GREAT Times!

What a fun-tastic weekend we had!! It started with a day at the MN State Fair with the Brigham Family on Friday. It was a hot day but thank goodness for the nice breeze. We pretty much did it all, ate it all and drank it all! LTD had an absolute blast with the Brigham children and Dave and I thoroughly enjoyed more time with Derek and Lynn. Derek scored VIP parking as part of his RUSH concert ticket package so late-afternoon, we all took a break from the sea of people and headed to his rockstar parking area. It was perfect! Right next to the grandstand in a shaded, grassy area. All the children ran around playing games on the grass while the adults enjoyed a few ice cold barley pops. Later, the men attended the RUSH concert while Lynn and I closed out our day visiting a few more hot spots and pet a few more animals (the bunnies and piglets were SO adorable). Feel free to check out our MN State Fair Album by clicking on the KodakGallery link on this web page, right hand side. Below are just a few photos:

We love the MN State Fair!
Barnyard Buddies (Asa and Dylan)

Aidan and Dylan cruising around

Corn Head (Lindsey)

Let's do it again! (rides and more rides)

Rocket Blaster is a favorite (second to the Swings)

Cooling off at the waterfall exhibit

LOVE!!!

Saturday, the kiddos and I got to share the day with Ms. Vicky and her sweet children at her beautiful pool. LTD had SO much fun, especially with the diving board. Sidney and Rayna were teaching them how to dive off of it; it was super hilarious watching them go for it. They swam for 4 hrs straight (took a slight lunch break) while Vicky and I got a chance to catch up with each other. It was so refreshing.

Today after church, we headed over to some new friends of ours (Julie and Jim) who we bumped into at the school picnic last week. Their son is going to our same school but will be in first grade. Julie and I used to hang out together many years ago and it was such a nice surprise to find out our kiddos will be going to school together. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon at their beautiful home but I seriously think LTD enjoyed it even more. It's fun to see them make new friends.......and for us to reconnect with old friends as well. We look forward to many more fun times with J & J and already have plans to golf together in a few weeks.

Summer is almost over and school is around the corner so we are going to enjoy this last week as much as humanly possible. We are definitely going to close out Summer 2010 with a bang!

Bye Bye Tonsils

Today Dylan joined the ranks of Taylor and mom.......we are all tonsil and adenoid free! Thankfully, the surgery went very well and Dylan was a super trooper. He went in with a smile on his face and left with a smile on his face (so much like his dad). He made sure he had his blanket and his Guardian Angel with him at all times (a gift from Grandma & Papa Good). The Anesthesiologist got a real kick out of the angel which has an inscription that reads, "May an angel always be by your side" which has always been one of my favorite quotes.

Unlike our spitfire Taylor, Dylan actually swalled his medicine right away (vs. holding it in the mouth for over 30 min) and we got out of there earlier than expected. What is so sweet is that the moment he got home, the girls have been right there to help care for him. It's a riot watching them tend to his needs and making sure he feels loved. Lots of cuddling and Taylor even gave up a few of her "children" for Dylan to sleep with tonight. They tucked him into bed, kissed his forehead and tucked the animals in beside him.

We would like to extend a very special thank-you to the Dunavan family for graciously caring for our girls today so Dave and I could both be there for Dylan. They had a blast and it was comforting for us to know they were in such loving hands who just happen to have fun, adorable children to play with.

Dylan is sore and tired but is expected to recover within 7-10 days. His big award for being such a brave patient is a date to the MN State Fair this Friday which he is very excited about (unfortunately, bungee cord jumping is out for D this year). Here are a few photos from my new Droid which I love but am still learning to use - Techno Tina :)

Arrival at 6:30 am - all smiles

"Check out my Guardian Angel"

Post-surgery with his blanket and Angel

Time for his first liquid - a popsicle

So proud of his little man

Mama bear snuggling her drowsy cub

Trying to muster a smile

Wagon ride exit - there's that smile again!

