Family Vacatiaon Day 2... creative titles are my strong point

What a view, right!

Unfortunately, I can not take photographic credit here as I did not take the trek up this massive hill.

Neither did my brothers.  Though they did race up to a certain point and then came back down again. No, no.  Us young, spry kids decided to turn back about a third of the way into our walk and let our parents go the rest of the way leading them to the view that you see above.  Nice, huh?

My siblings and I were hungry.  And we wanted to go swimming.  And we knew we could see the best parts in pictures later.  Without the snakes, ticks, spiders and bears.

So, really my parents have the strength and we have the smarts.

Yeah.  That's it.  Anyways, we left Biwabik this morning after our 2 night stay at Giant's Ridge.

After two days of family fun out in nature, we enjoyed 5 hours of family bonding in the car.

Nature is more fun than the car.

We took a detour to Brainerd to visit my grandparents which was well worth the extra hour and a half of driving. 

Our family vacation was a major success.

Such fun memories that will stick with us a long time :)

Thanks for the FUN, family <3

Family Vacation Day 1

My Dad and I found a Groupon for Giants Ridge a while back and we are using them this week for a family vacation!

Everyone (except for Ryan and including my brother's girlfriend Ashley) is enjoying time together in Biwabik, MN.

We drove up yesterday and settled into our rooms before going swimming, hiking, and exploring.

On our hike (really more of a walk) we splashed, ruined our shoes, and knocked down dead trees.

Great bonding times were had by all.

We have a couple more days here... and we plan on enjoying every second. 

Unless you are Peyton, Joseph, Isaac, or Micah.  In which case you will sleep until 11:30 and then enjoy the time here.

We practiced our planking skills...

Took some awkward family photos...

And played at the park.

Today, we're off to find some hiking trails and more trees to push over.

Weekend Recap! Feat. Birthday, Bachelorette,and Besties

FINALLY!  A post where you get to see that I have a LIFE!  There will be nothing about potty training, pools, or babies (well maybe just a little bit).  

Here is my dear friend Bre and my little man Vandis at Applebee's this past Thursday.  I just really like this picture... plus it shows how seriously big my little guy is getting! He just turned 4 months old!

My sister and I scouted out some sales at Old Navy on Friday morning and Peyton found some friends to play with... it was a great time

My parents are out of town this weekend so we are celebrating my brother Micah's birthday on Monday... but since his real birthday was on Friday my sister and brother's girlfriend (not girlfriend to Micah... girlfriend to Joseph) and I took him out for lunch to celebrate!  Happy 15th Birthday Micah!

I love me a good excuse to go out to eat!  

Friday night...oooh Friday night... Bachelorette party!!!  Miss Laura is getting married this coming FRIDAY and I couldn't be more happy for her :)  We celebrated her by dressing up in our best 80's gear.  Obviously.

Here is my sister all 80-fied!

We met up at a dance studio and learned a dance routine to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.  

(The Bride-to-be is the 3rd from the left in the grey shirt and I am on the far right, rocking the zebra headband)

It was so much fun!  We totally rock the dance btw

We're thinking of making this a full time look... what do ya think?

After the 80's style dance part of the night, we had 45 minutes to go from "hot" to "hotter" aka 80's to 2011.  I'd say we pulled it off beautifully! 

We went to Crave for dinner... where I shared 3 different things with 3 different people because I love variety and I can be indecisive when it comes to food. My most favorite thing was the Grape, Apple,  and Blue Cheese Flatbread.  Oh my.  So so good!  I won't need variety next time I go... I'll probably just get 3 servings of the Grape, Apple,  and Blue Cheese Flatbread!

Here is the cute Bachlorette drinking her virgin drink... because yes, she is under 21.  And no, she is not too young to get married and she doesn't care that she can't drink at her wedding.

I'm so so happy for you Laur! You are going to make a great wife and a beautiful bride... I'm honored to have been a part of your fun night. I love you <3

*** This was the first over night that I have had away from Vandis... and it all went just fine :)  Thank you to grandma Candice for staying overnight with the kiddos!

Saturday

• Peyton pooped in the potty for the first time.  Yes, I took a picture. No, I'm not posting it.
• Jillian and I finished stuff for the play that we have coming up in just over 2 weeks.
• We tried having a Transformers marathon, but only watched the first one.
• We stayed in our pajamas all day.

Sunday

I watched my friend Steph's girls today and we all had a blast! My mini van was almost full on the way to lunch after church!  I loved it :)

We met up with some friends after church for lunch at Burger Jones... it was delish!  We got to eat outside on the patio and the weather couldn't have been more perfect!

Miss Olivia had just had too much fun and fell fast asleep in Hannah's arms... too cute!

After lunch, we came back home to play!  And play we did...

Oh, and if you couldn't tell... these girls are besties.  Like BEST besties. Forever.

I mean, the cute girls have to stick together!

Our house was more fun with you guys here!  We'll miss you <3

Here's to another week closer to Ryan's Homecoming :)

It's Nice to Have Some Help

Today we went to the beach with some help that happened to be family.  Nana, Uncle Isaac, and Uncle Micah.  Not only was it more fun this way... but it was also very helpful.

When your at a busy beach and your baby will only be in the water for 10 minutes and then wants to sleep in his car seat... it's helpful to have 6 additional eyes watching him.

When your toddler wants to play in the sand and do really exciting things like scoop sand into a bucket over and over again, it's helpful to have 3 additional people to enjoy that with her.

And even though one of those people might be crazy and want to have a duck and starfish tan line on his body... 

He can still be helpful when it comes to lunch time.

When your toddler who wont sleep anywhere but her crib starts to get tired...

I mean really tired...

It's helpful to have 6 additional arms hauling stuff to the van.

Thanks family for coming to the beach with us today!  You were helpful and fun!