A fun weekend with cousins!

My sister and her husband took off on a long weekend get away--and that meant I got to see my niece and nephew a couple times, as my parents were watching them this weekend!

Nora's teacher sent me this picture of Nora--Nora told her she had a baby in her belly! Both Bishop and Nora have let me know they would like a baby brother or sister!

While Bishop's buddies sister practices Girls on the Run, Bishop and his buddies try to keep up inside the fence one day after school (Bishop is in the yellow shirt close to the fence in the back)! Ha!

Luke headed up to Cold Spring on Friday for homecoming. His football team was being recognized at half time of the HS game. We contemplated going.....but Bishop decided he wanted to stay so he could play soccer and that way Nora could go to gymnastics in the morning!

We had some special fans come to cheer on Bishop at soccer--Nana, Papa, Madelyn and Jack! The girls had a blast coloring and playing together.....and Jack and Nate had fun running around together!

Jack and Nate

Luke and some teammates from the '91 team!

On Saturday we went to Super Soccer Saturday to support some of the SW soccer teams! The kids got really excited to see Nick (a neighbor) play! We couldn't stay for the Varsity games, as Cal and his family were coming over for dinner! It was a beautiful day--perfect to be outside enjoying some soccer!

Such. Good. Buds.

Casey stopped over on Sunday--he played some bball with Bishop--Bishop asked him about all his favorite teachers while Nora did his hair! We are so lucky to have such great neighbors!

In the afternoon Madelyn, Jack, Nana and Papa came over to play. The boys ran and played together and the girls definitely kept busy!

Bishop reading to Jack!

Driving the neighbors Barbie car! :)

The girls turn!

A little cousins run!

It was a beautiful fall weekend.....and it was so fun spending time with Madelyn and Jack!!

A Weekend at home!

We ended up having a nice weekend at home this weekend! Soccer was rained out on Friday night so we enjoyed a night at home--the kids played outside in the rain and looked for millipedes (Bishop's class has millipedes and he wanted some as pets)! :) They didn't find any, but had fun looking! We played some games and enjoyed a family night together!

Saturday morning Luke was off to Red Wing for a bike ride--it has become a yearly event and this year was even more special and meaningful as Molly's dad passed away earlier this summer and the ride raised money for Mikesmiles (Mike Smiles/Mike's miles)! :) The kids and I went to gymnastics, a pet store to look for millipedes (he was serious about this), the library and then they each had play dates. Nora had her first official "play date" where I dropped her off at Riley's house. Sounds like they had a fun time together! Meanwhile, Kruger came over--and the boys were boys! They played a lot of basketball, some soccer, some air hockey-they were moving the whole time! We stopped at the park on our way back from getting Nora and after Kruger was picked up it was time for dinner!

Sunday brought church, brunch, the Vikings game, another trip to a different pet store (where they discouraged us from buying the millipedes as they are poisonous (and $15/each) and then the kids helped mow the lawn with Luke that evening!

Shooting hoops!

Playing a little catch with the football--active boys! :)

Luke and Dan on their ride!

Nora and Riley on her swing set! Silly girls!

Playing at the park!

Monkeys!

He was running to keep it moving!

Nothing like mowing the lawn in your dress! ;)

Marble Game, Sparklers and the dentist for Nora

Bishop and Nora created a game in the stairwell--they call it the "marble game"; however, they're playing with bouncy balls! :) They each take a container (play kitchen cup or pan) and they fling their bouncy balls down the stairs and they try to knock over 2 stuffed animals! I love their creativity and imagination--these are fun ages, especially since they enjoy doing things together!!

 Tuesday evening turned into a spontaneous play-date/dinner at Cal and Avery's after pick up! The kids had fun running around-we had a little dinner and ended the night with Sparklers! It was Bishop and Nora's first time with sparklers and they thought it was pretty neat! Thanks, Pearson's for having us--it was a great time, as always!

The girls also enjoyed some dress up time together! :)

It's a little hard to see his sparkler!

I finally got Nora in to the dentist as the last time I tried to take her the dentist didn't want to risk aggravating anything since she had recently had her adenoids out. She did great--she had no problems with the x-rays and the hygienist said her teeth looked great! Unfortunately, the x-ray detected a couple of cavities so she'll be going back to have them filled in a couple of weeks. She has seemed to handle these situations well so I'm hoping the same is true when she has them filled (Bishop seems to get a little more anxious in situations like those)! We'll make it a habit to floss more regularly going forward!!

Happy Birthday, Luke!!

Happy Birthday to the one and only, Luke! I am so blessed to call you my husband and I am thankful for all you do for our family! Your hard work ethic and determination to be the best at everything you set out to do is something I value and appreciate! Thanks for being such a positive role model for Bishop and Nora! We love you as big as the sky! :)

We started Luke birthday celebration on Saturday evening with Dan and Molly! Our night started in NE at Tattersal, which was a really neat spot to have a cocktail! We ventured over to Bauhaus from there and ended at Tilia for dinner! It was the perfect night to re-connect with great friends and to celebrate Luke's birthday!

 A big shout out to my parents for watching the kids that evening.....and to my mom for bringing Luke's favorite dessert! :)

 Luke's birthday fell on a Monday and the kids had swimming--so we celebrated at the Red Cow after swimming and we played a game of Uno while we waited for our food!

So much love for her daddy!

He looks up to Luke so much and wants to be with him-it's so sweet!

Pokemon, The Renaissance Festival

Bishop and Andrew trading Pokemon cards!

A raccoon in the neighborhood tree!! Watch out!

Happy birthday to Claire! The kids made her a little present and card! :)

Bishop has been working so hard on reading--and I was so proud and excited when he came down for breakfast one morning with his book and dove right in!

Practicing with dad on a beautiful fall night!

After soccer fun with the Weaver kids! :) 

After gymnastics on Saturday we headed out to the Renaissance festival! We went a couple of years ago and the kids were excited to go again! Nora was a little apprehensive at first with all the people in costumes....and I didn't blame her-there were some interesting and scary looking folks there! Once we walked around a little and found some fun things to do we all enjoyed it and ended up staying for almost 4 hours!

My obligatory picture in case we get separated! ;)

Target practice

The kids got a kick out of the tomato throwing and Luke ended up taking a turn. I thought the heckler could have done a better job with him--he was razzing Luke about his 401K and how he probably had to take money out of it to afford the Renaissance festival! Ha!

Luke did his best in the tomato heckling throw! 

Nora LOVES getting her face painted!