Park Day at Foster Arend Beach

Our ward has a tradition of meeting at a different park in Rochester every Tuesday morning during the summer. Our kids love being able to play with their friends from church and the moms really love the time to chat. It's also been great to get us up and moving on otherwise boring summer days.


Mackay had a great time playing in the sand. He was so proud of his creation.



Spencer was not dressed to go swimming, but he insisted on getting in. His Diaper weighed about 50 pounds and he was covered in sand by the time we left. He was facinated by the water and sand and kept trying, and many times succeding, to eat handfuls of sand.



Mackay building a river with one of his friends from church.




Spencer after a grueling workout at the beach.

 

Lark Toy Company

Today all of the Anethesia residents had an intraining exam that lasted all day so we got together with a couple of the other families and made a trip out to Kellog,Mn. We visited an awesome toy museum and toy store that specializes in wooden and tin toys. It was fun to look at all of the old toys in the toy museum. They also have a carosel made of all hand carved animals. It was amazing and the kids had a great time riding it. We also traveled across the border to Nelson,WI for some good icecream at the Nelson Cheese factory. It is right on the river and their are some beautiful bluffs surrounding it. It was a good day for the kids and the moms as well. We got some good chating in while the kids kept getting into stuff.

Hannah Melander, Mackay, Alyssa and Anna Christensen, Sophia and Spencer in front of the Store.

Sophia Riding the Easter Bunny on the Carosel.

 

Mackay riding the Wolf on the Carosel.

Spencer on the Unicorn.

Spencer after a long day of being dragged around.

 

Slip and Slide on the Fourth of July

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The Fourth of July

During the day, we had a fun ward party at the Frei's house. We ate good food, went on the adult sized slip and slide, played on their swing set, and went down the zip line. The kids had a great time on the zip line but the next day both Sophia and Mackay had rope burns on the back of their legs. Mackay is still hobbling aroung a week later. His wounds were a lot worse that Sophie's. Danny had a fabulous time on the slip and slide. Of course, he was one of the first dads to start going down with his clothes on. By the end he had at least 5 other dads pressured into going down with him. At night, we did fireworks in our circle with our neighobors. The kids were so hyper and excited. It was fun to watch them.


Spencer is such a good baby. He was just happy to be there.

Sophia and her friend Anna doing what they do best--having a snack!

 

Jordan Patterson's Birthday Party

We traveled up to the cities for a BBQ and party for Jordan Patterson(Danny's cousin's little boy). The kids had a great time playing ball, jumping on the blow up toy, and opening presents. Sophia and Taylor had a blast doing make overs together.

Taylor and Cynthia watching Jordan open a present.

Sophia is so scared of dogs, especially bear beacause he is huge. She made Danny and I carry her around the house for about the first hour we were there. She finally got brave and started petting Bear.

Sophia after her makeover session with Taylor. She had on beautiful purple eye shadow and glitter on her cheeks.

 

First Day of Swimming Lessons

Sophia was terrified the first two days of swimming lessons. Her teachers tried coaxing her into the water, but she would just shake her head no. Later she told me she wasn't afraid of the water, just her teachers. We finally bribed her with candy from the candy machine and she was more than willing to swim. By the end of the 2 weeks she was jumping into the pool and swimming like a fish.

Mackay took swimming lessons for the very first time. He did awesome. He learned how to do the front and back crawl. He loves going to the pool with his friends and diving for rings under the water.

 

Camping Trip to Lanesboro,MN

We just returned from camping at the Old Barn Resort. We were a little surprised when we arrived because our camp site was located on a hill with a decent slope. So much for booking online. Despite slidding down the tent in our sippery sleeping bags all night, two bedwetters, and a severe thunderstorm warning that prompted us to leave earlier that expected, we had a great time. The kids had a great time swimming in the pool, making S'mores and riding bikes. On Saturday we rode on the Root River Trail to Lanesboro. It was a 7 mile ride (round trip) and Mackay, amazingly enough, rode the whole thing with Danny and I.

Sophie and Spencer in the bike trailer.

Mackay being his funny self while everyone else is enjoying their S'mores.

A face only a mother could love.

Mackay is a master at making S'mores.

Danny pulled out some of his boy scout charm and taught the kids how to start a fire the right way!

Famiy Photos at the Plummer House

A dear friend of mine (Susan Christensen) took some great family photos for us. We took the pictures at the Plummer House. The home and gardens are pretty amazing. Dr. Plummer was one of the early Doctors at Mayo Clinic. The kids really did great. Of course, a little bribbery never hurt anyone!

Sophie Rose

Spencer Caleb

Trip to Utah May 06

Spencer and Grandma Grange on Mother's Day. It was the last day of our trip. Time flies when you're having fun!
Spencer and Great Grandma Patterson













Spencer and Carter













Spencer and Ryland













Spencer and Auntie Kristin

Brynn's Wedding

Mom and Gracie


















Spencer checking out Gracie












Mom and Mike










The Bride's maids