Summer Vacation Memories

We just returned from a weeklong vacation in N. MN at Arcadia Lodge on Big Turtle Lake. GREAT TIMES!! We couldn't have asked for better weather: it was HOT all week long with oodles of sunshine. We were joined in festivities by the Brigham family (+ Grandma Loretta and Lynn's nephew Cole from Rhode Island) and the Erdman family. Our group included 7 adults and 11 children in an 8 bedroom lodge right off the beach. Our newlywed friends, Carlton and Lorraine, also joined us for a few days/nights and drove all the way from Alabama. The Pichler family who have a cabin nearby also graced us with their presence for a day/night. We thoroughly enjoyed it!!

We brought our boat and new 4-person tube and Jim brought his fishing boat. In addition, we rented a pontoon for a day which just happened to be the hottest, sunniest day of the week. The water was so warm and crystal clear and fun was definitely had by all. We spent LOTS of time swimming, boating, tubing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, jumping on water trampolines and toys, playing in the sand and even skiing. Dave pulled out his old skis and a few of us gave it a whirl. Dave and I were lucky enough to get up on one again (after 20 yrs) so I guess we are not as old as we think! :) Evening bonfires and adult card and board games (after the kids were in bed) were hysterical and competitive. The men even gave the ladies a "night out" so we could enjoy a child-free summer evening at the Eagles Nest Lounge at sunset. We were the only customers and we closed the place down; the manager just left and we had to help ourselves out. It was hilarious!!

The children all got along so well and enjoyed their nightly slumber parties. The 6 boys decided to camp out in one big room and the 5 girls decided to spread out a bit and share two different rooms; all on one level (we decided to keep the varmints together on one level, far away from the parents on the other two levels :)

We took over 400 pictures but only 240 or so made the final cut. Below are just a few photos but feel free to check out the rest by clicking on our KodakGallery link on the right hand side of this blog. There were so many good photos! Of course, that's what happens when you have good friends + super kids + awesome weather = FANTASTIC vacation!!!

Dave and Taylor sharing a laugh

Bedtime hugs
This is the life

I could fish ALL day!

Aqua Girl

Aqua Girl 2

Kayaking is a close 2nd to fishing

YEEHAW!!!!

Lindsey holding on tight

Daniel Boone was a man

Grandma Loretta ready to tube (Girls Day Out)

Rock Climbers at the Fish Fry

Ladies Night!

Boys Night

Sand castle teamwork

Popcorn before bed

Team Arcadia 2010

(missing Carlton, Lorraine, Pichler's)

Erdman Family

Brigham Family

Camp Clark

More Tonsils Coming Out

About a year and a half ago, Taylor had her tonsils and adenoids removed because they were posing so many problems for her. NOW, Dylan is the next to have the same surgery on Monday, August 23. Like Taylor, he suffers significantly from many of the complications of enlarged tonsils & adenoids. Not only does he snore louder than a freight train, but he doesn't get restful sleep at night and tires out easily. There are other complications as well and it all boils down to cutting out these useless organs so he can flourish once again.

Dave and I are a bit worried about anesthesia as most parents are when it comes to putting our little ones down. But we know God will be watching over our little man and so will his Guardian Angel. On the bright side, Taylor is offering LOTS of support and feedback: "you get to play with lots of toys and ride a wagon and watch movies at the hospital and they even give you popsicles!" and "It's no big deal, Dylan. It don't hurt and you can be just like me". Dylan is actually excited to get all the attention and special care. Both Lindsey and Taylor are already planning on being his nurses when he gets home.

We are so thankful that they are able to squeeze it in before school starts since we want him to be completely healed and ready to thrive on their big first day of Kindergarten. Did I just say the "K" word? Sob, sob, sob!!!

PS - We have one proud little man. He just lost his second tooth and is anxiously waiting for the Tooth Fairy visit tonight.

My Bad!

I have been SO bad about updating our family blog over the last month. It seems like summer is running away on us and there is so little time, so much to do yet. We have had such an incredible summer and we only have one month left before Kindergarten starts (sore subject with me as I fight to hold back tears on that issue). ANYWAY, I am back in the saddle regarding this blog and hope to keep it better updated in closing out our last month of summer. LOTS planned and so much to look forward to.

In the meantime, check out our KodakGallery link for just posted "misc photos from June & July". Cheers!

http://classic.kodakgallery.com/campclark