Teddy Bear Park

This past weekend we headed east to Stillwater to visit this adorable town and play at their famous, "Teddy Bear Park".  The kids have asked to go there for quite sometime now and it was a perfect day to be outside.  The park was adorable with its giant teddy bears, climbing trains, boats and walls!  

Papa and Nana Speckman Visit

This past week we had the priviledge of having my dad and stepmother (the kids' Papa and Nana S) visit from Las Vegas.  It's been a few years since they've been able to come visit but it felt like we saw them yesterday.  Once they arrived it was non-stop playing, laughing and creating some long-lasting memories.  The weather was hot so we spent much of our time doing things indoors.  The highlight for the kids besides seeing them was when my stepbrother, Bronson joined us at Mall of America for a day of riding rides, eating, attending the Children's Museum and seeing other fun attractions.  Bronson and Elyse hit up the adult rides and hence I don't have any pictures, just know she was one daredevil full of smiles.  

Special thanks to Papa and Nana S for coming.  We loved having you here and hope to see you both again real soon.  Love and miss you already.

Doing All the Hardwork

I know he wanted to, but it just doesn't seem right that the littlest is pushing the biggest two? As you can tell by Elyse's annoyed expression, he can't move them too quickly.  

Squirt Bottles

With higher temps again we quickly went from sweating outside while playing to soaking wet and dirty thanks to grass, the rock pit, some sand and spraying one another with squirt bottles.  Love summer fun, I just wish it wasn't ending so soon!

"Nite to Unite"

Tonight was "Nite to Unite" also known as "National Night Out".  The soul purpose is for neighborhoods to have dinner together, meet one another and build healthy relationships.  We have participated every year and it's something the kids get excited about when they see the signs come up in the yards.  As in the previous years, the kids went home with smiles on their faces and sugar in their stomachs.  Although I believe Ian went home with the biggest smile; largely thanks to being naked while eating a rice-crispie treat.