Amboy - Spring 2012

This trip came just in time - I was badly in need of some crafting and a girls-weekend.. I think this was the hottest weather we've had during one of our trips, maybe ever. If I remember right, we have only had to use the air conditioning one other time. We took advantage of the nice weather and went on walks everyday in between scrapping and eating. I missed the kids bunches, but I'm not going to lie; waking up at my own pace was *wonderful*! 

Our stop at Whiskey River on the way down.

It only took us three takes to finally get this picture with the timer right :)

Marsha & Momma

One of my purchases - another plate rack to display books

Aaaaaand another one..

Finally finished the Halloween book 

And Harper's first birthday book 

Wrigley made an appearance in this one

Thank goodness Peg & Lou are nuts about the kids, otherwise I would probably go nuts myself! They are always willing to watch the kids for us, which gives Mike and I plenty of time to have a life outside of our children.. I am completely spoiled and I don't know what I would do without them - I am so grateful that I am able to take these trips and have an identity other than "mom". And then to come back home after getting the chance to miss my little family... Makes me love my babies even more! Life's good :)

Two = Perfect

Joe and Angie needed a sitter one afternoon so my mom and I watched all the kids while the Mikes went golfing. I'm telling you; having those four boys together was a great form of birth control. Any ideas I may have flirted with about having more babies, have realistically, been kicked to the curb. Although a good weight-loss plan, I did not enjoy chasing boys around all afternoon, breaking up fights, shelving toys that turned into weapons and keeping our furniture from turning into a jungle-gym. I've decided that having one boy and one girl {and having both of them be healthy} is everything I could ask for. And anytime I forget that, please tell me to babysit the nephews and I am sure I will promptly be cured.. 

Grandbabies everywhere! Story time with Mimi..

Wrigley was NOT COOL with the lack of attention she was getting..

Campaign Keep-Duenwalds-In-Minnesota

This past weekend, Kristy and I surprised the boys with a little overnight getaway to Stillwater, MN. They both knew where they were going, but neither of them knew that the other one would be there. I'm pretty sure Mike was totally not excited to go to Stillwater with me for the night.. In fact, he was trying to go to sleep for "just a little bit" as soon as we checked  in.. But, then when he saw his BFF, he had a change of heart.. Awwww :) We stayed at The Waterstreet Inn and had a nummy dinner at Charlies Restaurant. {Mmmm, steak.} I wasn't prepared and came to Stillwater without a charged camera battery (..the thought of an undocumented trip.. what would I do?) Thankfully Kristy saved the day and took a few pics so I would have something to post (THANKS, LUV)!

The hotel is on the St. Croix river and it was an absolutely beautiful weekend.. We sat on the patio and had some drinks before dinner and then wandered over to a fun little bar on the river after we finished dinner.. Kristy and I thought we were in college again, but I think we were both reminded of our age the next morning. Ahhh, the memories.. The night was gone in a flash and then we all met up for a breakfast buffet the next morning for Mother's Day.. It hardly feels like we even went anywhere, it was gone so fast. It was so much fun and I am now officially campaigning for Matt & Kristy to stay in the state of Minnesota.. (I actually don't even know if they are entertaining the idea of leaving anymore, but we will make it so fun here that any remaining thoughts they might have of moving away will disappear..)

Seewah

A couple weeks ago, Shela dropped into Minnesota for a minute to hang out while Justun was at a work conference. I was telling Tanner about her before she came.. I have this old picture of us (actually one of those caricature drawings) in the loft so I was showing it to him. I told him how Shela and I met and how far she was driving to get here. He was enthralled and constantly asking me questions about Shela.. What color is her hair, does she have kids, does she have a dog, etc., etc.. He was so excited to see "Seewah" and kept going up to that picture and talking to it, like she could hear him through it.. Pretty cute stuff :)

Shela brought him some puzzles, so he instantly loved her :)

I know it doesn't look like love here, but he HATES having his picture taken..

Unlike his momma.. Who takes 400 pictures a day :)

He even followed her into the bathroom when she was trying to get ready.. Poor girl couldn't shake him off!

Shela, Mike and I went to Minneapolis for some food and drinks..

At The Alley Bar..

At Gluek's..

As I was typing this post, Tanner saw the pictures on the computer and shouted "SEEWAH!!!!!" I told him she'd be back in June and the questions started rolling in.. "Is she on her way?" "Did you see her car outside?" "What are her kids doing?" ...Shela, get here soon ;)

Cinco De Mayo

I'm starting to notice a trend here.. Where we once had the "drinking holidays" (ie: St. Patrick's Day and Cinco De Mayo), we now have kid parties that end with both Mike and I exhausted and in bed earlier than any other random day in the middle of the week. We celebrated Harper's first birthday last Saturday, Cinco De Mayo - and don't you worry, we snuck in a tequila bar next to the taco bar so the adults could enjoy the day as well ;)

I literally have over 900 pictures on my camera after last weekend. I think I may have a problem. So, if you hate looking at the barrage of pictures I take (well, then you probably checked out of reading this blog long, long ago), you may want to exit now. It's pretty obnoxious.. I have 8,984,783,397 pictures.. staartiiiing..... NOW!

Harper's first birthday was mostly about the outfit.. Peg found the MOST ADORABLE OUTFIT EVER {thank you, thank you!} for her birthday; I am in love with it and saving it forEVER.. So we'll start off with the fashion show..

Ruffle butt

We decided to scale back on the invite list this year (sorry Harper); I am honestly too tired to do the big all-day extravaganzas any more.. Besides, she's ONE. All she cares about is a clean diaper, food in her belly and a nap.. So we stuck with the family this year and kept things chill.. Like Harper :)

Four generations of foxy ladies ;)

The grandpas

The grandmas 

Mason was obsessed with petting Harper's hair all day..  

Aidan: our entertainment for the afternoon.. 

Tanner is not quite as skilled as Aidan..

Lots of presents to open.. Harper didn't care too much about the presents - we had to keep pulling her back in. Mostly we just had to fend off the boys from tearing into all her loot.

Awww.. Brother-sister moment :)

The new, pink scooter..

..That Tanner promptly stole..

 
The best part of the day (besides bedtime).. The CAKE :)

The boys patiently waiting for a slice.. 

Her birthday crown.. It was on for one and a half minutes..

Anyone else notice that the Babbe boys aren't fond of shirts?

Happy birthday, beautiful girl!