Summer part dos

Well it's about time I posted a few catch up posts.  I loaded these pics into the posts awhile ago but never got around to writing much for the rest of the summer, Lainey's bday, the fall or Wyatt's birthday.  I figured with Tiegan's birthday just a few days away and Christmas next week I better get moving and get this thing caught up by the end of the year!

Summer 2015 treated us well.  Life with 3 kids got a little more manageable and Tiegan was the easiest go with the flow baby which helped a ton.

After a morning playing at the park or swimming at the pool or splash park, many drives home ended like this.

We went to a wedding in August - Jed accompanied Lainey as his date and I met them at the reception after nap time with the littles.

Wyatt loves a wedding -- mostly for the cupcakes or cake.

Kiddos and the guys cuttin loose on the dance floor.

This picture cracks me up.  Everyone is looking, but not everyone is smiling.  But they were all dressed so cute for church I had to at least try.

Lainey has not always allowed us the easiest bedtime routine (ahem, requests of us singing Christmas carols on repeat, every stuffed animal and doll in JUST the right spot, etc) but as of late it's gotten a lot easier.  I never necessarily enjoyed that hard season and hoped and prayed it would indeed be just a season.  And now she barely needs tucked in but one night in particular the week of her birthday she asked me to lay with her and scratch her back.  It was easy to comply with such sweetness.

Tiegan didn't struggle with stranger danger until about 10 months so all summer she would pretty easily go to anyone, let anyone touch her or talk to her, etc.  We love our chiropractor Dr. Ann and love seeing her for our monthly visits.

With Lainey loving the sweet summer splash park days most of all, Tiegan came in a close second.  

We took a trip to Minnesota right after Lainey's birthday in August.

"Enjoyed" a suuuuuuper hot morning at the Como Zoo.

T didn't seem to mind the heat.

We took in the seal show while we were there!

Naps typically go real well at Ma and Papa's house!

Ma went above and beyond grabbing some party decor to celebrate our big girl along with the other lovely August birthday gal, my Grandma Carey.

Sweet August birthday girlies!

The last morning there we hopped over to Farmington to the Dakota County Fair!

Lainey talked Papa into letting her do a pony ride.

Wyatt was in heaven among all those tractors!

Ice cream "lunch" at the general store!

More splash park fun!  Lainey and my friend Allison's daughter Gwen would literally swim and play all day if it weren't for those pesky afternoon naps their moms insist on!

We did a lap around Gray's Lake one evening.

Lainey rode her little heart out around the whole lake!

Summer in all of it's splendor requires lots of baths!  Not sure how much longer I'll fit 3 in that tub but I'm gonna keep trying!

February & April Minnesota Trips

[Seems a little bit silly to be blogging about something so long ago but I already had the first part of the post nearly done and then decided to just lump two posts together so I'm just gonna roll with it...]

We planned a trip up to Minnesota for mid February since it had been awhile since we had visited and we had a new family member to introduce!

All of my kids were excellent travelers.  I've learned a few tricks over the years and that is a) travel during nap time and b) snacks, snacks and more snacks.

Ma is an expert garage sale and swap site shopper and has collected tons of fun toys, puzzles and books for the kids to enjoy when we visit.

I do believe Tiegan has a soft spot for her Papa and the feeling seems to be mutual.

We were excited to spend some time with Grandma Carey while we visited.  I love watching my kids with her.  

Tiegan is her 14th great grandchild!

Tiegan was just starting to smile during this visit but we had to work pretty hard to work them out of her!

We took the girls one afternoon to the IKEA and the Mall with it ALL because we had promised Lainey a trip to Lego Land.  Surprisingly, she didn't remember the existence of the Disney store (thank goodness) and we had a fun time.

We are just entering the Lego love years but I have a feeling we will all enjoy them as time goes on.  It is so fun to watch their minds explore and create such intricate things.

Working on her new set when we got back to my parents.

The ride home was another adventure but we made it safe and sound.

A couple months later we ventured north again, this time to go to my cousin Kelsey's bridal shower.

We typically pit stop at a McDonalds for bathroom breaks, feeding the baby and smoothies.

Once we arrive, the first question is usually, "Can we go to the park?"  My parents live in a townhouse association with a really nice park next to it and the kids love walking down there.

She's always happy to be along for the ride!  Such a joyful little go with the flow baby.

My parents make it easy for us to visit, even with 3 kids.  It's a tight squeeze, but there's beds/cribs/pack and plays for everyone and my kids typically sleep pretty well there!

Papa makes the BEST breakfasts!

My cousin Kelsey's shower was so fun and it was great to see some extended family and introduce them to Tiegan.  Lainey absolutely adored following around my cousins big girls.  They were so sweet to her and included her all day.

Abigail and Isabel (top R and L) were our flower girls in our wedding 5 years ago.  They are growing up to be lovely young ladies!

Had to round out the day with one more park trip!

I wish my parents (and Jed's too) lived closer but it sure is fun to make a big trip out of visiting them for the weekend!  Love my little travelers!