Blaise's week...

...with Auntie!

I'm so glad that Blaise was able to spend some time with Marissa and Doug in South Dakota.  He had a blast and came home with lots of fun memories!  They kept him busy and he learned a lot of new things...

like, how to swim.

Which, I know was not easy to get him to do!

I can almost bet there was a lot of bribing and coercing involved...

and maybe a just few tantrums thrown?

But, these pictures would lead one to believe he has finally overcome his fear of water.



I'm so proud of my boy!

He wanted us to take him to the pool as soon as he got home so he could show us his new skills.  It was amazing to see how just one week with Marissa could turn him into such a good little swimmer!

Swimming wasn't the only fun B had though.



He got to help Uncle Doug on the bee farm...

...which he obviously loved.

He also loved...

Auntie's cooking

and baking.

But really, who wouldn't?

I can't leave out pictures from his mini photo session

(If he is in the right mood, he just loves to pose).

So cute!

Auntie and Uncle also took him to Storybook Land in Aberdeen, SD



He is one lucky boy!

I think its great that he has such loving family who want to spend so much time with him!

Thank you Marissa and Doug for giving him a great week and such great memories (and for giving Blair and I some time for each other).

WE LOVE YOU!

No more...

...Training Wheels!!

There is probably nothing Blaise loves more then riding his bike and dirt bike.

Which is why it's a HUGE deal that he learned how to ride without training wheels!

He started with a little help from Poppa and Daddy...

...pretty soon all he needed was daddy's hand for assurance.

He took a tumble...

but got right back up and kept trying and in no time he was riding on his own!



Such a proud moment for this mommy!

Once he had it figured out he was cruising around like a crazy man!

Which resulted in...

Sweaty helmet head (which he thought was so cool)!

I can't wait untill Blair and I can go on long family rides with him.

It really is the little things in life!

Best Week Ever...

Blair's nieces Ryen (10), Samari (7), and his mom came for a week long visit and it was such a pleasure to have them here!  They are such lovely, polite, well mannered little girls.  We kept them very busy and had something planned almost every day they were with us.  Needless to say by the end we were all very exhausted, but VERY sad to see them go!  We love those girls! 

Here are a few highlights from their first visit to Minnesota:

We spent a lot of time at the lake.

 What a cutie!

I taught Ryen how to kayak.  She picked it up quickly, and  I am proud to say she paddles like a pro!

This was Samari's first time in a boat.  Ever. 

She was scared at first, but after a while she didn't want to get out!

The girls also enjoyed riding Blaise's dirtbike.

Whats' a trip to Minnesota without going to the cities?

This is a picture of 3 very excited cousins on their way to the Mall of America.

We did some rides at Nickelodeon Universe...

I love this one.

Ryen's face is priceless.

Shopped at the American Girl Store..

...had some lunch...

...and went to Sea Life.

 

Then we headed over to the Waterpark of America (where we stayed two nights)

and had  family dinners

(dolls included, of coarse).

After our stay in the cities we headed back to our house for the 4th.

We spent the day in the Watkins pool...

...and the night with fireworks at our house.

Isn't Sami's special 4th of July dress precious?

It was the perfect way to spend the day!

The next day Blair and I had to head back to work.

Good thing Grandma Mary was there to keep them busy and take them to the A'maze 'N Farmyard during the day.

They loved it!

When I got home from work I took them all to Art as You Like it in St. Cloud.

The kids worked on their own projects,

and I helped out with a very special present for Grandma.



I can't wait to pick it up and send it to her!

We had such a fun week together, but it went by way to fast.  Come back soon girls!  We love you and miss you very much!

Mary:

Thank you so much for every thing you do.

You are an amazing Mother and Grandmother!

We love you!

The Black Keys...

...are so good live!

Blair and I are really enjoying our concert "date nights" together!