Mini Gator

Out of all the outdoor stuff and riding toys we have, our mini John Deere Gator is by far the kiddos' (especially the boys) favorite thing.  Chris, who farms Nate's family farm so generously handed it down from his kids to ours last fall.   We can't thank him enough for the Gator, it gets charged almost daily because it's used so much :0)

8 on the 8th

8 random pictures of the kids on June 8th 

Hippo Smile

Since we received a few comments on Ian's hippo smile; I decided to post a few more, as well as some other fun facial expressions.

Papa and Nana Speckman Visit

Starting late Friday night we had the privilege of hosting my dad, Bill and stepmom, Carmela from Las Vegas.  It's been just over a year and the kids were beyond thrilled they were coming.  The weather turned out perfect, so we took every opportunity to be outside.  The highlighted events included playing at the park, going to Anoka-County's Annual Air Show and the Coon Rapid's Dam.  Well since Carmela captured over 300 pictures, it's been difficult to decide which ones to post.  Therefore, this post is devoted to ones with them and the kids.  A special thanks to her because now I have many fun picture posts to come of the kids :0)

Thanks Dad and Carmela for coming to visit.  We LOVED having you here and hope it doesn't take another year till we can see you again.  The kids are already asking when you are coming back.  Love and miss you.  Hugs!

Little Cyclone

So I know I am bias, but I do believe Ian makes one of the, if not the cutest Cyclone I have ever seen.

Visiting Grandpa and Grandma

For this Memorial weekend, we headed south to spend our holiday with Nate's parents.  The weather was wonderful and so we took many opportunities to be outside as possible.  Some of the top things on the kid's list besides seeing their grandparents were, riding/seeing farm equipment, fishing and playing at the park.  Even though we probably won't be down again till the fall, we sure hope Grandpa and Grandma can make it up here because the kids miss them already.  

 Just for fun..."Grumpy Faces"

Special thanks to Mike and Kathy for everything, we had a great time!

Preschool Graduate

It's completely bittersweet but today Elyse graduated from preschool and officially will be in kindergarten in the fall, YIKES!  Well her last day was a short one that concluded with chapel (singing, watching a puppet show and prayer with her class and their families).  As you can tell with the tears in her eyes, Elyse LOVED preschool and her teachers.  Thankfully with Caleb attending next year I told her that she just might be able to see them again in the fall and all tears turned to smiles :) 

Unfortunately with having to watch all three boys I did not want to carry around the nice big camera or my phone, which resulted in old camera and horrible pictures....will never make that mistake again!

Elyse with her teachers, Mrs. Guenther and Mrs. Johnson

Elyse with her closest classmates: Nora, Emerson & Sarah