Day Eight

In the morning we went to the reservoir to do some swimming. I know our lakes in MN take a while to warm up, so I was thinking mountain water might take some time also. I was right, the water was freezing, but the boys still went in. I decided to stay in the shade because the sun out here is hot and I am burnt to a crisp. It would have been a perfect day if I had a good book to read, maybe next time.

That evening I was treated to a birthday treat. Karma took me to get a pedicure. I got a fun nail color to match the dress I'm wearing to the wedding over the weekend. It was fun to relax and just girl talk.

Day Seven

Are you bored yet? Well today was a fun filled day, so read on. We started the day with a visit from the cousins. This time it was on my turf and I had my camera ready. However this is the best picture I could get of the boys (it would have been nice to see Lance's face, but I know what he looks like.)Then it was off with our favorite cousins and uncle to mini golf. It was a great course with fun landscaping. Liam got a hole in one!!

Then we went bowling. There was also an arcade, but we ran out of time at the family fun center (and money). The perfect day ended with dinner (ice cream social) at the fave aunt and uncle's house. The kids loved having ice cream sundaes for dinner (now you see why they are so special in both our hearts and stomachs).

Lance was feeling like a too big kid at the ice cream party, so fave Uncle showed him some big boy love and let him drive the tractor.

Of course everyone had to jump into the fun of
digging in the dirt.Even the big boy, can you say "new toy"?

Day Six

A very long day. Ryan and Lance went golfing with Grandpa and Great Grandpa today. Ryan won of course and Lance came in second. Four generations of golfers!Liam and I just visited with Great Grandma while they were golfing. We explored the yard and Liam named the cows, their names are now Sewer and Manure. He had to show them to Lance when he got back from golf. Then we had lunch at my favorite restaurant in town. When we got back to Grandma's we got ready for a big family get-together with all of our favorite relatives! Got to see my favorite aunt and uncle (you know who you are) and my blogging buddy. What a fun day, but I ate too much.

Day Five

Today we began the day just hanging out in the sunshine while the kids ran around the yard. Okay, Ryan had to "work" with his step dad, but I wouldn't really call holding the fence work. The kids did do some work also, they helped grandma plant her garden. Then we went to my sister in law's house and visited there. I got to hold my new 5 month old nephew for hours and that was fun, but I forgot my camera so no pictures of the cutie pie. For the reader a very boring read, but a fun relaxing day for us.

I must add that Ryan won his golf game today against his step dad. He has framed the score card for all eternity.

Day Four

What a busy fun day! First we went here and ate a bunch of great food. There were so many great choices and we ate and drank a lot. Lance and Liam had to have an elephant ear before we left. I think there was a pound of sugar on it, but Liam got every last lick.I had fun putting dinosaur tattoos all over my nephew.
Aunt Holly snuck into the picture of the boys.

The cousins!

Day Three

Well we finally made it here. We stopped at a rest stop about a mile out of town (the boys really had to go!) and when we got out of the van I could smell that we were here. I wish I had scratch and sniff blogging for you because it's a good smell. I am so exhausted right now after traveling in the car and the time changing thing. I'm sure I'll be ready to go tomorrow morning to start all of the visiting.

Scratch and sniff the Juniper trees.

Great Grandpa gives Liam hugs and tickles.

Great Grandpa and Grandma had to run over the first night we were here to see their boys.

Day Two

We made it to our friends' house today! It was a fun break and we got to see their kids and play with them. It has been two years since we saw them in person, so we got to meet Natalie live and in person for the first time. We were on the road again at 9 am after a good night's rest.

Day 1

Lance watching a movie

Liam reading the map (don't worry we did know

what we were doing without his help)

The boys hanging out at the rest stop

I had to take two pictures because Liam was

trying to show how sunny it was there

A little guy that wanted to share our lunch at the rest stop

A Fun Day at the Science Museum

Guess what...A Star Wars exhibit is in town! The boys (big and little) went to see a movie at the Omnitheater and then went to the exhibit yesterday. I chose to go to a graduation party instead, but I heard about all of the fun. Here are some fun pictures that Grandpa took.Lance's favorite picture

Boba Fett and the boys (the coolest costume, they said) Lance meets R2D2 (they said someone local made this at home) Watch out Liam, he's going to get you!!! Liam snuggling up to a bad guy

Hanging out with R2D2

No more papers, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks

School's out for Summer!!

Today was Lance and Liam's last day of school and they both passed and will be going to the next grade. I went to class with Liam because they had a red, white and blue party and the kindergarten classroom always needs extra help. Here are a few pictures from the last day.

Oliver and Company met their goal

The kids have been working hard raising money for their Stroll for Epilepsy team. Last Friday they did a fundraiser at their school and raised $112.45. Then on Saturday a bunch of them sold pop and water at a large neighborhood garage sale and they made around $200. I tallied up all of the donations the kids have gotten along with their fundraising and they are over $1000! This is the goal set by the Epilepsy foundation. The kids set a goal for their team of $2000, but we are glad they reached the first goal. They still have 2 more months until they walk, so they can still raise a few more dollars. The power of 9 fifth graders (and a few supportive parents) can go a long way.

Way to go Oliver and Company Team!!

Lance's recital

Theme from 'Phantom of the Opera'

'Swallowtail Jig' - An Irish Jig

Lance's Birthday

Today is Lance's birthday and we have had a full day of fun. It began at 5pm last night when 8 boys showed up to party and spend the night. We bought 4 pizzas (not enough), made 3 pitchers of kool aid, and had cake and ice cream. They played outside for a long while, did some Mad Libs, played some board games and watched a movie (and ate popcorn). This morning they continued to eat, they finished of 4 boxes of cereal. It was like having caterpillars in your house. They all had fun and Lance thought it was a great party.
A few boys couldn't spend the night and I forgot to take a group picture until the next morning.Then I took a few of the kids and we went to a BIG neighborhood garage sale across town. We set up a table to sell pop and water for the Epilepsy walk. The kids did it all day in shifts and made over $200 for their walk.We came home quick and got ready to go to Lance's recital. His private lesson teacher is moving to Boston, so she had a recital for all of her students. Lance got to play two songs. He did a great job.
Now it is 6pm and we are getting the house cleaned and the menu planned for another party tomorrow. We are have family and friends over for lunch and more birthday fun.