6 years....

yesterday, Bryan and I celebrated 6 years of marriage. I feel so lucky to have found such a great man to spend my life with. I love you hunny - here's to many more years!

more fun....

Saturday night, we had a few friends over for grilling, games and fun. Thanks Eric for grilling - it was delicious! The kids played in the little pool, we played a mean game of croquet, and just spent time outside together. There was a small storm that came through, but nothing that dampened the party - we just moved it indoors for a little while! That evening, we made a fire - complete with smores and roasted hotdogs (and left over hamburgers and brats!) Thanks to everyone that was here - we had a blast!

Block Party

We had a ton of fun thursday night at the downtown block party! We met jeremy, jackie and the kids after the kiddie parade, ate tacos, the boys had so much fun in the inflatable jumper, we also fed llamas and goats and looked at all the other animals. corey bought gavin a snow cone - yummy! it was such a nice night - i'm so thankful that i was able to be a part of it - (i was supposed to work, but thanks to carolyn, i got the first 4 hours of my shift off - she's wonderful!!)

hmmm...

So, the other day, as Gavin and I were driving home, we went past a lake. Here was the conversation that followed:

Gavin: What is that mom?

Me: well, Gav, that is a lake.

Gav: oh - how did it get there?

Me: Well, God put it there.

Gav: HUH?

Me: God... he put it there. Do you know who God is?

Gav: Huh? Like Jesus?

Me: Yes, kind of like Jesus - God made that lake and wanted it to go right there.

Gav: (silence...) then - OH, kind of like when Spongebob crys, he makes a pool!

I'm not sure how I feel about my son comparing God to Spongebob - but it's pretty fun to watch his little brain try and reason!

HaPpY bIrThDaY lAuReN!!!

Happy 7th Birthday Lauren!

We hope you have a fabulous day!

We love you!!!

Bryan, Mer and Gavy!

Happy Father's Day!

On Sunday, we celebrated the most important men in our life. Thank you to our dads for being there for us when we need you and guiding us along our way. Thanks dad for being such a great role model and always willing to help me when I have no idea how to cook anything! Thanks Gary for all the little (and big) things you do to help us get our house put together... Bryan's not nearly as handy! Thank you to all of Gavin's uncles who each bring something very special and important to his life - he is so blessed to have you guys to admire. And lastly, and especially - thank you to my loving husband, who is the most amazing father. You do so much for Gavin and I, and never with a complaint. I love how Gavin looks up to you - he is SO blessed to have you as his role model - you are amazing!

Our {Lauren} weekend

We had a great time this last weekend, spending it with Lauren! Friday night, we all watched a movie and ate popcorn; then Lauren and Gavin got to sleep together! I was a little worried that they wouldn't fall asleep, but only 15 min after they laid down, they were both asleep - they looked pretty cute in that bed! Saturday morning, we played outside - it was such a beautiful morning, then we went to our favorite park in Spicer to play. Lauren and I then were dropped off at the spa for our pedicure appointments! It was Lauren's first pedicure, and I think she really enjoyed herself. I also surprised her with a manicure as well - she was pretty excited to get a jewel on every nail! That afternoon, we spent the day celebrating Lauren's 7th birthday - wow - 7 years old already! Gavin had a blast playing in the pool and having a water balloon fight with daddy and uncle Nick. Gavin even got to spend the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house - he always has so much fun with Lauren and Ellie!

funny things...

I almost forgot to post a couple of the really funny things Gav said this weekend.

On Friday night, Owen was "talking" to Gavin, but Gavin couldn't understand him, so he ran over to my mom and says "Nana, Owen is speakin Spanish!" (I seriously, cannot stop laughing about this... it gets funnier each time I tell it!)

On Sunday, Gav and I were eating lunch on the deck, when he reached his arms up around my neck and says "mommy, you make me sooooo happy!" Doesn't that just melt your heart!?

better stop blogging and get him to bed - then I have my Tuesday night date with Edward Cullen... Jill, I wish you were here too!

Sunday...

Sunday, we spent the day with the kids while the big boys went golfing. It was such a nice, relaxing afternoon. Gavin, Owen, Kate and Jack all played in the little pool, while the rest of us just enjoyed the sunshine! There was lots of laughing, lots of splashing and lots of snacking... we had a great time!

Saturday...

So Happy!

When G saw this picture he said "ooooh... there's my handsome Owie!"

Saturday morning, we met Shane and Krista at the Mall of America and just bummed around for a little while before meeting Eric, Laurie, Owen and Gavin at the MN zoo. Gavin was so excited to go to the zoo with everyone - he especially couldn't wait to see the "really, really, really big bears!" We spent the day just hanging out. The new African exibit was fun to see, Gav really wanted to feed the giraffes - so we got in line, only to have them close it just before we got to the front of the line. That made G pretty sad... but nothing a little ice cream snack from auntie "Laurlee" couldn't fix. Ice cream really does make everything better! The boys had a blast playing with Krista in the park area - Gav even made her go down the slide, and of course, she obliged - those aunties never say no to him! After a long, hot day - I was pretty ready to head to bed early... but my family had other plans. I was shocked to enter Eric and Laurie's house to a huge "SUPRISE!" birthday party with all of my friends and family there! I still can't believe Bryan kept that from me since February! I'm especially impressed Laurie didn't give it away - she's not the best at keeping secrets! (love ya laur!) We had such a great time - and it was so good to see everyone again. Gavin had a blast playing with all of his cousins at the same time - plus Garett, Connor, Jack and Katy! The party was absolutely perfect and I couldn't have asked for anything more. THANK YOU to everyone that put so much time and effort into planning a party to celebrate me - it was pretty amazing.

Friday...

Friday, Bryan took the day off from work, so we headed to the cities to hang out. We dropped Gavin off at Laurie and Eric's house for the night, and went on a much needed date! We spent the night in downtown Minneapolis at The Grand Hotel. The hotel was beautiful! We went out to eat, did a little too much bar hopping and called it a night a little too late - but we had a BLAST! It was so great to hang out with Bryan and spend time just the two of us - I was kind of forgetting how much fun we have together! Thank you mom, Laurie and Eric for watching Gavin - he had so much fun with you guys!

Wow...

This last weekend was one of the best of my life - literally - I was reminded how blessed I am to have so many great people in my life. It was so jam packed with fun days - I think I'll give each day it's own post. I'll start with Thursday. I turned 30. I have to honestly admit that I was really dreading that day - it just seems like it's a whole new chapter to start. I loved my 20s - I felt like I could still be carefree and it was ok if I made mistakes. The more I think about it though - I don't think 30 is going to be so bad. I have a great job, an AMAZING family and some really great friends. I have a home, a car, some fun hobbies. I'm running as far as I did in college and I guess I still just feel like me. But most of all, I have Gavin - and everyday he reminds me what a wonderful thing it is to be a mom. So, Bryan, knowing how much I really did not want to celebrate this year - went all out for my birthday, and made me feel pretty darn special - again... how did I get so lucky?!

Thursday started out like any other day - Gav went to daycare for a little while. I picked up my house, had lunch on the deck with Bryan and then read for awhile and had a great run. It was such a beautiful day. Bryan brought me a plant at our lunch date and I got LOTS of birthday kisses from Gav! Thursday night - we met Danny, Liz and Zach for dinner. Danny and I share a birthday, so we tend to get together each year. We went to Melvins - Gavin loves to play on the beach while we eat! Bryan gave me a Canon SLR, so we spent a lot of the night playing with my new toy! It was the perfect day - little did I know how much more he had planned for me!