broadcasts Twins games, and had an in to the station's All-Star Game pre-party. It was a beautiful night of good company, free drinks, and music on a downtown rooftop. We also walked down by Target Field to witness some of the game preparations taking place. It's going to be a big week for Minneapolis!

Saturday night, we enjoyed our first campfire of the season over at Grandpa Lee's house, with Auntie Marcey, Uncle Haver, and friends. We roasted marshmallows, drank a few beers, and watched Lucy race around the yard. I love summer!

Today I caught wind that a series of special All-Star Peanuts statues were on display in a park near the Convention Center, where Fan Fest was taking place. After the game, the statues were going to be auctioned off, and who knows where they will end up...so I took Lucy downtown on a mission to see them all in one place, and of course for Lucy to meet Lucy! It was a fun time and I'm glad we decided to make the trip. Daddy was busy, so afterwards we also had a nice mother/daughter dinner and walked down by Minnehaha Creek. Another great summer day!

5-Year Checkup

Today was Lucy's 5-year checkup...the big pre-kindergarten physical.

How do you prepare a kid for shots? Some people say to talk to them about it days in advance, have them practice on stuffed animals...I told my kid as we were pulling into the parking lot at the doctor's office. I knew she would fret about it otherwise. I just said doctors have to do what they need to do so we stay healthy and feel good, and sometimes that means we have to get shots. She got a little anxious after the routine exam was done and we were waiting for the nurse to come in to do it (and of course as I had to hold her down on the table), but overall it wasn't bad. The promise of ice cream afterwards helped. I was prepared for four shots; it was actually only two because they were able to combine some of the vaccines. One stick in each thigh. So it wasn't bad for Mom, either!

Our Lucy is in great health. She weighs 48.75 pounds and is 44.5 inches tall. She has definitely thinned out a bit and her BMI is the best it has ever been. She has always been in the high 90th percentile, but has now come down to 70s and 80s. She told the doctor all about her vegetable garden and how she always wears a helmet when she rides her bike.

Growing up fast!

In Bloom

The yard is in bloom! Here's a look at what we've got going on this year. I'll have to take pictures next month to see how it's changed.

Lucy's garden. Flowers, white lilac, strawberries,
and a raspberry bush in the back that has yet to bear fruit.

The delphiniums got crazy tall this year!

Tomatoes and randomly planted beans. We find they climb well on the tomato cages.

Husband created this little garden by taking out pavers. We definitely added more veggies this year -
peas, carrots, hot peppers, something that I thought was peppers but is obviously not,
and Husband's favorite...kohlrabi!

Flowers in front. Lily time!

These Lollipop Lilies were a favorite of Husband's mom. These are from bulbs given away at her funeral.

Lucy's Lens: July 4th

My parents gave Lucy a digital camera for her birthday, and she often brings it with her when we go places. It's fun to see her perspective, hope you enjoy it too!

Summer Weekend Warriors 7/5: July 4th and 20 Years Go By Fast

Thursday night we headed down to good 'ol Storm Lake for a good 'ol Fourth of July celebration! It was also the weekend I celebrated my 20-year high school reunion.

I got to ride on a parade float!

Note for next reunion - more candy. We ran out before the end!

Cutie cousins heading from Aunt Laurie's house to the park.

Cardboard boat races.

All this excitement, and they're looking for rocks.

3 Musketeers.

We waited a long time at the park before fireworks...

...well over an hour...

...for this balloon penguin!

The reunion festivities really started on Saturday. There was a picnic at Chautauqua Park for classmates and our families. In the early evening, Husband and I went out for dinner with some of my close friends and their spouses, then everyone reconvened at the park for awhile for boat rides and drinks before going out. We went to the hub of Storm Lake night life, Puffs. (I'm happy to say the bathrooms are much cleaner than the original Puffs from back in the day).

I have to say I really had a good time at the reunion. It was a relatively small turnout, maybe about 25% of the class, and not all at the same time. People drifted in and out of the various activities. There were some notable absences (like the people who actually live in town and were spotted in town), but the crowd that was there was fun! I enjoyed the company of my close friends, reconnected with others, and learned a lot about a few of my classmates that I maybe didn't know so well back then. I really had no preconceived notions or expectations about it. It was relaxed and fun, and I hope we get even more people to show up for 25.

And can I say...I just love these ladies! So blessed to have them in my life since high school (and even before that in some cases).

We crossed something off the SUMMER list! parade fireworks